I was lying in the center of the stone circle, alone on the hil top. The sun was beginning to set, and the twilight was heavy and blue. I stood up and pushed my hair out of my eyes and realized that I was cold, as though I had lain on the damp ground for hours. It was time to get back. But what had I seen? Had it real y been Maria at the time of her accident on top of Blackdown Ridge? A sudden noise startled me—Starlight stamping his hoof and neighing. I went over and caught hold of his bridle and murmured soothingly to him. The next moment I saw that I was no longer alone. Another rider was climbing up to the Ridge. I stood at the edge of the stone circle and watched him approach. The newcomer was a teenage boy who sat astride his heavy, powerful horse as though riding was as natural as walking. He wore rough jeans and an open shirt, and his untidy dark hair was ruffled by the evening breeze. He was coming closer. I dug my fingers into my pony’s mane for warmth and steadiness and waited until the boy came to a halt only a few feet away.
