Moonlight: Star of the Show Read Online Free PDF Page B

yard.”
    “And there’s no way that could have been done without making loads of noise!” Mia said, catching on and nodding. “Either from the engine or from Moonlight’s hooves clattering up the ramp!”
    “So he must have been led away,” Alice said, getting wildly enthusiastic, “either up the little bridleway into the woods or the way we came – across the stubble field.”
    “And it must have been at night, when no one was around to see,” added Charlie.
    They grabbed the map, laid it out flat on the floor of the barn and studied it. The busy road went on for ages, with lots of twists and bends and no turn-offs.
    “And that must mean that whoever took him was local,” Mia said, her pen scratching fast to keep up with all the ideas flying round, “because they must have known they’d have to lead him away on foot.”
    Alice nodded. “Which must mean they couldn’t have taken him that far.”
    “And remember,” Charlie added, getting excited, “that field was completely cut off from sight nearly all around. I mean, you wouldn’t just stumble across it, or be able to pick out a good pony as you drove past. This wasn’t a random theft, it can’t have been!”
    “Exactly – Moonlight must have been taken by someone local,” Alice said. “Someone who knew how talented he was…”
    Mia looked up, her eyes wide. “So Moonlight was targeted!”
    “It’s starting to look that way,” Charlie said. “But why?”
    “And who by?” Alice added.
    They were silent for a second.
    “Oh, I know! I’ve got it!” Rosie started to giggle. “I’ve got it!”
    “Who?” Charlie asked, hardly daring to, knowing from the look on Rosie’s pink face as she giggled that it had to be someone ridiculous.
    “It must have been Daisy!” Rosie squeaked.
    Charlie laughed behind her hand. “Of course! The barmy Major’s determined she’ll win the Cup. Maybe he just needed to get his hands on the best pony in the area to prove he’s right, even though poor Daisy keeps telling him that she doesn’t even like jumping!”
    Alice was about to giggle but the look on Mia’s face silenced her at once.
    “Listen, you lot, we really don’t have time to mess about, so can we please take this seriously and concentrate on proper suggestions? Even though Moonlight must have been taken by someone local that doesn’t mean he’s still in the area. But, on the slim chance that he is, we need to think about who has fields and yards nearby.”
    Charlie wiped her eyes and looked away from Rosie, who was still desperately trying to control her giggling fit behind Mia.
    “I know – what about a local horse dealer?” Charlie said in a high voice before clearing her throat. “They’d have ponies going in and out allthe time so a new one arriving out of nowhere wouldn’t cause a stir.”
    “Ooh – what about Harry Franklin? He’s got a yard close to Hawthorn Farm,” Rosie suggested. “Mum and Dad went there to look for a pony before we found Dancer. They didn’t hang around long, though – said he seemed a bit rough and scary.”
    “I wonder if he gets asked by people to find specific ponies,” Mia mused.
    “Maybe he’s stealing to order!” Alice gasped as she looked round wildly at everyone’s excited faces. “Someone asks him for an awesome show jumper and he knows exactly where to find one!”
    Suddenly it felt as if they were really starting to get somewhere.
    “We need to pay this Harry Franklin a visit,” Mia said darkly.
    “Agreed, only not today,” Rosie replied, standing up and stretching. “Mum’s cooking my favourite tonight – shepherd’s pie – I can almost smell it,so I can’t be late getting back to the cottage…”
    Mia rolled her eyes, but when she checked her watch they realised that it was nearly five o’clock.
    As they caught the ponies and led them back round to the yard in the hazy late afternoon sun, everyone agreed they would set off to Harry Franklin’s yard the next day.