A/N, well hi guys new here! i must admit that i do get stories popping into my head every now and again but have never writen one down, much less actually published it for other people to see! please let me know what you all think, there is more to come but i'm a bit busy looking after a 4 year old pony whilst it's being sold so may not be for a few days. i'm also putting a plea for a beta reader! if you can help please contact me! thanks

SST

Prologue

He drove onto the yard and parked his car, pausing for a moment he looked around the yard then, undid his seatbelt and got out of the car. He stretched his long legs out, it had been a long drive and it was cramped with his seat pulled forward owing to the amount of stuff in the back.

Seeing the car pull in Alianna put her mucking out tools in her wheelbarrow, pulled it out of the stable and bolted the door behind her. She walked over to the car where a tall dark haired young man was standing, and, smiling, introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Ali, my mum's the yard owner, are you the new livery?"

"Yes" he replied, looking back at the road "I'm just waiting for the lorry to arrive, sorry, I'm Domonic by the way, but just call me Dom.".

"Nice to meet you, do you know where your tack room is?", then when he shook his head, she grabbed an armful of rugs out of the car, said "follow me" chatting away as she turned and walked off.

By the time they had unloaded the car the box had arrived, and an alert looking grey horse stood in the yard taking in his surroundings. Dom walked ahead to talk to the driver whilst Ali went to meet the horse, he was an attractive Irish Draught gelding, about 16.2h with a kind eye and Ali liked him instantly, he seemed the sort who took everything in his stride.

"His name's Seamus" came a voice in her ear making her jump, she twisted her head to look up at Dom who was standing close behind her.

He was surprised at how tall she was, at 5'11 he was not short and her head came up to his chin. At this angle it was hard to fail to notice her deep red hair or her dark blue eyes when she turned to look back at him. For a moment they froze, staring into each others eyes, their faces scant inches apart, then abruptly he took a step back and took the horse from the groom and turned to lead him away as a voice came from behind them calling Alianna in for dinner. As she walked towards the house Dom called after her

"how old are you Ali?"

"twelve" she replied, smiling as she closed the door behind her.

As they sat eating, Ali asked her mum about the new livery.

"Oh he's a nice lad, just finished school and has moved into the teachers training college down the road, hence why he's here as we're the closest yard. Says he's going to be a geography teacher, shame he's not a science teacher or he could tutor you! Which reminds me, Mrs Gimble will be late tomorrow so you'll have to do the horses in the morning before she comes.". Ali shrugged ascent and the pair chatted amicably for the rest of the meal.