The Palomino Pony Wins Through by Olivia Tuffin

had been done, Melanie and Georgia climbed up into the four-by-four and everyone waved and smiled as they pulled out of the drive. However, as Georgia took one last look at the Smalley yard in the rear-view mirror, she noticed Josephine gather Alice up in herarms as she dissolved into tears.
    Georgia hated seeing Alice so upset, but she didn’t want to think about that now. Selfishly, she wanted to get back to Redgrove and for things to return to normal.
    It took them about twenty-five minutes to drive home – the longest twenty-five minutes of Georgia’s life! Redgrove was exactly the same place as it had been three weeks ago, but to Georgia it looked like paradise. The ponies seemed delighted to be back too – they unloaded happily and were soon settled into their paddocks as if they’d never left at all, heads down, grazing in the spring sunshine.
    Once Georgia had helped Melanie and Simon put the ponies’ tack away, she let herself in through the paddock gate. Wilson, a little plump from his holiday, looked up from the grass and happily gazed around his familiar field, and Lily blewgently into Georgia’s hair as she nuzzled against her. Only Secret seemed restless. Ordinarily, he would try to play with Callie or Lily, but instead he stood apart from the other ponies, his eyes searching.
    Georgia patted his red neck. “What’s up, boy?” she whispered. But it was as clear to her as it must be to everyone else. He was missing Alice.
    He nudged her hard, as if demanding answers.
    Melanie came over to the gate and leaned on the top crossbar. “He’s grown so much, Georgia, even in the last three weeks.”
    “He seems … sad,” Georgia said as she continued to stroke his neck.
    “Georgia.” Melanie’s voice was a little hesitant. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear but we need to have that talk about Secret.” She reached over and tickled the colt under his chin, struggling to find the words. “You know Lily has a home herefor the rest of her life, as does Secret. I wouldn’t get rid of him without your say-so.” She looked straight at Georgia. “But with two ponies there would be a lot of hard work ahead, and what with you at school, it might be too much to cope with. You don’t want to get behind again, like you did last year. Remember, you promised your mum that your schoolwork wouldn’t suffer?” Georgia nodded. “And two ponies,” Melanie continued, “can get very expensive.”
    “I know,” Georgia said glumly.
    “Well, have a think about it, Gee,” said Melanie.
    “I will,” said Georgia. She felt quite sure she would think of little else over the next few days.

C HAPTER N INETEEN
    M elanie’s words played over and over in Georgia’s head later that night as she lay in her bed. Pip yawned and blinked sleepily at her as she turned on her bedside lamp and pulled out her photo album, full of treasured memories of her times with Lily and Secret.
    There was the first few days at Dan’s farm, where Secret had lived in the goat stable, followinghis dramatic birth during the Redgrove floods. A Christmas pic showed Lily bedecked with tinsel standing proudly next to her foal, who was being hugged by Emma. Then there was Secret’s first show with Lily, when Dan had led him. It seemed like years ago now, but in reality it had only been a few weeks.
    Georgia adored the boisterous little colt, but as he was nearly six months old, she had to make a decision. Melanie would never be able to keep him as a stallion – she didn’t have the facilities, and with two mares around, it would be unfair. Yards like Josephine’s were better suited for that.
    Her thoughts drifted to Alice. And Secret. She had seen the bond between him and Alice so clearly, but equally she loved him herself. And because he was a part of Lily, it made it even harder for her to think about letting him go. Melanie was right though – she had her school work, and Lily,to concentrate on, and she knew her mum would never