Free Happy Ever After by Janey Louise Jones

Chapter One
    POPPY WAS VERY excited. She had just received an invitation to her first ever barn dance. It was to be at Barley Farm the following Friday, and the theme was country and western. She raced over to see Honey right away to talk about their outfits, and with a little help from Granny Bumble they had soon both decided on red and white gingham dresses and cowboy hats.
    On the day of the dance Poppy dressed with great care and turned to admire herself in her bedroom mirror. She particularly loved the fringed cowboy boots that Mum had found in a charity shop, and her big Stetson hat.

    â€œYee-haa!” she said to herself as she did another turn in front of the mirror.
    â€œCome on, Poppy,” called Mum. “You
must
be ready by now! We’re going to miss Farmer Meadowsweet on the bucking bronco if we don’t go now!”
    â€œJust coming, Mum,” replied Poppy as she grabbed her things and ran down to meet the rest of her family.
    â€œI’m going to try that bucking bronco too!” said Dad. “I bet I can stay on the longest!”
    â€œWell, make sure you don’t hurt yourself!” scolded Mum. “Right, let’s go then.”
    Dad took Poppy’s hand and they giggled together as they made their way down to Barley Farm with Mum walking beside them.
    â€œRemember we can’t be late home,” she told them. “Grandpa can only babysit the twins until nine. And, James, don’t drink too much punch – it’s really potent, apparently.”
    â€œYes, dear!” replied Dad, rolling his eyes and winking at Poppy.
    Sometimes Mum was no fun at all.
    When they arrived at the farm Poppy could hardly believe her eyes. Farmer and Mrs Meadowsweet had gone to so much effort – it looked just like a scene from one of the old cowboy films that Grandpa liked to watch. There was a huge tent set up next to the big barn, and colourful banners and bunting garlanded the farmyard. There were games and stalls and a band playing fiddle music in the barn. A vast barbecue grill was smoking away near the tent, with tables set out all around it, laden with crisp salads, spicy sauces, crusty bread and fat herb sausages, and the air was filled with the most delicious cooking smells.

    â€œHi, cowgirls!” said Poppy as she ran to greet Honey, Sweetpea and Mimosa, who were all standing together near the entrance to the barn. “This is so cool! You all look amazing! Where’s Abi?”
    â€œOh, she’s got a violin exam tomorrow so her mum and dad said that she had to practise tonight,” explained Sweetpea.
    â€œOh, shame, she would love this,” said Poppy.
    â€œLet’s go and look at the bucking bronco,” suggested Mimosa.
    â€œOoo, yeah, let’s,” said Honey.
    â€œCome on, then,” replied Poppy. “Follow me!”
    The four friends made their way to the meadow, where the crazy rodeo-style “bull” was in action. Farmer Meadowsweet was holding on for dear life and looking very red in the face. Mum had been right – this was definitely too good to miss. He looked so funny. As they stood there watching, Cousin Saffron’s husband, David, came over and told them that the farmer had been practising on it all week because he wanted to be able to stay on for two whole minutes.
    Poor Farmer Meadowsweet looked as though his arms were about to fall off – this seemed like the longest two minutes ever.

    â€œJust let go, you silly old fool!” called Mrs Meadowsweet. “Sally, you tell your father to stop – he’s going to have one of his bad turns.”
    Sally Meadowsweet didn’t look at all worried; there was no way she could have said anything to her father – she was laughing so much she couldn’t get a single word out!
    â€œQuick! Someone do something!” wailed Mrs Meadowsweet. “This is not good for a man of his age!”
    But just then, the farmer let go of the