Secret Pony Society Read Online Free PDF Page B

Dee. “I saw it when we drove past the Sloping Field.”
    â€œThat’s Falling Snow, the girl’s pony, the one I was telling you about!” I exclaimed.
    â€œPia got friendly with one of them,” Bean explained.
    â€œWhat? Are you crazy? Don’t tell my mom, whatever you do!” said Dee.
    â€œI am not friends with her—anything but!” I replied. “Although I did offer to be friends—I mean, we’re getting ourselves all worked up about the travelers, but has anyone bothered to get to know them? They might be all right.”
    â€œThey might just be all right at swiping things,” said Dee. “It’s fine for you, but we’ve got our horse trailer here. They might be all right at making off with that in the middle of the night!”
    â€œYou don’t know they steal things. We’re just making assumptions,” I said, imagining the travelers racing down the roads in Sophie’s expensive horse trailer. I couldn’t see them getting very far—it’s the size of a small house. Actually, it is practically a small house—it has a kitchen, beds, even a shower.
    â€œI don’t know why you’re so keen to stick up for them, Pia,” said Bean. “I mean, they might take a liking to Drummer.”
    â€œAnd Dolly’s worth thousands!” added Dee.
    â€œHey, our ponies are totally priceless to us!” Katy interrupted.
    â€œPalominos like Tiffany are highly prized, too. Your traveler friends would take her in a second, Pia!” said Bean, all indignant.
    I didn’t know how I’d suddenly become ambassador to the travelers—I’d only stuck up for them because of the mystery girl. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I held up my hands.
    â€œOK, OK, keep your shirt on! Jeez, they’re not my friends. I was just saying we’re being a bit quick to judge them. We don’t know they’ll take stuff. We’re making assumptions.”
    â€œBetter to be safe than sorry!” muttered Dee darkly.
    â€œI don’t like the way they tether their ponies,” said Katy, picking out Bluey’s hooves. Bluey went into autopilot mode, politely lifting each hoof in turn.
    â€œThat’s how poor Moth got teased and tormented,” Bean reminded us.
    Everyone was silent, remembering how Moth had been ill-treated.
    â€œBut it wasn’t the travelers who did that,” I said, thinking I ought to shut up and agree with everyone for my own sake. But my mouth kept droning on, ignoring my brain and better judgment. “It was some boys from the estate!”
    â€œBut what about the racing?” said Bean.
    I changed sides without a second thought. “That is horrible,” I agreed. “The poor horses I saw were exhausted and terrified. I don’t know why they have to do that.”
    â€œMoney!” said Bean. “They bet against one another. It’s what they do.”
    â€œAnd never mind the poor horses,” mused Dee.
    â€œWho’s coming riding?” asked Katy, moving the conversation on in her brisk way.
    â€œI am,” said Bean, trying to get up out of Bluey’s trough. “Oh, I can’t, I’m stuck. Help!”
    Dee and I grabbed an arm each and pulled until Bean popped out.
    â€œI can’t,” said Dee. “I have to do some training. Mom’s paying ‘show pony producer legend’ Geoff Chamberlain to come over to give me some last-minute tips. Boorrrring!”
    Dee and Dolly had qualified for her show class at the Horse of the Year Show, and Sophie was leaving nothing to chance. She’d dragged Dee off to be fitted for a new jacket, and poor Dolly was rugged up to the nines. The dappled gray looked like the Michelin horse, swaddled from head to hoof in duvet rugs, bandages, and a hood, all to prevent her winter coat from coming through. Drummer had lost his shape to his winter coat already and resembled a