His Aunt Nicole

[Simonssister]

Chapter 68.

In the event the opportunity to give her mount a good thrashing never materialised.  She had an audience all the afternoon, attracted by the hope of seeing Bobby the pony repeat his bucking act.  But the girls decided to be satisfied for the time being, not wanting their secret to leak out and potentially warn MĂ©lisande of the cause of Bobby’s behaviour.  Moreover it was vital she appeared a responsible horsewoman on this day of all days, when committee members might be mingling with the spectators.  So she rode him firmly but relatively kindly for the rest of the afternoon, then tethered him to the wall of the offices while she went to brush her jacket and spruce herself up generally.  When she returned she found him surrounded by admirers, patting him, affectionately pulling his ears, and getting photographed with him.  The schools were out, and with Miss Poole looking on, there was a queue of young children eager to be photographed in the saddle. 
Concealing her frustration, MĂ©lisande greeted Miss Poole with an ingratiating smile.
“Hello, Miss Poole.  How are you?”
“Thank you, MĂ©lisande, I’m very well.  My colleagues are assembling in the boardroom.  We’re all very much looking forward to seeing you and Bobby.  About half an hour?”
“Thank you,  Yes.  But I have to hose him down first.  I wonder, could you ask everyone to allow him to…?”
“Oh, of course!  I’m sorry.”  She addressed the small crowd.  “Could I ask you to allow our young rider here to take Bobby off for a quick wash?  Then he has to be presented to the committee.  Thank you.  I hope you understand…”
MĂ©lisande picked up the reins and took him along to the top of the stable block, followed by a small retinue of inquisitive visitors.  She stood him by the wall, uncoiled the hose, turned on the tap, and gave him a good wash down, exacting such revenge as she could by spraying him straight in the face.  Then she walked out onto the path and summoned Phoebe.
“You!  Groom!  Come and do your job, please.”
Phoebe came hurrying up.  “What is it?” 
“I’m taking him to see the committee shortly.  He probably needs to relieve himself.  That’s your job.  Please see to it.”
But Phoebe was equal to the challenge.  “Certainly.  I’ll try to do it without falling flat on my back.”
She led Bobby behind the stable block to a secluded area, unzipped him, and allowed him to urinate.  She wiped him, replaced his sheath, and zipped him up.  Then she took out her special water bottle, pushed the tube into his gag, and held up the bottle till he nodded he’d had enough.  She knelt down, stroked his cheek and gave him a kiss. 
“Never mind, Bobby.  She’ll be gone in an hour.  Bear up.”
He couldn’t hear her, but he got the message, and nodded his thanks, making his ears bounce up and down.

“Is he finished?”
She found MĂ©lisande standing over her.
“We need to go in.  I’m told you have to lead him.  Here’s the leading-rein.  Let’s go.”
She mounted him, and gave him a slap on the rump with her whip.
“Behave yourself this time!” she hissed.
Phoebe stood up, clipped on the rein, and led him back up to reception.  The receptionist smiled.
They’re waiting for you, girls.”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 69. 

They made their way to the boardroom.  The secretary was waiting outside, holding a notebook.  She smiled and opened the door.  They clip-clopped inside, across the polished wooden floor.  The secretary followed and closed the door behind them.  A ripple of admiration ran round the long table in front of the windows.  The sunny fields were visible beyond. 
Miss Poole stood up.
“Ladies.  Allow me to introduce Bobby the Pony, led by one of my best grooms, Phoebe, and ridden by an extremely promising and precocious rider, MĂ©lisande.  I’m sure you’ve all heard about our project to publicise the Centre.  Bobby and MĂ©lisande will be central to this project, and will appear on all our advertising, on our website, and indeed, have already appeared in the local newspaper.”
Around the table sat Magda, Lavinia, Nicole, Jasmine, and three older ladies.  The Secretary sat down at one end.
“MĂ©lisande,” continued Miss Poole,  allow me to introduce you to my personal assistant Magda, my friend and long-time adviser Lavinia and her friend Nicole, Bobby’s guardian who’s here as our guest, my grooms’ representative Jasmine, whom I believe you are acquainted with already, and my three principal backers and investors.”  She indicated them one by one, each inclining her head in greeting.  “This is Diana Murchison, Eleanor Bowditch, and Polly Hunniford.  Well ladies, what do you think of our new showcase rider and her little mount?”
The three senior ladies, as Miss Poole had hoped, were quite taken aback.  They stared at the rubber-clad pony, with its shiny hooves, long ears and sad blue eyes, and at the girl mounted proudly on his back, smirking with pride.
“Well I never,” began Eleanor.  “You mean to say…that’s a boy in there?  How in the world…? 
“Can we…?” began Diana, rising from her seat.
“Help yourselves.  Come and have a close look, please…”
“I must say they make a beautiful pair,” smiled Polly, coming over and absently fondling one of Bobby’s ears and patting MĂ©lisande on the shoulder. 
Diana shook hands with MĂ©lisande.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.  I saw you training it this afternoon.  You have such a perfect seat.  It must be so difficult to maintain on such a narrow-bodied animal.”
“Not at all, miss.  It’s a level-backed pony and it’s learning fast.”
“I understand you’ve only been riding it for a matter of hours, yet you’ve already got it moving at a fast trot, despite it being rather short-legged.  You’re a very accomplished rider, my dear.  I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do with it by October.”
“Thank you.  There was a rather unfortunate incident today…”
“Ah, yes.  I saw.  These things happen.  Don’t spare the whip, my dear.  It’s the only way to correct such issues.  May I suggest a slightly heavier model, with a good broad popper?  I have one which I would like to gift to you.  May we meet briefly after the meeting winds up?”
“That’s so kind, Miss Murchison.  Of course.  I’ll wait for you at reception.”
“How are you getting home?”
“My mummy will pick me up.”
“Why don’t you ring her and tell her I’ll take you home, as I’m delaying you.  Then we can also have a little chat on the way.”
“Okay Miss Murchison.  I’ll do that.  Thank you.”

Eleanor was stroking Bobby’s rump.  “Such a beautiful, heavy suit!  And so realistic!  I love his little sparkly tail!”  She gave it a gentle tug, making him flinch.  “Ooh!  He’s so sensitive!  It's almost as if it's a part of him!”
“Could we get a little video, Violet?” asked Diana.
“Of course.  MĂ©lisande, dear, just take him up and down a few times, would you?”
MĂ©lisande was happy to oblige, urging him on into a trot with a few firm digs of her spurs.
“She’s a natural,” said Polly, admiringly.  “Such poise…  In a couple of years…”
“She’ll be outstanding,” said Eleanor.  “She’ll have him jumping fences,” she added with a laugh.

Diana turned to Miss Poole.
“Violet.  I’d love to see him with his hood off.”  She smiled.  “He looks a handsome boy, but it’s difficult to tell from just the eyes and the nose!”
“Ah.  Well…  You see, Diana…that may not be possible…”
“Whyever not?  Does it not come off?”
Nicole intervened.  “Excuse me, Diana.  I need a word with Violet.”  She took her aside and spoke in a whisper.  “Violet.  Of course we can’t let MĂ©lisande see his face, especially as it turns out they both attend the same school.  But if she stays on his back, and he doesn’t turn his head, it will be okay.  Let me supervise and I’ll make sure he keeps his secret.”
“Well, if you're happy with that…”
“I’ll make it brief.”
Miss Poole turned back to Diana.  “Okay.  It’s just that Bobby’s a bit shy.  But you can have a peek.  Please go and be seated and Lavinia will briefly remove his hood.  But no photos, please.”
The women hurried back to the table and  resumed their seats.  Nicole unbuckled Bobby’s collar, slipped it out, and then unbuckled and removed his head harness.  She carefully rolled his hood up his face.  The ball-gag popped out with a little flow of saliva, eliciting a murmur of surprise from his audience.  She freed his ears, and placed her lips close to his face.
“Just look straight ahead, Bobby,” she whispered.  “It’ll only be for a few seconds.  MĂ©lisande won’t be able to see your face from where she is.  Ready?”
Without waiting for an answer she pulled his hood off by the pony ears, allowing his mop of blond curls to spring out.  The ladies gasped.
“He’s a cute one, all right,” remarked Polly, appreciatively.  “Your mount’s a handsome beast, MĂ©lisande.  You’re a lucky girl!”
MĂ©lisande would have given anything to get a look at his face, but it seemed she was going to be denied.  But as luck would have it, despite Miss Poole’s warning, Diana Murchison couldn’t resist the temptation to attempt a surreptitious photo.  Everyone was fixated on Bobby’s face.  She had her phone at the ready.  She slid her chair back a few inches so she was out of view of her colleagues, raised her phone just above the line of the table top, and took one snap.  No-one saw.  That is, no-one except  MĂ©lisande, who was looking straight ahead, and who, in that instant, determined she would have that picture.

Within a minute Nicole had replaced Bobby’s hood.  It was time for the meeting proper to start.  MĂ©lisande dismounted, bowed to the table, and left the room.  Bobby was led out by Nicole to be relieved of his pony suit and showered.  It had been arranged that he would then be dressed in his boot boy outfit, and sent back in with the refreshments, as a treat for the senior members of the committee, who were unacquainted with his versatility.  But now Nicole knew MĂ©lisande would be waiting in reception to see Diana Murchison after the meeting ended, she had no intention of allowing him to leave until she had first exited the premises.

[Simonssister]

Chapter 70.

It took a good half hour to get Bobby nice and clean and fresh and into his boot boy uniform.  It felt so nice to have his limbs free and that annoying girl off his back that he was almost grateful to get into his pretty pink and red outfit.  He pulled up his socks, adjusted his gloves, and pulled on his cap, then made his way to the kitchen and collected a large tray of coffee and biscuits.  Nicole gave him a final briefing.
“Be polite.  Bow after you put down the tray.  Hands behind your back.  Be agreeable and willing.  Understand?”
“Yes, auntie.”
“And smile.  Come on.  They’re going to love you.  It’s important to Miss Poole that you impress her backers.  Be cute, if you like.”
“Yes, aunt.”
“And don’t worry.  Miss Poole’s asked them not to take any pictures.”
“That’s a relief…”
“Right.  Here we go.  She opened the door of the boardroom for him.  He entered, feeling rather exposed and vulnerable after the anonymous confines of the pony suit.  He coloured slightly at the inevitable gasps of surprise from the visitors.  He advanced, placed the tray on the table, bowed, and stood before them, hands behind him, one holding the other wrist, just as he had been instructed.  Polly gave him a little round of applause.
“Bobby!  That’s such an amazing outfit!”
All three of them were staring at his little shorts.  He blushed crimson.
“Thank you miss.  My aunt…”
“They’re latex, aren’t they?” interrupted Eleanor.  “Very practical.”
“And smart,” added Diana, a big grin on her face.
“Yes,” said Miss Poole, “we’re hoping Bobby, as well as his pony duties, will work as our official boot boy this summer.  You can imagine how many boots need cleaning.  And you’re fully trained, aren’t you, dear?”
He knew what was expected of him.
“Yes, Miss Poole.”
“Come round, darling,” smiled Diana.  “Let us have a closer look.”
He made his way round the table to where the three were sitting.  They swivelled round in their chairs, looking him up and down.  He could feel his cheeks burning.  His embarrassment was obvious, but they clearly found it highly amusing.  Diana Murchison ran a hand provocatively down his flank, making him flinch.  She noticed three red marks just below the leg band.  She said nothing, but, “that girl knows how to use a whip,” she thought.
“Feel that latex, Polly…like silk…”
Polly ruffled the frilling.  “Such a cute design…”
Bobby stiffened awkwardly, and looked over at Nicole.  She frowned and motioned slightly with her head.  He knew what she wanted.  Keeping his thighs and feet pressed firmly together, he squirmed as cutely as he could.
“Miss…that tickles…”
Everyone laughed.  The three ladies beamed with delight.
Diana Murchison took his hand.  “Bobby?  Would you consider being my page for a day?  It’s my sixtieth in a couple of weeks.  It’s a Sunday.  I’d love to have you help my maid with service.”
Well, I…”
“Of course I’d pay you.  Eleanor and Polly will be there too, so you needn’t be shy.”
“I’m sure Bobby would love to help out, Diana,” smiled Miss Poole.  “Is he free, Nicole?”
“For Ms Murchison, of course, Violet.”
“Well that’s settled then.  Nicole, I’ll leave you and Diana to work out the details.”
“Of course.”

Bobby felt sick.  But there was no time for speculation about what his duties might be.  For the rest of the meeting he was occupied ferrying drinks, food, and dirty cups and plates back and forth.  Once when he took Magda another coffee, she placed her hand softly on his bottom, and whispered in his ear.
“Don’t forget my boots, Bobby.  I won’t wait forever.”  She winked. 
He gulped.  Here mere proximity was enough to make his coc-k stir and begin to swell.
“I’ll find another boot boy if you’re not careful…”
He was going to be busy, that was for sure.
Finally the meeting broke up, and he had to suffer the predictable round of hugs and kisses before he was finally free.  When they had all left, Nicole ruffled his hair.
“Great work, Bobby.  You made all the difference.  Miss Poole’s very happy with you.  Now, let’s hang back a bit till MĂ©lisande’s well out of the way…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 71.

“MĂ©lisande!  I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long!  Let’s go to my car and I’ll show you what I was talking about.  So, how long have you been riding?  Your technique is flawless…”

Miss Murchison drove a yellow Porsche.  She opened the door and reached into the back.
“I think this is what you need.  This should break him of any unruly habits.”
She handed MĂ©lisande a short, thick crop with a broad leather flap at the end.
“Try that for feel.  Okay?”
“It’s a good weight.  I like it.”
“Now look at the popper.”
The leather flap was about five centimetres broad, but it was unusual in that it had two raised horizontal ridges on either side.
“I’ve never seen one like that!”
“Probably not.  I had it made especially for a big, insensitive animal I used to own.  He couldn’t feel an ordinary whip, but this he responded to.  Now that pony of yours has a thick latex skin.  After he had changed I noticed the strokes you gave him today were hardly visible.  This should be more effective.  Have it as a present from me.”
“Thank you so much.  I’ll be sure to use it from now on.  But you said…after he’d changed?”
“Oh, you know, into his boot boy outfit.  Little frilly rubber pants!  You didn’t know?  Oh dear, me and my big mouth.  Promise not to tell anyone?”
“Of course not, miss.  But please tell me more.”
“All right.  In the car.”

On the drive home, Diana Murchison gave Mélisande a full description of Bobby’s outfit, and an amusing account of his embarrassment.
“Oh, I know we shouldn’t have, but really, we couldn’t resist it.  You should have seen him squirm!  I mean, how often would you get to see such a big boy like that in such tiny little shorts?  And latex, too!  They left nothing to the imagination, let me tell you.  And apparently – remember this is all a total secret – apparently he’s going to work at Pitt’s Wood as the official boot boy in the summer!  It’s true!  The girls will be queuing up I should think!”
MĂ©lisande listened in silent astonishment.  Who was this Bobby she was training?  She wanted to know more, now.  And she wanted that photo.
“Did you…er, get any photos of him in his uniform?”
“Regrettably no.  We weren’t allowed.  But his guardian has agreed I can have him as my page at my sixtieth – that’s Sunday week.  Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to make up for it then.”
“But you did get one snap…?”
“Oh!  You saw.  That was a bit naughty, wasn’t it?”
“Can you let me have it?  He’s so shy, he hates other people seeing his face when he’s in his pony suit.  I have, of course.  But I don’t have a single photograph of us from the front.  ”
“Well….  Don’t tell anyone, will you?  I’ll send it to you when I drop you off.  And in any case we should exchange phone numbers.  You can tell me how you’re getting on with your new crop… ”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 72.

MĂ©lisande’s house was through a pair of automatic iron gates and at the end of a gravel drive. 
“What a beautiful house!” exclaimed Miss Murchison as she pulled up.  Oh, I see your mother drives a Porsche too.  We both have good taste, obviously.  Now, there’s my number – ring me and I’ll have yours.  That’s it.”
“Er…the photo…?”
“Oh.  Almost forgot.  There you go.  Oh, your mother’s here.  Let me say hello.”
They got out.  MĂ©lisande didn’t have a chance to check the photo.  She slipped her phone into her pocket.
“Hi mummy.  This is Miss Murchison.”
“Hello.  Lovely to meet you.  I’m Clarissa Burlington.  Thank you so much for bringing my daughter home.”
“Diana Murchison.  It was a pleasure.  And a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Burlington.”
“Clarissa, please, Diana.”
“You know you have a very talented daughter I suppose.  Perfect seat and perfect balance.  Rare in someone so young.”
“Oh, she’s been on a horse before she could walk.  But I’m pleased to hear you say that.”
“Well, a horse is one thing…  But a boy-pony!  That takes real skill.”
“I hear she’s making progress…”
“Oh, he’s learning fast.  He has no choice.”
“And mummy, Miss Murchison’s given me a new crop!  Look!”
Mrs Burlington took it and balanced it in her hand.  “That’s a good sturdy one, all right.”
“He needs to know who’s the boss, Clarissa.  I hope it helps.”
“He can go faster, mummy.  He’s just lazy.”
“Thank you, Diana.  I’ve just poured myself a drink.  Would you care to…?”
“I could have one very small one.  Thank you.”

With the ladies ensconced in the large and rather luxurious kitchen sipping their drinks, MĂ©lisande pulled off her boots, dashed up to her room, threw herself on the bed and feverishly tapped at her phone.  There was the message….
Her mouth fell open.  It’s him!  That guy!  I don’t believe it!  Of all people…
She stared at Bobby’s face for a full minute, then rolled onto her back and stared silently at the ceiling, checking her phone every now and then to make sure she hadn’t imagined it.
At school, the year seven girls were in awe of the seniors, but particularly of the year eleven boys.  The sixth formers looked like grown-ups, but the year elevens felt somehow just attainable, and they idolised good-looking ones.  MĂ©lisande had two close friends, Charlotte and Amelia, and the guy they fantasized about the most was…Bobby!  Up to that moment she hadn’t even known his name, but that blond hair and those blue eyes had even appeared in her dreams!  And now she discovered…this!  And she had always thought he was super-cool! 
Her first impulse was to ring Charlotte and spill everything.  She had even picked up her phone.  But she quickly realised that would be the biggest mistake she could make.  If her friends -if anyone – found out, Bobby would become a laughing-stock, and everything would fall apart.  No, she needed to play it cool.  She was in a position of immense power, and she must husband that power for as long as possible.  She needed to protect him to protect herself.  Nevertheless, her relationship with him had changed suddenly, from merely having charge of his pony exploits – to being able to control his entire life!

She spent most of the evening and half the night thinking.  She would exploit her knowledge, but with great care.  It was known she had won the competition to ride the mysterious boy-pony at Pitt’s Wood, so any connection with a year eleven boy might throw suspicion on him as being her mount.  But she wanted to make a connection somehow.  Imagine the kudos in having the coolest-looking – she could no longer think of him as the coolest – the coolest-looking year eleven guy as a buddy.  She’d be the heroine of year seven.  No-one would dare cheek or touch her!  But how to manage it….

[Simonssister]

Chapter 73.

By Saturday she had formulated a plan, and done some discreet research in back numbers of the school magazine.
“Here he is…   Robert Tucker.  Got you, Bobby!”
Bobby must have foreseen things were only going to get harder for him, because he’d spent two hours in the gym each day for the previous three days.  Just as well.  He knew he was in for it at the first stroke of MĂ©lisande’s new whip.  The sound of the smack when it first connected with his flank turned every head in the yard.  From then on he was flat out, running as fast as his little legs would carry him, the ridged popper biting at his flesh on alternate sides as his rider showed off her skill in changing whip hand, while the tears streamed from his eyes.  When the session finally came to an end he collapsed on his side, his buttocks and upper thighs on fire from the punishment they had received.  MĂ©lisande sat down beside him.  She was smiling with satisfaction at getting her revenge, and with anticipation of his reaction to what she was about to tell him.  She pulled out his earplugs.
“I think you put in an improved performance, Bobby.  Do you like my new crop?  I was just testing it today – a gentle introduction so you’ll know what to expect from now on.  But I have something important to tell you.  I know who you are, Mr Robert Tucker….” 
She saw his eyes widen in fear.  “Don’t worry.  I’m not going to out you.  It wouldn’t be in my interests.  But it would be nice if we could be friends at school.”
Bobby shook his head vigorously.  She ignored him.
“To do that without causing suspicion there's only one way - for us to become acquainted by accident.  I’ve thought it all through.  This is how it’s going to happen.  Next Tuesday after school I and my friends get the bus to Charlotte’s house from the stop right outside the school.  Listen!  This is important.  I will let them get on first.  As I go to follow, you will come barrelling along the pavement and push in in front of me.  I will fall over.  There’s grass on the verge there so I won’t be hurt, though I may pretend to be.  Make it convincing.  There’ll be kids there watching and we need witnesses.”
Bobby frowned, not quite getting it.
“So, then you, realising you’ve knocked me over, will help me up and start apologising.  I’ll get angry, and you won’t know how to make amends.  You’ll help me onto the bus.  Then…well, you just follow my lead.”
He looked at her, puzzled.
“Just follow my lead.  Simple as that.  You’ll see.  If you make any stupid mistakes, you’re toast.  Can you imagine if your mates see this?” 
She held up her phone.  Bobby nearly fainted.  She laughed.
“Now do you get it?  No mistakes…or else…  And let's exchange numbers.”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 74.

It seemed a strange way to begin a friendship.  But then, he guessed, it was going to be a strange sort of friendship, one in which he would be at her beck and call twenty-four seven, and in constant fear of discovery.  The thought of her being in possession of that photo tormented him.  He must beg her to get it off her phone.  It was one thing for his aunt and the grown-ups to know his secret – but a girl four years his junior?  Girls of that age hadn’t learned responsibility and weren’t governed by the normal laws of rational behaviour.  They were impulsive and unpredictable.  Every moment of every day he was going to be in a state of heightened anxiety, fearful of what she might do next.  And this mad plan of hers demonstrated just how reckless she could be…

Tuesday came.  He was distracted all day.  She winked at him in the playground during lunchbreak.  Suppose someone had seen?  The end of lessons came.  His heart was beating fast.  He was about to hurry out when his teacher stopped him.
“Robert?  Can I have a word?”
“Yes, miss?”
“Are you all right?  You haven’t seemed your usual cheerful self today.”
“It’s nothing, miss, really.  Just, er, thinking about the exams…”
“Is that so?  Are you worried?  You shouldn’t be.  You’ve been doing so well in the mocks.  I’m sure…”
“Miss – I have to go.  Sorry.”
“Just a second.  If there’s anything I can help with…”
Sorry, miss…goodbye…”
He rushed out.  He was late now.  Perhaps the bus would be late too.  “No mistakes…or else…”  That’s exactly what she’d said.  Shit!

He ran full speed across the playground.  As he turned out of the gate he saw the bus was at the stop.  He was a good runner.  Perhaps he could still make it…

At the bus stop, MĂ©lisande and her friends were about to board.  Not seeing Bobby anywhere, she had delayed by pretending to think she had left something important behind, but now the bus was waiting for them.  On went Charlotte, followed by Amelia.  She frowned.  “That idiot…!”  But at that moment she saw him, approaching at a rate of knots.  At last! 
“C’mon, Mellie,” said Amelia.  “Get on!”
Okay, he was here.  She put on foot on the step.
Possibly Bobby slipped on the grass.  Possibly he fell over his own feet.  Whatever the cause, he tripped and hurtled headlong into MĂ©lisande.  He knocked her off her feet.  Her head smashed against the door of the bus and she fell out onto the grass.  Bobby’s face came into sharp contact with the metal step, and he rolled bleeding into the gutter.  There were screams and cries from inside and outside the bus.  The driver turned off the engine.  People crowded round to attend to them.
“Idiot!  What did he think he was doing?”
“Poor girl!”
“Clumsy great fool!”
“She’s bleeding!  Call an ambulance.”
A lady had helped MĂ©lisande to sit up.  There was blood in her hair and on her cheek.
“No.  I’m okay…”
“You’re not, dear.  You hit your head.”
Bobby had climbed out of the gutter and was kneeling on the grass.  His lip was bleeding, but no-one was taking much notice.  Then a woman pushed her way through the little crowd.
“I’m the deputy head.  Don’t call an ambulance.  It’ll take ages to get here.  I’ll take them to A and E.  My cars right there.”  She pointed to the school car park.  “Don’t move them.  I’ll bring it here.”

Mrs Lumley was a brisk, efficient woman in her sixties.  She had dealt with many similar incidents over the years and was immune to fluster or panic.  Within two minutes she had parked behind the bus, and the two children were being helped inside.  Charlotte and Amelia insisted on coming with them.  They sat in the back, one on each side of their friend, with their arms round her, holding a handkerchief to her head.  Bobby sat in front with a tissue pressed to his lip.  Mrs Lumley drove fast, and with typical discretion made no comment about the accident, and simply reassured the children that they’d be there soon.

They were soon sitting in the hospital waiting area, the three girls in a row, MĂ©lisande in the middle, then Mrs Lumley and Bobby.  Nothing was said, though Bobby was conscious everyone was blaming him for the accident.  If only his teacher hadn’t held him up.
It wasn’t a long wait.  Their injuries were minor, and they were soon patched up.  Mrs Lumley drove everyone home, Bobby last.  She still made no comment about what had happened.  Bobby felt it inc-umbent on him to say something.
“Thanks for helping us, Mrs Lumley.  I’m really sorry.  I was running too fast, and I just tripped.”
“Well you should reserve your apologies for MĂ©lisande.  It’s lucky no serious harm was done.  Her mother was quite upset.  But I must tell you, MĂ©lisande kept insisting it wasn’t entirely your fault.  I don’t know how she could say that, but she clearly wanted to protect you.  So you should thank her doubly.  And maybe think of doing something nice to make amends.”
“I will, Mrs Lumley.”
“You’re both all right – that’s all that matters.”  She pulled up outside Nicole’s house, and smiled.  “Take care, Bobby.  See you tomorrow.”

He had to explain the whole thing over again to his aunt.  She was suspicious.
“You weren’t trying to get back at her, were you?”
“No, auntie.  I told you.  It was just an accident.  MĂ©lisande knows that.  She even told her mother.”
“She did?  I’m going to ring her, anyway.”
“Sure.”
She dialled Clarissa’s number.
“Hi.  This is Bobby’s aunt.  I’m just ringing to ask how MĂ©lisande is, and to apologise…  Oh, thank goodness.  Look, I’m really sorry…  She does?  But he knocked her over…  Well, that’s very generous of her…   Do you think…?   Yes, I wonder.  I’m going to ask him.  Anyway, I hope she’s all right.  Will she be in tomorrow?  Oh, good.  Let’s keep in touch.  Yes, great.  Bye…”
She turned back to Bobby.  She looked at him suspiciously.
“Tell me…   By any chance, does MĂ©lisande know that you’re Bobby the pony?”
“N-no…of course not…”
“She does!  I can see it written all over your face!  There’s no other reason she would let you off!”  She laughed so much she had to sit down.  “Oh, Bobby!  She’s found out!  Oh, you’re in real trouble now!   I shouldn’t laugh…ha, ha, ha!  No, it’s really not funny.  Not for you, anyway…”
“It’s no big deal!”
“No, of course not,” she said, suppressing her mirth, “it’s nothing.  Merely that a talkative little first year with lots of talkative friends has just been put in hospital by a boy she rides as a pony, a mysterious boy whose identity everyone would like to know!  No, that’s no big deal.” 
“It’s not like that, auntie!  It was her idea in the first place!”
Nicole stopped laughing.  “What?”
“Oh, forget it!  You don’t understand.  I’m going to my room.”
And he turned and walked out.
Nicole looked after him, puzzled.
“Her idea?  What’s going on?  What are those two up to?  Oh, well, just another twist, I guess.  It’ll all come out in the wash…”