The Magic Spell

said, her eyes shining. She stretched out her hands towards Twilight. The pony lowered his muzzle and blew softly on Lauren’s face. ‘Please can we buy him?’ she begged her

    mother. ‘He’s perfect!’
    ‘He certainly seems very well behaved,’ Mrs Foster said, patting Twilight. ‘Maybe we’ll bid for him when he goes into the ring.’
    Lauren thought about the sale and the way the person who offered the most money got the pony. ‘But someone else might bid more than us,’ she said in alarm. ‘Can’t we just buy him now?’
    ‘I’m quite happy to arrange a private sale, if you’re interested,’ Mr Roberts said to Lauren’s mother. ‘I wouldn’t have to pay the auction fee then, so it would save me some money. How about we say…’ He thought for a moment and then named a price. ‘I’ll even throw in the saddle and bridle if you like.’
    Lauren looked at her mum and crossed her fingers. She didn’t think she could bear to see Twilight go into the ring and be sold to someone else. Oh, please , she prayed. Please say yes .
    To her amazement, her mum smiled. ‘OK, Mr Roberts. You’ve got yourself a deal.’
    Lauren could hardly believe it. She threw her arms round Twilight’s neck and hugged him. ‘Oh, Twilight!’ she gasped in delight. ‘You’re going to be mine!’
    The little grey pony nuzzled her happily, as if he understood.

Three
    I t was soon arranged that Mr Roberts would drive Twilight round to Granger’s Farm the next morning.
    ‘That gives us time to buy everything we need and get the paddock and stable ready,’ Mrs Foster said to Lauren.
    On the way home Lauren and her mum drove to the local tack store on the outskirts of the town.
    The sales assistant, a girl called Jenny, was very helpful. Soon there were loads of horsy things on the counter – brushes, a first-aid kit, feed buckets, a head-collar. The pile grew bigger and bigger until, at last, Lauren had everything she needed.
    Jenny helped them pack all their purchases into their car. ‘Have fun with your new pony!’ she called to Lauren.
    Lauren grinned at her. ‘Thanks! I will!’
    As Jenny went back to the store, Lauren noticed a small bookshop tucked between the tack store and a shop selling electrical goods. It had an old-fashioned brown and gold sign over the window saying MRS FONTANA’S NEW AND USED BOOKS. ‘Look at that bookshop, Mum,’ she said.
    ‘Shall we take a look inside?’ Mrs Foster asked.
    Lauren nodded eagerly. Both she and her mum loved bookshops, and this one looked really interesting.
    They walked along the pavement. Through the glass panel in the door, Lauren could see a cheerful rose-patterned carpet, and shelves and shelves of books.
    Mrs Foster pushed the door open. A bell tinkled and they stepped inside.
    ‘Wow!’ Lauren said, looking around. There were books everywhere! Old books, new books – and not just on the shelves. There were piles of books next to the shelves. And more piles in front of those! But enough space had been left for a few chairs to be placed round a pretty iron fireplace. A large notice said: Please feel free to browse and sit awhile . It was the strangest, loveliest bookshop that Lauren had ever been in.
    Just then there was a pattering of feet, and a little white terrier dog with a black patch over one eye came trotting up to them. ‘Look, Mum!’ Lauren exclaimed. She crouched down and the terrier licked her hand.
    Mrs Foster bent down to stroke him. ‘Hi, little one,’ she said.
    ‘Isn’t he cute?’ said Lauren.
    ‘Ah, I see you’ve met Walter.’
    Lauren and her mum looked up. An elderly lady was coming towards them. She was wearing an embroidered shawl over a flowery dress. Lauren gasped. It was the lady she’d met at the horse sale earlier! There was no mistaking the warm blue eyes.
    ‘Hello, Lauren,’ the lady said, smiling.
    ‘You two know each other?’ Lauren’s mother said, looking surprised.
    ‘We met at the horse and pony sale this morning,’ the lady explained. She held out her hand. ‘I’m Mrs Fontana,’ she said. ‘This is my shop.’
    ‘Alice Foster,’ Lauren’s mum said, shaking hands. ‘We’ve just moved into the area. Is it OK if we have a look around?’
    ‘Feel free,’ Mrs Fontana replied. She smiled at Lauren. ‘There are lots of books in the side room you might like.’
    Leaving her mum to browse, Lauren made her way to the side of the shop. The next room was full of children’s books. There were no bright