Another update because the last bit was a bit short.
'Where are you off to today?' Michael stopped Lucy in her tracks as she headed towards the stables the next morning.
'We have seen practically nothing of you all week. You leave at first light and you are not home till late evening. We are starting to worry.'
Lucy was surprised and rather touched at the concern in his voice. She thought her brothers would have been happy to be rid of her. Of course, he soon reverted to form.
'You have not done any schoolwork and the garden does not weed itself you know. We all have to pull our weight around here.'
'I'll bet she's going to her boyfriend's.' Gabriel had joined them, yawning sleepily and scratching at his chest. Lucy wished he would wear a shirt.
'Your friend Justin was over here late yesterday. I think he has the hots for you, Lucy.'
Lucy grimaced and wondered if Gabriel was really that stupid.
'As if. The last time I saw Justin Cooke he cast doubts on my parentage. He is the biggest loser in this whole backwoods excuse for a town – well apart from his brother John who is just as bad.'
She turned to Michael. 'I finished that assignment you gave me last night. I have printed it out and left the sheets on the coffee table for you to read. I promise I will do the weeding when I get home tonight.'
'Well, we will see.' Michael looked skeptical. 'Anyway, don't take your horse. Raphael thinks she is in foal.'
Lucy's jaw dropped. 'How did that happen?'
'You really don't know how horses get pregnant?' Gabriel smirked.
Lucy blushed. 'I do know. I just don't see when it could have happened.'
'We think it was one of the wild horses.' Answered Michael. 'Raphael swears he saw a horse in the yard the other night.
'I don't know how it could have got in unless someone forgot to lock the gate,' He raised an accusing eyebrow at his sister. 'Raphael also said he saw some odd light effect too but put it down to an impending migraine.'
A foal. Lucy's steps had an extra spring in them as she made her way on foot to Clothilda's house. How amazing it was going to be to have a baby horse to pet. She hoped Raphael knew what he was talking about.