A New Beginning by Sue Bentley Page A

“What do you want me to do first?”
    â€œYou could give Don a hand with the cleaning, if you don’t mind. He’s over at Bandit’s stall,” Janie said.
    â€œOkay,” Lily said happily. Bandit was her favorite pony. She was a sweet-natured palomino with a golden-tan coat and a pale mane and tail. Lily would have loved to own a pony just like her.
    As Lily went off to find the stable boy she saw even more young riders arriving with their parents. It looked like it was going to be a hectic afternoon.
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    Lily said hello to Bandit for a few minutes, before spending the next hour or so forking up droppings, wheeling them over to the pile, and spreading fresh bedding.
    Riders and ponies came and went. Lily lent a hand where it was needed. It was a hot day and she was soon red-faced and sweaty.
    â€œWhy don’t you take a break and go and get a drink?” Don suggested as she helped him fill the hay nets and water buckets. He was tall and wiry, with dark-red hair, freckles, and a thin face.

    â€œPhew! I think I will,” Lily said, pushing a strand of damp blond hair back from her forehead.
    She went to the stable’s kitchen and had a long, cold drink of orange juice.
    As Lily was walking back past the grazing fields, she noticed some trash blowing around on the grass and went to pick it up.
    â€œThanks, Lily. You’re doing a great job!” Janie Green called, pausing to rest the heavy saddle she was carrying on the fence.
    â€œIt makes me so mad when people leave stuff behind. Don’t they care that a plastic bag could kill a pony if it eats it?” Lily said indignantly.
    â€œI don’t think they give it a thought. Maybe they’d be more careful if they did—but not everyone’s into horses.”
    Lily shrugged. “That’s their loss, then!”
    â€œI’m with you on that!” Janie said, smiling. “Have you persuaded your parents to buy you a pony yet?”
    Lily made a face, thinking miserably of the earlier conversation with her dad.
    â€œI take it that’s a sore point,” Janie said.
    Lily nodded. “I still have to convince them that I can fit taking care of a pony around my schoolwork. Mom and Dad think it would be too much for me and I should wait until I’m older.”
    â€œThey might be right, you know,” Janie said gently. “Looking after a pony is a big commitment and there are no days off.”
    Lily felt her spirits sink. She thought Janie would be on her side!
    â€œDo you want to take Bandit out? We just got a cancellation, so she’s free for a couple of hours,” Janie said.
    Lily brightened immediately at the thought of a longer free ride than usual. “Really? I can take her out by myself ?” she asked delightedly.
    Janie nodded. “You’ve ridden her plenty of times and she’s used to you. You can take her along the bridle paths, but don’t go beyond the woods. Okay?”
    Lily nodded, feeling proud that Janie trusted her. “Thanks, Janie! That’s awesome!”
    She dashed straight across to Bandit, who was already tacked up. “Hello, girl. We’re going for a ride,” she crooned, stroking the pony’s nose.
    Bandit gave a friendly neigh and nuzzled Lily’s palm. Lily buckled on her riding hat before mounting the palomino pony and using her heels to nudge her forward.
    They trotted out of Greengates and turned onto the bridle path that ran down the edge of a field. The path branched farther on and Lily took the way to the woods.
    Other riders from the stables passed her on their way back.
    As she and Bandit entered the shade of the trees, Lily’s mind drifted into a wonderful daydream. It was easy to imagine that Bandit was her own pony and they were alone. The sound of other riders was muffled and she was screened from them by the thick bushes. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and speckled everything with spots of