Later that evening, Izzy's mobile phone rang whilst she was watching televison.
Izzy looked at the screen. It was Kate. She slid the phone up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Izzy. It's Kate."
"I know. How's the leg?"
"Oh, it's getting better actually." Kate answered off-handedly. "Tom came to see me earlier."
Izzy's heart skipped a beat.
"Oh?"
"Yes, he told me that you were upset about yesterday. You never wanted Alex to kiss you."
Izzy swallowed. "It's true Kate. I told him, I really did-"
"I know Izzy, I know. I thought it seemed a bit out of character after you had left. Alex was beaming from ear to ear, and there you were looking like you had been slapped across the face!"
Izzy laughed at Kate's words.
"You could say that." She replied.
Kate laughed too, "Oh Izzy I'm sorry for shouting at you. It just looked weird from where I was standing. You, my brother, kissing..."
Izzy laughed again. "I know what you mean. I knew it wasn't right, because he's your brother, and I wasn't ready..."
"Izzy-" Kate stopped her friend before she could continue. "There's something Alex would like me to tell you. And I have no problem with this."
Heart beating double-time, Izzy swallowed again. "What is it Kate?"
There was a short silence.
"Izzy...My brother really likes you, and wants you to be his girlfriend."
* * * * * * * * *
"W-w-what?"
"Alex likes you. Izzy, I wouldn't trust another girl more than you to be his girlfriend." Kate continued.
"Alex lied to me...He told me that you were going to ride today! That's why I turned up at your house. He asked me to talk some sense into you."
"Yes I know, Izzy. That's how much he likes you!"
"Kate, come on...Hawthorn is two and a half weeks away. We have more important things to think about." Izzy replied, sensibly.
"There's going to be a college scout there, too." she finished.
Kate went quiet for a moment.
"Then there is no way I'm going to miss this show!" She answered, determinedly. "Not tomorrow, but I'll be back at Sandy Lane on Friday. Just you see!"
"Kate, look-" But it was too late, Kate had put the phone down.
Izzy sighed and flopped back on to her bed. She turned and looked at a photo of Midnight next to her bed.
"I don't know, Midnight." She sighed again. "Once Kate makes her mind up, there will be no changing it!"
With that, Izzy got to her feet and padded downstairs for dinner.
Sandy Lane buzzed with activity as Izzy finished mucking out Midnight's stable.
"Now, you be a good boy." She smiled, kissing her horse on the forehead.
She left the stable, and glimpsed Alex cycling into the yard.
He caught her eye and grinned.
Izzy turned away and hurried to the outdoor school.
To her surprise, Tom and Rosie had their horses stood right next to each other, and the two of them were locked in an embrace.
"Put each other down, you two!" Izzy teased.
Rosie flushed bright red as she and Tom pulled apart.
"Oh, we didn't see you there, Izzy." She replied, sheepishly.
Izzy smiled. "Its OK Rosie, I forgive you, but I'm not sure about Pepper and Chancey."
Chancey stood with one rear hoof resting lazily on the sand.
"Chancey just looks bored. No difference there." Tom laughed, patting his horse's mane.
"Listen Tom, thankyou for talking to Kate for me." Izzy said.
"Oh good, she called you then? She said she would." Tom turned to Rosie and kissed her softly on the lips, smiling. "Come on, let's get on with this dressage practice."
Izzy was soon joined by Jess at the fence.
"Its sickening, isnt't it?" Jess laughed, "The two lovebirds practising their dressage together, while the best friend stands at the side."
Izzy laughed too. "Chancey's going really well though. I never imagined that he would maker a dressage horse."
"None of us did. But Tom's done a fantastic job training him." Jess replied. "So have you and Kate sorted things out yet?"
Izzy nodded. "She rang me last night actually. Apparently Alex wants me to go out with him."
Jess grimaced. "Oh no, and what did you say?"
Izzy went pink, but Jess didn't notice. "I didn't want to upset Kate. It wouldn't be right. My best friend's brother..."
"I get what you mean." Jess answered. "I'd never go out with either of Rosie's brothers."
Izzy gave Rosie a funny look. "They're both younger than you anyway." She giggled
"Which adds to the gross-ness of it." Jess grinned. She paused. "As seeing as Lovebirds 'R' Us have already ridden without us, why dont you and I take Midnight and Skylark for a hack?"
"Yes please. I need to practice the cross-country course aswell, if you don't mind joining me? Bit of fun." Izzy answered, making her way to the tack room.
Jess walked beside her, "It would be my pleasure." She joked, linking arms with Izzy.
