Playing With Fire

-8:Deciding-

I feel sick. Why didn't mum tell us this before? I try to look excited but inside, I am terrified. I make a weak smile and congratulate her in a voice more disappointed than I hoped it would be.
Sam slams her fist on the table and then apologises, she did not mean to. Mum can see that we are disappointed, and points out  that she is sorry, and is as surprised as we are.
I realise that Mum will have to go through some pain, and whisper this quietly in Sammy's ear. She grimaces, and nods.
Then dad tells us, as if to lighten the mood, that, since we will have to sell our caravan and get a car, he will buy us both, from a local farm, a horse each.
Basically for no reason. Tomorrow.
So we finish dinner, get ready for bed, and go to sleep.
The next day, we walk for an hour or so to Josephine Blaze's Farm. The fields are speckled with cows, sheep and horses of all kinds.
We greet Josephine happily, and mum and dad have a good old conversation with her for around half an hour, while Sammy and I gaze from a window in her farmhouse at all the multi-coloured cows.
When the adults finish talking, we walk out to the horse paddock. There are many different-coloured horses, around thirty in total.
Josephine asks us what we want, as we had spent the whole night learning about horses, and planning what we wanted.
Sammy says, 'I would like a black horse with a few small white blotches and white stockings. A mare please, and a fast, obedient one that is good at jumping, and quiet, please.
While Josephine shows Sammy the options, I think about what I would like, but can't think about what I did. I'm fine with anything and everything.
Sammy chooses a rather large horse called Ebony, and also chooses her tack. Josephine suggests we both choose a particular colour, to colour things like the rim of the helmet and saddle blanket, and riding pants she is happy to sell us for free. Josie choose purple, a lavender or deep, royal one.
Then it is my turn. I hesitate, then mutter, 'I don't mind,'
Josephine said, 'well, I suggest you pick a mare, for no unexpected foals...' I nod in agreement. 'And probably also get something that looks similar but different, such as a black or seal brown horse, but with a different pattern. Appaloosa, perhaps. And a smaller horse, considering your size. Perhaps you will like this one...' She trails off and leads the family to a nearby stable.
She shows me a seal brown mare, which looks almost black. She is a brumby cross appaloosa, with small white spots all over her bottom/back, and a white socks on her hind leg, and a star on her forehead. She is fast, and a very good jumper and she is young, small and cheeky, and has the name of Pepper.
I choose this horse, and she tells me it is around 12 or 13 hands tall. I choose a black bridle and saddle, and a black saddle blanket and helmet, both with a rim coloured fluro, coral pink. The pink glows in the dark. I choose jodhpurs (riding pants) which match the helmet, and finish with gold-coloured metal horseshoes and buckles. I also choose a pink headstall and black leadrope to lead her out of her paddock or stable before tacking. All the stuff is second-hand but in good condition.
We agree for Josephine to hold the horses until we find or make a stable, and then head off for the hour or so walk back.