Fortune and the Golden Trophy (15 page)

He looked at her with those startling blue eyes and took her hand. “Issie, when I saw you take off over the golf course after Oliver Tucker I was so worried. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”

“Aidan!” Issie smiled. “Nothing is going to happen to me!”

“I know that,” Aidan said. “I know you can take care of yourself. That’s one of the things I love about you most. Watching you ride today made me realise how I really feel, and how special you are.

“It doesn’t matter how much distance there is between us. You’re my girl, Issie. So what if I have to drive for six hours just to take you to the movies now and then? We will
make it work somehow. I can come and visit you on weekends and you can come and stay at the farm sometimes. After all, it’s not like we’re living in different countries or anything.”

Issie grinned. “Yeah, I guess not. You’re right. I was being a drama queen.”

“So we’re good then?”

“We’re better than good!” Issie smiled back.

Aidan put his arms around her and Issie shut her eyes as she felt his cheek pressing against her own and his lips…

“Hey! You two! Stop the smoochy stuff!” It was Stella.

“What do you want, Stella?” Aidan groaned.

“I don’t want anything,” Stella said. “It’s Avery. He’s called a special meeting of club members right now. Come on!”

In the clubroom, the other riders has already assembled and sat down on the old, overstuffed armchairs and folding chairs. At the front of the room, Avery was back at the podium and this time he had three other people with him. One of them Issie recognised as the judge from their class today, Marjory Allwell.

“I thought I should do this while everyone was still here since we don’t have another rally for two weeks,” Avery explained. “You’ll recognise the judges from today’s
gymkhana. I would like to thank Judges Marjory Allwell, Angela Funkel and Barbara McLean. They’ve had quite a wild time here today at Chevalier Point!”

The club members gave a round of applause and then Avery continued. “As well as judging your classes today these ladies are also working on another very special task, acting as the selection panel to choose the National Young Rider squad.”

Issie, Stella and Kate all looked at each other as Avery continued. “I am incredibly proud to announce today that four of those riders will be from the Chevalier Point Pony Club!”

There was wild applause at this news and then Avery spoke again. “I’d like to thank our selection panel for their choices. Would the following riders please step forward when I call your names.”

There was silence in the clubroom. You could have cut the air with a knife.

“Morgan Chatswood-Smith, please come up here!” Avery said. Morgan looked totally surprised as she stepped up to stand beside Chevalier Point’s head instructor.

“And today’s Tucker Trophy winner, Kate Knight, please?” Avery called out. Kate, who was still recovering from receiving the golden trophy, nearly fell off her chair.
“The third name on my list is…Stella Tarrant,” Avery grinned. There was whooping from the crowd as Stella blushed bright red with delight at having made the squad.

“And last, but not least, our golf-course crusader, Isadora Brown!” said Avery.

Issie couldn’t believe it! She had made the squad and her two best friends and Morgan were in too!

As she made her way to the podium Issie had never been more thrilled.

“Congratulations to those who’ve made the squad,” said Avery. “In just one month, we’ll be flying to take up the Young Rider Challenge in Melbourne, Australia!”

She was going to Australia? Ohmygod! Issie looked for Aidan’s face in the crowd, her heart racing as she recalled his words.
It’s not like we’re living in different countries or anything
.

She saw Aidan’s heartbroken blue eyes staring back at her and realised that once again her world had been turned upside down.

She was going to represent her country riding against the most talented young riders in Australia! It was one of the best moments of her life, and as she shook Marjory Allwell’s hand she tried hard to smile. Only Aidan, standing in the back row, saw the tears in her eyes.

The Pony Club Secrets series:

1. Mystic and the Midnight Ride

2. Blaze and the Dark Rider

3. Destiny and the Wild Horses

4. Stardust and the Daredevil Ponies

5. Comet and the Champion’s Cup

6. Storm and the Silver Bridle

7. Fortune and the Golden Trophy

Also available in the series:

Issie and the Christmas Pony (Christmas Special)

Coming Soon …

8. Victory and the All-Stars Academy

www.stacygregg.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins
Children’s Books
in 2009.
HarperCollins
Children’s Books
is a division of HarperCollins
Publishers
Ltd,
77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8JB.

1

Text copyright © Stacy Gregg 2009
Illustrations © Fiona Land 2009

The author and illustrator assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of the work.

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EPub Edition © 2009 ISBN: 9780007340767

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