The Thirteenth Horse Read online

  ‘And I wouldn’t have had a costume if you hadn’t spent hours helping me make a new one. I’d have had to try to squeeze into the pirate costume I had at primary school, and that would have looked ridiculous,’ said Sofia.

  ‘We’re doing this because we want to, Kristy,’ Norah told her.

  Hope flickered like a flame in Kristy’s heart and then died. ‘But there’s no way I can afford his livery fees!’

  ‘What if I said you could work here in return for his keep?’ said Emma.

  ‘Seriously?’ said Kristy.

  ‘Seriously,’ said Emma. ‘You’re the hardest working stablehand I’ve ever had. I reckon it’s a fair exchange.’

  Kristy looked at her boss and her three best friends. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’

  ‘Absolutely, totally, one hundred per cent sure,’ said Sofia, hugging her tightly.

  ‘How are we going to retain our title of quadrille champions without our lucky charm in the team?’ said William, punching her lightly on the shoulder.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Kristy, her eyes shining. ‘Thank you all so much!’

  She sprinted over to Cassius’s stable and buried her face in the Percheron’s warm neck. She felt luckier than a lottery winner. She had the best friends anyone could ask for and Cassius, the kindest, bravest horse in the world, was absolutely, totally, one hundred per cent hers.

  Kristy rubbed the silky soft bit just under her horse’s ears. Her horse, she marvelled. Would it ever sink in?

  Across the yard she could hear the twins arguing about who was going to lead the team the following year. Sofia, as usual, was trying to keep the peace, telling them they could be joint leaders.

  Kristy giggled, happier than she thought it was possible to be. ‘Joint leaders? Those two?’ she spluttered. ‘Oh Cassius, can you imagine!’

  AFTERWORD

  Thank you for reading The Thirteenth Horse. If you enjoyed this book it would be great if you could spare a couple of minutes to write a quick review on Amazon. I’d love to hear your feedback!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Amanda Wills is the Amazon bestselling author of The Riverdale Pony Stories, which follow the adventures of pony-mad Poppy McKeever and her beloved Connemara Cloud.

  She is also the author of Flick Henderson and the Deadly Game, a fast-paced mystery about a super-cool new heroine who has her sights set on becoming an investigative journalist.

  Amanda, a UK-based former journalist who now works part-time as a police press officer, lives in Kent with her husband and fellow indie author Adrian Wills and their sons Oliver and Thomas.

  Find out more at www.amandawills.co.uk or at www.facebook.com/riverdaleseries or follow amandawillsauthor on Instagram.

  FREE AND EXCLUSIVE!!

  A special bonus book for all Riverdale fans!

  Poppy faces her showjumping fears with help from her best friend Scarlett and her beloved Connemara, Cloud.

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  ALSO BY AMANDA WILLS

  THE RIVERDALE PONY STORIES

  The Lost Pony of Riverdale

  Against all Hope

  Into the Storm

  Redhall Riders

  The Secret of Witch Cottage

  Missing on the Moor

  SHORT READS FOR YOUNGER READERS

  Juno’s Foal

  The Midnight Pony

  The Pony of Tanglewood Farm

  THE FLICK HENDERSON FILES

  Flick Henderson and the Deadly Game

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  1. Wanted: Animal Lover

  2. Mill Farm Stables

  3. Mystery Horse

  4. Friends and Enemies

  5. War Horse

  6. Secret Rider

  7. Equestrian Ballet

  8. Apology Accepted

  9. Early Bird

  10. Wooden Horses

  11. Private Lessons

  12. A Helping Hand

  13. Blind Spot

  14. The Thirteenth Horse

  15. Tough Competition

  16. The Ultimation

  17. Friday the Thirteenth

  18. Trapped

  19. Sisters and Rivals

  20. Achilles Heel

  21. Smile for the Camera

  22. A Friend in Need

  23. New Year’s Eve

  24. A New Owner

  Afterword

  About the author

  FREE AND EXCLUSIVE!!

  Also by Amanda Wills