Free Ponies at Owls' Wood by Scilla James

said, and had a kind expression. Hannah went on to explain about Delia being stolen and how worried she was, not just for Delia but for Polly too. Hannah was sure from Grace’s manner that she knew nothing of Pete’s business.
    Jess came back with the tea and the three of them sat companionably watching the ponies through the window by Grace’s chair.
    â€˜Gran taught me how to ride,’ Jess told Hannah. ‘She knows all there is to know about horses.’
    â€˜Hardly all,’ said Grace. ‘But my father had shire horses after the war and I grew up with them. There was always a pony I could ride as a child and I wanted Jess to have that, too. She’s a good rider Hannah. You should see her jump bareback!’
    â€˜Wow!’ said Hannah. ‘I’ll look forward to seeing that.’ She turned to Jess.
    â€˜Could we go and have a ride together?’
    â€˜I could take the mare,’ said Jess, ‘Pete said it would be OK when I asked last week, and I’ve been on her already. What do you think Gran?’
    â€˜I think you’d better go,’ the old lady laughed. ‘There’s always plenty of tack in the barn. I’m very pleased to have met you Hannah and I hope we’ll see a lot of you here this summer.’
    The girls were crossing the yard to look for head-collars when Hannah heard a knock from one of the windows in the big house.
    â€˜Is that your aunt?’
    â€˜Wait here!’ said Jess, and ran off towards the house. ‘I won’t be a sec.’ But before she got to the doorway a woman appeared in it. Hannah reckoned she was about the same age as her own mum, somewhere in her forties, but she looked terrible. Her hair was unkempt, her clothes rumpled and not too clean, and even outside she smelt heavily of tobacco. Hannah noticed broken veins in her face, and lines around her eyes. She appeared tired and stressed.
    â€˜I’m Jess’s Auntie Cyn,’ she said, transferring her cigarette to her left hand as she held out the right for Hannah to shake. She smiled, which immediately improved her looks. Hannah noticed how, in stark contrast to Grace, Cyn was as thin as a rake.
    â€˜Don’t stay out too long,’ she said to Jess, ‘Pete will be back by four and he wants an early tea tonight.’ She said this kindly, and Hannah warmed to her as she realised that she was trying to save Jess from trouble. But why on earth was she letting that horrible Pete live here? With her poor mother driven out from her house and living in a caravan? It didn’t make sense to Hannah.
    The two girls planned to ride down by the river, with Hannah stopping off at her field on their way back, leaving Jess to come home alone. Polly seemed pleased to have the company of yet another new pony. Jess thought the mare’s name was Bridget, but wasn’t sure. Hannah wondered how Jess could cope with getting fond of different horses and then losing them. She asked her about it.
    â€˜It’s just the way it is,’ said Jess. She was quiet for a few moments then said, ‘I’ve got used to them coming and going. I think Gran would get me my own pony but I wouldn’t want Pete near it so I always say no.’
    Hannah wanted to ask lots of questions. Like why was Cyn looking so rough, and why did they all put up with Pete when he was so horrible? But she sensed that Jess didn’t want to talk about it. Her new friend wasn’t much for words, except when she talked about the ponies and the plan to rescue them.
    As if she had guessed that Hannah was thinking about her family Jess said, ‘Gran and Cyn are kind.’
    They rode in silence for a while, as Hannah tried to take in how bad things must be for Jess. She felt guilty at having complained so much about her own mother going off for a few weeks and promised herself that she’d never moan again. And she thought about her dad; he might be scatty but he was never