“Hi!” Ella tried to sound breezy. “How’s it going?”
“Er . . . good, Ella,” said Jess. “Look, we didn’t mean anything earlier when we were talking at breakfast,” she said. “Honestly we didn’t.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Ella, trying to look nonchalant. “I just thought I’d come and see how you were doing. There’s extra flying practice after sports for anyone who wants to come,” she said, offering an olive branch. “To practice for the three-winged race. Does anyone want to join me?”
“Er, that sounds good, but I can’t,” said Jess.
Ella couldn’t help but notice Jess fling a look at Tilly.
“What about you, Tilly?” said Ella.
“Er, I’m kind of busy,” said Tilly.
“And you?” Ella turned to Poppy.
Poppy turned bright red. “I’ve got something too.”
That was it! It was too much for Ella. Something was definitely going on with her friends. “Fine,” she mumbled, turning on her heels, tears prickling her eyes. “I’ll just go on my own then.”
“Ella,” Poppy cried out.
But Ella was already off, hurrying across the field . . .
CHAPTER 6
Out of Bounds
ELLA FLEW INTO THE SKY. she knew she shouldn’t but she just didn’t want to be around anyone. She could hear her friends calling out after her, but she didn’t stop. It was the end of the lesson now anyway and she didn’t feel like joining the three-winged flying practice after all—not if she was going to be doing it by herself. She’d just go flying to get away from everything.
Ella rose up high in the sky, beating her wings as fast as they would go. As the air rushed past her, she began to feel better. Soon she was so high that the glass castle of the Angel Academy below her was just a pinprick, sparkling like a diamond in the sunshine.
Seeing it at such a distance made her unhappiness fade. What went on at school suddenly didn’t seem to matter. She looped-the-loop and found herself laughing. A group of friendly skylarks swooped toward her and she flew with them, surrounded by their fluttering wings.
“See you later,” she called to the birds as they flew on.
She looked down. She was flying over the river that brought the water to the school. Bluebell Woods lay in her sights, small blue flowers carpeting the ground beneath the trees. She started to feel a little concerned. She’d actually flown a long way from school. Third-grade angels weren’t allowed to fly beyond the school boundaries without permission. She groaned. She was going to be in big trouble AGAIN if she didn’t get back before any of the teachers noticed she was gone. Oh, why did she always get herself into these scrapes?
Ella turned back to the school, but as she did so, her eyes caught sight of something beneath her. The river was a sparkling blue in the sunshine, but there was something bright and colorful lying across it—blocking it like a dam.
Ella squinted in the sunlight and sucked in her breath as she realized what it was. A rainbow! It must have fallen out of the sky, and big pieces of it were blocking the creek so that the water couldn’t flow! The river beyond the fallen rainbow was just a slow trickle of water. So that’s why they hadn’t been getting enough water at the Angel Academy!
“I have to do something,” Ella said aloud to herself. “But what?”
She raced down to the ground and looked at the broken rainbow. Close up, it was massive. She tried to drag one of the pieces away, but it was far too heavy and big. It didn’t budge.
Ella racked her brain. What could she do? Of course, she could go back and get help, but then she would have to admit to being out beyond the school boundaries again, and she’d probably lose ALL her halo points. It would be so much better if she could just solve this problem on her own . . .
And then it came to her. Of course! Maybe she could make the rainbow disappear. She had seen Archangel Grace do it. She hadn’t had a chance to practice, but she might be able to do it!
She pulled her wand out and pointed it at the rainbow.
Rainbow please, now vanish away.
Turn to glitter, do not stay.
Ella held her breath. Nothing happened. She pictured what Archangel Grace had done and suddenly gasped. Of course. She flicked her wand twice. The rainbow flashed with light and dissolved into glitter! She’d done it—the rainbow was gone!
With a whoosh and a splash, the water that had been backed up for so long came spilling down into the empty river, overflowing the banks. Ella could hardly believe her eyes! There was water again! She’d saved the school’s water supply.
She was just about to pat herself on the back when a voice behind her made her startle.
“Ella!”
Ella looked up and her heart sank. Angel Gabriella was flying toward her. Someone must have told the teacher that Ella had flown away. Now she was really in for it.
Angel Gabriella landed beside her. “I saw what you did from up there,” she cried breathlessly. “Well done, Ella! You’ve got the water flowing properly again. It’s amazing!”
“Really? You’re not angry?” said Ella, feeling a wave of relief flood through her. She looked at the teacher cautiously. “You do know I haven’t got permission to be out here, don’t you?”
Angel Gabriella laughed and gave Ella a massive hug. “You’re far too honest, Ella Brown, you know that? But honesty is an excellent angel quality. Of course I know you don’t have permission to be out here on your own, but if you hadn’t been, the school’s water supply would have run out completely!” she cried. “Now come on . . . let’s go and tell the others that you saved the day!”
As Ella soared high up into the sky alongside Angel Gabriella, she thought anxiously about what would happen. Okay, so she hadn’t been scolded by her, but what would happen when Archangel Grace knew what she had done? She was sure that the head teacher wouldn’t be so lenient. But there wasn’t time to talk to Angel Gabriella about that now. It was all that Ella could do to keep up as they raced through the sky. Soon, the glass castle of the Angel Academy was in their sights and Angel Gabriella started to slow down.
Ella flapped her wings and hovered in midair. Lots of the other angels were still outside, practicing for sports day. She could even see Archangel Grace supervising with the other teachers.
“Come on,” cried Angel Gabriella. “Let’s go and tell everyone the good news!”
“But, Angel Gabriella,” said Ella. “Aren’t I going to be in trouble when we get there? I mean . . .”
“Leave that to me,” said Angel Gabriella.
Breathlessly they flew down to the ground.
“Angel Gabriella . . . Ella!” Archangel Grace fanned her face. “You gave us quite a scare coming down from the skies like that. Whatever is the matter?”
“We’ve got an announcement to make,” said Angel Gabriella. She smiled at Ella. “We’ve got water again! The school’s water supply is back to normal. Sports day can happen!”
“What do you mean?” demanded Archangel Grace.
“How was it fixed?” asked Angel Seraphina.
“What was the problem?”
“What’s Ella got to do with it?”
Excited questions filled the air as everyone gathered around. Archangel Grace held up her hand for silence.
“I think you’d better tell us more, Angel Gabriella,” said Archangel Grace, looking serious.
“Ella?” said Angel Gabriella.
“It was a fallen rainbow,” Ella said breathlessly. “Near the woods. It had fallen across the creek and broke into pieces. It was blocking the flow of water to the school.”
“You were over by the woods, Ella?” Archangel Grace said.
Archangel Gabriella stepped in quickly. “Ella was the star of the day. She managed to turn the rainbow into glitter. I’ve no idea how she knew the spell.”
Archangel Grace gave Ella a shrewd look. “Hmm, I wonder.”
Ella blushed.
“Well, however you knew, it’s pe
rfect that you used the spell and saved the day!” Archangel Grace raised her hands skyward. “We have water! This is cherub-azing!” she cried. “Sports day can go ahead after all! I shall go and tell the rest of the school!”
With that, she disappeared up the path.
Everyone started to talk excitedly. Ella’s friends gathered around her.
“I can’t believe you solved the water problem!” Jess launched in.
“And saved school sports day!” said Tilly.
“We’ll be able to have angel icicles again!” cried Poppy.
Ella was delighted. Everything had happened so quickly. And it was so lovely that something as simple as lifting a rainbow and getting the water back to the school could have helped her make up with her friends.
“We’ve got a surprise for you, too,” said Poppy, linking arms with Ella and leading her away.
“A surprise?” said Ella curiously.
“Yes, come on,” said Tilly.
Ella went with them excitedly. She liked surprises!
When they reached their dorm, Poppy, Jess, and Tilly hung back.
“It’s inside,” said Poppy.
Ella opened the door. And there, in the middle of the room, was the biggest, most scrumptious-looking cake she had ever seen! It was hovering just above the floor and had layers and layers of chocolate and white icing. It was covered with silver stars and had a sugar sculpture of an angel on top.
“It’s a CAKE!” she gasped.
“No, it’s a squirrel!” joked Poppy.
“It’s a special cake for you,” said Jess, taking her hand. “We baked it.”
“Surprise!” Tilly and Poppy said in unison.
Ella stared at the amazing cake. “So this is what’s been going on over the last few days,” she realized aloud. “All the secrecy and whispering.”
“We wanted to cheer you up,” said Poppy.
Ella looked at her friends—from one to the other. “And you have,” she said. “It’s the best cake ever! Thank you!”
“Can we eat it now?” Poppy asked eagerly.
“Oh yes!” Ella grinned.
CHAPTER 7
Practice Makes Perfect!
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, the angels practiced hard at their sports. On the night before the big event, hardly anyone could sleep! When they woke the next morning, the breeze had blown up and the temperature dropped slightly. It was the perfect weather for sports day.
In the afternoon, they all went to the sports field. All the parents and younger brothers and sisters had arrived. They were wandering around the field or sitting on the golden chairs lining the running track. The third graders’ first race was the sack race. When it was their turn, they went to the start to line up with their silver sacks. Ella felt a little tingle of nerves run through her as she gazed at the crowds. Somewhere in the midst of it would be her mom and dad and little sister, Josie.
But there wasn’t time to try and spot them. She would see them later on at teatime. Angel Gabriella raised her hand, ready to start the race. As the flag fell, the third-grade angels were off, hopping madly forward. Jess was easily the sportiest of the four friends and took the lead quickly, closely followed by another angel called Holly, then Olivia Starfall sprang along behind. Tilly was midpack, but Poppy and Ella were definitely nearer the rear of the field!
As Jess stretched through the finish line, Ella and Poppy tripped over each other and collapsed on the grass. They rolled over the finish line.
“What a race!” Ella grinned.
“Cool!” said Poppy. “Well done, Jess!” she called as Jess went to collect her little red ribbon for first place.
“I’ve got to go,” said Tilly. “I’ve got to be at golden archery in five minutes!”
Ella, Poppy, and Jess turned in their sacks and raced over to the other side of the field, while Tilly joined the other archers. She lined up, raised her bow and arrow . . . and struck the most perfect bull’s-eye into the heart-shaped target.
“Way to go, Tilly!” Ella called out.
“What have you got next, Jess?” She turned brightly to her friend.
“Cloud hopping,” said Jess. “And you?”
“I’ve got a little time-out in my schedule before the three-winged race,” said Ella. “Poppy and I are doing that together.” She grinned at Poppy. “Fancy getting a drink?”
“Angel-tastic!” said Poppy, and the two angels linked arms. “Let’s go and take a look around.”
Poppy and Ella headed off to the other side of the grounds to where the stalls of refreshments had been laid out. It looked very pretty—an area had been set aside for seating, and deck chairs and picnic blankets had been spread around. The entire school had been dressed with bunting—of cupids and rainbows and stars and moons. Grabbing an angel icicle each from one of the stands, they mixed into the crowds. They had been wandering around for a while when the rainbow discus competitors started to get ready.
“Look, there’s Primrose,” said Poppy, pointing out the angel who was standing with another group of angels in a roped-off practice ring. The neat blond angel had a look of concentration about her, and her perfect features were scrunched up as she pulled her arm back and threw something up into the sky.
“Rainbow discus,” said Ella. “They must be practicing before the event. Come on, let’s go and watch. I’ve got an idea that could be fun!”
While Ella and Poppy stood to the side, all the angels in the event lined up to take their practice turn.
“Out of the way, Veronica,” Primrose said rather bossily, pushing her friend aside as she stepped to the front. Taking a deep breath, she pulled her arm back and the piece of rainbow flew up into the sky . . . at exactly the same time that Ella pulled out her wand . . .
Ella pointed it at the rainbow discus, and the discus started dispersing into the sky.
“Whatever’s going—?” Primrose looked all around her, but just in time, Ella had put her wand away.
“Hmm.” Primrose shrugged, and grabbed herself another round piece of rainbow. She went to take aim. Again, Ella pointed her wand just as the discus went up into the air . . . and bounced out of Primrose’s hand.
“Butterfingers, Primrose!” said her friend Veronica.
“I didn’t drop it, Vee,” Primrose hissed. “Someone’s playing tricks on me.” She looked around, but Poppy and Ella were completely hidden behind a tree.
Primrose walked over to the discus and went to pick it up again, so Ella waved her wand and sent the discus on a few paces. Again, Primrose went to pick it up, but just as she got a few paces away, the discus bounced away from her.
Poppy giggled. “Stop it, Ella,” she said, creased over with laughter. “It’s too much.”
“But I’ve only just started.” Ella grinned mischievously.
Primrose, by now, was stopping and starting all over the field. Every time she got anywhere near the rainbow discus, it rolled on—just a few paces, but enough to make her completely exasperated.
“Are you doing this, Veronica?” she hissed through gritted teeth.
“Of course it’s not me, Primrose,” said Veronica, trying to hide her giggles.
“There, got it!” Finally Primrose had picked up the discus, but just as it was within her grasp, the disc slipped from her fingers and rolled off again.
“GAH!” cried Primrose. She looked so angry, steam was almost coming out of her ears! As she reached out to the discus, she gave it a large kick and it flung up into the air. Primrose lost her footing and fell over. She thumped the ground.
“Primrose!” a sharp voice called after her. “What do you think you’re doing?” It was Angel Raffaella. She helped Primrose up.
“Sorry, Angel Raffaella,” Primrose said humbly. “It’s this discus. It keeps on running away from me. I think someone must have put a spell on it.”
The discus lay flat upon the ground.
“It doesn’t look as though it’s moving to me,” said Angel Raffaella, going over to
pick it up and hand it over to Primrose. “See.”
“Oh . . .” Primrose looked embarrassed. “Sorry, Angel Raffaella.”
“Hmm,” said Angel Raffaella, raising her eyebrows. “Well, please try and keep your feelings under control. Now it’s almost time for the event to start. Get ready please.”
She walked off—just as Ella and Poppy stepped out of the trees.
“Something wrong, Primrose?” asked Poppy.
“Is it you behind this, Ella Brown?” cried Primrose. “Was it you making the discus move?”
“What discus?” said Ella innocently.
“MY discus!” shouted Primrose.
“Oh dear, Primrose,” said Ella, tutting and shaking her head. “Are you shouting? Don’t you remember that a good angel should never lose her temper? That’s a direct quote from the angel handbook!”
“Oh, and angels should strive to be neat and tidy at all times,” said Poppy, brushing a speck of dirt off Primrose’s collar. “Isn’t that something you are always reminding us about?”
“Grrrh!” cried Primrose.
But there wasn’t time for her to retaliate as Angel Raffaella was just calling all the rainbow discus competitors into the ring.
“I’ll get you for this, Ella Brown,” Primrose hissed. And, looking very red and angry, she stormed off into the ring.
CHAPTER 8
The Prize-giving
AS THE COMPETITORS LINED UP behind the line, Ella and Poppy grinned at each other. “Primrose looks in a bit of a tizzy,” said Ella.
“Are you going to do the discus thing again, Ella?” said Poppy.
“No, not now, it’s the real competition,” said Ella. “I don’t think that would be fair. Primrose has had enough of a punishment for one day.”
As it turned out, Primrose wrecked her chances on her own. Instead of being able to laugh off what had happened in the practice ring, she was so angry, she stamped around the ring and threw the discus wildly. It went everywhere—at one time even landing behind her!
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