Magic Reindeer: A Christmas Wish

by Sue Bentley

  As kids helped themselves and began eating there was a ripple of excitement. ‘Cool! Mine’s banana with tomato-sauce-flavour icing!’

  ‘Try a bit of this one! It’s cucumber with chocolate!’

  Marie smiled. As usual, Starshine had meant well, but in his enthusiasm he’d managed to muddle up his magic! Luckily, everyone was having great fun sampling the weird flavours.

  By the time Marie worked her way round to Chris and Shannon there were only three cakes left. Two ordinary-sized ones and a really large luscious one with extra rainbow sprinkles. Marie frowned. She was sure that the extra-big cake hadn’t been there earlier.

  Glancing across at Starshine, she noticed that he wore a mischievous expression. What’s he up to now? she wondered.

  ‘Thanks for bringing these in,’ Chris said, smiling at Marie. ‘I hope they’re as good as that honey cake we had the other day with your mum.’

  ‘What honey cake?’ Shannon said suspiciously, shoving past him to pinch the larger fairy cake.

  Shannon gave Marie a triumphant look as she took a whopping great bite. Suddenly her eyes bulged and she turned a sickly colour. Diving across the classroom, she picked up the wastepaper bin and practically stuck her head into it. ‘Yuck!’ she spluttered, spraying cake crumbs everywhere. ‘Cough medicine with sardine-flavour icing!’

  Chris burst out laughing. ‘Shame! Mine’s strawberry with orange icing! Serves you right for being greedy! Great cakes, Marie.’

  As Marie returned Chris’s smile, she started to feel bad about avoiding him. He obviously hadn’t told Shannon about the Polish deli. Maybe he didn’t want his cousin to make mean comments or tease Marie about it. Marie wondered if she’d misjudged him and whether they might still be friends after all.

  Chapter

  EIGHT

  Why does my magic keep going wrong?’ Starshine asked mournfully when Marie finished giggling about the unusual flavour combinations of yesterday’s cakes.

  It was Saturday morning and the two of them were snuggled up under the duvet.

  ‘Well, maybe you still need to think a little bit more before you do something,’ she suggested, stroking his tiny soft ears. ‘Dad always tells me that.’ She felt a flicker of sadness at the thought of her dad and wished he could be here to watch her in the school play in a few days’ time.

  Starshine sighed, nodding. ‘My father always says this too. It is hard to do this when I just want to make everyone happy.’

  ‘I know. I suppose it’s something you’ll get better at with practice,’ Marie said soothingly. ‘Anyway, it didn’t matter about your magic going wrong in class. Everyone had the best time – except for Shannon,’ she remembered with a chuckle. ‘That extra-big fairy cake was genius!’

  Starshine still looked subdued. He twisted his head round and began glumly grooming his fluffy fur.

  ‘You need cheering up!’ Marie decided. She leapt out of bed and quickly dressed. ‘Come on!’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘To the shopping arcade. There’s a Christmas fair on! Let’s go and see if Mum will take us.’

  Her toy-sized friend leapt up eagerly, his tiny tail twirling and they went downstairs together.

  ‘What a good idea,’ Mrs Zaleski said, when Marie asked her. ‘Maybe Gran and Gramps would like to come too.’

  After breakfast, everyone piled into the car and headed for the arcade. Her mum parked in the multi-storey and they used the lift.

  ‘Here we go!’ Gramps pressed a shiny button that said ‘Shopping’.

  The sound of Christmas carols filled the air as the lift doors opened. Marie and Starshine walked towards an open area that was ringed with shops. It had been transformed into a winter wonderland.

  Silver icicles and waterfalls of lights hung from every surface. Dozens of silver stars covered the ceiling and there was a giant Christmas tree sprayed with fake snow and glimmering with decorations. There was a big Christmas market too.

  Starshine peered out from the safety of Marie’s bag with eyes as big as saucers. ‘This is wonderful!’ he said happily. ‘It reminds me of Ice Mountain Castle.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it,’ Marie said, pleased that her idea to cheer him up appeared to be working. He seemed happier already.

  Mum, Gran and Gramps wandered around looking at the stalls that were piled with cakes, biscuits and all kinds of treats. There were crackers, paper hats and party poppers, as well as dozens of different decorations for sale.

  Starshine’s nose twitched at the smell of roasting chestnuts. Marie bought some and fed him tiny bits when no one was watching.

  ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’

  With a jingle of sleigh bells, a white-bearded Santa in red robes trimmed with white fur appeared at the edge of the crowd. His gleaming sleigh was piled high with gifts and pulled by two real adult reindeer with spreading antlers.

  Kids crowded close as Santa began giving out gifts.

  Starshine almost fell out of Marie’s shoulder bag with excitement. His ears swivelled all over the place and his fluffy fur stood on end.

  ‘Moonfleet! Dazzler! What are you doing here in disguise?’ he brayed in delight.

  Before Marie realized what was happening, his gold snow-globe glowed brightly and there was a flash of gold and silver sparks visible only to Marie as Starshine leapt high in the air. When they cleared, she saw that the magic reindeer stood there at his normal size.

  A group of small children cheered and clapped. Luckily, everyone seemed to think that Starshine was part of the display.

  ‘Wow! What a cute little white reindeer,’ one of them piped up.

  ‘Look at his long lashes and pretty brown eyes,’ said a little girl.

  As Starshine looked more closely at the two reindeer he seemed to realize his mistake. His head drooped. They were not his older brothers at all – they were just normal reindeer from this world.

  Children were gathering excitedly round Starshine. ‘Have you got presents for us too?’ a little boy asked.

  Starshine turned round and round in circles. He looked confused by all the attention. But a pleased smile spread across his face as the crowd of kids pressed closer, patting him and stroking his soft white fur.

  ‘Shall I magic presents for them all?’ he asked, looking uncertainly at Marie.

  ‘No! Don’t! You’ll cause havoc!’ she warned. Starshine was in danger of giving himself away at any moment.

  Santa had noticed the commotion. ‘Oi! What’s that white reindeer doing here?’

  ‘Uh-oh!’ Marie said under her breath, sensing trouble.

  Santa drew himself up. His cheeks glowed an angry colour that matched his red suit. ‘This is my spot. Have you got a licence? Someone call security!’ he shouted.

  ‘Starshine! Make yourself tiny again,’ Marie whispered in a panic. ‘We need to get out of here… now!’

  She felt a familiar prickling sensation at the back of her neck as the snow-globe glowed again and Starshine seemed to disappear in the final flurry of gold and silver stars.

  Marie bent down and swiftly picked up the toy reindeer before anyone stepped on him. Luckily everyone was looking at the shouting Santa and not at Starshine. She tucked him safely in her bag and began weaving through the crowd to where she could see her mum and grandparents.

  ‘Oh there you are, love,’ Mrs Zaleski said. ‘Come on. We’re about to have some hot chocolate and gingerbread.’

  ‘Great idea!’ Marie said, breathless with relief.

  She slipped one hand inside her bag and stroked Starshine, who rubbed his cheek against her hand and snuffled the tips of her fingers as a way of saying thank you.

  A secret smile curved Marie’s lips. Life was certainly never dull with Starshine around!

  Chapter

  NINE

  The day of the school play dawned clear and cold. It was the day before Christmas Eve. The scenery was in place. The stage looked wonderful. Everything was ready.

  Marie peeped out from
behind the curtains at the packed school hall. She could see Mum, Gran and Gramps in the audience. Her tummy cramped with nerves, and her fingers trembled as she smoothed her long blue costume and adjusted her headdress.

  ‘Places everyone, please,’ Mr Carpenter said.

  Marie held her breath as the curtain began to rise.

  Mr Carpenter began playing the intro to the first song. Marie froze. Her tummy fluttered and she felt sick. Could she really do this?

  But she took a deep breath, stepped forward and came in right on cue. Her voice wavered a bit, but she kept singing. Marie glanced into the wings. She saw Chris dressed as a shepherd in a tunic and a headdress made from a checked tea towel. Shannon stood next to him in an angel costume. Chris smiled and gave Marie a thumbs-up sign.

  Then he nudged his cousin and – wonder of wonders – Shannon frowned, but did the same!

  Marie smiled at them both gratefully. Her nerves had totally disappeared and her voice swelled out strongly until it filled the hall with sweet clear notes.

  After that, the time seemed to fly. Everyone remembered their lines, and it all went well. Shannon sang her song and then passed Marie on the way to the wings.

  On impulse Marie mouthed ‘well done’ at her. Shannon blinked in surprise.

  Suddenly the play was at an end. The audience clapped and cheered. Marie and the other players returned for not one but three curtain calls.

  ‘They loved it!’ Marie whispered delightedly to Starshine as she changed out of her costume.

  Starshine beamed all over his face. His little golden antlers were glowing softly. ‘It was wonderful,’ he said breathlessly. ‘Everyone is so happy.’

  ‘You were pretty good,’ Shannon said at Marie’s side.

  ‘Thanks. So were you,’ Marie said.

  ‘Look. Chris says you’re OK, so maybe we should try to get along,’ Shannon murmured, staring at the ground. ‘I don’t mean best friends or anything, though!’

  Marie nodded, shocked into silence.

  As the other girl walked away, she looked at Starshine in amazement. ‘Can you believe it? Shannon James just spoke to me properly – for the first time! You didn’t have anything to do with it, did you?’ she asked suspiciously.

  The magic reindeer shook his head. ‘Certainly not! I have learned my lesson. Now I think first before I do any magic!’

  Marie felt a surge of pride for her friend. ‘That’s fantastic. Well done, Starshine!’ she praised. ‘The other White Crystal Reindeer will be proud of you.’

  Starshine’s chocolate-brown eyes glowed with happiness.

  After she’d changed, Marie met Mum, Gran and Gramps in the hall. They all walked home together. Marie saw Chris with his parents; she waved to him and he waved back. ‘See you tomorrow at your house,’ he called. ‘Your mum’s invited us all.’

  ‘Great! Look forward to it!’ Marie called back happily. She loved Christmas Eve. In Poland that was when families got together to celebrate, eat delicious food and open their presents. With her new friend joining them it was going to be extra special. She just wished her dad could be there too.

  She and Starshine were almost home now. Her mum and grandparents had just gone inside when the magic reindeer gave an excited little snort and looked up at the sky.

  Marie did the same. She gasped as she saw the sight she’d been hoping for and dreading at the same time: a silvery line of shining reindeer hoof-prints soaring overhead.

  She froze. Starshine’s White Crystal Herd was here. There was no mistake.

  Starshine leapt out of her bag with a flash of gold and silver light. He stood there as his real magical princely self: a young pure-white reindeer, with shining golden antlers and hooves. There was a halo of bright light all around him and gold dust gleamed in his fur.

  ‘Starshine!’ Marie gasped at his regal beauty, blinking hard. She’d almost forgotten how splendid he looked surrounded by that dazzling glow. ‘You’re leaving right now, aren’t you?’ she asked, her voice breaking.

  Starshine’s chocolate-brown eyes lost a little of their twinkle as he smiled sadly. ‘I must if I am to catch up with my father, Dazzler, Moonfleet and the others.’

  A deep sadness clutched at Marie, but she knew that Starshine had to leave and that she must be brave. She threw her arms round his shining neck. ‘I’ll never forget you!’

  Starshine allowed her to hug him one more time and then gently pulled away. ‘Farewell, Marie. I will not forget you either,’ he said in a soft velvety voice. ‘Have a wonderful Christmas!’

  The snow-globe glowed brightly and a fountain of silver and gold sparkles sprinkled around Marie and tinkled as they hit the ground. Starshine leapt up into the sky; he faded and was gone.

  Marie stood there with tears pricking her eyes. She knew she would always remember the marvellous adventure she and Starshine had shared.

  Something cold brushed her skin. It had begun to snow.

  Marie looked up into the sky with delight. Snowflakes were falling thick and fast. She heard her mum calling her from inside the house. She was just about to go in when something made her look over her shoulder.

  A familiar figure was walking towards her.

  It couldn’t be. Could it?

  Marie blinked away the snowflakes on her eyelashes as a surge of pure happiness glowed through her.

  ‘Dad! Oh, Dad! It’s really you!’

  Laughing and crying at the same time, she flew towards him and threw herself into his arms. He gave her a huge hug. ‘Hello, angel,’ he said in English.

  He took a present wrapped in sparkly paper out of his pocket. ‘Open it now. This one’s special.’

  Marie tore open the wrapping and looked at a tiny snow-globe in wonderment. Inside was a tiny white reindeer with lots of other reindeer around him.

  ‘I’m glad you made it home safely, Starshine!’ she whispered. ‘Thank you for being my friend.’

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  About the Author

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  A Christmas Wish

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine