For Sale or Swap - Alyssa Brugman [18]
'Are you going to bring her up to the stables tomorrow? I was telling the Crooks how beautiful she is and they want to have a look.'
'I . . . I don't know,' Shelby said.
'Everybody will love her. Don't you want to show her off?'
Not so long ago Shelby had thought that it was what she wanted most in the world, but what was she going to do now that Brat's grey was showing through? Besides, she didn't feel like seeing anyone. She just wanted to crawl into bed and stay there all day.
'I might just stay here tomorrow and do a little work in the paddock. That way Brat will be all fresh for Pony Club.'
'Hayley and I will come to you then.'
'No!' said Shelby. 'I mean, I don't think that's a good idea. It's out of your way. Besides, everybody will be able to see her on Saturday.'
'Don't be silly. We can drop by. Mum won't mind. You don't have to be there if you don't want to. I'll get Mum to drive past tomorrow morning on our way to the stables.'
Shelby was mortified that Hayley would see her ramshackle arrangement, and more horrified still that Erin would see Brat in her current condition.
She had a thought. 'She won't be able to see much, though, with Brat's rug on.'
'That's OK. I'll take it off,' Erin said.
There wasn't any way of getting around it. Erin was determined to see Brat tomorrow.
Shelby sighed. 'All right. I'll see you in the morning.'
After she'd hung up the phone, Shelby covered her face with her hands. What was she going to do? How would she explain it? She needed more time to think. In the meantime, there was only one thing she could do.
She tipped the contents of her piggy bank on to the floor. Thirty dollars. She had been saving up for Christmas presents for her family, but that would have to wait.
Shelby ran down the road to the chemist. Once inside, she let her eyes wander over all the packets of hair dyes available. Down the bottom a brand name almost leapt off the shelves. She snatched up the packet and read the label again – Maxshine Celtic Copper. 'I'm so stupid!' she groaned.
9 Hayley's Verdict
Hayley inspected Brat from every angle. She ran her hands down the pony's shins just like Miss Anita had. Shelby held her breath waiting for the verdict.
It had taken three packets of Maxshine Celtic Copper and half a bottle of shoe polish to return Brat to a brown. Shelby felt mean rubbing the polish across the delicate skin around her eyes and nose, but it couldn't be helped. Besides, it was only for a few hours. As soon as Hayley and Erin left she would wash her off again and have a good long think about what to do.
'It's a shame she's so small,' Hayley said.
Shelby let out her breath in a whoosh. She had half expected an experienced horse person like Hayley to find her out as quickly as Clint had – but then he had the advantage of seeing Brat all washed out.
'She's the perfect size for Shelby,' Erin said.
'Yes, but for how long? You'll be too big for her next year. If I were you I would have gone for something bigger.'
'Beggars can't be choosers,' commented Erin. 'No offence, Shel. She looks more chestnut than she did the other day.'
Shelby blushed, wondering if she should have used four packets of hair dye.
'I washed her . . . but then she rolled in the dirt. And the light's not the same today. Maybe you just remember her different?'
'I guess so,' said Erin. 'Are you going to give her a workout today?'
'Later,' said Shelby. She had decided not to ride Brat any more. If something were to happen to Brat then she would have to give her back to the owners damaged, and that would be terrible. More importantly, though, she didn't want to call a vet out unless she absolutely had to.
'Why not now? If I had a horse like yours, I'd ride it all the time,' Erin said. 'You should see her, Hayley, she goes like a dream.'
'You can see her tomorrow at Pony Club,' Shelby said. She had already decided not to go to Pony Club. If anyone asked she'd say she hadn't been feeling well – not that she thought anyone would. Nobody would miss her.
Hayley folded her arms and ran her eyes over Brat again.