Skating School: Amber Skate Star

by Linda Chapman

  Issy felt a bit panicked. Quickly she went into backward crossovers, picking up speed. Shifting her weight to her left foot, she touched her right toe pick to the ice and leapt up into the air, spinning twice before she landed. Another double toe loop. At least she could do those.

  Feeling better, she attempted a double axel again, but the same thing happened as before. Her body just seemed to freeze suddenly and she pulled sharply out of the jump, her heart thumping.

  Madame Letsworth came gliding over to her. ‘How are you doing, Issy?’

  From her concerned tone, Issy knew Madame Letsworth had noticed the way she had abandoned the double axel. ‘Fine,’ she said, looking down.

  Madame Letsworth put a finger under Issy’s chin, tipping her head up. ‘My dear, there’s nothing wrong with being afraid,’ she said gently. ‘Particularly after a bad fall. You must be able to confront fear to be a good skater … and to be the Ice Princess.’

  ‘I’m not afraid,’ Issy said quickly. She couldn’t be; she had never been afraid of skating in her life!

  Madame Letsworth looked at her steadily. ‘I can see you’ve lost confidence. I wish I could tell you how to get it back, but everyone has to find their own way. You can do it, Issy, I promise you, but first you must admit it.’

  Issy tried to smile. ‘Thank you, but, um … I’m fine,’ she said. ‘I’m really not scared. I’ve … I’ve just still got a headache, I think, that’s all. Please may I go inside now?’

  Madame Letsworth gave her another long, level look and Issy felt her cheeks grow warm. ‘Of course,’ her teacher said finally. ‘But, Issy, please think about what I’ve said, won’t you?’

  ‘I will,’ said Issy. And then she skated off the ice as fast as she could.

  ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you!’ exclaimed Sophy. Issy was in the library, reading a book about the different creatures that lived in the land. ‘What happened to you during the lesson?’

  ‘Nothing. I had a headache, that’s all.’ Issy turned a page guiltily.

  Sophy sat down beside her, looking concerned. ‘Oh. Well … are you OK now?’

  Issy shrugged. ‘I suppose.’

  ‘Do you think you’ll be skating this afternoon, during free time?’ asked Sophy.

  Issy swallowed. Closing the book, she pushed it away. ‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘But I’ve been thinking about my routine and – and I think you were right about the double axel all along. It’s too difficult for me.’

  Sophy’s eyes widened. ‘But you were doing really well with it. And what about pushing yourself, like you were saying I should do?’

  Issy ran a finger over the book’s cover. ‘I know, but …’ She trailed off.

  Suddenly a look of understanding crossed Sophy’s face. ‘Is, are you scared of doing the double axel now?’

  Issy felt irritation prickle through her. Why did everyone keep saying she was afraid? First Madame Letsworth and now Sophy …

  ‘Of course not,’ she said abruptly. ‘I just don’t see the point of working too hard this week, that’s all. I’ve already missed so much practice that there’s no way I’d win the competition anyway.’

  Sophy stared at her. ‘But that’s not like you! You mean you’re not even going to try the double axel again?’

  Issy shook her head, feeling uncomfortable. ‘No.’

  ‘But what about being the Ice Princess, Is?’ burst out Sophy. ‘If you don’t do a routine that shows courage then the teachers might not think about choosing you!’

  ‘I don’t care!’ cried Issy. ‘I don’t really want to be the Ice Princess anyway.’

  She felt her eyes get hot and she shoved her chair back and walked quickly away. She knew it was a lie about not wanting to be the Ice Princess, but she also knew she just couldn’t do the double axel again, however hard she tried.

  I can’t, Issy thought despairingly. I really can’t.

  Chapter Six

  The Prank

  Issy went to bed that night feeling very unhappy. Though she’d apologized to Sophy soon after their row, the things that had been said still bothered her. Issy tried hard to go to sleep – she didn’t want to think about it any more.

  But then, the next morning, Issy was shaken awake by Jo. ‘Are you ready?’ she asked in a low voice, her eyes dancing.

  Issy sat up in bed. ‘Is it the surprise?’ Being cheered up was just what she needed right now.

  Jo nodded. ‘Yep! Come on. You’re going to love this!’ She crept towards the Ice Owls door. Issy followed. What had Jo done?

  Maisie woke up. ‘Where are you two going so early?’ she asked drowsily.

  Jo grinned at her. ‘We’re not going anywhere … yet. We’re just going to wait.’ Motioning for Issy to join her, she opened the door a crack and peered out into the corridor. Milly woke up too and exchanged a confused look with her twin.

  ‘Jo, what –’ she started to ask.

  ‘Shush!’ Jo waved a hand at her. She seemed to be listening hard. ‘I think … yes … this is it!’

  Maisie and Milly leapt out of bed, joining them at the doorway. ‘This is what?’ demanded Maisie.

  ‘Just listen!’ laughed Jo.

  Craning to hear, Issy thought she heard a faint screeching noise from the Snow Foxes dorm. ‘What is that?’ she asked, her eyes wide.

  ‘It sounds like it’s coming from the washroom,’ said Milly in confusion. ‘Jo, what’s going on?’

  Jo giggled. ‘I think we can go and see now,’ she said. ‘Come on!’ Throwing open the door, she raced down the corridor with the other girls following. Issy was beginning to feel a bit alarmed. What had Jo done?

  The screams got louder and louder. As they reached the Snow Foxes dorm, the washroom door burst open.

  ‘My HAIR!’ somebody shrieked. ‘OH, NO, LOOK AT MY HAAIIRRR!!!’

  ‘Is that Cecilia?’ gasped Milly as all the other Snow Foxes ran out of their dorm to see what was going on.

  Cecilia burst out of the washroom in her dressing gown, dripping wet as if she’d just had a shower. And her hair was … bright green!

  Issy clutched Jo’s arm. ‘Jo!’ she hissed. ‘You didn’t –’

  ‘MY HAIR! LOOK AT MY HAIR!’ Cecilia howled at them. ‘IT’S GREEEEENN!!’

  Jo, Maisie and a few of the other girls collapsed into laughter, holding on to the wall to support themselves. Issy felt too stunned to laugh. The sight of Cecilia with bright-green hair was quite shocking.

  ‘It’s not funny, you lot!’ shouted Cecilia, stamping her foot. She looked close to tears. ‘Look at my hair! It’s GREEN!’

  ‘We’re looking, we’re looking!’ gasped Jo in between laughs.

  ‘How can I skate with green hair?’ wailed Cecilia. ‘The competition’s tomorrow!’ She burst into noisy tears, covering her face with her hands.

  Sophy dashed forward and put an arm round her. ‘Come on, let’s get you to Matron,’ she soothed. ‘I bet she can sort you out!’

  Sophy gave Jo a furious look as she led the sobbing Cecilia down the corridor. Issy knew Sophy was thinking that she had been right all along about Jo. She bit her lip. Seeing Cecilia’s green hair had been pretty funny … but seeing Cecilia so upset wasn’t funny at all.

  Once Cecilia was gone, the girls burst into excited conversation. ‘Jo, I bet you know something about this,’ said another girl from Snow Foxes, Jessica, putting her hands on her hips.

  ‘Who, me?’ said Jo innocently.

  Back in the Ice Owls dorm, Jo confessed: she had put crushed-up rainbow berries, which they had learnt about in Madame Longley’s class that week, in Cecilia’s shampoo.

  ‘It took me ages to find the berries,’ said Jo. ‘And isn’t it lucky that they were green this week? That’s just the colour I would have chosen!’

  Maisie shook her head with a grin. ‘You’re terrible, Jo,’ she said. ‘But I have to admit, that was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen!’

  Milly didn’t look so convinced. ‘Well, maybe th
is will teach Cecilia not to be so silly about her looks,’ she shrugged.

  Jo turned to Issy. ‘What did you think?’ she said eagerly. ‘Are you feeling cheered up?’

  Issy hesitated. She didn’t want to upset Jo, but it had been a bit of a mean trick. ‘Er, thanks for thinking of me, but I – I’m not sure you should have done it, Jo,’ she said slowly. ‘Cecilia was really upset.’

  Jo’s jaw dropped. ‘What?’ she spluttered. ‘Who cares? It serves her right for being so vain! Besides, I’m sure the teachers will be able to fix it with their magic.’

  Issy shook her head. ‘I know, but …’

  ‘Oh, honestly!’ burst out Jo. ‘You used to be fun, but since you started hanging out with Sophy, you’ve become really boring!’

  ‘Be quiet!’ Issy snapped. ‘Sophy’s my friend. Stop being mean about her. If you can’t then we can’t be friends any more!’

  To Issy’s surprise, Jo didn’t laugh or make a snide comment. She gaped at Issy for a moment then shrugged stiffly and turned away.

  ‘Fine. Whatever,’ she said.

  Maisie and Milly began to chat awkwardly, changing the subject. Issy let out a breath. It hadn’t been easy standing up to Jo and she doubted she would have done it if everything else hadn’t been going on. She just hoped it had been worth it.

  Cecilia was late to breakfast that morning. When she finally arrived, every girl in the hall stopped eating to look at her.

  Cecilia’s hair was mostly chestnut again, Issy saw with relief, although it still had a few faint streaks of green here and there. She was wearing it pulled up in a jaunty ponytail and she had even stuck a pink snow flower behind one ear.

  Though her eyes were still puffy from crying, Cecilia sat down with her chin held high as if nothing had happened. ‘Hi,’ she said to everyone.

  Issy felt a flash of admiration for her. She wasn’t sure whether she could have faced everyone again so coolly, after something like that.

  Jo seemed to feel the same way. She bit her lip and then said, ‘Um, Cecilia … is your hair going to be OK?’

  Cecilia nodded. ‘Matron put a special solution on it. She said that what’s left should have faded by the competition.’

  ‘That’s good,’ said Jo. She cleared her throat. Her face was bright pink. ‘And, um … you know, it was probably just meant to be a joke, Cecilia. I mean … whoever did it, they – they probably didn’t mean anything by it really.’

  Issy was surprised. Even though she hadn’t actually said the word ‘sorry’, Issy knew this was probably as close to an apology as Jo would ever come.

  Cecilia gave Jo a look that said she knew exactly who had put the dye in her shampoo! Finally she shrugged her shoulders. ‘That’s OK,’ she said. ‘I suppose it was pretty funny. Me having green hair!’ She giggled.

  Everyone else at the table laughed too – but this time it was with Cecilia, not at her.

  As they all went back to talking and eating their breakfast, Issy whispered to Sophy, ‘I can’t believe that she actually laughed about it! Wasn’t she brilliant?’

  Sophy nodded. ‘I keep telling you – she’s not bad at all. The only thing wrong with her is that she’s always been told how pretty she is. She’s really OK, apart from that. I bet coming in here with her hair like that was the worst thing she could imagine, but she did it anyway. She tried.’

  Issy shot her friend a suspicious glance. Was Sophy trying to tell her something? ‘That’s true,’ she said. ‘But I’ve already told you … I’m not scared.’

  Sophy shrugged and took a sip of her juice. ‘I didn’t say you were.’

  Issy started to say something else and then stopped, her thoughts swirling about like snowflakes in a storm. Was she scared? She played with the rest of her breakfast, not feeling very hungry any more.

  During her skating lesson that morning, Issy thought hard about what Sophy had said. It’s true, she realized miserably. She might deny it, but if she was honest, she was afraid. With any of her other jumps, she was fine. But at the thought of doing a double axel, the memory of her fall came rushing back.

  What am I going to do? she thought in despair. The competition was tomorrow. How could she show courage to the judges when she couldn’t even do the jump?

  Issy gazed at the snowy land around her. It sparkled and shone as if it had been coated with diamond dust. She hated the thought of it being in danger! And the only way she could help it was by trying as hard as she could to be the Ice Princess.

  Issy took a deep breath. I’m going to try the double axel again, she decided. I have to, whether I’m scared or not! Then she looked around at the busy rink and bit her lip. Only … not now, with everyone watching, she thought. I’ll do it on my own tonight.

  Chapter Seven

  Sophy’s Surprise

  That night, when everyone was asleep, Issy sneaked down to the rink. The lights came on automatically the moment she stepped on to the ice. With a surprised rustle, the ice dragons popped their heads over the side of the music box inquisitively.

  Issy skated over to them. ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry it’s so late, but would you play my competition music for me, so I can practise?’

  The ice dragons chirruped at her. They began turning wheels and working levers and a moment later Issy’s music began. She made a face at how light-hearted it was. It wasn’t at all the mood that she was in any more.

  Quickly Issy did her warm-up stretches. Her heart pounded hard as she began her routine, stroking her blades across the ice and picking up speed. Her first jump was the double axel. She waited for the beat in the music. Now! she thought.

  Just as before, something inside Issy seemed to go cold and her feet stayed on the ice. She slowed down, her hands feeling clammy. She wiped them on her skirt and took a deep breath. OK, so she hadn’t done it that time. No big deal. She’d just try again. But the same thing happened the next time, and the time after that. Over and over, Issy tried the jump, only to stop herself at the last moment. She just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  After almost an hour, Issy felt close to tears. It was hopeless! Maybe she’d never be able to do a double axel again. Finally, discouraged, she skated across to the music box.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I … I suppose I’ll go back to bed now.’

  The ice dragons chirruped in concern. With a flutter of wings, they hovered above the box, gazing worriedly into Issy’s eyes. She tried to smile. ‘I’m fine,’ she assured the little creatures. ‘I’m just tired, that’s all.’

  As she skated off the rink, Issy sighed. She had woken up the poor ice dragons for nothing. The competition was tomorrow … and she was still no closer to doing the jump than before. What was she going to do?

  The next day, the other girls in the Ice Owls dorm woke up with squeals of delight. Their costumes for the competition had arrived, delivered during the night by the frost fairies.

  But Issy gazed glumly at hers. She had designed a bright-blue skating dress with jewels sparkling across the bodice, and lighter-blue feathers at the skirt and sleeves, like a bluebird. It had seemed so pretty when she first drew it … but now all she could think of was how much she was dreading the competition.

  ‘Look at me!’ exclaimed Maisie, whirling about the room, holding a dark-red dress.

  Milly’s dress was a beautiful bright yellow and Jo’s was bright pink with fluttery sleeves. Jo smiled across at Issy. ‘Nice dress.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Issy, smiling back. ‘So’s yours.’ At least we’re friends again now, thought Issy, even though I stuck up for Sophy. She was glad that she had been brave enough to do it.

  She sighed, fiddling with one of the feathers on her dress. She knew she should go back on to the rink and practise some more before the competition that afternoon, but she couldn’t bear to. It was bad enough being afraid to try the double axel when she was on her own; the last thing she needed was everyone watching her!

  *

  After breakfast that mornin
g, Sophy gave Issy a long look and then pulled on her arm. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘I think we need to go somewhere!’

  Issy looked at her in surprise. The other girls were on their way to the changing room, chattering excitedly about the competition that afternoon. ‘Don’t you want to practise with the others?’ she asked.

  Sophy shook her head firmly. ‘Nope. I’ve had enough of practising for now, and so have you. You look like you need some cheering up and I’ve got a great idea for it!’

  Issy hid a smile as she remembered Jo saying almost the exact same thing. Somehow she had a feeling that Sophy’s idea of cheering her up was going to be very different!

  ‘OK,’ she said eagerly, relieved not to have to worry about her jump for a while. ‘Where are we going?’

  Sophy’s hazel eyes flashed mysteriously. ‘Follow me!’ she said.

  The two girls got dressed in warm jackets, scarves and boots. Soon they were walking through the woods, their feet crunching over the snow. Issy leant her head back and breathed in deeply, smelling the sharp tang of pine.

  ‘This is great,’ she said happily. ‘You were right, Sophy … it’s just what I needed.’

  Sophy laughed. ‘Hey, we’re not even there yet!’ she teased. The girls walked a bit more, climbing over a snow-covered fallen log. When they came to a bend in the path, Sophy got behind Issy and put her mittened hands over Issy’s eyes.

  ‘OK, ready?’ she said. ‘Forward!’

  Giggling, Issy took a few stumbling steps, guided by Sophy. They went around the bend and Issy’s eyes widened behind the mittens. What was that flapping, squeaking noise? It sounded like …

  Sophy took her mittens away. ‘Ta-da!’ she whispered.

  ‘Oh!’ breathed Issy. Fluttering in front of them were half a dozen baby ice dragons! Their nests were in the trees above and they were tumbling about in the air, beating their wings wildly as they learnt how to fly.

  Issy laughed out loud as she watched them. They were the cutest things she’d ever seen! One of them, no bigger than her little finger, landed at her feet, panting for breath.