The Deportees

Contents

Cover

About the Book

Title Page

Dedication

Map

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

About the Author

Janey was born in Edinburgh and grew up by the seaside just outside the city. Janey published the first two Princess Poppy books herself (with her own illustrations) and the books were so popular that Random House Children’s Books soon bought the series and re-packaged the books. The series is now going from strength to strength, including picture books, activity books and sumptuous gift books. Janey has also written two Princess Poppy novels for young readers, Pocket Money Princess and A True Princess, both of which have been very successful.

Janey read English at Edinburgh University specializing in the Victorian novel. Following this she became a teacher – a career that she absolutely adored – and then, with her husband, set up The Jelly Club, which has become an extremely successful chain of children’s activity centres in Scotland. She still very much enjoys visiting schools and talking to children to find out what they like doing and what makes them laugh. Janey and her husband live in Edinburgh with their three sons.

About the Book

Poppy is taking part in a Pony Club Competition with her cousin Daisy. They've both been practising like mad and they absolutely can’t wait. But before long a whole series of things start to go wrong and it looks like Poppy might not be able to compete after all . . .

Will the Pony Club let Poppy enter the competition?

Will Twinkletoes be well enough to jump and, most importantly, will Poppy ever get to be a Pony Club Princess?

Find out in this brilliant new adventure.

In memory of Jill,

who loved ponies with a passion

Chapter 1

POPPY AMBLED CHEERFULLY down to Riverside Stables on Barley Farm. She couldn’t wait to start riding over jumps on her chestnut pony, Twinkletoes. As she walked into the stable yard, she spotted her cousin Daisy tacking up her pony, Parsley, ready for a canter around the paddock.

“Hi, Poppy,” called Daisy.

“Hi,” replied Poppy, waving at her cousin.

“Did you get your Pony Club letter about taking part in the competition?” asked Daisy.

“Um, no, not yet. Did you get one?”

“Yes, it’s just an ‘acceptance to compete’ letter, which also explains what will happen at the competition. Look, I’ve brought it with me,” said Daisy.

Poppy peered at the letter Daisy was holding.

Poppy wished she had her letter too. It all sounded so grown up and exciting.

“Your letter will turn up soon,” said Daisy kindly as she folded hers away.

“Yes, I expect so,” replied Poppy. “The post hadn’t even arrived when I left this morning, so it’s probably at home right now. I’ve applied to join the Pony Club so that I can take part as a member.”

“Cool, then we’ll both be members,” said Daisy with a smile. “Now, come on, we’ve got to do some practice!”

Down in the paddock, where they had a couple of old practice jumps set up, Daisy gave Poppy lots of tips about jumping.

“Shorten your reins and urge Twinkletoes forward with your legs, Poppy. That way you’ll make sure he’s under control and he’ll be balanced for the jump. Then he’ll soar over. It’s a bit like flying!”

Poppy listened carefully to what her cousin said and was soon clearing the fences easily. Daisy was right – as they went over them, Poppy felt as though she and Twinkletoes were flying through the air.

“Wow!” said Daisy. “You’re so good! I’ll have to make the fences a bit higher this time!”

Poppy beamed with pride and then tried the bigger jumps that Daisy had set up for her. She was concentrating so hard that she completely forgot about her worries over the letter from the Pony Club.

Once she and Twinkletoes were completely exhausted, she watched admiringly as Daisy and Parsley jumped over really high fences. They were so good. Poppy was sure they would win their class in the competition.

When Daisy had finished, Poppy picked up two fallen apples for the ponies as a reward for a hard morning’s work. Parsley ate his in a flash while Twinkletoes munched happily on his for ages. Then the two cousins led their ponies back to the stables, chatting about pony accessories.

“Shall we go to Ned’s to get the ponies some treats for the competition?” suggested Daisy. “I might get Parsley a new numnah for under his saddle or some new ribbons for his plaits.”

Poppy nodded enthusiastically. She loved Ned’s, the saddler’s shop in Camomile Cove. And it was great to hang out with Daisy as her best friend, Honey, had gone on her annual holiday with her mum and dad. This year they were in Los Angeles in America.

Poppy had missed out on taking part in the last Pony Club competition because she had been so busy preparing for her ballet exam, but she was determined that she would not miss out on this one. It was the local Pony Club’s first ever competition to be held in Honeypot Hill. Poppy knew that all her family and friends would come down to watch and make a day of it. Her big ambition was to win a red first-place rosette. She would fasten it proudly onto Twinkletoes’ bridle and ride around the ring to a standing ovation from the crowd. She even saw herself riding at the next Olympic Games!

Poppy often got rather carried away when she was daydreaming. Thinking about it sensibly, she realized that, as it was going to be her first ever competition, she would be very lucky even to be placed in the top three. But more importantly, she needed the letter offering her a place, just like the one Daisy had been sent.

When they got back to Honeysuckle Cottage, Poppy ran through the house and burst into the kitchen.

“Mum! Mum! Has anything arrived in the post from the Pony Club?” she called, hoping that her letter had come.

“From the Pony Club?” asked Mum. “Um, no, there were just a few bills and a postcard from Honey. She says she’s having a lovely time, but she misses you.”

“Oh!” said Poppy, who would normally have been thrilled to receive a postcard from her best friend. “But Daisy has had a letter confirming her place in the Pony Club competition next month and her letter came this morning so mine should have come too.”

Mum looked a bit flustered. She bit her lip anxiously.

“We filled in the application forms together,” Poppy reminded her, beginning to feel rather worried, “and you said you’d post them off. Remember?”