by Sue Bentley
Sadie gulped and wept, realizing for the first time that she was actually crying for real. She couldn’t stop. It had all been so mixed up between her and Jenny lately. Having Flame as a friend had helped her cope. Now it looked as if she might lose him too and she didn’t think she could bear it.
‘About this kitten…’ Mr Allen tried again.
Sadie gave a loud wail. ‘I can’t give up Flame! He’s my f… friend.’ She looked at her dad through her tears. ‘Please, please, please let me keep him,’ she begged
Mr Allen looked at his wife who nodded slowly. ‘Well – if he’s that important to you, I suppose he can stay,’ he decided. ‘But you must make sure he stays in your bedroom.’
‘I will!’ Sadie almost threw herself into her dad’s arms and then she remembered she was holding Flame. ‘I’ll make sure I keep Flame miles away from you. And I’ll buy you a giant box of tissues, just in case! Thanks, Dad. You’re the best!’
Back at youth club on Monday, everyone was talking about the circus performance. Victor Tomani smiled at all the eager faces. ‘I’m glad you found it inspiring. Because you’re all going to get a chance to perform!’
‘What do you think he means?’ Sadie said to Jenny, who was standing next to her. At least they were speaking again now, although Jenny had arrived with Grace.
Jenny shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’
‘There’s a carnival in a couple of weeks’ time,’ Victor continued. ‘And I’ve been asked if the youth club would like to take part. We’re putting up a circus ring in the park, where the carnival ends up. So you can put on a display’
Everyone started talking at once.
‘OΚ, details can come later,’ said Victor, shouting above the noise. ‘You need to decide what you want to do. I suggest you team up in twos and threes and work out some routines.’
Sadie didn’t have to think about it. There was only one person she wanted to team up with.
‘Come on, Flame,’ she said. With him at her heel, she turned round to Jenny before she lost her nerve.
Jenny had her back to Sadie and turned round in surprise as Sadie shook her arm.
‘Why don’t you and I get together?’ Sadie said excitedly. ‘We could be a comedy double act with acrobatics and juggling. I don’t mind wearing a clown suit…’
‘Look at her trailing around with the kitten! She’s trying to be just like Lena with Presto!’ Grace scoffed.
‘Oh, shut up, Grace!’ Sadie snapped impatiently. ‘What do you think, Jenny?’
‘I don’t know…’ Jenny looked uncertain.
‘Well, I do!’ Grace planted herself in front of Jenny. ‘You’ve hardly bothered with her for ages. Now you’re sucking up, just because Lena’s too busy rehearsing to make a fuss of you!’
Sadie’s jaw dropped. ‘That’s rubbish. Jenny? You don’t believe that, do you?’
Jenny flushed. ‘I don’t want to. But Grace does have a point…’
Sadie felt a hot wave of anger. This was so unfair. She stamped away, her fists bunching with temper. ‘Fine!’ she shouted over her shoulder. ‘Believe what you like! I wouldn’t team up with you now, Jenny Coleman – even if you paid me!’
That night, Sadie lay awake staring into the dark for ages. She wished she could take back what she’d said to Jenny. It had only made things a hundred times worse and now she didn’t know how to make them better.
She sighed. It was no good, she couldn’t get to sleep. Sadie switched on her bedside lamp and shook Flame gently.
‘Flame? Are you asleep?’ she whispered.
He sat up and shook himself. ‘Is something wrong, Sadie?’ he miaowed softly.
‘I can’t stop thinking about Jenny. How can I make her believe that I really want to work with her?’
Suddenly she thought of something. ‘I know what to do! But I’m going to need lots of help. Listen, Flame…’
Flame pricked up his ears as Sadie outlined her plan. ‘When shall we do this?’ he asked solemnly.
‘Right now! There won’t be anyone about.’ Sadie slipped out of bed and started getting dressed. ‘We’ll have to be really quiet. If Mum and Dad discover that I’ve gone out in the middle of the night, I’ll be grounded for a year.’
Sadie quickly grabbed a spare sheet from the airing cupboard and rolled it up. She crept downstairs with Flame and went outside. The street was very quiet and a bit spooky with only the light from the few street lamps.
Sadie shivered. She was really glad that Flame was with her.
With Flame bounding beside her, Sadie jogged the short distance to the circus. ‘We need somewhere where we won’t be seen if any cars pass by. Let’s go into the alleyway where that big dog came from.’
Flame mewed in agreement.
In the alleyway, Sadie shook out the sheet and laid it on the ground. ‘OΚ. It needs to be big and colourful if we want everyone to notice it.’
‘That is no problem!’ Flame’s fluffy black fur began fizzing all over with bright sparks.
Sadie felt a familiar tingling sensation down her spine as Flame raised a tiny paw. A shower of glitter shot into the air and then trickled down on to the sheet. The sheet rippled and began to grow bigger and bigger until it was a huge oblong shape.
Flame’s face crinkled in concentration and then suddenly – splatter! Bright-blue and yellow dye slashed across the white cotton from out of nowhere. Whoosh! Fringed gold braid snaked around the edges. Crackle! Big red sequins popped down one by one, making big, fancy letters spread across the full length of the sheet.
‘Wow! That’s fantastic – even better than I’d imagined. Thank you so much, Flame!’
‘I am glad you are pleased,’ Flame mewed proudly.
‘Now we have to fix it to the wall somehow,’ Sadie said.
‘Leave this to me.’ Flame sent another glowing cloud of sparks into the air.
The sparks divided up and formed four shapes like glittery hands. Sadie watched in amazement as the magic hands each grabbed a corner of the banner and rose into the night air.
She and Flame ran out of the alleyway. The banner floated towards the circus, where the hands placed it against the wall. It hung there as if held in place by superglue. Their job done, the sparkly hands dissolved and showered down on Sadie and Flame.
Sadie looked up at the banner as the sparkles rained down around her. ‘Well, if that doesn’t bring Jenny round, nothing will! Thanks for helping me,’ she said to Flame, stifling a yawn. ‘I think I’ll be able to sleep now. I just hope we can creep back into the house without anyone seeing us.’
Flame grinned and once more his whiskers crackled. There was a bright-blue flash.
Sadie felt something soft and cool against her cheek. She pushed herself away and stared – it was her pillow! She was in her own bed. The duvet dipped as Flame jumped up and settled down beside her. In no time at all, Sadie fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter
* EIGHT *
High up on the circus wall the huge banner fluttered, with the evening sun twinkling on its shiny braid and glittering red letters. It read:
‘The Amazing Jenny and Sadie. Come and see this brand-new act at the carnival.’
As Sadie and Flame turned the corner, they almost bumped into a small crowd of kids staring up at it. Sadie saw that Jenny and Grace were in the middle of them. Jenny spotted Sadie and broke away from the group.
‘She’s coming over! I hope this works,’ Sadie whispered nervously to Flame.
‘Hi,’ Jenny said awkwardly.
‘Hi,’ Sadie replied. ‘Um… What do you think of the banner?’
‘It’s pretty amazing. How did you get it up there?’
‘I had some help,’ Sadie said vaguely. ‘Look, I’m sorry about losing my temper the other day. Please believe I always wanted to be your partner.’
‘I do,’ Jenny said. She bit her lip. ‘I don’t believe everything Grace tells me, you know. She was just looking out for me. She knows how much I hate it wh
en you and I argue.’
‘Does she?’ Grace went slightly up in Sadie’s opinion. Maybe she wasn’t so bad, after all. She gave Jenny a sheepish grin. ‘It looks like I’ve been a bit of an idiot.’
‘We both have,’ Jenny said. She gave Sadie a hug. ‘Best friends again?’
‘You bet!’ Sadie returned the hug. ‘So, what do you think of our name?’
Jenny beamed at her. ‘I love it. The Amazing Jenny and Sadie! We’re going to be a riot – let’s go into the youth club and start work now!’
By the end of the session, Sadie and Jenny had worked out their act. They decided to keep it simple. Sadie was going to walk on her hands and do some tumbling, while Jenny walked beside her, juggling.
They’d put in extra practice over the weekend and in any spare moments at school. Lena had offered to lend them costumes, so everything was looking good.
‘Have you seen Flame?’ Sadie said to Jenny as they got ready to go home. She suddenly realized that she hadn’t seen him for a while.
Jenny shook her head. ‘He was here a minute ago.’
Flame had never gone off by himself before. Warning bells went off in Sadie’s mind.
She went off to search for him. She finally found Flame cowering behind a pile of exercise mats. ‘Flame? What’s wrong?’ she whispered, picking him up.
Flame’s entire body was trembling and his emerald eyes glittered with terror. ‘I can sense my uncle’s spies. They are getting close,’ he whined softly.
‘Oh, no!’ Sadie went cold all over. She had hoped that this day would never come. ‘I… I guess that means you have to leave.’
She held Flame close. She could feel his tiny heart beating fast against her hand. Although she tried to stay calm, a lump rose in Sadie’s throat. She wasn’t ready to let Flame go yet.
Suddenly he pricked up his ears and she felt him start to relax. Flame gave a gruff little mew of relief. ‘My enemies are moving away. The danger is over – for now.’
‘Thank goodness,’ Sadie breathed. ‘I was really scared. So – you’ll stay here, with me?’
Flame nodded. ‘For a little longer. If they return I must leave. Maybe without warning.’
‘I understand,’ Sadie said softly as she put him inside her bag. His enemies hadn’t found him this time. But they would keep looking, and both she and Flame knew that they wouldn’t give up.
Flame sat on a cupboard in Sadie’s bedroom, watching Sadie and Jenny finish practising their act. His emerald eyes were creased in contentment.
‘That wasn’t bad. Even if I say so myself!’ Jenny said, as she packed her things away after their session.
‘Good, because the carnival’s tomorrow,’ Sadie said.
Jenny pulled a face. ‘Pretty scary. But it’s exciting too!’
Sadie nodded. ‘I can’t wait. Just think, we’re going to be part of the parade with real circus acts!’
She went downstairs with Jenny to say goodbye.
Flame turned to look at her as she came back to her room. ‘I am glad that you and Jenny are friends again,’ he purred happily.
‘Me too.’ Sadie ran his silky black tail through her hand. ‘I can’t even remember why we fell out. And I’m really glad I don’t have to hide you from Mum and Dad any more. Dad’s not even sneezing as much when he’s near you. You could live here with me
forever, you know, if you wanted to.’
Flame blinked slowly, a gentle look on his tiny fluffy face. ‘That is not possible, Sadie.’
Sadie sighed and gave him a cuddle. ‘I know. But I’m trying hard not to think about that.’
The rousing sound of the brass band filled the air. A drum major marched along, twirling his baton as he led the carnival parade. Decorated lorries and floats came next.
Behind them, led by the ring-mistress in a black top hat and shiny black boots, came the circus performers.
The Flying Tomanis were on a float decorated with silver balloons and sparkling bunting. It even had a trapeze and they took turns to perform as the lorry trundled along the street. Presto sat beside Lena, wearing a tiny silver coat and wagging his tail madly.
Sadie and Jenny walked alongside the Tomanis’ float. One of the clowns had lent Jenny a costume. She looked amazing in a fuzzy red wig, a yellow shirt and baggy checked dungarees.
Sadie wore a bright-blue leotard and silver tights. She had a white face with a big red nose and a crooked painted smile. She wore a backpack and Flame was inside, safe from the milling crowds that lined the pavements, and hidden from his enemies.
‘Are you enjoying this?’ Lena shouted above the band down to Sadie.
‘It’s fantastic! I love it!’ she yelled back. ‘Isn’t it brilliant, Jenny?’
Jenny nodded, her eyes shining. She pointed at the crowd. ‘Look, there’s my mum and dad. They’re with your parents!’
‘Hi, Mum! Hi, Dad!’ Sadie and Jenny chorused and waved.
The crowds cheered and clapped as the parade passed by. There was a ripple of laughter as a clown on stilts blew a loud hooter.
The carnival parade poured through the park gates with a stream of people following behind it. Strings of coloured lights and spotlights made the park seem magical.
The Tomanis’ float came to a halt beside the makeshift circus ring and Lena and her family began getting ready for their evening performance.
‘Back soon!’ Jenny had an attack of nerves and ran off to find a loo.
Sadie had butterflies in her stomach too. It was almost time for her and Jenny to do their act. She took off her backpack and opened it for a quick word with Flame.
He wasn’t inside.
‘Flame? Where are you?’ Sadie hissed.
As she remembered the only other time he had gone missing, a horrible suspicion crept over her.
Suddenly she glimpsed two lean, dark shapes under a parked lorry. Cruel eyes seemed to flash in the spotlights trained on the ring.
Sadie gasped and her heart missed a beat. Flame’s enemies were here. He would be killed. She had to find him and warn him!
As she dashed between the lorries, there was a bright silver flash and a cloud of sparkles. Sadie saw Flame as a magnificent young white lion standing there. This time, there was an older, grey lion alongside him.
Flame turned and looked at Sadie. His calm emerald eyes were gentle. ‘Take care. Be well,’ he said in a deep velvety growl.
Tears pricked Sadie’s eyes. Her chest ached so much she could hardly breathe. ‘Goodbye. I’ll never forget you,’ she croaked.
There was a final flash. Flame and the grey lion had gone.
With a shriek of rage the dark shapes disappeared too.
Sadie stood there. The cheerful noise of the carnival went on around her, but she didn’t hear it. She was going to miss Flame dreadfully. But then Sadie realized how proud she felt to have been his friend. She would always have the memories of their time together.
‘Sadie?’ called Jenny’s voice. ‘We’re on in a minute.’
Sadie wiped her eyes. ‘Coming!’ she called, as she ran out to meet her friend.
Jenny stared at her tear-streaked face. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Flame’s owner turned up and has taken him home,’ Sadie improvised hastily. ‘I knew he couldn’t stay forever. He was a stray, after all.’
‘Oh, what a shame. You poor thing. You must be so upset.’ Jenny put her arm round Sadie. ‘We don’t have to do our act, if you’d rather not. I’d understand.’
‘After all our hard work? Are you kidding?’ Sadie felt the excitement pushing through her sadness as she grabbed Jenny’s hand and ran towards the circus ring.
Table of Contents
Cover
About the Author
Title Page
Copyright Page
Prologue
Magic Kitten: A Circus Wish
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter
FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
