Nightstorm and the Grand Slam Read Online Free Page A

it as a mounting block. She vaulted on expertly, not worrying that the pony had no saddle or bridle. She had always ridden Mystic like this. She remembered the very first time when they had taken a midnight ride to the pony club from her house. It had been terrifying at first, trying to bounce along bareback at the trot without anything to cling to. But Issie was a far more accomplished rider now. Her natural balance was so honed she relied on her seat alone. Not that it was far to fall anyway if she had come off. Compared to being on big, sixteen-two hand horses like Nightstorm and Victory, the grey pony felt very low to the ground. It had been a long time since Issie last rode Mystic and she was suddenly aware of how much she had grown. She was far too big for him – but Mystic didn’t seem to mind. As soon as he felt her weight settled on his back he set off at a brisk trot, weaving between the horse trucks. Issie wrapped her hands in the pony’s coarse mane as Mystic trotted his way through the twisting maze of vehicles, heading towards the Badminton House stable block.
    It usually took about ten minutes to walk from her truck to the stables, but in a matter of a few minutes the grey pony was pulling up to a halt in the shadows outside the stately stone buildings.
    â€œGood boy!” Issie gave him a slappy pat on the neck and then slid silently to the ground. The grey pony knew he could only take her this far. There was a watchman at night on the gates so she’d need to go alone from this point.
    As she ran towards the stable block, Issie cast a glance back over her shoulder at Mystic. She had hoped to catch one last glimpse of his snowy face in the darkness but she should have known better by now. The grey pony was already gone.
    As she ran through the entrance gates the security guard dropped the magazine he’d been reading and shone his torch on her.
    â€œHey, where do you think you’re going?” He put out an arm to stop her as she tried to race past.
    â€œI need to get to my horses,” Issie said. She was trying to stay calm, but it wasn’t easy. Her mind was flashing back to that night in Chevalier Point all those years ago when Storm was stolen. He had been just a colt at thetime and the ordeal had been terrifying. Now, Issie was worried that it was happening once more. Had someone come to take her horse? She couldn’t stand to go through it again.
    â€œID tag?” the guard said.
    Issie lost her cool. “I’m wearing pyjamas! Does it look like I have my tags on me?”
    The guard looked closely at her. “So what’s the big hurry about?”
    â€œI need to get to my horses.”
    The guard looked unimpressed by this vague explanation. “I’m sorry but without tags… hey!”
    Before he could say anything more, Issie had ducked under his outstretched arm and was running through the courtyard towards the stable block.
    She entered the corridor of the stable block and ran down the row of stalls. Victory was there! She could see him through the bars on the top of the door to his stall. He seemed to be totally fine.
    â€œHey, you!” Issie could hear the guard running up the corridor behind her but she ignored him and continued on to the next stall.
    â€œStorm?”
    Her breath was coming in gasps as her throat constricted with nerves. Her heart was racing. When she reached the door to his loose box she half-expected to find his stall empty, her best horse taken from her once again. But Storm was still there too!
    Relieved to see him, Issie collapsed against the loose box door and put her face up to the bars.
    â€œHey, boy!” Issie smiled at him. “I’m glad you’re OK. I was worried about…”
    The smile disappeared from her face. Storm usually came to the door to greet her, but he was acting like he wasn’t even aware that Issie was there. He seemed preoccupied. He kept turning his head around to