Skating School: Pink Skate Party

by Linda Chapman

  Emily squeezed her hand. ‘I should have listened.’

  ‘It’s OK. You were busy practising,’ said Hannah.

  That’s not a good enough excuse. Emily felt awful. She hadn’t been a very good friend.

  As they went into the Frost Fairies dorm, they saw that every bed had a package wrapped in tissue paper at the end of it. ‘What are they?’ Emily said, picking hers up. It felt soft and through the tissue she saw a flash of blue. ‘It’s my costume!’ she realized in delight.

  She unwrapped the tissue paper. There was a beautiful turquoise-and-white velvet costume inside. It was perfect! The material was beautifully soft and there were two deep-turquoise bands at the front just as she had drawn it. But as Emily glanced at Molly’s bed next to hers, her excitement faded. Molly’s dress was there, but Molly wouldn’t get to wear it now.

  Hannah had taken her dress out. She held it up and looked at it with an expression of disappointment. It was a lovely sea-green, but very plain. ‘It’s a bit dull, isn’t it?’

  ‘It’s plain, but that’s OK,’ said Emily tactfully. She couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty as she remembered how Molly had suggested she help Hannah with her design. She should have insisted.

  Hannah forced a smile. ‘Yeah. It’s fine.’ Putting the dress down, she went to Molly’s cupboard. ‘Come on, let’s collect Molly’s things and get back to her.’

  Hannah busied herself getting clothes and a nightdress for Molly and Emily went to fetch Molly’s toothbrush and flannel. ‘What shall we do about her dress?’

  ‘Leave it here. She’s upset enough as it is,’ said Hannah and they headed back to the sick bay.

  ‘Madame Letsworth has decided that you can be excused this morning’s lessons,’ said Matron. ‘You can stay here and keep Molly company. I think she could do with some cheering up.’ She looked at Molly and her voice softened slightly. ‘Injuries happen to all skaters, my dear. You will be back on the ice in next to no time.’ She left the room.

  ‘She’s right,’ said Hannah, sitting down on Molly’s bed. ‘You’ll be better soon.’

  ‘Not soon enough,’ Molly said in a small voice. A tear trickled down her cheek. ‘I’ve got to miss the competition.’

  ‘It’s horrible, I know,’ said Emily.

  ‘No, you don’t know!’ burst out Molly. ‘It’s not just horrible! It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me!’

  She started to cry in earnest. Hannah and Emily both hugged her, but Molly wouldn’t be comforted. ‘It’s not fair!’ she sobbed.

  Eventually her tears subsided and she lay back down and turned on to her side, wincing with pain as she moved her leg. ‘It’s OK, you don’t have to stay here. You can go.’

  ‘I’m going to have to,’ said Hannah, glancing at the clock on the wall. ‘I’m supposed to be feeding Charlie.’

  ‘I’ll stay though,’ said Emily.

  ‘I’ll come back later,’ promised Hannah, getting up. She left and, for a long moment, there was silence in the room.

  Molly broke it. ‘You might as well go, Em,’ she snapped. ‘Go and practise or something. I know it’s really important to you right now.’

  ‘Molly, I’m not going anywhere,’ Emily told her. ‘You’re hurt. As if I’d leave you on your own to go and practise!’

  ‘Well, I’m not going to be any fun to be around,’ said Molly.

  ‘You don’t have to be fun,’ Emily told her softly. ‘I just want to be here with you.’

  Molly swallowed. ‘Thanks, Em,’ she said with a small smile.

  *

  At first, Emily and Molly just talked a bit and then Emily got out the books, but Molly didn’t feel like reading so Emily looked around and found some board games in a wardrobe in the room. They played snakes-and-ladders and then ludo. After a while, Molly cheered up a bit. Matron brought them in a big plate of sandwiches for lunch and Hannah also returned.

  ‘Everyone’s really worried about you,’ she said to Molly.

  Molly managed a grin. ‘Even Camilla?’

  ‘Well, OK, maybe Camilla wasn’t head of the queue of people asking about you,’ Hannah admitted, her eyes twinkling. ‘But everyone else wanted to know how you are. They’re all making get-well cards, and Tilda and Alice were talking about smuggling a husky pup in here to cheer you up.’

  Molly’s eyes lit up. ‘Tell them they must! I’m going to go mad with boredom here when you two are in lessons. Oh, I can’t believe I was so stupid. I should have just given up that jump – it was too hard. I’m not going to be that stupid ever again!’

  Emily checked the clock. ‘I’m on Charlie duty now,’ she said. ‘I’m supposed to be playing with him this lunchtime so he doesn’t get too bored. I’ll come back before lessons start this afternoon though.’

  ‘And I’ll stay while Emily’s gone,’ said Hannah.

  Molly grinned. ‘You’ll be on Molly duty.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Hannah told her. ‘Just don’t start climbing up the curtains!’

  Molly giggled, looking much more like her usual self. ‘I won’t do that, but if you’re not careful, I might chew up some of Matron’s papers!’

  Chapter Seven

  Helping Out

  Emily found that there was quite a lot of tidying up to do in the cupboard. Charlie had tipped his water bowl into a pair of shoes that Madame Longley kept on a shelf and then he had shredded up a duster and a rubber. It was almost like walking into a snow storm. Emily cleared it all away and then played with him, tickling his tummy until he chirruped with glee and making him paper tubes to blow puffs of ice down. ‘What are we going to do with you?’ she said, shaking her head.

  Charlie hopped over to Emily, rubbing his head against her and looking up at her with eager dark eyes. He nudged her pocket with his nose. She smiled. ‘No, you’re not coming round in my pocket!’

  She picked him up and put him back in his cardboard box, trying to ignore his squeaks of protest. Then she shut the lid as firmly as she could and headed back to Molly’s room.

  All through lessons that afternoon, Emily found herself feeling distracted. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she hadn’t been a very good friend recently. It wasn’t just Molly, it was Hannah too. She had hardly said a word about her costume and Emily was sure Hannah was secretly upset about it.

  I should have made her let me help, Emily thought. I could have thought up something so much better. And then there’s Alice. She wanted me to help her think up something to keep Charlie out of mischief and I didn’t, and he’s so bored and fed up…

  She stopped. Molly was bored and fed up and Charlie was bored and fed up. Maybe they could both be helped… Emily caught her breath. Yes, of course! She’d just had a brilliant idea! There was just one person she had to convince…

  ‘Have an ice dragon here? In sick bay?’ Matron stared at Emily.

  ‘He’s only a baby and he’s all on his own. Molly could look after him,’ Emily said.

  ‘Oh, yes! Please, Matron,’ Molly begged. ‘I’d love it.’

  ‘Oh, please, Matron,’ added Hannah. Emily had told her about her plan straight after the lesson and they had both raced back to sick bay.

  Matron looked at them all and her expression softened. ‘Oh, all right,’ she said. ‘But he’d better not get up to any mischief.’

  ‘He’s only naughty when he’s on his own,’ Emily assured her. Matron nodded and went out.

  ‘Thanks so much, Em!’ Molly exclaimed. ‘It’s a fantastic idea!’

  Emily smiled. ‘I’ll go and tell Tilda and Alice.’

  She hurried downstairs and checked in the common room. The frost fairies were in there fluttering around, tidying up. Tilda and Alice were there too. Emily quickly told them her idea.

  ‘That’s a great plan!’ said Alice, looking relieved. ‘It was going to be really difficult to give him enough attention for the next few days with the final practices before the competition and then the competition itself.’

  Just the
n, the door swung open and Camilla marched in, carrying her costume. ‘Has anyone seen any of the frost fairies? Ah, there you are,’ she said, spotting them as they plumped up some cushions, twenty of them fluttering around one cushion and tossing it into the air before pulling it into place on the sofa.

  They formed a cloud in the air, their faces enquiring and helpful. Camilla marched over to them.

  ‘I want this changed!’ She shoved her costume towards them. ‘It’s not right. It needs to be much tighter.’

  The frost fairies spoke in their high-pitched voices. One of them pointed her wand at a pile of paper on the table and sparkly words appeared on it: We’ll alter it as soon as we can.

  ‘See that you do,’ Camilla said and she turned and marched out.

  Emily saw the frost fairies exchange looks. From the way they rustled their wings and put their hands on their hips, she had a feeling they weren’t very impressed. But Camilla’s demand had given her an idea. She grabbed a piece of paper and began to draw a skating dress.

  ‘What are you doing?’ asked Tilda curiously.

  ‘I’ve had an idea,’ Emily said. ‘Hang on a minute.’ She coloured the dress sea green, but made it look as if it was a floaty fabric and added an underskirt of deep blue. She drew in silver sequins around the waist and neckline.

  ‘That looks like Hannah’s dress, but much nicer,’ said Tilda.

  Emily nodded and labelled everything so that the drawing was clear. Then she approached the frost fairies, who had started tidying up the pens and pencils around the room.

  ‘Um, hi,’ Emily said politely. They stopped and flew up to look at her. Three of them perched on her shoulders. She smiled at them. ‘Look, you can say no if it’s too much work, but I was just wondering if you could possibly make another costume. I know it’s short notice,’ she said hurriedly. ‘But it’s not for me – it’s for Hannah. She’s a bit upset about the costume she has at the moment. But if you can’t, that’s fine –’

  The frost fairies interrupted her, speaking all at once. One took her drawing, another fluttered up and gave her a kiss on the cheek and then they all nodded. The one who had taken the drawing pointed her wand at the paper on the table and a message appeared: It’ll be ready on the day of the competition. We’d be delighted to help!

  Emily smiled at them. ‘Thanks!’

  Alice squeezed her arm. ‘That was a really nice idea, Em.’

  ‘I hope Hannah thinks so,’ said Emily, suddenly wondering if Hannah might be offended.

  ‘Well, she’s always got the other dress if she doesn’t want to wear the new one,’ Tilda pointed out. ‘And I’m sure she’ll think it’s a lovely thought.’

  Emily really hoped so!

  Chapter Eight

  Flying High

  Emily spent as much of the next two days as she could with Molly. She even missed chances to do extra skating practice. But suddenly the competition didn’t seem as important to her. So what if I don’t win? she thought. I’ll do my best in it, but it’s more important to be with Molly while she’s injured. Charlie was a good distraction, but Emily knew Molly really liked her visits too.

  However, strangely, even though she wasn’t practising as hard, Emily’s skating started to improve again. On Saturday morning, before their skating lesson, she went through her routine. Starting in the centre of the ice and imagining the music in her head, Emily set off. Move began to follow move easily. While most of her mind was focused on the skating, Emily felt excitement growing. She felt light and balanced and she was getting every move right. It was a very good feeling.

  Tilda and Alice both clapped as she finished the final spin. Glowing with delight, Emily went over to the side to get her breath back.

  Madame Letsworth was there. ‘Well done, Emily. That’s the best I’ve seen you skate in a few days.’

  Emily smiled. Even though Madame Letsworth wasn’t her official skating teacher, Emily had the feeling that nothing escaped the headteacher’s eagle eyes. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’m really surprised. I haven’t practised much the last few days because I’ve been so busy with Molly. I thought I’d be awful!’

  Madame Letsworth smiled back. ‘Skating isn’t just about practising. It is important, but to skate well you must also feel good about yourself inside.’ Her eyes met Emily’s. ‘You may not have been practising much for the last few days, but you have been doing something much more important by helping a friend who is in need. You know you have been doing the right thing and that has helped your skating.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘Of course, that doesn’t mean you can stop practising altogether though, Emily!’

  ‘I wouldn’t ever do that. I love skating!’ Emily declared.

  ‘It’s in your heart,’ Madame Letsworth said softly. ‘There’s no doubt about that.’

  Emily skated away. As she glided round the rink, she thought over what Madame Letsworth had said about being happy and how that affected her skating. It was true, she realized. She’d felt different skating in the last few days since she had been helping Molly, lighter somehow and happier inside – much better than when she had been wrapped up in practising and thinking only about winning. The pink skates are very important, she thought, but not as important as my friends.

  ‘So how was skating?’ asked Molly when Emily went up to see her after the lesson.

  ‘Really good!’ Emily enthused.

  ‘That’s great!’ said Molly. ‘I can’t believe it’s the competition tomorrow. I wonder what Hannah will say when she sees her new dress.’

  ‘I hope she likes it,’ said Emily anxiously.

  ‘Oh, she’ll love it!’ Molly declared. ‘You’re such a good friend, Em, to think of doing that.’

  ‘I should have realized earlier that Hannah needed help with it,’ Emily sighed. ‘I’ve not been a good friend. I should have done something about that, and I should have said something to you about not doing that jump.’ She looked guiltily at Molly.

  Molly frowned. ‘Don’t be silly. Even if you had said something, you know I wouldn’t have listened. Getting injured was my own stupid fault. I’d have only told you that you were interfering if you’d said something.’ She met Emily’s eyes. ‘You’re a brilliant friend, Emily. And to prove it, I’m planning a surprise for you after the competition tomorrow.’

  Emily frowned. ‘What surprise?’

  ‘Duh! If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, but me, Charlie and the frost fairies have been sorting it all out!’

  ‘Oh, go on, tell me,’ begged Emily, intrigued.

  But no matter how much she pleaded, Molly refused to say any more. ‘You’ll find out tomorrow,’ she kept repeating annoyingly. ‘I’m not going to tell you now.’

  Finally Emily gave up, but as she left Molly’s room, she felt as if she was fizzing inside. What with the competition and a surprise, it looked like the next day was going to be very exciting indeed!

  Chapter Nine

  The Competition

  The next morning, Emily was woken up by the sound of Hannah exclaiming, ‘What’s this?’ She was staring at a parcel at the end of her bed.

  Emily sat up. ‘I hope you like it. I asked the frost fairies to make it for you. You don’t have to wear it though,’ she added hastily as Hannah started to unwrap the parcel. ‘I just thought your dress could be a bit more exciting, but if you prefer to wear it…’

  ‘No! This is gorgeous!’ Hannah had taken the dress out and was holding it up. The frost fairies had done a fantastic job, making it just as Emily had designed.

  ‘It’ll look brilliant on you,’ said Alice, getting out of bed.

  ‘I can’t wait to put it on!’ Hannah ran over to Emily and hugged her. ‘Thank you so much, Em. You’re amazing. When did you design it?’

  ‘The other day.’ Emily hugged her back. ‘Do you really, really like it?’ she said anxiously. ‘You’re not just saying that?’

  Hannah’s eyes shone. ‘I love it!’

  The morning flew by as the g
irls had a final practice session, got changed and then did their hair and make-up. Emily wore a sparkling blue eyeshadow that matched her dress, some blusher on her cheeks and a little lipstick. When they were all ready, she, Hannah, Alice and Tilda all went down to the common room.

  ‘Oh, my goodness, look at Camilla!’ whispered Emily.

  Camilla was at the far side of the room in her silver catsuit. She was looking very pleased with herself as Tasha and the other Snow Foxes clustered round, oohing and ahhing. ‘I know. It’s cool, isn’t it?’ she said loudly.

  ‘However is she going to skate in that?’ Hannah muttered to Emily.

  Emily could see what Hannah meant. The frost fairies had made the catsuit as tight as possible, just as Camilla had asked for. It didn’t look very comfortable at all. Emily was very glad she was wearing her soft, sparkly, blue dress and Hannah looked beautiful in her sea-green costume. She had threaded silver and green ribbons into her hair and used a lot of eye make-up.

  Hannah stroked the floaty skirt. ‘I feel so wonderful wearing this,’ she said to Emily. ‘I know it’s going to make me skate my best!’

  By eleven o’clock the girls were all ready and waiting in the changing area. The three skating teachers who were judging the competition were sitting at their table in the front row. The other seats were full of ice sylphs from the town who had arrived on big sleighs pulled by silver deer and huskies. The sound of the audience talking and the seats creaking made Emily’s tummy feel funny. It was the first time she had skated in front of a big crowd.

  Frost fairies were dancing around in the air above the judges’ table. After each girl had skated and been given two marks by each of the three judges, one for technical ability and one for artistic interpretation, the fairies were going to fly up and form the total mark in the air.

  At long last, Madame Letsworth skated on to the ice and a hush fell. ‘Welcome to our Ice-skating Academy,’ she declared in her musical voice. ‘As you know, one of the girls you see skating here tonight will be chosen to be our Ice Princess in two weeks’ time. The girls still know very little about what this will involve or, indeed, how we are going to choose the Ice Princess.’