The Chrysalid Conspiracy by A.J. Reynolds Page B

The huge wheels were highly decorated, and steps at the back led up to a platform and a door.
    The windows were open and two duvets were hung out to air. The picture was further enhanced by an open fire; the thin smoke wandering slowly upwards in the windless, bright autumn morning. Bridie was standing next to it in her dressing gown, wielding a frying pan. With her flaming red hair, Amelia thought that any painting that could capture this scene would have been priceless.
    She stood there, captivated, and realised that it looked exactly as her rather vivid imagination would have told her had she allowed it. “Oh, Rayn, Bridie. I’m so jealous. It’s unbelievable.”
    Rayn’s face showed more relief than anything. She had been so worried that her new friend wouldn’t like it, or, worse still, think it silly.
    “Hi Amelia, are you hungry?” asked the more practical Bridie. “Do you want some breakfast?”
    “Ooh yes,” she replied. She wasn’t in fact hungry, but she wasn’t going to miss one nano particle of this experience.
    Rayn, pleased with Amelia’s response, had become overwhelmed with enthusiasm. “Come and meet Daisy and Dexter,” she said excitedly. Propped up on a box under the caravan was a large cage with two rabbits munching on some fresh food. Rayn took one out and plonked it in Amelia’s arms.
    “This is Dexter. Say hello to Amelia,” she told it
    Nervous at first, Amelia soon became seduced by the experience and found herself making those idiotic sounds that humans reserve for babies and lesser, non-aggressive species. Rayn put the disinterested creature back in its cage. “Come and meet Horace,” she said.”
    Behind the caravan was a paddock, in the centre of which stood the biggest and most magnificent horse Amelia had ever imagined. He was gigantic. “Oh my God, I’m in love!”
    Horace was munching on fresh hay from his feeding rack and ignoring everything else. Amelia had never seen an animal this big. She knew elephants were big, but she had never actually seen one in real life.
    The beautiful beast just stood there with his huge head up. He seemed to know he was being admired and played to his audience showing off his deep chestnut coat, his white mane tumbling from his neck seemed to go on forever. From his fetlocks more white hair flared out to hide his massive hooves. More of his mane tumbled over his forehead and he peered out from behind it. His tail was so full and luxurious it would have made Rapunzel weep.
    “He’s eighteen hands.” said Rayn. “That’s about as tall as they get.”
    “Can I stroke him?” said Amelia dubiously.
    “If he’ll let you. He’s a bit sulky right now. He’s getting a bit old and grouchy and we haven’t been on the road much this year. He just loves getting dressed up and pulling the caravan. He’s a real show off.”
    Rayn called him and he turned, and then moved towards them with slow ponderous strides.
    “Jump up on the gate, Amelia. He’ll break your ankles if you’re not careful,” warned Rayn. Amelia sat on the top rung of the five-bar gate. Horace walked over to her and lowered his head so that their eyes were level.
    “Wow, that’s odd,” said Rayn. “He’s not usually that friendly with strangers.”
    Amelia nervously patted his long nose and, gaining confidence, she ran her hands through his mane and then reached out with both arms to give him a hug.
    Horace made a quick movement with his head catching Amelia full in the chest and knocking her backwards off the gate. She hit the ground, shoulders first. Rayn screamed as Amelia fought for breath. Horace walked back to his hayrack and carried on with his breakfast. Amelia sat up and looked at Horace. She would have sworn on oath that the beast was smiling.
    “You don’t happen to be friendly with a little green digital alarm clock, do you?” she demanded.
    As she slowly pulled herself to her feet, Rayn, who had been trying not to laugh, finally burst into hysterics.