there, and patted her on the shoulder.

"How about having a sleep?" she suggested.

"OK," said Shara, yawning again. She went off to her bedroom and slept for about four hours.

When she woke she knew what she wanted to do.

"Mum, can I go for a bike ride?"

"Where to?"

"Just round the block, sort of."

"Is anyone going with you?"

"No."

"Well you know the rules. No stopping, no talking to strangers, and keep well over. Some people treat the country roads like race-tracks."

"Yes Mum."

"How long will you be?"

"Probably less than an hour."

"OK."

"Thanks Mum."

Shara gave her mother a big hug and went out to the garage. She rode off down the road, going as fast as she could, because she knew she had a long way to go, and she didn't want her Dad out looking for her if she didn't come back in good time. The wind whistled in her ears, and the warmth of the sun reached through her clothes and made her feel too hot, but she kept going. All the way to Clegg Stud.

When she reached the gate, she paused, suddenly feeling a little scared. She didn't like either Mr. or Mrs. Clegg. They seemed to be nice, and nasty, at the same time. They were like scorpions, ready to sting at any moment, and she felt sure that they hated her. Plucking up her courage, she rode up the pitted and ruined driveway and stopped beside the house. There was no-one about.

"Hello?" she called.

Several ponies trotted over to the fence and hung their heads her way.

"Where are they. Do you know?" she asked them.