I brought three of them with me in the horse truck. You’ve met the piebald. The other two are a chestnut and a dark brown—Jasper and Marmite. Both of them need loads of work too.”
Aidan grinned at the look of horror on Issie’s face. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to ask you to look after them as well. You’ll have your hands full with the piebald. I’ve asked Tom if he’ll take care of the other two. I’ve just taken them to Winterflood Farm.”
“Is that where your horse truck is?” Issie realised that she hadn’t seen it parked outside when she arrived.
“Uh-huh. I’m going back there shortly to help him settle them in, but I thought I’d better come here and see you first to explain about the piebald.”
“What’s up with that pony? He’s totally kooky,” Issie said.
“He’s a Blackthorn Pony, born and bred,” Aidan said. “So I figure he’s got a huge jump buried in him somewhere, but I really haven’t had the chance to do any schooling on him yet. He’s been broken in, but apart from that he’s just been turned out for two seasons now. I’ve only ridden him a few times in the past six months. I got on him for the first time in ages last week. I thought I’d better try him before bringing him here. Anyway, I thought he’d be all fizzy after not being ridden for so long, but he just about fell asleep under me. The only thing he loves, as far as I can tell, is sleeping.”
“I noticed!” Issie said.
“He’s kinda…quirky,” continued Aidan, “but he’s got no vices. He doesn’t buck or rear or anything, he’s just, well…you’ll see…he’s a bit of a…character. He needs someone like you, Issie. Someone who can focus on him and bring out the best.”
“But I already have Blaze and Comet! How can I focus on him when I have two other horses I’m supposed to be riding?” Issie protested.
“I’m working six horses a day at the moment,” Aidan pointed out. “I’m only asking you to manage with three.”
“Yes, but that’s your job!” Issie objected. “I’ve got school to worry about.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” Mrs Brown said wryly as she reached between Issie and Aidan to restock the chocolate biscuit plate. “I’ve never noticed you being particularly concerned about your horses getting in the way of school work before, Isadora. You have grown up since you got back from Spain!”
Her mother’s sarcasm was not lost on her, but Issie decided to ignore it. “I’ve got exams this term,” she continued. “It’s different. And looking after three horses is a lot harder than two.”
Aidan’s smile faded. “Issie, I wouldn’t be asking you to do this unless it was important. Hester has only just got the farm back on its feet again. You and I are her business partners now and she needs us to pitch in. Maybe by next season, when things have improved, she can hire another stable hand to help out with the training, but until then she’s relying on you.”
Aidan brushed his dark fringe back and looked into Issie’s eyes. She remembered the last time he had stared at her like that. It was just before his lips had touched hers, on the lawn under the cherry trees.
She remembered feeling as if her knees were going to buckle beneath her as she stood there that day. Now, when Aidan smiled at her, she felt herself going weak all over again. “Come on, Issie, what do you say? It’s just one horse. How much trouble can he be?”
Issie sighed. Aidan made it impossible to say no. Still, she had a feeling she was going to regret this.
“What exactly does Hester want me to do with him?”
“Compete on him,” said Aidan. “Right now that piebald isn’t worth a lot because he doesn’t have enough experience. But if you could ride him for the next few months and win a few ribbons or maybe even some trophies with him on the gymkhana circuit then he’d be worth a whole lot more.”
“You want me to take him on the show circuit and win championship ribbons?” Issie was stunned. “Aidan! Have you seen the state of him?”
Aidan gave her a cheeky grin. “What’s the matter, Issie? Are you saying that you’re only a good rider if you’ve got a fancy horse like Blaze underneath you to rely on? If the piebald is too tough for you to handle…”
“I didn’t mean that!” Issie cut him off. “All right,” she sighed, “I’ll do my best with him, but you’ve seen what he’s like—I’m not a miracle worker! I’ll try, but tell Aunty Hess that I’m not making her any promises.”
“Great!” Aidan said with obvious relief. Then he looked at his watch. “Listen, I hate to do this, but I have to go. I promised Tom I would help with the horses. And after that I need to head straight back to Blackthorn Farm.”
Issie’s heart sank. “Really? You can’t stay?”
Aidan shook his head. “No. I’m only here for the day. I can’t leave the horses and the other animals at Blackthorn overnight without anyone there to feed and check on them. I’ll try and make it back through soon though—maybe next week?”
“OK,” Issie said with an air of resignation. She had dreamt about seeing Aidan so often over the past month, but those dreams definitely didn’t involve him turning up with a nutty piebald pony to dump on her before racing off again.
As Aidan grabbed Avery’s car keys and headed for the door Issie walked with him. She was beginning to think Aidan was going to leave without giving her a kiss goodbye, but then at the last minute he leaned over and gave her a hasty peck on the cheek. The cheek! What sort of kiss was that? Aidan, meanwhile, was looking decidedly uncomfortable again. Something was definitely up.
“Is anything wrong?” asked Issie nervously.
“Yeah, well, I had something I wanted to say to you…” Aidan said.
“What is it?” Issie felt her pulse quickening. What was going on? Was he trying to break up with her? Was that it?
They stood there for a moment on the front step, both of them afraid to speak. And then, just as Aidan was about to open his mouth, Mrs Brown appeared beside them.
“You forgot your coat,” she said, handing Aidan a navy puffa jacket.
He froze with embarrassment, being caught in an awkward moment by Issie’s mum. “Thanks,” he mumbled, taking the jacket. Then he looked at Issie. “Anyway, I’ll talk to you later, OK?” he said. “I’ll give you a call.” And with that, he headed off down the front steps towards the gate.
Aidan was just opening the gate when Issie suddenly realised she’d forgotten to ask him a very important question.
“The piebald!” she called out after him. “What’s his name?”
Aidan turned to look at her. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that,” he said. “I’ve had no luck coming up with anything so far. I’m stuck, I’m afraid. I thought I’d leave it up to you.”
“How about Snoozy?” Issie suggested sarcastically.
“Up to you,” Aidan said. “He’s your horse for now.” He
