The Forget-Me-Not Sonata(92)

‘All right, let’s do it,’ said Mattie, suddenly infected with Alicia’s bravado. ‘But we should wait until after supper when it’s nearly dark. That way there’s less chance of getting caught.’

‘Good, I knew you’d come around to the idea.’

‘We had better not tell Elizabeth, she’ll only want to come too and she’ll fall off or hurt herself or something.’

‘Yes, she’s a hopeless fool.’

‘But obedient.’

‘Oh, we all need Elizabeths. As Merchi says, if everyone was as clever as me there’d be no servants to look after us. Thank God for Elizabeths.’ They both laughed heartily.

‘Let’s go and take a look at the ponies and plan which we’re going to ride,’ Mattie suggested, leading the way out of the camp. They wandered to the field and leant on the fence. There in the midst of long lush grass were five fat ponies, as docile as cows.

‘I’ll ride that white one over there,’ Alicia said, pointing.

‘It’s grey,’ corrected Mattie.

‘Grey then. What’s it called?’

‘Mr Snow.’

‘Well, I’ll ride Mr Snow. Which one will you ride?’

Mattie thought about it a moment then pointed to the dappled grey who was so small and round that his belly almost touched the ground.

‘Lucky.’

‘How appropriate. Let’s hope his luck rubs off on us!’

‘He’s little so it won’t be hard to jump on his back.’

‘Good. Ah, there’s the bell for supper. Not a word to anyone,’ Alicia instructed and they walked down the drive towards the house.

After supper they crept out into the twilight. It had taken some manoeuvring to be rid of Elizabeth who wanted to join in. They had been forced to arrange a false meeting place where she was now waiting for them, looking at her watch and wondering where they were.

But Alicia and Mattie were climbing the fence, looking about them with the furtiveness of robbers, stealing into the forbidden, risking everything. The thrill of such naughtiness was intoxicating and their eyes shone through the half-light. ‘You have to ride the pony for three minutes or it doesn’t count,’ whispered Alicia as they ran, bent double, up the field. Mattie giggled as she approached Lucky, who lifted his head and stopped chomping grass. Mr Snow thought he was about to be offered some nuts and neighed softly as Alicia hurried up to him. ‘Shhh, or you’ll give us away!’ she hissed crossly. She glanced over at Mattie who was already stroking Lucky’s head, ready to mount. Alicia was spurred on by a sudden twinge of competitiveness and didn’t hang around to pat the animal but with a running leap clambered onto his back. She sighed with relief, she was first. Mattie scowled and swung her leg over Lucky’s back, then sat leaning forward, hiding her face in his mane. But Alicia was now triumphant and, typically, she had to go that little bit further. Not content to sit and hide like Mattie, she kicked Mr Snow’s barrel of a belly and instructed him to trot. ‘Come on, you silly old thing, move!’ But Mr Snow bent his head and began to chew the grass again as if Alicia wasn’t there. Mattie shot her a look and waved her wrist, indicating that their three minutes were up. But Alicia shook her head and grinned, kicking the pony harder. Mr Snow huffed wearily as if she were an annoying summer fly buzzing about his face. ‘For goodness’ sake, you lazy toad, move!’ and she kicked him again, this time with greater force. Suddenly the pony lifted his head with a start and neighed in fury before galloping off as fast as his short legs could carry him. Alicia was delighted, if not a little shaken. She didn’t see the chocolate brown lurcher dash out from under his hooves and neither did Mr Snow. But before she had time to enjoy the ride she found herself sliding down his back. She tried to cling on but his fur was so soft and slippery she had nothing to grip onto but his mane which seemed to come away in her hands. He trotted on angrily, as if he knew that a tight trot would be sure to lose her, and she slid round his back until nothing could save her and she fell with an angry thud onto the grass. Wounded only in her pride and red-faced with rage she stood up and wiped her muddied hands on her skirt. She turned to see the lurcher lolloping jubilantly towards the gate where Mattie now stood with her arms crossed, staring at Alicia in alarm. Next to her seethed Miss Reid, her face frozen into an expression of the coldest resolve, her fingers running up and down Midge’s back in long, pensive strokes.

When Alicia rejoined them, her shoulders hunched anticipating the headmistress’s wrath, she was surprised if not a little relieved to find that Miss Reid said very little. ‘In my study, tomorrow morning at seven thirty.’ Then she stalked off down the drive towards the house, followed by her entourage of four-legged detectives. ‘Don’t panic, Mattie,’ said Alicia, trying to sound confident, holding her chin up. ‘Writing out lines never killed anyone, and expulsion, she wouldn’t dare.’ They wandered back to the house in silence, both alone with their fears.