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Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things. In the last snippet, she is surprised to see Huw riding the supposedly unmanageable pony
SNIPPET
Megan shot a glance at Evan Griffiths, leaning against the fence with a bemused expression on his face.
“She trusts him, see,” the man said in answer to her unspoken question, “that’s the only way to explain it.” He paused, “p’raps she’s one of those horses which prefer children to adults, some horses do, you know.”
“We only discovered Huw was riding the pony the other day, and I can’t get him to tell me how long he’s been riding her or how he managed to gain her confidence,” Glyn added.
“Well he seems happy,” she replied, “and so does the pony for that matter.”
The boy must have noticed her arrival, and cantered up to the fence, patting the pony’s neck, he drew her to a halt and jumped down from the saddle.
“Hello Miss Johnson, did you see me jumping -- how d’you like my new pony?”
“Your pony now, is she?” his father said, and Megan could not help noticing the twinkle in his eye.
“You seem to be doing really well with her,” she said, stepping back from the fence a little, as the pony snorted and tossed her head. She hoped Glyn Phillips hadn’t noticed
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I guess Huw is some sort of horse whisperer who can do things even the trainers can't.
ReplyDeleteWell that's certainly a possibility, Ed!
DeleteI can see why animals might trust a child before an adult. I think Ed is right--Huw is a pony whisperer!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly true that often a child can get through to an animal which is wary of adults. Thanks for comming by, Jenna.
DeleteFascinating. You have my complete thoughts after reading your snippet. Thanks, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Charmaine! xx
Deletewell done - is the magic in the child, or in the pony - and why does the pony act up when Megan gets close? She's hiding something...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm giving anything away if I say there is something rather special about that pony, and it is possible Megan is trying to hide something!
DeleteIntriguing - the pony is certainly skittish.
ReplyDeleteShe is - and so is Megan at the moment! :)
DeleteHorses (and ponies) definitely do have their own opinions...I like the pace at which the story is moving and revealing secrets while providing other mysteries. Excellent excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Veronica, you're so right, horses and ponies are very good at deciding who they'll respond to. Glad you liked it.
DeleteI'm wondering why she's concerned if Glyn saw the horse's reaction to her. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was aiming for! :) Thanks Karen!
ReplyDeleteAnimals can sense emotion which is why the boy has his trust and she doesn't. Too many secrets, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, Nancy. But Megan's not a bad person, but you're right about the emotion and there are some things she'd just prefer to keep to herself at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'd prolly take a step back too. I like that the boy can ride. And I really, really wonder why him? Good snippet, Lyn! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Teresa! x
ReplyDelete