Isabel and Cloud

by Julie Sykes

  “Go and scrub it off,” said Isabel. “And hurry up. There’s only half an hour to get ready and everyone has to look perfect!”

  A little later, as Isabel led her spruced-up friends and their unicorns to the indoor school for the competition, she glanced over at the other teams. Thanks to all her instructions, Sapphire dorm and their unicorns were by far the neatest. The unicorns’ coats shone, their manes and tails were immaculately threaded with glittering blue ribbons and the girls had matching ribbons in their hair.

  Ms Primrose was judging with Ms Rosemary and Ms Nettles. Isabel’s team was first and their practice paid off. Everything went perfectly – even if Layla was as white as a sheet when she jumped.

  In Isabel’s opinion they were much better than the other teams and it was no surprise to her when Ms Rosemary pronounced them the winners and handed them a glittering silver trophy.

  Isabel’s eyes shone as she and her team cantered a victory lap around the arena. As they came out of the ring, she turned to high-five Scarlett, but Scarlett wasn’t smiling.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Isabel. “You don’t seem pleased that we won.”

  “I am, but…” Scarlett looked awkward. “You’ve upset some of the others.”

  “Who?” said Isabel in surprise.

  “Well, everyone, because you were really bossy, but especially Layla. You know how much she hates jumping but you still made her do it.”

  Isabel was bewildered. “But she jumped the fences just fine. She needs to be braver.”

  Scarlett frowned. “Layla is brave. Remember how she was when the lake iced over? She went to the Frozen Wastelands with me to help unfreeze it even though she was really scared.”

  Isabel frowned. “So if she did that, she shouldn’t mind doing a few jumps.” She shrugged. “I think everyone should cheer up and be happy. We won. What else matters?”

  “People’s feelings matter too, Is,” said Scarlett quietly.

  Feeling fed up and slightly confused, Isabel pushed Cloud into a canter and headed for the stables. Halfway there, the sky darkened. A bolt of lightning hurtled from the sky, followed by an explosive crack.

  “What was that?” shrieked Isabel.

  “Thunder and lightning!” Cloud raced for cover as rain pinged from the sky, turning the ground into a muddy quagmire.

  “Hurry,” Isabel urged Cloud. They were almost home when she heard hooves coming up fast behind her.

  “Slow down,” shouted Isabel as Valentina and Golden Briar galloped past.

  “Whoopsie, sorry!” yelled Valentina as Golden Briar’s hooves ploughed on, spraying Isabel and Cloud with muddy water. Her eyes glinted meanly and she didn’t look sorry at all.

  Wet and grumpy, Isabel stomped around the stables, drying Cloud’s coat then giving him a bucket of sky berries for dinner. The rest of Sapphire whispered together and glanced at her as they saw to their unicorns and Isabel’s irritation grew. Why weren’t they more pleased that she had helped them win?

  A thank you would be nice, she thought as she headed back to the dorm.

  The heavy rain continued into the evening, the dark, gloomy summer sky echoing Isabel’s mood.

  After dinner, Sapphire dorm holed up in their lounge. Layla and Olivia read in the soft glow from the sapphire-jewelled lamps while Ava and Sophia played cards. Isabel couldn’t settle and went to stand by the window watching the rain coming down.

  “Hey there,” said Scarlett, coming over and slipping her arm through Isabel’s.

  “Hey,” muttered Isabel. She still felt a bit cross with her.

  “Have you had any ideas about pranks to play on Valentina yet?” asked Scarlett. “She’s been strutting around like a peacock telling everyone how she got you muddy.”

  “Has she!” Isabel raised her eyebrows.

  Scarlett’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I think she definitely deserves to have a trick played on her.”

  Isabel nodded. “Hmm. Now, what are we going to do?”

  “I’ve got it!” exclaimed Isabel.

  Looking across at Ava, she had seen that her hands were still faintly blue. Valentina often boasted that she had a really expensive shower gel that left her skin soft and beautiful. What if she added some of Ava’s dyer’s knotweed to it?

  “Wouldn’t it be funny if Valentina turned blue?” Isabel giggled as she shared her idea with Scarlett.

  “That’s brilliant!” said Scarlett, her eyes shining.

  They sneaked outside into the rain to collect some leaves from Ava’s garden. Wearing gloves, they picked the leaves, squeezing the dye from them into a tiny bottle. Giggling quietly, Isabel and Scarlett tiptoed upstairs to Emerald dorm. It wasn’t difficult to find Valentina’s things. They were much grander than anyone else’s. Shaking with laughter, Isabel added the blue dye to the posh gold tube containing Valentina’s shower gel while Scarlett stood guard.

  Not long after, when Isabel and Scarlett were lounging around in Sapphire dormitory, they heard a shriek from the bathroom.

  “My skin! Oh nooooooo! Look at me!”

  Isabel and Scarlett exchanged looks and rushed to the corridor just in time to see Valentina running to Emerald dorm, blue legs and arms poking out from a huge bath towel.

  Isabel and Scarlett burst out laughing.

  Valentina continued to shriek as she stormed down the corridor. “Jacinta! Delia! Get my aunt right NOW!”

  Just then the bedtime bell rang. Isabel and Scarlett hurried back into their dorm, still giggling. The other four girls were sitting on Sophia’s bed talking about the mysterious incidents that had happened at the school.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Sophia as they came in, but she didn’t sound quite as friendly as she usually did.

  “Nothing,” said Isabel quickly. She’d tell everyone in the morning, once they’d got over the silly bad mood they’d all been in since the competition.

  The next morning, Ms Primrose asked Ava to stay behind after assembly. Isabel was wondering why when she saw Valentina arrive in the classroom for her first lesson. Her arms and face were still streaked with blue! Isabel giggled.

  “Hey, Valentina,” she whispered. “Are you sure that shower gel of yours is working?”

  Valentina hissed back, “This is Ava’s fault, as you well know. Ms Primrose is telling Ava off right now and Ms Nettles says if she plays any more tricks then she won’t be allowed to keep her garden.”

  “What!” Isabel stared at her in horror. “But it wasn’t Ava’s fault!”

  “Who else would have done it?” snapped Valentina.

  Isabel raced out of the classroom and ran all the way to the headteacher’s office.

  She didn’t knock but just burst in. Ava was crying. “I did not expect this of you, Ava,” Ms Primrose was saying sternly.

  “But I keep telling you, I didn’t do it!” Ava protested.

  Ms Primrose swung round as Isabel barged in. “Isabel! Whatever is the meaning of this?”

  “Please, Ms Primrose, Ava didn’t do anything to Valentina. It was me!” Isabel braced herself. She was going to be in a huge amount of trouble but there was no way she was letting Ava take the blame.

  Ava sent her a grateful look and Ms Primrose’s face tightened. “I see,” said the headteacher coldly, the usual twinkle absent from her eyes. “I apologise, Ava. You may return to class.” Her icy glare fell on Isabel, who quailed slightly. “And you, Isabel, shall stay and explain your behaviour.”

  Isabel tried her best to explain about Valentina being mean and wanting to get her own back but even to her own ears it sounded a feeble excuse.

  Ms Primrose was crosser than Isabel had ever seen her before. “I also heard how you upset some of your dormitory yesterday,” she concluded. “You must work a lot harder at being both sensible and thoughtful, Isabel. You will not graduate from Unicorn Academy at the end of the year if you don’t knuckle down. Worse still, you could end up getting expelled. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, Ms P
rimrose,” said Isabel in a subdued voice.

  “Good. Now, go back to class and don’t let me hear one more bad thing about you or you will be very sorry indeed,” said Ms Primrose sternly.

  Isabel was very quiet as she returned to class. Imagine spending a second year at the academy after her friends had left. Worse still, imagine if she was expelled! Isabel made a silent promise to behave better and work harder.

  “Are you OK?” Scarlett whispered anxiously as Isabel apologised to Ms Rosemary for being late then sat down.

  “Just about,” muttered Isabel. She saw Ms Rosemary’s eyes fix on her and hastily opened her books. There was no way she was getting into more trouble today!

  It rained for the whole of that day and the following one. Outside lessons were cancelled and pupils weren’t allowed to ride because the grounds were so muddy. The greyness of the sky reflected Isabel’s mood. Although Ava had forgiven her for getting her into trouble, the other girls in Sapphire dorm, apart from Scarlett, were still keeping their distance.

  After lessons on the second day, Layla, who had just finished reading yet another book on unicorn turnout, offered to show her friends how to do a triple tail plait. Isabel and Scarlett went along too, sharing a huge stripy umbrella as they walked to the stables.

  “Look how high the water is,” said Isabel as they passed Sparkle Lake. “It’s almost overflowing the banks.”

  “It’s not as sparkly as usual. It must be the mud,” said Scarlett.

  “It’s going to flood the school if it keeps raining like this,” said Olivia.

  “I hope it’s not an evil spell,” said Layla anxiously. “What if it’s someone trying to cause trouble again?”

  “Don’t be silly, Layla. It’s just rain,” said Isabel, rolling her eyes.

  “Layla’s not silly. It could be a spell,” said Sophia sharply.

  Ava and Olivia nodded in agreement. Isabel bit her lip, feeling once again that her friends weren’t very pleased with her.

  Isabel found Cloud in his stall. He whickered when he saw her, his dark eyes lighting up in delight. Isabel felt a rush of warmth – at least he was happy to see her. She threw her arms round his neck and hugged him.

  Cloud nuzzled her. “Hello, Isabel. I’m glad you’re here. It’s boring staying in all day.”

  Isabel’s heart swelled. Cloud might not be the most exciting unicorn but he was loyal and he really did love her.

  “I wish we could go out galloping but we’ve been told to stay inside.” Isabel grabbed a grooming kit and started to groom Cloud. But it wasn’t long before her arm ached and she grew bored. Tossing the brush aside, she started on Cloud’s mane and tail with a comb.

  Layla walked round the stables, showing everyone how to do a triple plait. It was much harder than it looked and before long Isabel had her pretty pink ribbon in a tangle.

  Luckily for Isabel, Scarlett came into Cloud’s stable. “The rain’s easing. Want to go outside?”

  “Ooh, yes.” Isabel threw her grooming brushes down.

  Cloud and Blaze followed them into the courtyard.

  “Where are you going?” asked Valentina as they passed Golden Briar’s stable.

  “None of your business,” said Isabel.

  Valentina’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, really?”

  Isabel and Scarlett ignored her.

  “This feels great.” Isabel spread her arms wide. “Let’s do something fun. I know, let’s play dares.”

  Scarlett’s eyes sparkled. “Me first. I dare you to put your face in the drinking trough.”

  “Simple!” Isabel marched up to the trough and stuck her head in the water. She surfaced with a splutter, shaking water droplets from her hair. “Your turn now,” she beamed as rainbow-coloured droplets slid down her cheeks.

  Scarlett didn’t hesitate. She plunged her head in the water trough and came up shaking like a wet dog, spraying Isabel.

  “Eek!” Isabel shrieked with laughter.

  “Call that a dare?” scoffed Valentina, coming outside with Golden Briar. She pointed at the clock tower on the stable roof and said, “I dare you to climb up there, Scarlett. Not you, Isabel,” she added slyly. “It’s far too high for you to climb.”

  “No, it’s not!” Isabel ignored her pounding heart as she faced Valentina. “Nothing’s too high for me.”

  Cloud gasped. “Ignore her, Isabel! That’s far too dangerous. I’m telling a teacher if anyone tries to climb up there.”

  “Cloud! You wouldn’t!”

  Cloud shook his silver and blue mane out of his eyes. “I will. It’s too high.”

  “It is very high,” murmured Scarlett.

  “It’s not that high. Watch and learn, Valentina!” Isabel took off, leaping puddles as she raced to the clock tower door and yanked it open. She strode to the rope ladder and stared up at the internal mechanisms of the clock. A tingle of apprehension stirred inside her. The ladder was more rickety than she’d imagined and a lot steeper, but she couldn’t back down now. Not with Valentina expecting her to chicken out.

  “Here I go,” she called in a voice that sounded braver than she felt.

  “Isabel, stop!” Cloud stamped a hoof anxiously.

  Isabel climbed quickly at first but slowed as the ladder creaked and swayed. The clock wasn’t getting much closer. Isabel glanced down to see how far she’d come. OK. That was far! She gripped the ladder more tightly.

  “Isabel, come down,” called Cloud. “Please!”

  Isabel found she couldn’t move. All she could think about was what would happen if she fell. Look up not down, she reminded herself. She drew in a deep breath and slowly reached for the next rung. There, she’d got it; she was going to be fine. Isabel moved her foot higher but she misjudged the distance and her foot slipped through the rung.

  “Eeek!” she squeaked, gripping hold of the ladder while her feet pedalled wildly in the air.

  Isabel hung on tightly as her feet frantically sought for a rung. She finally found it and a relieved cheer rang up from below.

  “Come down,” said Scarlett. She sounded breathless. “The dare’s off. Valentina and Golden Briar just cantered away.”

  Isabel was too scared to move again. “I’ll be down in a minute,” she squeaked, wishing her hammering heart would slow down. One minute passed, then two…

  “What are you waiting for?” called Scarlett.

  Suddenly Isabel heard Cloud’s voice.

  “Don’t worry, Isabel. I’m right here, just beneath you.” His voice was calm and soothing.

  Isabel swallowed and glanced down. The ground was a long way off but she could see Cloud looking up at her. Her gaze met his and some of the tension left her as she saw the reassurance in his eyes.

  “I promise I’ll catch you if you fall,” said Cloud. “Come down slowly, one rung at a time.”

  Gradually Isabel unclenched her fingers and bravely moved a foot. She came down the ladder, rung by rung, hoping Scarlett and Blaze hadn’t noticed her fear.

  “That’s it, you’re almost on the ground,” encouraged Cloud.

  Isabel’s heart slowed down to normal speed. Reaching the last rung she stepped on to solid ground.

  “I’m so glad you’re safe!” Scarlett hugged her.

  Cloud nuzzled her, breathing on her hair and whickering softly. “You did it! Well done.”

  Isabel threw her arms round Cloud’s neck. “Thank you,” she whispered so the others couldn’t hear. “You really helped me up there.”

  Cloud breathed out happily. “That’s what unicorns are for.”

  Burying her face in his mane, Isabel felt a wave of love hit her. Right then, she wouldn’t have swapped Cloud for any of the unicorns in the academy. He was perfect!

  “What is going on here?” Ms Nettles’ sharp voice rang out. Isabel, Scarlett and the unicorns jumped guiltily and swung round. Ms Nettles was striding towards them with Valentina and Golden Briar at her side, both looking unbearably smug.

  “Um… Nothing!” s
aid Isabel quickly.

  “Don’t lie, girl. I just saw you step off the ladder to the clock tower. Were you climbing up it?”

  “No,” Isabel lied, trying to look innocent.

  Ms Nettles sucked in her cheeks and gave Isabel a disbelieving look. “I sincerely hope not. Climbing the clock tower would be irresponsible and dangerous and could lead to expulsion.” She shook her head. “Hmmm, I’m not sure that you can be trusted to organise your free time sensibly, Isabel. See me after dinner in my study. I have several boxes of old books that need cataloguing.”

  Isabel bit back a groan. Ms Rosemary had organised an inter-dorm quiz after dinner. There was no point asking Ms Nettles to reconsider. She had a reputation for extending a punishment if anyone dared to argue.

  “Yes, Miss.” Isabel glared at Valentina, wishing she could turn her permanently bright blue. That would serve her right for deliberately getting her into trouble!

  By the end of dinner the rain had turned heavy again. Isabel glanced out of the window as she made her way to Ms Nettles’ study. The swollen lake had broken its banks. Its sparkly water, now dulled with mud, swirled across the lawn. Dread uncurled in her stomach. She’d ignored the others when they suggested that the rain might be someone trying to cause trouble for the school again, but what if they were right? Perhaps some sort of evil magic was causing the rain.

  Ms Nettles put Isabel straight to work in a small room next door to her study. The box of books that needed sorting was enormous. Isabel wished she had gloves as she sifted through the dusty, ancient books, discarding anything that was too mouldy to be repaired. There was no chance of slacking off, as Ms Nettles had left the door ajar and kept sticking her head through to check up on her.

  A long while later, Isabel heard Ms Primrose’s voice next door. She sounded very serious. Isabel stopped work to listen.