Emily and Emerald Read Online Free PDF

through some woods and I was a bit worried Emerald would spook at the low branches, but she didn’t. In fact, as we walked up this path by the edge of the fields, I was thinking we’d finally cracked it and that she was completely cured of her flighty behaviour – ha ha, silly me!

    Suddenly, this pheasant flew out of a bush beside Emerald and she totally freaked out.She went skittering sideways while bucking her legs in the air, and I was so surprised I just fell straight off. I found myself lying on the ground, my heart pounding with shock, listening to her hooves thundering away across the stubble field.

    Sally dismounted and handed Blue’s reins to someone else (maybe it was Lydia). She crouched beside me and asked if I was OK, but all I could think about was Emerald. I staggered to my feet and went running across the field after her.
    â€œEmily, wait!” Johnny called out, but I heard Sally say, “She won’t listen. Don’t worry, I’ll go.” Then she came chasing after me.
    When I reached the top of the hill, I saw Emerald at the far end of the field. She was pacing up and down with her tail swishing. I started to run towards her, but Sally caught up with me. “Go steady,” she panted, “or she’ll bolt off. Just get a little nearer, and then wait for her to come to you.”
    I blinked at her. I’d been expecting her to tell me off for ignoring Johnny and then send me straight back to the group. But instead she was going to let me try and catch Emerald. I knew I had to be really slow and careful. If she went bolting off again, she could run into a road, or trip up and hurt herself.
    I walked down the hill, taking care to stay in Emerald’s sight so I didn’t spook her. Then I stopped, a little way away. She eyed me suspiciously at first, and shifted from hoof to hoof. After we’d both stood still for a long time, I started to worry that she was never going tocome to me. I glanced round and saw everyone standing on the brow of the hill, watching, and I started panicking that we were holding up the whole ride and that they’d all be annoyed. I think that’s why I tried something stupid. I lunged forward and made a grab for Emerald’s rein.

    But she whinnied and skittered away.

    I felt flustered and frustrated. “Oh, Emerald, come on!” I cried. I didn’t want to turn round and look at Sally ’cos I thought she’d tell me off and take over. But I didn’t know what to do next.
    Then I remembered what Western Bob had taught me.
    I couldn’t worry about what the others would think. I had to be patient. I had to let Emerald come to me.

    So I stood, and I stood, and I stood. “It’s OK, Em,” I said quietly, “you can trust me. And we’ll just stay here for as long as you need.”

    Somehow, Emerald seemed to understand, because after a while she gave me a shy glance, and then another, and then she loped towards me, her neck loose and relaxed. I gave her a big pat and stroke, while gently lifting her reins down over her head. Then I crossed her stirrups over and led her back towards Sally. “I’m so proud of you, Emerald,” I whispered.
    When we reached the others, Sally gave me a leg-up and off we went again. Instead of being annoyed with me, everyone was chattering about how well I’d done! Of course, me being me, I got embarrassed about being the centre of attention and I couldn’t help feeling all red and flustery. But it wasn’t in a bad way this time. I didn’t want to become invisible. Instead, I felt proud. Of me and of Emerald – Em & Em, the super team! I sat up a little taller and I couldn’t help grinning. Now I know Emerald really does trust me, and that together we can achieve anything!

    Jody met us at the picnic site in the Land Rover, and handed out sandwiches, fruit and some lovely cold cartons of orange juice. We clipped the