Read Online Ponies at Owls' Wood by Scilla James - Free Book Online Page A

And I need to tell her about Delia.’ In fact, Hannah knew that if she did get five minutes with her mum on the phone, she wouldn’t be able to tell her what was really happening in her life. Her mum would be far too worried, and would put Dad on the case at once. Even worse, she might abandon her beloved choir and come home early, so that Hannah would collapse with guilt. It would be hopeless. Suddenly the choir didn’t seem to be such a bad thing. Having a fully occupied and absent mother had its upside.
    Hannah tried to imagine her mum standing in a sweaty hall and singing boring songs with a pile of other perfumed mothers, and she just couldn’t understand why her mum would want to when there were so many other things to do in life? Like cook, or talk to your youngest daughter about her horse, or take her into town to the cinema. Loads of things.
    Hannah set off for the field and found that she was looking forward to seeing Jess again. At least she could tell her all the things that were on her mind and know that she would be listened to. Instead, when she got there it was Tom standing by the gate.
    â€˜Don’t freak,’ said Hannah, ‘but I went up to the farmhouse again yesterday, or at least I went to Owls’ Wood. I’ve found out who put Jack in my field.’
    â€˜Oh.’ said Tom. He looked disappointed. ‘I would have come with you if you’d waited.’
    It occurred to Hannah for the first time that Tom might have been looking forward to going with her. He spent so much of the day on his own – his parents seemed just to leave him while they went to work – and she guessed he was bored.
    â€˜I see the patchy one’s settling in,’ he said, ‘you could start a business.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    â€˜Fatandscruffyhorses.com.’ he said.
    Hannah’s sympathy evaporated. ‘Very funny. I’m going to take Polly out now, but I’ll be back later and we can talk then. If you’ve got nothing to do today you could try and make friends with Jack? You know, the “patchy one”?’ He’s still really nervous but he needs his neck looked at. I’ve managed to get some ointment on him but you could see if you can get him to chill a bit.’
    â€˜So what have you found out?’ replied Tom instead. ‘And I do know the difference between your pony and the other one.’
    â€˜I’ll tell you later,’ said Hannah. ‘But if you’re going to live here you may as well get used to ponies. Just go and talk to him. Don’t try and touch him unless he comes to you. And Tom, please will you keep an eye on the field?’ She told him about Delia. ‘There are some terrible people about. I might need to ask for your help with something, but it’s got to be a secret and you’ll have to promise not to tell.’
    â€˜I’ll see when you tell me,’ said Tom, looking doubtful. ‘I’m not sure about talking to the pony either, but I’ll keep an eye on the field.’ Then, unexpectedly, he smiled, and Hannah realised how much nicer he looked when he did.
    â€˜Thanks,’ she smiled back.
    Hannah groomed Polly and got everything ready to go. She warned Jack that a tall, fair-haired boy was possibly going to try and talk to him. ‘I’m thinking he might be OK really,’ she said, ‘and anyway, he’s all we’ve got now Charley’s gone. So be kind to him if he’s kind to you.’
    Hannah couldn’t help feeling bad about leaving Tom out, however rude he’d been about Polly and Jack. He looked forlorn as he turned back towards his house and lifted one hand to wave. She must talk to Jess about him.
    While she worked on Polly she kept looking at her mobile, but it was 10 o’clock before Jess’s text came to say that Pete was safely out of the way.
    She set off at a brisk trot and had a lovely canter up the Steeple