Als das Pferd auf der Rampe des Transporters erschien, sah ich, dass es eine Mutterstute war, der ein Fohlen folgte – ein mageres Fohlen mit großem Kopf und struppigem Fell. Ängstlich folgte es seiner Mutter, doch obwohl es unterernährt war und schlecht gepflegt, besaß es noch das Urvertrauen eines jungen Tieres, es schien sich nicht vor uns zu fürchten. Wir brachten die braune Stute und ihr Pferdekind in den Stall, wo wir eine große, luftige Box vorbereitet hatten. Sie brauchten nun all unsere Zuwendung und Pflege, damit sie sich erholen konnten und zu gesunden, vertrauensvollen Pferden entwickelten.

Der Pferdehof The Laurels am Fuß der schottischen Hochlandberge ist zur Zuflucht für alte, kranke und misshandelte Pferde geworden. Hier wird das Mädchen Laurie ein Jahr lang bei der Arbeit mit den Pferden helfen.

The Cover (and Title)

Of the covers in this series so far, this one’s the best composition and the most fitting one. A heathery field, a mare and her foal, and they actually look like Fiona and Finn are described in the text. We’re getting there! The title, however, isn’t quite that matching. There’s a lot of stuff going on in this book, Finn only playing a rather small part. But I guess it makes for a nice title.

The Background

Still immensely enjoying my reread! I had forgotten so much!

My Thoughts

Welcome back to episode three of our favourite horsey highland soap opera! That may sound awfully cynical, but I really do love this series! We once again continue where we left of and focus on three major plotlines: the very soapy romance/family feud, the grumpy groom revelations, and the never-ending cruelty of mankind.

• What can I say, I love Laurie and Danny’s relationship. It’s so pure and they are just too cute together. Turning an outing to the village to get supplies into a date, giving each other presents, being there for each other, Laurie meeting Danny’s mum – it’s all very endearing. Laurie’s uncle, on the other hand, is still annoying as hell, pretty much banning Danny from his property after he spots the two of them at the pastures together. We finally find out what happened in the past that lead to the whole family feud thing – and it’s ridiculous! Damn, you’re a grown man, get your shit together! It doesn’t help that he has a nasty cold and is out for a while, so Laurie has to work with Alan a lot more than usual.
• Alan – that’s the grumpy groom who’s either ignoring or scowling at Laurie. Why is that, one might ask. Well, naturally, he is harbouring a dark past that has scarred him for life. In other words, his father left his family when Alan was just a boy and had to become the new father figure for his five siblings, his mother is an alcoholic, and the villagers look down on his family. So in Uncle Scott’s eyes, that makes it totally valid for Alan being the way he is – even if it’s him being an ass towards Laurie, who has never done anything to him. Men! Unfortunately, Laurie starts blaming herself for their troubled relationship and tries to patch things up – and lo and behold, suddenly everything turns into love, peace, and harmony.
• Our socio and environmental topics of this episode are wealth, capitalism, and animal testing. Additionally, Uncle Scott brings home Fiona and her foal Finn from a horse market and the two of them are in very bad shape. So bad, that after a couple of days, Finn gets very very sick and no one is certain he will survive. Laurie, of course, does everything in her power to try to keep him alive.

There’s also Mrs Browning, a widow from Edinburgh, who drops by to adopt a horse, offer a generous donation, and invite Laurie to her place in Edinburgh. And the squabbling of the The Laurels family is still a joy to read about, the atmospheric narration still gives me goosebumps, and I’m dreaming myself away to the stunning highland setting.