by Sue Bentley
Alice’s tummy did a flip with nerves and excitement. But it was a good feeling. She never would have dreamed that she’d be swimming in front of all these people and have her new classmates cheering her on.
The races began, and the sound of cheers and splashing echoed around the building. Then it was time for Alice’s first race, the girls’ breaststroke.
She had butterflies in her tummy as she lined up with the other competitors.
“On your marks! Get set …”
Ph-eeep! As the whistle blew, Alice flung herself into a dive. She surfaced and started swimming. Her nerves settled down instantly, and all she could think about was swimming to the finish as fast as possible.
A cheer went up as the race ended. Alice had come in third. She was third in the mixed front crawl and came in second with the rest of her class in the interclass race.
In between watching the other races, Alice glanced to the back of the pool where she could see Flame’s tiny figure sitting below one of the tall windows.
Flame saw her looking. He waved a tiny front paw and a cloud of bright pink sparks shot out. They floated upward and briefly formed the shape of a glittering pink butterfly.
Alice smiled as the butterfly fluttered over toward her. She held up her hand and the butterfly settled for a moment, before dissolving into glittering, invisible dust.
“Thanks, Flame,” Alice breathed. It was good to know that he was supporting her in his own special way.
The relay race was the final race of the day.
Alice stood ready with her other team members. One of the boys went first, followed by a girl. Alice watched tensely. Her team was starting to fall behind. There were about three feet to make up already.
Then it was Tim’s turn. As their team member swam to the side, Tim got ready to take the baton. He leaned out and went to grasp it.
“Oh,” Alice gasped. Tim had dropped the baton!
“Quick, jump in and get it!” she urged.
Tim jumped in. He splashed around and finally grabbed the floating baton. Pushing off the side, he started swimming.
Alice’s spirits sank as Tim swam to the deep end and then turned to swim back. He tried his best, but by the time he raised the baton for Alice to take it, he was half a length behind everyone else.
Alice was never going to be able to make up the distance.
Alice leaned out and grasped the baton. Yes! She had it. Holding it tight, she hurled herself into a shallow dive. As she surfaced, she was already stretching out in a powerful front crawl.
Kicking her legs and concentrating on her over-arm stroke, she powered toward the deep end. Gritting her teeth, Alice swam as if her life depended on it. At the turn, she was barely two feet behind the leader.
As she swam back toward the finish, Alice gradually drew level with the lead swimmer.
“Come on, Alice!” yelled Tim.
“You can do it!” shouted Ms. Ritson.
Nine feet to the finish! Alice and the lead swimmer were neck-and-neck. Alice used every last bit of her strength in a final spurt. She stretched out and her fingers touched the edge a microsecond before the other girl.
She’d won the race for her team!
“Yes!” Alice threw her arms in the air.
Cheers and clapping broke out as Alice climbed out of the pool. She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Well done!” Mrs. Forester shouted. Alice looked over to see her mom and Ben hugging each other and jumping up and down. She waved at them.
Alice’s team members congratulated her. Tim Wagnall looked like he was about to throw his arms around her neck.
“Whoa!” Alice took a step back. That was going too far!
Tim got the message. “That was so amazing. You’re a great swimmer—for a girl!” he joked.
Alice shook her head. Tim would never change. But she would still rather be in this class in her new school than anywhere else!
Alice was glad that Flame was safe up on the windowsill. There was no way that she could sneak over to see him with all the fuss still going on.
After the applause died down, there was a break before the awards ceremony. Alice slipped away to wash her hair. Most people had stayed where they were and the girls’ locker room was empty.
As Alice took off her cap and went to fetch her shampoo from her changing stall, there was a blinding white flash.
“Oh!” she gasped, rubbing her eyes.
Flame stood there, looking magnificent as his true lion self. Silver sparkles glittered in his thick white fur. This time, next to Flame, there stood an older gray lion with a wise expression.
And then Alice knew that her friend was really leaving this time. “Your enemies have come back, haven’t they?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“Yes, they have. And now I must go,” Flame’s deep gentle voice rumbled.
Alice ran forward and threw her arms around Flame’s muscular neck. “I’m really going to miss you. I’ll never forget you!” she said tearfully. She forced herself to stand back. “Go! Quickly! Save yourself!”
Flame nodded. “You have been a good friend. Be well, Alice.”
The old gray lion smiled at Alice and there was a last bright flash and a burst of sparks that showered down around her and sizzled on the wet tiles. Flame and the gray lion faded and then finally disappeared.
Alice stood there, her heart aching and her throat tight with tears.
“Alice! There you are!” called one of her classmates. “Ms. Ritson sent me to find you. The awards ceremony is about to start.”
“I’ll be there in a minute!” Alice took a deep breath as she thought about the adventure she had shared with the magic kitten. Flame would be her special secret forever.
As Alice went back toward the swimming pool, she looked at her team and the awards they were about to receive, and a proud smile pushed away her sadness.
About the Author
Sue Bentley’s books for children often include animals or fairies. She lives in Northampton, England, and enjoys reading, going to the movies, and sitting watching the frogs and newts in her garden pond. If she hadn’t been a writer, she would probably have been a skydiver or brain surgeon. The main reason she writes is that she can drink pots and pots of tea while she’s typing. She has met and owned many cats, and each one has brought a special sort of magic to her life.