When I first saw her, my first thought was: I am never going to ride again. Not after the fall. We were sitting there, Mum and Aunt Elinor, talking. My bad leg was propped up on the couch. ''Oh, Jodie,'' Aunt Elinor says to me. ''I haven't seen you in such a long time. How you've grown!'' I can't do much but nod. I know Mum is watching me, feeling sorry for me. She turns to Aunt Elinor. ''It's only been a few months since...'' she says to Aunt Elinor. She can't bear to say the rest. Aunt Elinor peers at my bad leg as if she can't quite see that it's broken, then nods at me. I put on a brave smile, showing Aunt Elinor that I don't care. But even Aunt Elinor can see that I do care. '''We'd better be going, Elinor,'' Mum begins. I get up slowly, not putting too much pressure on my leg. ''Oh no,'' says Aunt Elinor. ''Do stay!'' It's more of an order than an offer. Mum gestures for me to sit next to her. ''Gran's waiting for us back at home,'' Mum says. Aunt Elinor shakes her head. ''She'll wait, won't she, Jodie?'' Elinor says, her hawk eyes turning to me. I open my mouth, summoning the courage to speak. ''Gran's all by herself!'' I protest. Elinor interrupts me. ''And so am I,'' she says, getting up. ''I've waited so many months to see you, Jodie, and the moment I do, you leave!'' she says, shaking her head. She goes into her kitchen, and Mum and I exchange a glance. Mum only wanted me to see Elinor because it's been so long. Elinor used to give me riding lessons at her stables with her own horse, a cheeky skewbald warmblood. We'd loaned a horse, a beautiful grey with dapples. That was when it happened. I'd been riding him by myself, which was something Elinor had warned me never to do. I knew it was my fault. I'd snuck out with him, out into the evening. We'd gone for a quick trail ride, gone to the pastures, then out in the grove. It'd been a stormy night, and he was scared. Frightened, he reared, and I tumbled to the ground, breaking my leg in the process. I never saw him again.
- Do not use the text or cover without my permission. You will be reported. Author: Cat Illustration: @potterheadbook
