A Special Surprise by Chloe Ryder Page B

‘One more field and we’re there. I can walk if you like?’
    ‘No,’ said Stardust quickly. ‘I love being ridden. My best pony friend, Blossom, is too busy to play with me. She’s training for the Annual Autumn Marathon. Honey’s no fun either. She’s been in a strop since Canter’s banned us from wearing hoof polish at school. I don’t know why they’re being so strict about it. All the teachers wear it. It’s just not fair. Oh, and did I tell you that Comet’s writing a book? It’s about the missing horseshoes. He’s driving me mad asking me questions about how we found them. And you’ll never guess what I saw the other day.’ Stardust didn’t wait for Pippa to reply. ‘Crystal and Trojan were rubbing noses behind the Haunted House at the fairground. Eeeww ! Luckily I’ve got Cinders to keep me company. She boards at Canter’s now. She’s much nicer since Baroness Divine ran away.’
    ‘Do you think Divine will come back?’ asked Pippa.
    ‘I hope not.’ Stardust shivered. ‘But at least everyone knows how wicked she is. Poor Cinders – it must have been such a shock to learn that her own mother had stolen the horseshoes.’
    They walked in silence until they reached the end of the field. Pippa guided Stardust on to a narrow lane with high banks. ‘That’s the stables.’ Pippa pointed to a driveway at the end of the lane where a wooden sign read, Barley Field Stables .
    ‘We can’t get in,’ said Stardust, stopping at a five-bar gate that was chained and padlocked.
    ‘I know the code.’ Pippa leaned down to the padlock and spun the numbers on the combination lock. It clicked open and she pushed the gate wide.
    Stardust whinnied in surprise.
    ‘How did you do that? Did you use magic?’
    ‘No,’ chuckled Pippa. ‘It’s something called technology.’
    The wooden stable block consisted of eight stables arranged in an L-shape behind the indoor school. Stardust stopped dead.
    ‘Is that it?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Pippa, sliding from her back. ‘Only six ponies are in tonight. The others are out in the fields, so you’ve got two whole stables to choose from.’
    ‘I can’t sleep here,’ said Stardust at once. Her nose wrinkled as she peered into one of the empty stables. ‘Where’s the bed? Why is the straw on the floor and not in a duvet? There aren’t any pictures on the walls and anyone can look at me over the door. This is no place for a princess!’
     

     
    ‘ Shhh ,’ said Pippa. She glanced around but it was too late. Stardust had woken the other ponies.
    ‘What’s all that noise?’ grumbled a chestnut pony called Rose.
    ‘Is it a new pony? I’m Sunflower. Pleased to meet you,’ called a pretty palomino.
    ‘Hello, Pippa,’ called Snowdrop. ‘Who’s your friend?’
    Pippa felt as if her head were spinning. ‘You can talk? Why haven’t you spoken to me before?’
    ‘We talk to you all the time,’ said Snowdrop. ‘We didn’t think you could understand us.’
    ‘This is the first time I’ve heard you.’ Pippa looked thoughtful. ‘Maybe I can hear you now because of Stardust.’ The pony’s tiara was sparkling more brightly than usual. ‘It must be Princess Pony magic at work.’
    Stardust stepped forward and curtsied to Snowdrop. ‘I’m Princess Stardust of Chevalia – and you are?’
    Snowdrop started to answer but a tall grey pony stuck her nose out of a nearby stable.
    ‘Welcome, Princess Stardust. I’m Petunia of Barley Field Stables. I’m in charge here.’
    ‘No, you’re not,’ the other ponies neighed.
    Petunia ignored them. ‘The stable next to mine is free. Why don’t you sleep there?’
     

     
    A hopeful look crossed Stardust’s face. She trotted to the other empty stable and stared over the door.
    ‘It’s worse than the other one. I’ll get my hooves dirty if I sleep in there.’
    ‘Ooh, isn’t she la-di-dah !’ said Hawthorn. A strand of hay hung from between his lips and there were knots in his mane and tail.
    ‘Of