"Hello Summer…I brought along a friend. Hope that's okay!" Belle said in a friendly tone.
Summer was nervous; 'I bet she's going to get him to hurt us or something!' She thought.
"Summer, meet Darko. Darko meet Summer!" Belle said brightly.
"Yes…we've met." Darko replied, stiffly.
"Oh, sorry! Who are your friends, Summer?" Belle asked, nodding to Sherbert and Chase.
"This is Sherbert," Summer answered, nodding at Sherbert, "and this is Chase, my new stallion." Summer finished, noding at Chase.
"Well hello there Sherbert and Chase!" Belle grinned.
Summer hesitated for a minute before saying: "Why did you come here? Sorry if that sounded harsh-I just wondered."
"Oh no, that's fine. I came here to see how you're getting on- and introduce Darko, but I needn't have bothered introducing him now!" Belle laughed.
"So, what are you doing here Summer?" Belle continued.
"I'm training to be a racehorse." Summer replied, quietly so that Belle wouldn't laugh too much.
But Belle heard her.
"That's fantastic! Darko is a racehorse too-but I expect you know that already…Good luck Summer!" Belle remarked, smiling.
"How did you meet Darko, Belle?" Summer asked.
"Oh, my mum knows his mum, and she was in the cavalry when he was born. He came to visit her." Belle answered.
"Right, well I have to go and train now." Summer said, hearing Morgan call her name, "I'll see you soon. Nice talking to you!" She was about to turn around and trot away, when Belle said: "Wait a minute! We'll come and watch you!"
Summer instantly thought that Belle would critisize her.
"Sure.Okay" Summer replied, before she could stop herself.
On the track, Summer stood at the starting line, ready to gallop after her fifteen minutes of excersise in the riding arena.
"On your marks…Get set…GO!" Whinnied Sherbert.
Summer took off at a flying speed.
She galloped rapidly around the track, making a great turn at the first corner, and zoomed past the first quarter.
Her speed increased as she reached the second turn, her hooves pounded the earth beneath her.
Morgan gave Summer a bit more rein, but urged her on, faster and faster.
They bombed past the halfway mark.
Then the three quarter mark…
The pair were doing exceedingly well, and they approached the finish line at a flying speed, before skidding to a walk.
"That was amazing Summer! You're so fast!" Belle commented.
"Y-you think so?" Summer asked, surprised.
"I know so! You have a fighting chance at the race. Sherbert told me that you were entered. I wish you the best of luck!" Belle said.
She bowed her head and walked away.
"Summer? I'm sorry I was so nasty to you when we first met. Shall we let bygones be bygones and get off to a good start-even if we are going to be opponents in the race?" Darko said quietly.
"Sure." Summer replied. Darko smiled and trotted after Belle.
"Bye Summer! See you soon!" Belle and Darko called as they galloped out of the gate.
Summer grinned at her friends, things were looking up…