Magic Kitten: A Circus Wish (5 page)

Sadie didn’t answer. She was listening to what Victor was saying about learning circus skills helping with kids’ self-confidence.

‘OΚ, lecture over!’ he said after a few more minutes. ‘We have plenty of helpers to assist you. Make sure you ask someone if you are unsure about anything. There are lots of skills to try. I suggest you divide into groups and see how you get on.’

Sadie joined a group being taught by Lena and her mum. ‘See you later. Have fun!’ she waved as Jenny passed by on her way over to an area with baskets holding clubs, hoops and soft foam balls.

‘Have any of you used a springboard?’ Olga asked.

Sadie and three other girls raised their hands.

‘OΚ, you four come over here with Lena,’ Olga said. ‘I’ll work with the rest of you on the mats.’

As Sadie waited for her turn, she glanced over at Jenny and was amazed to see her juggling three balls. Jenny saw her and grinned delightedly. Sadie waved. She was so happy that Jenny was enjoying herself.

‘Off you go, Sadie,’ Lena prompted.

Sadie turned back to the springboard. She took a deep breath and ran forward. Just as she bounced on to the springboard, Grace’s loud complaining voice floated into the air.

‘This is a waste of time! It’s boring, boring, boring! Can’t I do something else?’

Sadie’s concentration wobbled. As she rose into the air she felt herself twisting awkwardly. She was going to fall!

Chapter
* FIVE *

Panic flashed through Sadie’s mind. As she tensed for a painful and embarrassing landing, she saw Flame scampering towards her.

He raised a paw and Sadie felt a warm tingling feeling in her spine. Suddenly a snowstorm of bright glittery sparks surrounded Sadie and she whooshed higher and higher into the
air. She flipped over and over into a backspin and then did a half-twist before landing perfectly with her arms outstretched.

A burst of riotous applause rang out.

Sadie stood there, stunned. She couldn’t believe she was unhurt. Flame had saved her!

‘Well done, Sadie,’ Lena praised. ‘That was amazing!’

Sadie looked at Flame, who winked. No one else appeared to have seen the magical sparks around her, and those in Flame’s fur had now faded.

Sadie blushed like mad. ‘It was a fluke. I could never do it again,’ she said modestly.
Not without Flame’s help,
she thought to herself.

Olga put her hand on Sadie’s
shoulder. ‘Don’t set limits for yourself. We’re all capable of more than we realize, especially you it seems!’

Sadie nodded. ‘Thanks for the advice.’

She still felt a bit shaky as she went and sat down. Flame bounded over and jumped into her lap. ‘Are you all right, Sadie?’ he purred softly.

‘Yes. Thanks to you. You’re brilliant, Flame. You saved me from really hurting myself,’ she replied in a whisper.

Flame blinked at her with bright emerald eyes. ‘You are welcome.’

At the end of youth club, Sadie pulled on her tracksuit and said goodbye to Lena. Flame trotted along happily at her feet as she followed Jenny outside. ‘I saw you juggling those balls. You’re really good.’

‘As if you’re bothered,’ Jenny murmured.

Sadie swung round, stung. ‘What do you mean?’

Jenny’s face was tight and set. ‘You just can’t help showing off in front of Lena and everyone, can you?’

‘But I didn’t. I almost fell and…’ Sadie stopped. She could hardly tell Jenny that Flame had used his magic to save her.

Grace and some other girls from their school walked past. ‘Are you coming?’ Grace called to Jenny.

Jenny nodded and turned her back on Sadie. ‘I’m not walking home with you. I promised to go over Grace’s history homework with her,’ she shouted without looking round.

Sadie stared after her friend in surprise. Since when had Jenny been helping anyone with their homework?

Flame whined softly to be picked up. Sadie held him gently.

He touched her chin with the tip of his cold nose. ‘I have made everything worse between you and Jenny. I am sorry,’ he mewed sadly.

Sadie kissed the top of his tiny head. ‘It’s not your fault. It’s mine. Somehow,
I keep upsetting Jenny and I don’t know how to make things right between us.’

A couple of days later it was Jenny’s birthday. Sadie decided to post the present and card through Jenny’s letter box before school that morning. She didn’t quite feel brave enough to give them to her at school.

‘I couldn’t bear it if she threw them back at me,’ Sadie told Flame.

Flame wrinkled his furry little brow. ‘I do not think Jenny is that kind of person.’

Sadie didn’t think so either, but she wasn’t taking any risks. As Sadie went to deliver the present, Jenny’s mum opened the door.

‘Hello, Mrs Coleman,’ Sadie said politely. ‘Will you give Jenny this, please?’

‘Hello, Sadie. Why don’t you come in and give it to her yourself? It might cheer her up. She’s not feeling very well.’

‘What’s the matter with her? Isn’t she coming to school?’ Sadie asked.

Mrs Coleman shook her head. ‘Not today. She’s got a tummy ache. I’m sure it’s not serious. Are you coming in to say hello?’

Sadie hesitated. A familiar loud laugh floated out of the door. Grace was already with Jenny. ‘No. Just tell her I called. I hope she feels better soon.’

The school day dragged for Sadie. Despite their last argument, she really missed her best friend. She hoped Grace Davies hadn’t taken her place.

Back at home in her room, she was
feeding Flame when her mum called up the stairs, ‘Sadie! Jenny’s on the phone!’

Sadie dashed downstairs two at a time and grabbed the phone. ‘Thanks, Mum. Hi, Jenny! Are you feeling better?’

‘Yes. I’m fine now. Thanks for my birthday present. I love the notebook. It was nice of you to remember.’ Jenny’s voice was polite but distant.

‘Course I remembered!’ Sadie said. How could Jenny think she would forget her birthday?

‘Why didn’t you come in and cheer me up?’ Jenny asked. ‘You knew I was feeling rotten.’

‘I would have. But that noise-monster Grace Davies was already in there with
you. Anyone a hundred miles away could hear her cheering you up!’ she joked.

Jenny didn’t laugh. ‘Grace’s OK when you get to know her.’

Sadie didn’t want to get to know Grace better. She just wanted things back as they were between her and Jenny. ‘Are you coming back to school tomorrow?’

‘Yes. Look, I’ve got to go now. Bye.’ Jenny rang off.

Sadie dragged her feet as she went back upstairs. Jenny had probably only phoned out of politeness. She lay on her bed with Flame beside her. As she stroked him his whole body vibrated with his purring.

‘I’m glad I’ve got you for my friend,’ Sadie said, feeling comforted. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

Chapter
* SIX *

Over the next week, Sadie saw Jenny at school and at youth club, but she never got the chance to talk to her alone. Jenny was always with Grace and some other girls.

‘Have you and Jenny fallen out?’ Lena asked one evening as Sadie helped put away the exercise mats.

‘She’s got a new best friend. She
doesn’t need me any more,’ Sadie said, trying to sound as if she didn’t care. To her horror she felt her eyes filling with tears.

Lena looked sympathetic. She put her arm round Sadie’s shoulders. ‘Give her some time. Maybe she’ll come round.’

‘Maybe,’ Sadie agreed, wiping her eyes.

‘I’ve got something for you.’ Lena gave Sadie a handful of tickets.

‘Wow! Ringside seats for the circus!’

Lena nodded. ‘It’s our first performance of the season this Saturday. Everyone from the youth club is invited. Bring your mum and dad too. Do you think you’ll be able to come?’

Sadie gave her a watery smile. This was just what she needed to cheer her up. ‘Try and stop me!’

‘I’ll take my shoulder bag. If I put it on my lap with the zip open you can watch the performance,’ Sadie said to Flame on Saturday evening.

Flame nodded. ‘I would like that very much.’

Sadie ran down to where her parents were waiting in the car on the drive.

‘Do you really need to take that huge bag?’ her dad asked.

‘Yes,’ Sadie said firmly. ‘It’s got stuff inside that I need.’ She hoped he wouldn’t ask what. ‘Come on, Dad. We’ll be late!’