Free Hopes by Linda Chapman Page A

nodded and dismounted.
    “Guess you had a bit on your mind, lad.” Len nodded at Ellie. “So, have you told her then?”
    “No.”
    “Told me what?” Ellie demanded.
    Len met her gaze. “Joe’s going to Canada.”
    “Canada?” Ellie stared in surprise. “For a vacation?”
    Len folded his arms, satisfaction clear on his face. “No, to live.” He took in her astonishment. “He’s going to work for Ray for a year, aren’t you, lad?”
    Joe gave a brief nod, his eyes on Ellie. He looked desperate.
    Ellie’s head spun. No. Joe couldn’t go. She needed him, particularly now. “When?” she whispered.
    “Three weeks, just as soon as his exams finish,” pronounced Len.
    Ellie felt as if the ground had abruptly vanished from under her feet.
    “Right, let’s take this pony back to the trailer,” Len said, starting to lead Wisp away.
    “I’m just getting a drink from the cafe,” said Joe, shooting a look at Ellie.
    “Me too,” she said quickly.
    And before Len could stop them, they had set off across the show ground together. “Hey! Come back here!” he shouted, but they quickly lost themselves in the crowd.
    As soon as they were safely away, Ellie grabbed Joe’s arm. “You can’t go!”
    “I don’t want to, Ellie,” he protested. “But Dad’s sorted it all out with Ray today.”
    “Well, make him unsort it. Tell him you won’t leave.”
    “I tried. I even asked if I could wait a bit, maybe go next year or after the summer—I don’t want to leave while Spirit’s so ill—but he says I have to go as soon as possible.”
    “Why?”
    A blush spread across Joe’s cheekbones. “Because…because of you.”
    “Me?”
    “Well, us. He thinks there’s something going on and, you know, with us being cousins and stuff it’s freaking him out.”
    Ellie hit her head with her hands. “But there isn’t anything happening!”
    “He won’t believe it. I tried to tell him, but you know what Dad’s like—he gets a bee in his bonnet about something and he just won’t listen. He’s convinced of it.”
    Ellie stared at him. “Well, we’ll make him believe it. He can’t just send you away. You can’t go.”
    Joe looked at her helplessly. “I have to. He’s made up his mind.”
    “So?” Ellie exclaimed. “Fight him! Refuse to go!”
    “I can’t!” Joe’s voice rose.
    “You can! Please!” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I need you to stay here.”
    She saw the conflict written across his face and suddenly she knew there was nothing she could say to change things. She could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t going to fight. Her anger was replaced by a feeling of deep despair. She couldn’t imagine not having Joe to talk to and hang around with.
    “I’ll email. Call. And I’ll be back in a year’s time. It’s not forever.”
    Ellie swallowed. “Yeah. Whatever.” She looked away, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. “We should buy that drink.”
    “Don’t be mad at me,” he beseeched.
    “Well, don’t go then!” Wrapping her arms tightly across her chest, she marched to the cafe. Joe sighed and followed her without saying another word.
    Ellie was glad she was by herself in the horsebox on the way home. She needed time to think. Although she couldn’t bear the thought of Joe leaving, through her despair there was another little voice filtering in. Joe would have an amazing time in Canada, she was sure. He certainly needed to be away from his dad. He wouldn’t be bullied any more, shouted at, put down. Ray would teach him so much. He’d always wanted to work on a yard where they used natural horsemanship techniques. It’s a good thing for him , she told herself.
    But what about me?
    Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself of all the times Joe had helped her and been there for her since she’d arrived at High Peak Stables and she pushed down her anger and misery. She mustn’t be mad with him and make him feel awful. As they left the motorway and headed up into the