The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star (12 page)

As soon as they were out of range of Miss Cackle’s study, the three friends hurled their arms round each other and jumped about.

‘Thank you so much for saving me,’ said Mildred to Maud and Enid, scooping up Star who was ecstatic to be back in her arms.

‘You’re not out of the woods yet,’ said Maud. ‘You’ve got to actually
win
the competition and Pentangle’s have probably got something brilliant up their sleeve – they usually have.’

‘And Form Five are going to
hate
you and Ethel,’ warned Enid.

‘It wasn’t really my fault about the costumes,’ said Mildred. ‘Ethel knew I was hiding Star in the holdall and she grabbed it; that’s why we fell. I s’pose I shouldn’t have had him in the bag in the first place, but if she hadn’t been snooping it would never have happened.’

‘Whatever the reason,’ said Maud, ‘it’s a bit hard on Form Five after all their hard work. Even if you do win, they’re still not going to be pleased.’

hey
weren’t
pleased. All four broomstick-ballet dancers were in tears when everyone lined up in the playground with their broomsticks, cats and packed lunches, and Mildred felt terrible that she had been part-responsible for ending their dream, even though it really hadn’t been her fault.

Before departure, Miss Cackle addressed everyone as they stood lined up in rows. ‘We still have a small chance of winning this competition, girls,’ she announced. ‘Mildred Hubble and Ethel Hallow would like to offer their sincere apologies for the unfortunate accident which ruined the costumes. However, I would like everyone to find it in their hearts to cheer on Mildred and her stray dog, who are to be a last-minute replacement, which I am assured is very much worth the judges’ consideration. Onward and upward, girls! We must all hope for the best!’

It should have been such a happy occasion: a flight out from school for the day, with the girls chatting excitedly. The possibility of winning a fantastic prize would normally have sent ripples of joy throughout the school but everyone’s spirits had been doused as thoroughly as the flaming costumes and no one spoke as they soared above the treetops, blotting out the sky like a giant flock of starlings.

Mildred was having quite a hard time, as both Tabby and Star were travelling on her broom. There was not enough room for both of them and Tabby had climbed on to her shoulder, while Star was sitting upright, surefooted and calm, delighted to be back with his dearest owner. Every now and then he couldn’t restrain himself from giving a joyful bark, which brought a disapproving glance from Miss Hardbroom.

Mildred knew that all eyes were watching her and Star curiously, knowing that they were the school’s only chance of winning the competition and wondering if they were really any good. She longed to zoom off and do a loop-the-loop to show her fellow pupils what they could do, but everyone would just have to wait.

The party stopped in a clearing for their packed lunches and Mildred bravely made her way over to Form Five and the four thwarted ballet dancers, who looked up sullenly from their cheese sandwiches, silently daring her to speak. The other members of Form Five, though busy with their own lunchboxes, were obviously all ears.

‘I just wanted to say I’m
so
sorry,’ Mildred plunged in. ‘I thought the ballet was fantastic – I even sewed some of the owl feathers and
I
was looking forward to it as much as the whole school was. I really
didn’t
do it on purpose; it was a terrible accident. I suppose I’m asking you to forgive me and to wish Star and me the best – it would mean the world if you could – but I’ll understand if you just hate me.’

For a moment no one spoke, then Edna, the principal dancer, got to her feet. All the other members of the school, including the teachers, were sitting down and usually Miss Hardbroom would have called for the two girls to do the same but this time no one said a word as all eyes turned to Mildred and Edna, wondering what would happen.

Edna held out her hand to Mildred. ‘Forgiven,’ she said. ‘I can’t say I’m
thrilled
about it, but at least we’ll still have a chance to win the swimming pool. Just try not to mess it up this time, OK? Of course we’ll be rooting for you. Come on, everyone –’ she turned to face the assembled mass of teachers and pupils – ‘let’s all wish the best of luck to Mildred and her dog.
I
certainly will.’

The whole school, taking their lead from Edna’s amazing generosity, jumped to their feet shouting ‘Good luck!’ and ‘You can do it!’ while Enid and Maud even threw their hats in the air, which was perhaps overdoing it a bit in the circumstances. Tears of relief sprang into Mildred’s eyes as she watched the storm cloud of anger dissolve like the morning mist, leaving everyone chatting normally.

Miss Cackle smiled good-naturedly at her flock. ‘Edna has such terrific team spirit,’ she said, taking a sip of tea from her flask. ‘Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Hardbroom? I can’t think of many girls who would show such forbearance in a situation like this – except perhaps Mildred herself.’

‘She hasn’t
won
yet, Miss Cackle,’ said Miss Hardbroom tartly, ‘and we don’t even know if this dog can do anything more than just sit on a broom – and steal sandwiches!’ she added as Star stealthily extracted an egg sandwich from Mildred’s lunchbox when he thought no one was looking.

‘We can only hope, Miss Hardbroom,’ said Miss Cackle, ‘so let us all fervently hope that he
is
as special as Mildred says.’