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. 'Are you going to put bandages on her legs?' she asked.
'I wasn't going to,' Shelby replied. How could she? She didn't own any.
'There are a few marks on them already. You should protect them. I wouldn't ride her without bandages. It's not worth it.'
'Yes, I'll do that,' Shelby lied.
'It should be an excellent day tomorrow,' said Erin.
'Why?' asked Shelby.
'Haven't you heard? Calvin Protheroe is the guest instructor. Can you believe it? He's only the best dressage instructor in the whole country.'
Erin's mum, who had been waiting in the car, wound down the window and called out. 'Come on, girls, I haven't got all day.'
'We've got to go,' said Erin. 'See you tomorrow.'
Shelby nodded.
Erin and Hayley walked towards the car. Hayley turned around at the gate and smiled at Shelby. 'She's a great little horse. Don't forget McLeod's Daughters at my place next week.'
Shelby grinned. 'I wouldn't miss it.'
After they had gone Shelby started to unravel the hose. Halfway through she stopped. Brat was turning out to be a lucky charm. So far she'd caught Miss Anita's attention, and now Hayley had asked her over. None of that would have happened when she had Blue. More than that, she was never likely to get a lesson from Calvin Protheroe for free – certainly not when she got Blue back.
Brat seemed to have survived being brown the first time around. What was one more day? She would go to Pony Club the next day, have her lesson, and the minute she got back she would wash Brat off and call the police.
There. It was decided. Shelby coiled the hose up and tucked it in its spot next to the shed.
Since she was going to ride Brat tomorrow anyway, she might as well ride her today. In fact, she reasoned, she should ride her today. It would stop her being frisky in the morning on the ride across the gully to the Pony Club grounds.
Shelby saddled Brat and rode her around the paddock to warm her up. They still hadn't got used to each other, and at one stage Brat backed up so fast that Shelby was sure she was going to rear up. She gripped the saddle with her knees. For the first time ever, Shelby felt a shot of fear run through her stomach.
'Maybe that will do for today,' she said, sliding out of the saddle.
She scratched the horse on the forehead. Brat leaned against Shelby for a rub.
'No!' said Shelby, pushing Brat's face away. She couldn't let her do that. She would rub her Celtic Copper off.