For Sale or Swap - Alyssa Brugman [61]
Shelby walked across the arena. A huge warmblood thundered in front of her, barely missing her.
'Watch it!' said the rider.
She was ten metres away. 'Blue,' she called out in a singsong voice.
Blue's head shot up and whipped around. His blue eyes were wide. He took two steps around to the side, facing Shelby. The little girl wasn't expecting it and the reins ripped out of her hands. She scrabbled for them but missed.
Blue licked his lips and walked towards Shelby, dragging his reins along the ground. The little girl made another grab at the reins, and this time she caught them. She shook at them hard, making Blue's bit rattle. He stopped, regarded the little girl for a moment, and then turned around again and whickered to Shelby in his deep voice.
Shelby ran towards him and threw her arms around his neck.
'Oh, Blue,' she said into his mane. 'You're safe.'
Blue nosed into her pockets looking for something to eat. She took a deep breath, smelling his mane, and then she stood back again. The other three girls crowded around him, patting his neck and face and crooning to him.
The little girl looked at them with wide eyes, and tugged at Blue's reins, trying to drag him away, but Blue wasn't budging. Tears started to spill over her cheeks.
'What's going on here?' There was a tall man in a check shirt and moleskins standing behind the little girl. He was frowning and there were two rosy circles on his cheeks.
'This is her horse,' started Erin, pointing to Shelby. 'He was stolen.'
'Shut up, Erin,' said Shelby.
'Stolen?' said the man.
'Daddy?' asked the girl, looking up at him.
'It's OK, sweetie. Daddy's here.' He reached forward and took the reins, forcing Blue to move backwards, away from Shelby and the other girls. 'I think not. This is our horse. We bought him fair and square. We've got receipts. We've got all the paperwork.'
'Where did you buy him?' asked Shelby.
'Yeah, and when?' added Erin.
'That's not your business,' said the man. He leaned down and lifted the little girl up onto his hip. He tugged at Blue's reins again and they began to move away.
'Daddy, who are they talking about?' said the little girl.
'Excuse me, sir,' said Shelby, walking to catch up with him. 'I'm sure we can talk this through. I really do think this is the horse that I used to own. Can't you see that he knows me?'
The man looked over his shoulder. 'Prove it.' He kept walking. He had reached the gate to the exercise arena by now.
'She can prove it. They went to the Gully Pony Club. We have photos. This is Shelby's horse. You can't just walk away. He's stolen,' Erin shouted after him.
'So call the police,' the man said.
'We will!' said Kim.
'Good for you,' said the man.
The four girls followed the man and his daughter all the way back to the float.
The man put the girl down and started to take Blue's saddle and bridle off. 'Get in the car, sweetie,' he instructed. The little girl turned and climbed into the car, locking the door behind her.
Shelby turned to Monica. 'He's going to leave. We can't let him. Go and get Mrs Crook. Maybe he'll listen to an adult.'
Monica nodded and ran back between the floats.
The man led Blue around to the back of the float and let down the gate.
'Please, sir,' said Shelby. 'Can't we at least talk about it?'
'What's to talk about?' said the man. 'You're accusing me of stealing your horse. I don't have to listen to that.'
'No,' protested Shelby. 'I know you didn't steal him. I saw the man who stole him. You must have bought Blue from him.'
'His name is Patches.' The man pulled Blue onto the float. Erin jumped up onto the gate and put her arms across the front, blocking his path. Blue, who had never liked floats, backed up startled, and the man tugged sharply on his lead, holding him still. Blue looked warily at Shelby, his nostrils flaring.
'Get off my property,' warned the man.
'Make me!' said Erin.
'Don't tempt me, young lady,' the man growled.
'Hop down, Erin,' said Shelby, reaching towards