Skating School: Sapphire Skate Fun

by Linda Chapman

  Just then, Madame Letsworth came through the doors. ‘Your skates are in your lockers, girls. You can go on to the ice as soon as you like.’

  Within five minutes, everyone had changed into their skates. Issy skated round the edge of the rink, moving from one foot to the other, arms slightly out. Some girls were going backwards, some forwards; some were doing spins, while others practised steps.

  After a few warm-up laps, Issy began to go faster and soon the urge to jump overwhelmed her. Stepping back on to the right outside edge of her skate, she propelled herself upwards off her right foot. Crossing her ankles, she spun round before landing on her left foot. A double toe loop! Yes! thought Issy as she glided round.

  Speeding up again, she tried a double lutz. She fell over three times, but each time she just laughed and scrambled to her feet. Issy never minded how often she hit the ice. The feeling of getting a jump right – spinning weightlessly and landing perfectly – always made up for it.

  Issy finally landed the double lutz just as Jo came over. ‘Cool jump, Issy,’ she said admiringly and Issy glowed. ‘Do you want to play tag?’

  ‘Yeah!’

  ‘Got you!’ said Jo, tagging her.

  ‘Not for long!’ Issy raced after her, laughing as they dodged in and out of the others.

  After five minutes, Madame Letsworth came on to the ice with Madame Li and a tall male sylph with dark skin and hair. She blew a whistle and gathered the girls together. ‘For your skating lessons you will be taught in three groups. The beginners will be taught by Monsieur Carvallio, the intermediate group by Madame Li and the advanced group by myself.’

  I’ll probably be in the intermediate group, Issy decided. But a bit of her couldn’t help hoping that she would be chosen for the advanced one. That would be so cool!

  Madame Letsworth read out a list of names. ‘In the beginners’ group there will be Cecilia, Niamh and Abigail; in the intermediate group are Sophy, Vanessa…’

  A girl with shoulder-length, dark-blonde hair gasped in indignation. ‘But I can’t be in the intermediate group! There must be some mistake. I’m an advanced skater!’

  Madame Letsworth looked surprised. ‘I’m sorry, Vanessa, but the teachers make the decisions about which group you will skate in.’

  ‘I won’t be in the intermediate! I won’t!’ Vanessa said, putting her hands on her hips.

  ‘Who’s a spoilt brat then?’ Jo muttered to Issy, looking at Vanessa with dislike.

  ‘Shh!’ said Issy quickly.

  Madame Letsworth’s voice was firm. ‘You will be in the group we have chosen for you, Vanessa. If you do not like it then you will have to return home. Do you understand?’

  Vanessa frowned. ‘Yes,’ she muttered sulkily.

  Madame Letsworth looked round. ‘The other intermediate skaters will be Lou, Narinder and Jo; and the advanced group will be Maisie, Milly, Issy and Jessica.’

  Issy beamed. So she was in the advanced group. Brilliant! She couldn’t wait for the lesson to start.

  ‘There is one other thing I need to tell you about,’ Madame Letsworth continued. ‘At the end of each week here there will be a competition. These will help us decide who should be our Ice Princess. The winner of each competition will be awarded a pair of jewelled skates.’

  Jewelled skates! Issy swapped excited looks with Jo.

  ‘You will find out what the competition will be tomorrow,’ Madame Letsworth continued. ‘But we will expect you to practise hard for it all week. You may skate any time you like apart from when you have other lessons to go to. Now let’s not waste any more time. Into your groups, girls, and let’s begin!’

  Madame Letsworth spent ages working through different exercises to improve their footwork. Issy found that rather boring. But she loved it when they got on to doing jumps. She flung herself around fearlessly and was delighted when Madame Letsworth told her that she had lots of ability. ‘You just need to control it, but well done, Issy. You’ve worked hard today. I hope you’ll get a lot out of being here.’

  Issy was sure she would! In the moments she had been resting while Madame Letsworth worked with someone else, she had watched the other girls. They were all very different, not just in how experienced they were, but also in how they skated. Maisie skated very dramatically whereas Milly was more subdued, but very graceful. Jo didn’t seem to concentrate much; she was naturally talented, but Issy saw that she made quite a lot of mistakes and didn’t seem to really listen to her teacher, Madame Li, when she was corrected.

  Sophy was the complete opposite. She couldn’t do as much as some of the other skaters in the intermediate group, but she concentrated hard. By the end of the session, she was managing to do a double loop jump that she had been having problems with and Madame Li seemed very pleased with her.

  And then there were the beginners. Cecilia had obviously not skated much before, but, to Issy’s surprise, once she stopped worrying about her outfit and hair, she seemed to have a lot of natural talent and she listened closely to what her teacher was saying. Niamh, the curly-haired Irish girl, who seemed to be always giggling and talking, was also a beginner. She was very flexible and fearless and Issy overheard her saying she did a lot of gymnastics at home.

  There were so many different girls! Issy felt very excited at the thought of the next six weeks. What would they get up to and who would she be friends with? Most importantly of all, who would get to be the Ice Princess? I hope it’s me! she thought.

  Supper was in the hall. Frost fairies flew around, wings fluttering as they poured out juice and brought plates to the table. Issy wondered if she would see Cobweb, but she wasn’t there.

  Issy, Jo, Milly and Maisie all sat together as Ice Owls. Vanessa headed over to their table.

  ‘Oh, no,’ Jo hissed.

  ‘Hi, guys,’ said Vanessa brightly as if they were all the best of friends. ‘Can I sit with you?’

  ‘Don’t feel you have to,’ muttered Jo.

  Vanessa laughed as if she thought Jo was joking.

  ‘You three are all in the advanced group, aren’t you?’ she said to the twins and Issy. ‘I should be too. Those ice sylphs are completely mad. I’ve been skating since I was three. My coach says I’ll be in the Olympics one day.’

  Issy and the others exchanged looks. Did Vanessa have any idea how boastful she sounded?

  ‘I have private lessons every day,’ Vanessa went on, sitting down. ‘My dad’s a millionaire.’ She looked around as if expecting them to be impressed. ‘We’ve got a really big house – it’s got ten bedrooms.’

  ‘Great,’ muttered Jo.

  Issy felt herself tense. Jo’s sarcastic tone made her feel uncomfortable.

  ‘We’ve got four cars and in my room I’ve got a TV and a PlayStation,’ continued Vanessa.

  Issy saw Jo start to open her mouth and chipped in instead. ‘So, everyone, who’s your favourite skater?’

  ‘Sasha Cohen,’ said Maisie immediately.

  ‘Me too,’ said Issy. ‘Did you see her at the Olympics?’

  ‘I actually went to the Olympics,’ Vanessa said smugly. ‘Mummy and I stayed at a five-star hotel, but we always stay in hotels like that.’

  Jo looked at her with dislike. ‘Do you think we care about your holidays and how big your house is?’

  Vanessa looked taken aback.

  ‘If you’re going to sit with us, you’ll have to shut up a bit,’ Jo declared.

  Vanessa scowled. ‘Do you think I’d want to sit here if you’re going to speak to me like that?’ Picking up her tray, she marched off.

  There was a moment’s silence. Issy felt bad that Vanessa’s feelings had been hurt. Milly looked a bit upset too, but Jo didn’t.

  ‘Thank goodness she’s gone,’ Jo said. ‘Ooh, I’m going to be Olympic champion!
’ She mimicked Vanessa’s voice perfectly and Issy found herself smiling. Vanessa had been annoying!

  ‘I’m very glad it’s just us again,’ said Maisie.

  ‘Me too,’ agreed Milly with relief.

  *

  After supper, they went up to their dorm and had a pillow fight. They shrieked and laughed as they thumped each other with the pillows. The frost fairies who were in the dorm, including Cobweb, perched on the curtain rail and watched, giggling.

  At nine o’clock, Madame Li came round to tell them all to get ready for bed and then fifteen minutes later the lights were turned off.

  ‘I hope we find out more tomorrow about the competition Madame Letsworth was talking about,’ Maisie said as they snuggled down under their duvets.

  ‘I love competitions,’ said Jo.

  ‘So do I,’ said Maisie. ‘I wonder what we’ll have to do.’

  Issy hugged herself. She couldn’t wait until the next morning to find out!

  Chapter Four

  Fairies and Dragons

  When Issy woke up, the other girls were still asleep. She was too excited to stay in bed and so she went to have a shower. When she came back, the other girls were being woken up by frost fairies tickling their faces with their wings.

  ‘We’re here! We’re really here!’ said Maisie, sitting up and staring around. ‘I thought it was just a dream!’

  Cobweb flew round Issy’s head, chattering. ‘I wish I could understand you,’ Issy said as the others started to get up and get dressed.

  The fairy said something. Issy frowned. It sounded almost as if Cobweb had said, ‘But you can!’

  ‘Did you just say I can talk to you?’

  Cobweb nodded and Issy definitely heard her speak this time. ‘You just have to really want to understand. If you do and if you listen carefully then you will be able to hear what we’re saying.’

  ‘Oh, wow!’ breathed Issy. ‘Can I talk to all the fairies?’

  Cobweb nodded again. ‘If you want to.’

  ‘What are you doing?’ Jo said, looking at Issy.

  ‘Talking to Cobweb! We can understand the fairies; we just have to really want to and to listen very carefully.’

  Jo didn’t look that impressed. ‘But why would you want to talk to Cobweb?’

  Issy stared. ‘Because she’s a fairy and it’s fun! Have a go.’

  Jo shook her head. ‘Nah, not now. It’s breakfast time.’

  ‘Yeah, we should go downstairs,’ said Maisie.

  ‘Maybe later,’ said Milly as Issy’s face fell.

  I guess they’re just not into magic in the way I am, Issy thought in disappointment as she got dressed. For a moment, even though she was in the dorm with her three new friends, she felt rather lonely. Oh, forget about it, she told herself firmly. It doesn’t matter. So what, if they aren’t interested in the fairies.

  Telling herself not to be so silly, she pulled on her tights.

  The first lesson that day was about the Land of Ice and Winter. Their teacher was a grey-haired ice sylph called Madame Longley. She started off by telling them about some of the magical creatures who lived in the land. As Issy heard about ice monsters and snowball mice, icicle snakes and silver deer, she felt a longing to go out and explore. She couldn’t wait to see all the creatures for real.

  Halfway through the lesson, Madame Longley fetched a box from a walk-in cupboard in the classroom. ‘We’ve done a lot of talking about magic creatures; now it’s time for you to actually meet one. This is an ice dragon.’ She took out a small pale-blue dragon about the size of her hand and there was a chorus of gasps. ‘They live wild in the forests, but some of them also live in the school. They work the music boxes we have here. They are very friendly, but quite mischievous.’

  As if to prove her point, the ice dragon stuck out his tongue at the class. All the girls giggled. ‘You will see a purple music box by the rink and there are also boxes in the music room too. To make them work you choose the type of music you want from the buttons on the front then the dragons inside will make the music play.’

  ‘How?’ Issy asked.

  Madame Longley smiled. ‘With magic, my dear. Now who would like to hold Charlie?’

  ‘He won’t chip my nail polish, will he?’ Cecilia asked cautiously. ‘It’s such a pretty colour.’ She beamed proudly at her hands.

  ‘No, Cecilia, he will not.’ Madame Longley handed the dragon to Issy, who had been the first to get her hand in the air. Issy took the little dragon and cradled him. He had long silvery eyelashes and very dark eyes.

  I’m holding a real live dragon, Issy thought in wonder.

  Charlie snorted out a cloud of freezing-cold ice crystals.

  ‘Bless you!’ Issy said with a grin.

  She wished she could hold him all day, but the others were waiting. Issy reluctantly passed him along to Jo.

  Jo wrinkled her nose. ‘Poo! He reeks. Smell that breath.’ She passed the dragon quickly on to Sophy. ‘Or rather, don’t!’ She grinned at Issy.

  ‘Don’t be horrid!’ Sophy said indignantly. She glared at Jo and included Issy in the look. She held the dragon close to her chest and cuddled him. ‘There, there,’ she soothed him. ‘You’re beautiful, aren’t you? Ignore them!’

  I didn’t say anything horrid. I think he’s beautiful too, Issy wanted to protest. Charlie rubbed his head against Sophy’s finger. Sophy looked up at Madame Longley. ‘I can’t believe I’m really holding a dragon. Where do they live when they’re in the wild?’

  The teacher began to tell them all about ice dragons. Issy listened eagerly, but some of the others, like Jo and Maisie, seemed to get a bit bored.

  Madame Longley put Charlie away and went to the board. ‘Copy these facts out,’ she told them, starting to write with her ice pen on the glittering white board.

  ‘I know,’ Jo hissed into Issy’s ear, ‘let’s do the humming thing!’

  She grinned and started to make a low humming noise. She looked at Issy expectantly. Issy hesitated. She’d done this at some of the schools she’d been to – one after another everyone in the class started humming. It usually drove the teachers mad! But Issy didn’t really want to do it now; this lesson was too interesting.

  Maisie realized what Jo was doing and started to hum too.

  ‘What’s that noise?’ Madame Longley said, looking round sharply. ‘That’s enough!’

  They fell silent, but as she turned back to the board, Jo began to hum quietly again.

  Sophy, who was sitting on her own in front of Jo, looked round. ‘Shh!’

  Jo shook her head. She nudged Issy, her mischievous eyes urging her to join in. Issy didn’t want to be a spoilsport. She sighed inwardly, but decided to start to hum too rather than fall out with Jo. Some of the others joined in as well.

  Madame Longley spun round and pointed her ice pen at the ceiling. A shower of tiny hailstones pelted straight down at the girls! They all squeaked in shock as the freezing icy balls hit their faces, heads and arms, filling their laps, covering their notebooks.

  ‘Finish!’ snapped Madame Longley. The hailstones stopped. She put her hands on her hips and glared at the squealing girls until they fell silent.

  ‘I told you that was enough.’ The old ice sylph’s voice was steely. ‘Do you now understand?’

  The girls all nodded quickly.

  ‘Our books!’ Jo said.

  ‘Yes,’ said Madame Longley. ‘You will all have to stay in at break time and copy out your notes again. You’ll find dry paper in the cupboard.’ Just then, the bell rang, signalling the end of the lesson. Madame Longley looked round at them and her eyes twinkled suddenly. ‘Enjoy your break.’

  And, with that, she picked up the box with Charlie in and walked out of the room. There was a chorus of groans.

  ‘Oh, g
reat!’ said Niamh, the Irish girl. ‘Now we’ve got to write everything out all over again.’

  ‘And my hair’s going to be frizzy,’ said Cecilia, taking a mirror out of her pocket and smoothing down her hair.

  ‘That was a really dumb thing to do,’ said Sophy, frowning at Jo. ‘The lesson was really interesting.’

  Jo snorted. ‘You must be weird to think that was interesting.’

  They glared at each other.

  ‘Oh, come on,’ said Issy quickly. ‘There’s no point arguing. Let’s just get on and write everything out again. I’ll get the paper.’ She found a pile in the cupboard and handed it out.

  Sophy didn’t say anything as Issy handed her a sheet. It’s not my fault, Issy felt the urge to say to her as, grumbling and sighing, the class started to write the notes out again.

  Chapter Five

  Exciting News

  Before they started their ice-skating lesson after break, Madame Letsworth got them all together.

  ‘If you remember, I told you yesterday that at the end of every week there will be a competition. This week the competition will be to make up a short skating routine. You can choose your own music and design your own costumes – the frost fairies will make them up for you. The winner will receive a pair of sapphire skates. We also have a tradition whereby the winner in the first week is allowed to ask for one thing. If the school can provide it then she may have it.’

  ‘We could ask for a midnight feast,’ Jo whispered to Issy, who nodded.

  Sophy put up her hand. ‘How will you choose the winner, Madame?’

  ‘We want to see you skating a technically correct routine that tells us something about you, a routine that lets your personality shine through. It’s important that you realize this isn’t about how difficult your routine is. It’s about expressing yourself. Now go and get your skates on ready for your lesson. The teachers and I will be waiting on the ice.’

  As soon as Madame Letsworth turned away, the noise level rose.