Stables S.O.S. by Janet Rising Page A

again, and there was a car, coming along it.
    She’s early! I thought, getting up to greet her. James came out of Moth’s stable and stood by my side as the car stopped and out got the driver, wearing corduroys and a dark-colored shirt.
    â€œShe’s one unattractive woman,” murmured James, snorting.
    I gasped. When I breathed out, it came out in a single word. “Oh!”
    â€œHi, Pia!” said Alex Willard, waving at me as he slammed the car door shut.
    â€œEr, hello,” I replied.
    â€œYou didn’t expect to see me, did you?” asked the great man, grinning. “But I thought I’d come along and see if I could do anything. I’d hate to see you all get evicted because of new developments here.”
    â€œOh thanks,” I gushed. “Thanks very, very much.”
    â€œI thought I’d stay for a few days and see what Jessica finds. It’s going to be pretty exciting.”
    I was confused. It sounded like Jessica was arriving with a shovel and was going to start digging today. I thought she was just having a look-see.
    Everyone suddenly came out of the woodwork, anxious to be introduced to the famous horseman. Alex remembered Bean from when we’d gone to his yard on our riding vacation, and he said he remembered James and Katy, too, from our activity ride, but he was lovely to Mrs. Bradley, who went all shy and giggly (so not a good idea—she’s too ancient for that kind of behavior), and Nicky was just as bad.
    â€œHe’s soooo good looking,” she whispered to me, when Alex was talking to Katy. I supposed he was, in an old sort of way. I mean, he’s got gray hair and everything. He must be at least forty.
    And then Jessica Tamarad turned up.
    After what seemed like hours of chatting between Jessica and Alex, we finally all trooped out to the field to look at where the house used to be, all standing looking at the grass and the trees that hid the view behind them.
    â€œSo this is it, then?” Jessica asked. She had long black hair and dark eyes, and she was wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt. A huge yellow gemstone swung from a long golden chain around her neck, and her fingers held a collection of golden rings. She could give Sophie a run for her money in the glamour stakes.
    We all stared at the ground and nodded.
    â€œWe’ve surveyed the site from the air,” Jessica said, smiling, “and it’s come up aces.”
    â€œThat’s fantastic,” said Alex, grinning at me.
    â€œFrom the air?” I asked.
    â€œYes,” said Jessica, “we can see whether there has been a structure from the air—this site shows a huge house used to be here. Definitely Elizabethan.”
    â€œHow on earth can you know?” asked Katy.
    â€œFrom the shape. Most big houses built at that time were in the shape of a letter E. The aerial shots show such a house. It’s very exciting!”
    It certainly was!
    â€œNational Heritage didn’t think so,” grumbled Bean.
    â€œWell, we’re certain we’ll find lots of interesting things once we start digging,” Jessica said firmly. “I’ve got the team coming first thing Monday morning to get cracking.”
    â€œWhat?” we all yelled.
    â€œOh yes, it’s all worked out,” said Jessica, looking around.
    â€œIt will be fascinating to see what you do find,” agreed Alex.
    â€œEr, there’s just one thing about that,” I said, nervously biting the inside of my mouth. “The land doesn’t actually, well technically, sort of belong to us and…”
    â€œOh, I know that,” Jessica said, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder with one hand. “I’ve already arranged with the owner for us to bring in the machinery and tents. We pay them, of course.”
    We all stood there, totally lost for words. “You’ve spoken to Mrs. Collins?” asked Dee.
    â€œ Mr.