Sleepover Girls on the Range. Fiona Cummings

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      “The builders say my new stable block will be finished next week, Lyndsey. Isn’t that wonderful?” she grinned. Her eyes were shining, and I thought for a minute that she was going to cry. But I knew it was just because she was happy. I felt pretty top-banana myself. It seemed ages since the horses had had a proper home of their own.

      “They ought to have a stable-warming party or something!” I chuckled. Alfie, my very favourite horse, came strolling over to us. He stretched his neck over the fence and started to nuzzle my pocket to see if I’d brought him some of his favourite mints.

      “Hey Alfie, would you like a party?” I asked, patting his face.

      “Well, it’s funny you should mention that, Lyndsey,” said Mrs McAllister seriously. “Because I certainly want to do something special to mark the re-opening of my stables—”

      “A party!” I started to jump around. “Cool!”

      “Well, maybe not a party exactly. I had more of a public Open Day in mind,” she admitted. “Just to show that the stables are fully operational again. A lot of people cancelled their lessons after the fire because they thought my premises were unsafe, even though it was only the stable block that was damaged. I really need to build my business up again now, as my bank manager will remind me yet again when I meet with him tomorrow.” She grimaced, and a cloud seemed to pass over her face. But she soon brightened up again. “An Open Day should be a good opportunity to remind everyone that I’m really and truly back in business, don’t you think? Even my bank manager has to agree with that!”

      “An Open Day? OK!” I nodded. I mean, it didn’t sound as much fun as a party, but it should be fun all the same. “It worked when we had the Stable Fun Day, didn’t it?”

      “Well yes, you could say that!” Mrs McAllister looked dubious. “But I thought we could do something a bit different this time. I’m not sure what yet.”

      “Hmm – I’m sure we can think of something …” My mind started to race.

      Mrs McAllister looked at me.

      “Actually, you needn’t worry about the Open Day at all, Lyndsey,” she said quickly.

      I must have looked disappointed, because she started to laugh.

      “You needn’t look like that. It’s just that I’ve got something very special for you to think about.”

      “Oh?”

      “I haven’t forgotten how hard you and your friends worked to raise money for my stables,” she told me seriously. “And I’ve never really had a proper chance to thank you for it.”

      I didn’t know what to say, so I just blushed and shrugged my shoulders and mumbled, “You don’t have to do that.”

      “Oh, but I do, Lyndsey,” Mrs McAllister continued, “because if it hadn’t been for you lot, Sita would never have come along and put up the money for the stable block. I’ve a lot to thank you for, and so have the horses!”

      As if on cue Alfie began to whinny, and Marvel, Bramble and Trojan came over to join him at the fence. Mrs McAllister and I cracked up laughing.

      “You see, they know what we’re talking about!”

      When we’d made a fuss of the horses, Mrs McAllister went on:

      “So I’d like you to think of a special treat that I can give you and your friends. Is there anything you have in mind?”

      I thought hard – for about a minute – and then I grinned.

      “Well there is something. But I’ll have to ask the others first.”

      I had thought of something so mind-blowingly wonderful, it was like a hot fudge sundae and a knickerbocker glory all rolled into one. All I had to do now was persuade the others. And I knew at least one of them wouldn’t agree with me at all …

      

      All the way home from the stables, my mind was whizzing with plans for this special treat. I couldn’t think about anything else. It was going to be so different from anything we’d ever done before, but at the same time so totally cool! I knew that I had to share it with the others as soon as I got in.

      Well that was the plan anyway, but I couldn’t get a look in on the phone. First, one of Dad’s teacher colleagues rang about some meeting or other. Yawn, yawn, bor-ing! Then one of Mum’s midwife friends called and they talked for hours about every baby they’d ever delivered. Double boring with chocolate on top. Then just when I thought the phone was free, Stuart got on it and started talking to someone in a really soppy voice. Tom and I kept sneaking up behind him and singing:

      “Stuart’s got a girlfriend!”

      Stuart was not pleased.

      Anyway, when the phone was finally free (after Stuart had hogged it for about three hours) I pounced on it.

      “No chance, Lyndsey Collins!” laughed Mum, whisking the receiver out of my hand. “Have you seen the time? It’s time you were in bed, my girl!”

      “Aw Mum, just a quick one?” I pleaded.

      “No way!” Mum held firm. “I know your quick phone calls. You’d be talking for an hour at least. Now scoot!”

      I had all that exciting news bubbling inside me and I had to keep it there until the next day!! It’s a wonder I managed to sleep at all.

      The next morning I was up with the larks and desperate to get to school to see the others. But Ben took forever to get ready, and then Spike was sick and needed to be changed before we could set off. Then Tom decided that he needed a lift too. So by the time we finally made it to my school, the bell was ringing and everyone else was in the classroom.

      “Don’t forget you’ve got the dentist this afternoon,” Mum called out after me. “I’ll pick you up at two.”

      I flew inside just as everyone was settling down for the register. Mrs Weaver’s a bit of a stickler for us keeping quiet while she takes it, so there was no chance of me speaking to the others. I just managed to mouth to them:

      “I’ve got some great news. I’ll tell you at break time.”

      And let me tell you, break time couldn’t come soon enough, because our first lesson was maths and I just couldn’t get my head round it at all. Neither could Kenny, mind you – she spent all her time flicking bits of rubber at the M&Ms, then pretending to be hard at work whenever they turned round.

      When the bell finally went, we all piled out into the playground. Well, the rest of us did. Fliss was messing about somewhere inside, probably doing her hair or something.

      “Come on Lyndz, spill! What’s this great news then?” asked Frankie.

      I loved seeing their expectant faces looking at me like that. And I loved СКАЧАТЬ