Page 89 - Mobile Magic

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vault. It was much harder going down the hill than it was coming up it. Horses are always more awkward going down
steep slopes because most of their power is in their back legs. Magic had to pick her way very slowly over the rough ground and it was virtually dark by the time they got to the bottom of the hill.
The sensation of riding in the dusk was unnerving, it made Saffron feel quite dizzy, swaying and jolting along on her pony without any real idea of where they were going, but she knew that all Magic wanted now was to get back to the shed and eat her dinner. Saffron just had to sit back and trust that her pony could see the way - horses have much better night vision than humans. It still beat using her own feet, the prickly bushes which covered Rocky Knoll were no fun, even in daylight.
Walking home along the streets of the town was even worse. She kept expecting cars to come roaring up blind alleys or sleazy thugs to hop out from behind the trees and fences of suburban gardens. The scary door knocking and phonecalls must really have freaked her.
It was such a relief to get home that she just slumped into an armchair and sat still. She could never remember feeling so cold and tired in her whole life, but she had never done anything this important before. Her parents did not pester her about how late she was. They fed her a yummy bowl of Tom's special French-style chicken and mushroom casserole then got her into bed. Saffron did not stay awake worrying that night, she was asleep before they even turned her light out.