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she’d enjoy the extra exercise. Dad said she was getting a bit fat anyway. But even with Janie using Pixie for rides, it’s still going to cost a lot to keep her stabled at Greengates. I still don’t know if Mom and Dad will agree.”

    Lily’s face fell. She hadn’t thought of this. It seemed as if there was a flaw in her awesome plan.
    Storm jumped up with his paws on Lily’s leg and woofed for attention. Lily looked down at him. “You could ask your mom and dad to help,” he suggested in a soft bark.
    It was a few seconds before Storm’s words sank in. “That’s it!” she burst out, her eyes widening.
    â€œWhat is?” Adjoa said, puzzled.
    â€œI just had a brilliant idea. Come on, Adjoa. We’re going back to talk to my parents!” She quickly outlined her plan.
    A look of hope came over Adjoa’s face. “Do you think they’ll agree?”
    â€œThey have to. It’s Pixie’s last chance,” Lily said determinedly, turning on her heel, confident that Adjoa would now follow her on Pixie. At her side, Storm gave an encouraging yelp.

Chapter TEN
    Later that evening, Lily sat at the kitchen table eating a pizza with her mom and dad. Storm was curled up under the table.
    â€œYou did a great job persuading Adjoa to come home,” her dad said. “Her parents were almost out of their minds with worry. They’ve been on the phone saying how great you are. Well done, sweetie.”
    Lily felt herself blushing. “Anyone would have done the same.”
    â€œI’m not sure that’s true,” her mom said, patting her hand. “What I still can’t figure out is how you found her so quickly and got up to the field near Greengates in record time.”

    â€œIt must be all the exercise I’ve been doing. Mmm. This pizza’s delish!” Lily said, quickly changing the subject. She slipped a small piece under the table for Storm to munch. “Mo-om? Da-ad?” she said in a persuading voice. “I’ve . . . um . . . got something to ask you.”
    Her parents exchanged glances. “I hope this isn’t about having your own pony again!” Mrs. Benson said.
    â€œOf course it’s not,” Lily said brightly.
    â€œThank goodness for that!” her dad said.
    Lily paused for effect. “It’s about me having half a pony!”
    Mr. Benson frowned. “Run that by me again.”
    Lily grinned. “What I really mean is sharing a pony!” She explained about Janie agreeing to take Pixie into the stable and being a riding school pony. “But it’s still going to be very expensive, so Adjoa’s parents might decide to sell Pixie anyway. But they won’t if we help with the costs. And then I’d be sort of sharing a pony with Adjoa. I’d be able to groom Pixie and ride her sometimes. What do you think?”
    â€œI think Pixie’s going to be one busy pony!” her dad said, smiling. “But it’s an interesting idea.”
    Lily held her breath and had all her fingers and toes crossed. At least her dad hadn’t said no right away like he usually did.
    â€œI know you, Lily. You’ll want to be up at Greengates every night, looking after Pixie and grooming her,” said Mrs. Benson. “I’m still worried that your schoolwork could suffer.”
    â€œI know I might want to do that, but I won’t, because I’ll know that I have to take turns with Adjoa,” Lily said honestly. “I’ll just be so happy to be able to ride Pixie sometimes—and pretend she’s all mine until I get a pony of my own one day!”
    Her mom and dad exchanged glances.
    â€œWell, when you put it like that, it sounds like a fair arrangement,” her mom said.
    â€œAnd it’s the only way Lily’s ever going to give us any peace! So the answer’s yes,” her dad added.
    â€œYay!” Lily flung herself at her parents