PCS: The Exciting Summer: Chap 1

“Easy Blaze” 19 year old Issie Brown said to her chestnut mare as she tighten the girth. It felt strange to Issie to be riding her Anglo-Arab mare after so long. She had been riding at Kentucky four-star trials, Badminton and Burghley – riding her other horses: Blackthorn Comet and Blaze’s dam Storm. Issie hadn’t had any time for Blaze because she was training so hard with her trainers Tom Avery and his wife Francisque. Issie had won all the events and now she couldn’t go anywhere without people noticing her but today was the first day of the Summer Holidays and all Issie wanted to do was spend 2 months with her horses and her best friend Stella Tarrant. She thought that her summer would be perfect – what Issie didn’t know was that it was going to get even better!

As Issie rode up to the arena she saw Stella waiting for her on Marmite. “Are you ready to go?” Stella asked as Issie pulled Blaze up to a halt next to her.
“Yes, let’s go” Issie said as she pushed Blaze into a walk. They had reached the paddock when Tom Avery came up to them. “Are you girls going out for a ride?” Stella nodded. “Well just be careful and watch out for cameras” Tom said in a concerned voice. “It’s ok Tom, we are just going for a hack in the woods” Issie said. Tom nodded then set off back to the house. Issie and Stella set off at a trot across the paddock. Three years ago Issie, Stella and Avery used to live in New Zealand at Chevalier Point. Tom had then got married to Francisque when they were in Spain trying to rescue Storm after he had been stolen. Issie then decided she wanted to compete at the major competitions and had asked Tom to be her trainer; he had said yes and sorted out a base in England since all the events were in Europe. Issie had to sit her GCSE’s that year so Tom and Francisque had gone ahead to England. After a few days they had phoned to tell her that they had found a place called Laurel Farm. Issie pushed Blaze into a canter as they reached the woods and she thought how lucky she was; 3 years ago she was just an ordinary girl at pony club but now she is a famous eventer! Everything has changed in 3 years and Issie still couldn't believe it. It only seemed like yesterday that Issie, Stella, and their other friends were ringing around an arena at the pony club grounds with Avery shouting instructions at them!

After they had untacked the horses they walked up to the house. Issie pushed the door open, and was immediately caught up in a big hug. The person released her, and took a step backwards allowing Issie to see who it was.
"Oh my god! Kate!" she squealed before hugging her friend properly.
"Kate! What are you doing here?" gasped Stella as she entered the house behind Issie.
Kate was their other best friend, but had stayed in Chevalier Point to take over from Avery as head instructor of the pony club.
"I called Francisque a few days ago and told her we were coming to surprise you. Tom came to pick us up today when you were out riding. Morgan is covering for me at the pony club so I can spend a month over here with you both!" explained Kate.
Stella and Issie were a bot confused when Kate had said 'we' but it was soon cleared up, when the girls walked in to the kitchen they saw Mrs Brown, Mrs Starrant & Mrs Knight sitting at the table talking to Avery while Francisque was cooking lunch.
"MUM!" Issie and Stella squealed and they ran over to give their mums a big hug. After all the hugs were over they all sat down to eat. In between mouthfuls of pasta and tomato sauce they all shared news. "I had arranged with Tom at christmas last year that I would come with Stella's mum to see you all. Then Kate said she wanted to come and see you and so did her mum, so we booked a flight and phoned Francisque a few days ago to tell her, We didn't tell you because it was a surprise." Issie's mum said. That explained to Izzie why Francisque had changed the bedding in the spare rooms and had put a put-up bed in Issie and Stella's room.

After lunch the mums helped Francisque and Tom clean up while Stella and Issie helped Kate unpack. Kate had been there the previous summer to watch Issie at Burghley. "I can't believe I was here last year! It seems more then that" Kate said as she hung her clothes up in the wardrobe. "I know! Just think we used to see each other everyday and now we only see you and our parents once a year or twice if we are lucky!" Stella said as she went into their ensuite to put Kate's toiletries bag away. Stella and Izzie had a big room and an ensuite. Their room was painted blue with two twin beds in - the put-up bed was in the middle. Next door to them was a bathroom, then Tom and Francisque's room. On the next floor was a bathroom and 3 master rooms with ensuites where the girls mums where going to sleep. All the bedrooms had ensuites which Stella thought was cool.

Kate had just finished unpacking when Avery came in "Francisque is taking your mums into town if you want to go" The girls looked at each other and nodded. "We will be down soon" Stella shouted to Tom as he went downstairs. It took them 10 minutes to have showers and get changed. They walked into the kitchen where everyone was waiting for them. Kate looked around, "Isn't Tom coming?" Francisque shook her head, "Hes lunging Sonny" After saying bye to Tom they set off to town which was 5 minutes away. The plan was that Issie, Stella and Kate would look around while Francisque showed their mums around. As everyone got out of the car Francisque addressed the girls "We will meet back here in a hour and if you need anything just ring me" The girls nodded and headed to the town centre. As the girls reached the town centre, they weren't prepared for the voice that suddenly screamed.
"Oh my gosh! It's Isadora Brown!"
Suddenly, there was a mob of people rushing towards them, digging in their bags for pen and paper which they held out, asking for their autographs. At the same time, many people were pulling out cameras and camera phones to take pictures. They all looked at each other, unsure of what to do. After half an hour of signing autographs and having pictures taken, they finally escaped to one of there favourite stores. The whole store suddenly filled with excited voices as they walked in.
"I just got her autograph!"
"Yeah right!"
"She did! Isadora is here in the town!"
Several other voices joined in, confirming the rumours that the rider was, indeed, in town. Just then, Kate had an idea. Pulling off her hoody, she passed it to Issie who gratefully pulled it on and put the hood up.
"Thanks Kate!" she grinned. Hopefully they would be able to spend the rest of the afternoon like three normal friends.

Kate's plan worked, and by the time the girls went to the car at 4pm they were all chatting about it.

They arrived at the farm a few minutes later. Tom was sitting at the table reading a newspaper. Issie, Kate and Stella where just about to disappear upstairs when Tom said, "Issie, Aidan called while you were out. You need to call him back, he needs some help." Issie blushed, she had got back together with Aidan last year when he and her Aunt Hester had come to visit when she was competing at Badminton Horse Trails. She hadn't talked to him or seen him since. While Issie dialed Aidan's number, Stella and Kate went upstairs.

"Hello?"

"Hey Aidan, It's Issie!" Issie smiled as she heard her boyfriend's voice on the other end of the line. They had a brief catch up before Aidan got to the point.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in coming out to help with the Blackthorn Riding School over the summer again would you? Same weeks as last time?" he asked. A few years ago, Issie and her friends had helped her aunt out of some financial difficulties by assisting Hester and Aidan, her farm manager, run a riding school for the summer. The children had stayed Monday-Friday for three weeks. It had been a success and the children had all enjoyed it, one of them even owned Stella's old pony Coco now.

"That would be great, Aidan! Of course I'm interested!" I'll have to check with Tom first." Issie said.

"I've already spoken to Tom about it and he said it was fine."

"Thats great!" Issie smiled at the thought of seeing her boyfriend again.

"One more thing Issie? Could you ask if Kate would be the head instructor?"

Issie agreed and ended the call. She turned around to find Tom still reading - he had obviously heard the whole conversation because he was smiling and said, "So your going to do it?" Issie said, "Yes." Tom looked up at Issie, "We will be leaveing tomorrow morning, so go tell the others and get packing" He got up and headed outside to tell the adults who were stitting in the garden enjoying the sun. Issie sprinted up the stairs and went to tell her friends. "Issie! Whats up?" Stella asked as her friend busted into the room panting for breath. Issie told them what Aidan had said. "Well of course we will do the riding school again - it was so much fun last time and I'll definately be the head intructor" Kate said with a grin. Stella agreed and with that the girls started to pack.

By 6pm they had all packed and all there bags were by the door waiting for the early start tomorrow. "Our plane leaves at 9am, we will have to leave about 7am so I suggest that we get up 6am to make sure the horses are ok, I've asked Mr Head next door to look after them since he has a daugther who likes riding. We will probably get to New Zealand at about 10 tomorrow night and we will stay in a motel overnight. Ive hired a car so I plan to get to Blackthorn Farm on Friday at 4pm. Is that ok with everyone?" Avery looked around the table at everyone, they all nodded and dinner was served.

As Issie got into bed that night she thought about how exciting this holiday is going to be.

The next morning the girls got up & pulled on some jogging bottoms and a hoodie before running downstairs. "Good Morning, girls" Avery said as they entered the kitchen. "Did you all sleep well?" They nodded, pulled their boots on and rushed outside to make the sure the horses were ok.

"I think that should be enough" Kate said as she finished putting hay in Rolo's stall. Issie looked at her watch, it was 6:30. After checking round to make sure all the horses had enough hay and water, the girls went up to the house where everyone was eating breakfast. Issie, Stella and Kate sat down and Francisque put bacon and egg on there plates. Once everyone had finished Francisque washed up with the help of Avery while everyone went to get ready.

Dead on 7am they left for the airport. As they walked into the airport Issie put her hood up - she didn't want to be signing autographs today!
As Issie got on the plane she couldn't control her excitment - soon she would be in New Zealand!

"Issie, wake up!" Issie felt a hand on her shoulder, she opened her eyes to find her mum gently shaking her awake. Issie looked at her watch which was on the bedside table and saw that it was 8'oclock. They were staying in a motel close to the airport. They had landed at 10 last night and everyone had been so tired that they had got a taxi to the motel and then had gone straight to sleep. Issie got up and got dressed while her mum made her some Hot Chocolate. Issie and her mum were packing when there was a knock at the door, Issie's mum went to answer. She opened the door to find Mrs Tarrant. "Amanda, Do you know where Tom is?" Mrs Brown shook her head and turned to Issie, "Sweetie, Do you know where Avery is?" Before she could answer her mum, Issie's phone beeped; it was a message from Kate. Issie opened it: 'Jst 2 let u know Tom has gone to get the car, pass on to Stella. Kate x' Issie closed the text and turned to her mum, "Tom has gone to get the car." Amanda nodded and they went to breakfast.

Tom came back from the car rental with an Audi Q7. After getting everything packed, they piled their bags into the car and at 10o'clock they hit the road to Blackthorn Farm. Tom was driving with Francisque in the passenger seat. Mrs Brown, Mrs Tarrant and Mrs Knight were sitting in the middle row sorting out what to cook since Aunt Hester isn't a very good cook. On the back row were Issie, Stella and Kate. They were listening to music and Kate was texting Morgan to see how the Pony Club was going.

At 4o'clock they turned down a narrow lane. Issie, Kate and Stella all squealed at the same time as Avery drove up to Blackthorn Manor. A 20 year old boy with short black hair was sitting on the porch. His fringe was in his eyes and when he pushed it out of the way Issie saw sky blue eyes staring at her. As Avey parked the car infront of the porch, the boy got up and went to meet them. "Aidan!" Issie squealed as she flung herself into his arms. "Hey Issie" Aidan said, laughing at his girlfriend. Issie pulled back and Aidan kissed her. Just as Issie untangled from Aidan, Aunty Hester came out. "Isadora!" Hess said as she spotted Issie. "Welcome to Blackthorn Farm" and she pulled Issie into a big hug.