Mylor: The Most Powerful Horse in the World

By Michael Maguire

When Alfie and Angel Young arrive at Parkway
Grange for the Easter holidays they are introduced
to Mylor - a magnificent, unbelievable giant of a
horse with a very special secret. For Mylor is an
electronic miracle. A horse built by an eccentric
Professor for the purpose of winning the English
Grand National. Powered by the sun's rays and
perfect down to the last detail, Mylor has ten times
the strength of any living horse and a specially
designed interior which allows him to be controlled
by the children.

An adventure crammed full of excitement soon
follows, and as the story races towards its
supercharged climax it is obvious that someone
will stop at nothing in their efforts to destroy Mylor.
Suddenly a new undreamed-of nightmare faces the
children, and then everything depends on the instinct
and love of The Most Powerful Horse in the World

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781467882255

Michael Maguire

Surrey author, Michael Maguire is the author of nine published novels, in both the adult and juvenile fiction genres. His adult novels have featured in the Sunday Times outstanding titles list and the film rights to his first juvenile book were bought by Walt Disney.

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© 2012 by Michael Maguire. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 01/10/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4678-8223-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-8224-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4678-8225-5 (ebk)

Illustrations by Nick Armstrong

First Published in Great Britain

This updated edition published by AuthorHouse 2012

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Action and adventure fiction

By Michael Maguire

Shot Silk

Slaughter Horse

Scratchproof

Scorcher

Mylor: The Kidnap

Superkids

Swiftly

Swiftly 2

Chapter One

‘S hiznicky!’ The word emerged from my sister’s throat very strongly. It was a favourite word of hers and she either used it to voice pleasure or annoyance. ‘It looks spooky and weird and unwelcoming,’ she added. ‘Who ever heard of anyone building a house in the middle of a maze?’

Whenever things didn’t quite live up to the mental picture that Angel had built up in her mind she was always disappointed. In this instance it was the name of a house: "Parkway Grange." A name she’d thought about over the past couple of weeks until a chocolate box image of an ivy-covered Devon manor house with latticed windows and sweeping lawns had emerged and stamped itself on her brain.

I struggled up to the gates with our suitcases and peered at the straggly blocks of privet hedges which wound away from us in all directions. It did look a little spooky and I had no idea how we were supposed to reach the house. We’d have to make for the centre and as I’d once tried to do that in the famous maze at Hampton Court Palace, I knew it to be no easy task. I tried not to let my thoughts show on my face. ‘The Professor doesn’t like uninvited visitors,’ I said. ‘He designed the maze as a way of keeping people out.’

‘The taxi driver said Professor Parkway was eccentric. Doesn’t that mean he’s a bit of a loony?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Then what does it mean?’

‘Well, it means… ’ I struggled for an answer.

‘Yes, Alfie?’ Angel jammed her hands deep into the pockets of her jeans and narrowed her blue eyes.

‘It means he’s very clever and a bit unusual, that’s all. Most professors have diplomas and stuff to show they have brains. Loony means mad. There’s nothing mad about Professor Parkway.’

‘Humph!’ She tilted her chin.

‘And what’s humph supposed to mean?’

‘It means I’m not going to like it here. I wish I’d gone pony trekking. I always spend Easter riding on Dartmoor.’

‘Boring… boring… boring.’

‘I always enjoy it.’

‘Don’t you want mega excitement?’

‘I’m not a boy. I’m happy when I’m with horses.’

‘Then you’ll be happy here.’

‘Does the Professor own horses?’ She began to brighten.

‘Nope… er… Wait and see. I guarantee you’re in for a surprise.’

‘A nasty shock more like.’ She gave me an unsmiling glance.

‘You’re thinking the worst. Boff invited us to his grandfather’s house because the Professor needs our skills for a special project. We’ll have an awesome time, you’ll see.’

‘A lot of my school friends think Boff’s a little strange,’ Angel huffed, flicking strands of blonde hair away from her eyes.

‘They’re jealous because he’s a clever kid,’ I said. I gave the door handle a twist and the rusty hinges screeched as the gates parted.

‘W-what’s that?’ Angel grabbed the sleeve of my leather jacket and yanked me to a halt. The loud scream of a siren echoed over the privet hedges. The noise was deafening.

I wrestled to control our little cairn terrier that was barking and tugging on his lead. ‘Some sort of warning system,’ I said and then I didn’t say any more. My feet tangled with the lead and I fell clumsily to the ground.

‘Spider’s frightened!’ Angel shrieked, clamping her hands to her ears. ‘Have you hurt yourself?’ she added, tut-tutting. ‘Oh, do get up, Alfie! Lying there isn’t going to help!’

I hadn’t adopted the flat-on-my-back position for my own fun. Spider had weaved several loops around my ankles and I was having a heck of job to get free. I managed it after a bit of effort and clambered shakily to my feet. As I began dusting myself down the piercing note of the siren gradually stopped.

‘Sorry if the noise scared you.’ Boff Parkway’s amused voice boomed from a loudspeaker mounted high in a tree. ‘When you opened the gate you broke the beam and triggered the mechanism. Stay where you are and I’ll send transport to collect you.’

‘l—We don’t think this is very funny.’ Angel whirled.

‘Stop moaning, Angel,’ Boff replied, still amused. ‘I promise you’re going to have the holiday of a lifetime.’

‘You can hear me?’ Angel’s eyes suddenly grew wide.

‘Hear and see you. Look up at the loudspeaker and you’ll see a closed-circuit TV camera.’

We both looked. A square lens glinted at us as it was caught by the sun. A distant humming noise set Spider barking again, and as the noise got louder he dived behind our suitcases.

‘Mazemobile almost there,’ Boff announced. ‘Load yourselves and your luggage inside and I’ll see you at the workshop.’

‘Mazemobile?’ Angel’s eyes flicked to my face. ‘What on earth is a mazemobile?’

I lifted and dropped my shoulders.

Boff explained. ‘It’s a car that’s been programmed to transport you safely through the maze to the house. All you have to do is remember the rhyme.’

There was a metallic click as the loudspeaker was switched off.

I glanced at Angel. She was standing quite still, hands on hips and apparently tongue-tied. She looked almost boyish in her faded jeans and white polo-necked sweater, but then she always did. She’d never been one for girlie-girlie fashion.

‘Rhyme?’ she said softly, almost to herself. ‘What rhyme? This is all becoming a childish game.’

‘You’re wrong, Angel,’ I stated. ‘It isn’t a game. We’re here for a special mission.’

‘Well, I’ll believe that when—’ Her words skidded to a halt.

Spider jumped into my arms as the mazemobile rumbled out of a privet avenue, circled twice around us, parked neatly and sat silently staring at us. Yes, staring. It was shaped like a huge ladybird. Bright orange in colour with large black spots, small piercing eyes and two aerials that were always on the move.

Closer inspection revealed the spots to be tinted glass portholes which allowed me to see through to the inside. Dials, knobs and electronic equipment winked and flashed and beeped. It was like something from a moon base.

Angel looked suspicious. ‘There aren’t any doors,’ she said simply. ‘How are we supposed… ?’

‘The shell separates in the centre,’ I said, spotting the join and working loose the spring-loaded clips which parted the two halves. ‘This is so cool. Now you climb inside while I load the luggage.’

She entered very slowly, sat in the passenger seat and clutched Spider on her lap. I placed our cases in the rear compartment and joined her. I clamped the shell shut and fastened the interior clips. We sat silently looking at each other, waiting for something to happen.

‘We’re not moving,’ Angel said after a minute had gone.

‘No sound from the motor,’ I agreed.

‘Perhaps you’re supposed to flick a switch or push a button or something.’

‘Boff didn’t say so.’

‘He knows Daddy’s a pilot.’

‘What’s that got to do with it?’

‘Well, he knows you’re learning to fly. He’s seen Daddy teaching you.’

‘But this is nothing like an aircraft,’ I pointed out. ‘There isn’t a joy-stick or steering—’

‘Shiznicky!’ Angel pointed a finger towards a panel on the dashboard. It had started to flash and words were beginning to appear.

I’ll only obey if you remember my rhyme

About the flames and the babies and the element of time.

‘Rhymes again,’ Angel sighed. ‘I told you it was childish. We have to say a nursery rhyme before we can move.’

‘That’s not childish, that’s cool. The mazemobile won’t react until it’s fed the correct data. It’s a sort of security precaution. Say the correct rhyme and the motor will start.’

‘I don’t remember any rhymes,’ she cupped her chin in her hands and gave me a long, sulky look. ‘I’m eleven years old, not a baby.’

‘No, but you’re behaving like one.’

‘Don’t be so nasty!’

‘Then try acting your age. I need your help to start the machine.’

‘Oh, all right!’ She sat up quickly. ‘It’s very easy. Everybody knows the ladybird rhyme.’

‘Then say it.’

‘Now?’

‘Yes, now.’

‘Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire and your children all gone.’ She took a deep breath and glared. ‘There, satisfied now?’

Certainly the machine was satisfied. Spider gave a nervous little bark as the motor rumbled into life. We were jerked back in our seats and suddenly my senses were deadened by a huge roar as the mazemobile moved forward at incredible speed. The privet hedges were just a blur of greenery as we flashed past them. Left and right—right and left, so fast it was impossible to remember the route. As we rocked from side to side I could see the ladybird’s aerials brushing the walls of the maze as if keeping it on track. We didn’t have time to feel scared. It was ten times better than any fairground ride and it was all over so quickly that it just left us breathless.

Angel peered through one of the portholes as we screeched to a halt. I could see she was brightening by the second. Parkway Grange was exactly how she’d imagined it; all whitewash and timbers and covered in ivy. Beyond were large hills patterned by fields and meadows which rippled when caught by the wind. I unfastened the interior clips and opened the shell.

‘Alfie and Angel Young, I presume?’ The voice came from the side and I jumped. A big bony hand was poked forward for me to shake. ‘My grandson’s told me a lot about you, yes indeed. You’re skinny and about the right height too. Climb out and let me have a proper look at you.’

Big humorous eyes smiled at me from behind spectacle lenses as thick as bottle glass. They eyed me up and down and made me feel a little uneasy. Finally I said, ‘Is my size of important?’

‘Absolutely, my boy. Oh yes, absolutely. How old are you?’

‘Twelve.’

‘And not tall.’

‘No, I’m short for my age.’

‘So I can see. That’s excellent. Yes, yes, indeed.’

‘I’m almost as tall as Alfie,’ Angel broke in.

‘Indeed you are, young lady. You’re skinny too and rather pretty if I may say so.’

‘Why is it excellent?’ It was my turn to break in.

‘Why is what excellent, Alfie?’

‘Me being short and skinny.’

‘Because of the project, my boy. If you were tall and chubby you wouldn’t fit you see.’

‘Fit?’

‘Fit into—’ He stopped and began scratching the fringe of grey hair above his right ear. ‘Hasn’t my grandson told you?’

I shook my head. ‘I only know that Angel and I have special skills which are important. I haven’t a clue what they are or how you think you can use them.’

‘Then you are in for a surprise. Oh, dear me. Yes, yes, indeed.’

He began chuckling in a very deep good-natured sort of way and his tartan waistcoat seemed to expand with every breath. He was rather chunky around the middle and I couldn’t help thinking that all that extra wind would burst his buttons at any minute. I watched his face get redder as his glasses danced on the bridge of his nose and he took on a weird froggy look as he blew out his cheeks.

‘Is something funny, Professor?’ Angel asked the question.

‘I’m so sorry, young lady.’ He pulled a polka-dot handkerchief from his waistcoat and began mopping his forehead. ‘I’m laughing at myself, not at you. I’m a trifle absent-minded, you know. I was forgetting the need for total secrecy.’

‘But now we’re here—’

‘Indeed. Yes, yes, indeed. All will be revealed quite soon.’

I was so confused that my sense of adventure was leaving me and all the excitement I’d built up was vanishing. ‘I know it has something to do with a horse,’ I said, ‘so I can understand why you want Angel. But why you should want me… ?’

‘You’re of prime importance, my boy. You have the experience you see.’

‘No, I don’t get it. I know very little about horses.’

‘But you know how to take off and land a private aircraft. You know how to read instruments and you have the knowledge of electronics and machinery.’

‘So there’s a connection between—’

‘Mylor and electronics? Yes, yes, indeed.’

‘Mylor?’ Angel looked puzzled.

‘That’s our horse’s name,’ Boff Parkway arrived grinning. Hopefully he was going to answer our questions. ‘Mylor’s a Celtic word meaning prince. He’s royal all right—a prince among horses.’

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‘I can’t wait to see him,’ Angel said. ‘Where do you stable him? Is it far? Can we go now?’

‘We don’t stable him,’ Boff sounded offended.

‘Let’s keep that a surprise,’