"Nothing," said Dad, "Shara reckons she can smell shampoo. You don't wash you ponies, do you?"

"Maybe," said Mr. Clegg, "What's that to you?"

The tone of Mr. Clegg's voice made Shara jump. Suddenly he wasn't the friendly, smiling man she thought he was. She looked at him and saw the same, dull expression in his eyes as his wife had. She did not like him despite herself.

Dad signed the papers and Linda passed the money over. Mr Clegg counted it carefully and shoved it into his pocket.

"All there," he said with a smile, "Thank you."

"When will you bring my pony?" asked Linda.

Mr. Clegg looked at his watch for a moment.

"About three o'clock," he said, "Give or take a few minutes."

Dad led the way back to the car. His and the girl's shoes were caked with mud. When he got to the car he scraped as much mud as he could off and got in.

"Must remember to bring gumboots next time!" he said."

"I wish I could have a pony," sighed Shara.

"Don't," warned Dad, "If you start winging I'll make you walk home."

"Yeah!" agreed Linda.

Shara kneeled on the seat and watched through the back window as the ponies receded from her. It seemed to her that the world was very cruel. Why did she have to wait until she was twelve? It was such a long way away.


Sparks

---

At ten minutes past three a shabby, dirty truck came down the road and pulled into the grassy verge with a squeal of brakes. It stopped outside the gate. Clouds of black diesel belched from the back as Mr. Clegg turned the truck and backed it into the small paddock next to the Nicholson's house. Shara ran to the gate and jumped up and down on the spot with excitement.

'"He's here! He's here!" she shouted.

Linda walked past her without a word and stood behind the horse float. Mr. Clegg undid the bolts and let the heavy door down, then he went into the float and untied