‘And I wouldn’t have had a costume if you hadn’t spent hours helping me make a new one. I’d have had to try to squeeze into the pirate costume I had at primary school, and that would have looked ridiculous,’ said Sofia.
‘We’re doing this because we want to, Kristy,’ Norah told her.
Hope flickered like a flame in Kristy’s heart and then died. ‘But there’s no way I can afford his livery fees!’
‘What if I said you could work here in return for his keep?’ said Emma.
‘Seriously?’ said Kristy.
‘Seriously,’ said Emma. ‘You’re the hardest working stablehand I’ve ever had. I reckon it’s a fair exchange.’
Kristy looked at her boss and her three best friends. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’
‘Absolutely, totally, one hundred per cent sure,’ said Sofia, hugging her tightly.
‘How are we going to retain our title of quadrille champions without our lucky charm in the team?’ said William, punching her lightly on the shoulder.
‘Thank you,’ said Kristy, her eyes shining. ‘Thank you all so much!’
She sprinted over to Cassius’s stable and buried her face in the Percheron’s warm neck. She felt luckier than a lottery winner. She had the best friends anyone could ask for and Cassius, the kindest, bravest horse in the world, was absolutely, totally, one hundred per cent hers.
Kristy rubbed the silky soft bit just under her horse’s ears. Her horse, she marvelled. Would it ever sink in?
Across the yard she could hear the twins arguing about who was going to lead the team the following year. Sofia, as usual, was trying to keep the peace, telling them they could be joint leaders.
Kristy giggled, happier than she thought it was possible to be. ‘Joint leaders? Those two?’ she spluttered. ‘Oh Cassius, can you imagine!’
AFTERWORD
Thank you for reading The Thirteenth Horse. If you enjoyed this book it would be great if you could spare a couple of minutes to write a quick review on Amazon. I’d love to hear your feedback!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Wills is the Amazon bestselling author of The Riverdale Pony Stories, which follow the adventures of pony-mad Poppy McKeever and her beloved Connemara Cloud.
She is also the author of Flick Henderson and the Deadly Game, a fast-paced mystery about a super-cool new heroine who has her sights set on becoming an investigative journalist.
Find out more at www.amandawills.co.uk or at www.facebook.com/riverdaleseries or follow amandawillsauthor on Instagram.
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Poppy faces her showjumping fears with help from her best friend Scarlett and her beloved Connemara, Cloud.
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ALSO BY AMANDA WILLS
THE RIVERDALE PONY STORIES
The Lost Pony of Riverdale
Against all Hope
Into the Storm
Redhall Riders
The Secret of Witch Cottage
Missing on the Moor
SHORT READS FOR YOUNGER READERS
Juno’s Foal
The Midnight Pony
The Pony of Tanglewood Farm
Flick Henderson and the Deadly Game
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
1. Wanted: Animal Lover
2. Mill Farm Stables
3. Mystery Horse
4. Friends and Enemies
5. War Horse
6. Secret Rider
7. Equestrian Ballet
8. Apology Accepted
9. Early Bird
10. Wooden Horses
11. Private Lessons
12. A Helping Hand
13. Blind Spot
15. Tough Competition
16. The Ultimation
17. Friday the Thirteenth
18. Trapped
19. Sisters and Rivals
20. Achilles Heel
21. Smile for the Camera
22. A Friend in Need
23. New Year’s Eve
24. A New Owner
Afterword
About the author
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Also by Amanda Wills