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month. Perhaps two months if we scrimp.”
    â€œWhat will happen after that?”
    â€œMortgagee sale, I expect. I want to take the horses with me, but where would we go? I won’t be able to take them all. Or the other animals–or Aidan for that matter.”
    â€œHow much money do you need?”
    â€œA windfall of around $25,000 is all it would take,” Hester said. “I’ve been buying lottery tickets so that’s bound to pay off soon I should imagine.”
    She looked at Issie with tired eyes. “I am doing everything I can, favourite niece. And I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you are here to help me.” Hester smiled weakly. “Anyway, I’m sure we’ll muddle through. So stop standing in the doorway looking at me with those sorrowful eyes. You look like one of my jersey cows with that expression!” She waved Issie out of the office. “Off you go to bed and stop worrying! You have a rowdy group of riders to teach in the morning.”
    Issie stood there for a moment longer but her aunt was firm. “I said goodnight, Isadora.”
    â€œG’night, Aunty Hess.”
    Upstairs in her room, Issie lay on her bed and stared at the painting of Avignon on her wall above the fireplace. Why was Mystic here? The grey horse wantedto help in some way, but how could he? Even Issie couldn’t help. What Blackthorn Farm really needed was money–and she didn’t have $25,000.

Chapter 7
    At breakfast the next morning Hester dropped another bombshell.
    â€œI’ve just had a call from old Bill Stokes who lives down by Preacher’s Cove,” she told the girls. “There’s been an accident. There was a landslide in the cove and Bill has found six of my sheep trapped on a ledge with no way out. He said they’re very distressed, must have been stuck there all night. I told him I’d drive down there with Aidan this morning and winch them up to safety with the horse truck.”
    â€œThis morning?” Issie squeaked. “But, Aunty Hess, it’s the first day of the riding school.”
    â€œI know it’s leaving you in the lurch,” Hester said, “but I’ve got no choice, Issie. Those poor animalsare in a frightful state–it can’t wait.”
    Hester saw the worried looks on the girls’ faces. “You’ve got your lesson plan. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
    Issie wasn’t so sure. “George, and Kelly-Anne will be the worst,” she muttered as they walked down the driveway to the stables. “They’re too busy picking fights with each other to listen to us. And Kelly-Anne thinks she knows everything.”
    â€œYou have to treat them just like horses,” Stella insisted. “Don’t show any fear or they’ll pick up on it.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Kate said. “You just have to take control of that lesson, Stella, and show them you’re in charge.”
    â€œMe?” Stella stared at Kate as if she was crazy. “Not me! I’m not teaching them. You are! You’re the head instructor, Kate–you’re the one with the most experience and everything. Those riders are bound to listen to you.”
    â€œYou’re kidding!” said Kate.
    â€œGo on!” Stella grinned. “Issie and I will be there right behind you to back you up! Won’t we, Issie?”
    â€œYep!” Issie grinned. They were right behind Kate too–hiding behind her and giggling as they made her go first through the stable doors to meet the riders.
    â€œRight!” Kate said, reluctantly taking command and addressing the eight pupils sitting on the hay bales. The riders were dressed in their jods and boots ready to get started. “Before we even begin to think about getting on our ponies, what do we need to do first?” Eight faces stared blankly back at her.
    â€œWe have to catch them of course!” Kate smiled.