Skating School: Amber Skate Star Read online

  ‘No way!’ exclaimed Issy, pushing back her thick blonde hair. ‘Madame Letsworth said to challenge ourselves, remember?’

  Sophy laughed. ‘Well, that will certainly be a challenge! OK, do you want to see mine?’

  Sophy had selected a slow, sweetly sad piece of music. As the ice dragons began working the series of wheels and levers that made it play, she went to the centre of the room. ‘Right, I thought I’d do some backward crossovers, a Flying Camel, and then more backward crossovers and a single lutz–single toe loop, and then a spiral …’

  She demonstrated as Issy had done, leaping and spinning about the carpet. When she’d finished, she looked at Issy hopefully. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Is that it?’ Issy blurted out.

  Sophy stared at her. ‘What do you mean?’

  Issy realized that she’d said the wrong thing. ‘Nothing! It’s a great routine. It’s just … well, maybe you should push yourself more.’

  ‘I am pushing myself,’ said Sophy defensively.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes!’ Sophy insisted. ‘Not everyone is as fearless as you, Issy!’

  Issy blinked. ‘Fearless? What are you talking about?’

  Sophy crossed her arms over her chest. ‘When’s the last time you felt scared doing a jump?’

  Issy shrugged. ‘Well … never.’

  ‘Exactly!’ said Sophy as if that proved her point. ‘Some people actually find jumps pretty scary, Issy.’

  ‘I know that!’ protested Issy. She felt a bit silly. ‘It’s just that –’

  ‘Just that you’re not one of them,’ finished Sophy. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘It’s OK. I’m not mad at you. I’m just trying to explain that this routine is difficult for me.’ She smiled. ‘Come on, we can practise some more later. We’d better get to class!’

  Chapter Three

  Accident on the Ice

  For the next two days, Issy practised her routine over and over again. To her delight, the double axel started to get easier. It was such an amazing feeling to leap so high and spin so quickly through the air.

  ‘Very good, Issy,’ commented Madame Letsworth when Issy had got the double axel right twice in a row. ‘You’ve made real progress with that jump.’ She turned away and blew her whistle to signal the end of the lesson. ‘All right, girls, that’s enough for now. We’ll have an hour’s break for lunch and then it’s time for your ballet class.’

  Sophy skated across to join Issy as they left the ice. ‘You’re doing great with your routine. I saw that last double axel – it was fantastic!’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Issy with a grin. She remembered their conversation from before and, though she understood what Sophy had been saying, she still privately thought Sophy could maybe push herself a bit more. Still, Issy didn’t want to upset her so she smiled. ‘You’re doing great too. I hope one of us is going to win.’

  As they changed out of their skates, Jo came over. ‘Hi, Is,’ she said, ignoring Sophy. ‘Maisie, Milly and me are going to go sledging. Do you want to come?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Issy said eagerly. ‘You’ll come too, won’t you, Sophy?’ She saw Jo and Sophy look at each other.

  ‘I think I’ll give it a miss,’ said Sophy. ‘I want to go and see the frost fairies in my dorm.’

  ‘OK, you do that,’ Jo said quickly, linking arms with Issy. ‘Come on, Is. Let’s go!’

  It was fun sledging at lunchtime, but Issy kept thinking about Sophy and wishing she was there too. She caught up with her as they got changed into leotards and tights for their first afternoon class – a ballet lesson. Sophy seemed quiet and Issy had the feeling she was a bit upset. She could have come sledging, Issy told herself. But she still felt a bit bad.

  In the ballet class, the girls all lined up at the long barre. Though Issy had done lots of gymnastics, she had never done ballet, and she found the moves difficult to get the hang of. Some of the other girls, like Milly and Jessica, had taken ballet for years and were very good at it, sweeping down into their pliés and rising up on their toes with their arms perfectly extended to the side, their movements flowing and smooth.

  Madame Breshnev, their ballet teacher, checked each girl’s posture as she walked past. ‘Graceful lines, please!’ she called. ‘And rest.’ She went down the room to the music box.

  As the girls relaxed, Cecilia, who was a few girls in front of Issy, gazed at herself in the mirror. ‘Oh, gosh, I haven’t got a spot, have I?’ she murmured worriedly, touching her chin. ‘Maybe the frost fairies can make me some spot cream …’

  From behind her, Issy heard Jo sputter with laughter. ‘You know what Cecilia should do to show she’s brave enough to be the Ice Princess?’ she hissed to Issy. ‘She should go out in public with a hair out of place. Now that really would be brave!’

  Issy giggled. Several other girls nearby had heard too. Sniggers floated around the classroom.

  Cecilia had been so busy looking at her reflection that she hadn’t caught the remark. She looked at the giggling girls, her face confused. ‘What’s up?’

  Jo smirked. ‘Oh, nothing.’ Her eyes glinted. ‘You’d better get some make-up on that spot though before you frighten the frost fairies!’ She grinned round at the others as she spoke.

  Cecilia flushed. Issy saw Sophy open her mouth, but before she could say anything there was a bang as Madame Breshnev hit the floor with her stick.

  ‘Pay attention, please, girls! Now, from the start. First position …’

  After class, Sophy seemed in a bit of a mood, grumpily shoving her ballet things into her locker.

  ‘What’s up?’ asked Issy.

  Sophy made a face. ‘Jo.’ Glancing over her shoulder to make sure they were alone, she whispered, ‘I just don’t get why you’re friends with her.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ said Issy in surprise.

  ‘What do you think?’ Sophy’s hazel eyes flashed. ‘She was really mean to Cecilia back in class. Making everyone laugh at her like that and saying those things about her spot!’

  Issy’s cheeks grew warm. Jo’s comment had made her giggle along with some of the others. ‘But I said something about Cecilia too, the other day,’ she pointed out uncomfortably. ‘What’s the difference?’

  Sophy looked exasperated. ‘Because you didn’t do it to make everyone laugh at her. Jo is always getting at people and I think it was a horrible thing to do. Afterwards Cecilia couldn’t concentrate at all. I was watching her and she was really upset.’

  Issy felt all hot and bothered. She couldn’t help thinking Sophy was right and she did feel guilty now for laughing at Cecilia, but she also didn’t want to be mean about Jo. ‘She didn’t say it to be horrible,’ she said defensively.

  Sophy raised her eyebrows and stared at Issy.

  ‘Oh, you’re taking it all too seriously!’ Issy grabbed her things and headed for the door. ‘I’m going to go skating.’

  Sophy sighed, looking as if she already regretted the row. ‘Issy …’

  But Issy was already gone, banging the changing-room door behind her.

  When Issy got on to the ice, she still felt upset and cross. She plunged into her routine like a whirlwind. No matter what problems she had, skating usually made her feel better. But right now it didn’t seem to be working its magic.

  She landed the first double axel badly, wobbling on her right leg and tumbling on to the ice. She sighed as she got up. She had managed it before! Suddenly it almost seemed like it was Sophy’s fault that the jump was difficult again. Issy hated arguing with people. Why had Sophy got in a mood? Couldn’t she see that Jo just liked messing around?

  Cecilia’s hurt face flashed into Issy’s mind. Maybe Sophy does have a point, a little voice at the back of her mind said.

  Issy slammed it away. Just skate, she told herself. She zoomed about the ice, faster and faster. She’d do the double axel again. Ready … and … now!

  Issy flung herself wildly into the air, spinning like a top. Once … twice
… another half a rotation …

  As she landed, Issy’s feet shot out from under her. Before she could scream, she hit the ice … and then the world went black.

  Chapter Four

  Off the Ice

  When Issy woke up, she was lying in a clean white bed in a large room with lots of other beds in it.

  ‘Hello, my dear,’ said an ice sylph with short grey hair and a kind, no-nonsense manner. She was the school’s Matron. She poured Issy a glass of water. ‘I’m glad to see you awake. That was a nasty fall you took!’

  ‘I … I fell?’ mumbled Issy. Then it all came back to her. Touching her head, she winced. It really hurt!

  ‘You’ve got concussion,’ explained Matron. ‘The doctor says you’ll be right as snow in a day or two. But for now, I’m afraid you’re stuck in here. Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to practise for the competition once you’re better,’ she added. ‘I know that’s all you girls think about.’

  The competition! Somehow Issy had forgotten all about it. Yes, of course, she thought dazedly. She needed to practise.

  ‘Would you like to see Sophy?’ Matron asked with a smile. ‘She’s been waiting outside for hours.’

  Sophy! Issy tried to sit up as their row came back to her. Ouch! Her head throbbed and she fell back against the pillows. ‘Yes, please,’ she said faintly.

  Matron went off and a few minutes later Sophy came rushing in. ‘Oh, Issy!’ she cried, dropping into a chair beside Issy’s bed. ‘Are you OK? I’ve been so worried.’

  Issy nodded. ‘It’s just concussion, Matron says. I’ll be OK in a day or two.’

  Sophy grinned in relief. ‘That means you’ll still be able to be in the competition.’

  Issy pictured the double axel at the end of her routine. She swallowed. ‘Yeah, isn’t that great?’ she said weakly.

  ‘And Is, I’m so sorry about our row,’ Sophy went on quickly. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything about Jo.’

  ‘That’s OK,’ said Issy awkwardly. ‘You were right. Jo does get at people too much sometimes. I shouldn’t have stormed off like that.’

  Sophy looked uncomfortable. ‘You only did because she’s your friend and I was being horrid about her. I don’t blame you.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I – I suppose I’m sort of jealous.’

  Issy stared at her in surprise. ‘Jealous? What for?’

  Sophy gave an embarrassed shrug. ‘Well, you do have a lot in common with Jo, and – and the two of you are in the same dorm together, and –’

  ‘Sophy, don’t be daft!’ cried Issy. ‘I’ve got much more in common with you! No one else understands at all about how cool this land is.’

  Sophy bit her lip, looking as if she wanted to believe Issy. ‘Really?’ she said.

  ‘Really,’ Issy assured her. ‘You’re my best friend, Sophy. Nothing can change that.’

  Sophy’s face cleared. ‘Sorry,’ she said sheepishly. ‘I was being really stupid, wasn’t I?’

  ‘Yes!’ said Issy firmly and they both laughed.

  ‘Oh, I almost forgot!’ cried Sophy. She opened her bag. ‘I borrowed some books from Madame Longley for you to read, and Cobweb gave me some chocolate for you. And here’s your toothbrush too.’ She put the things on Issy’s bedside table. ‘Is there anything else you’d like?’

  ‘No thanks, this is brilliant,’ said Issy. Sophy was the best friend in the world!

  Matron reappeared, striding briskly across the sick bay. ‘I think that’s probably enough time now, Sophy. Issy needs to rest.’

  Sophy nodded. ‘Bye,’ she said, getting up. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. I guess you’ll be desperate to get on the ice as soon as possible to make up for missing today.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Issy said slowly. She waved as Sophy left. Then her smile faded as she thought again about practising for the competition. Issy realized she didn’t want to. What’s wrong with me? she thought in confusion.

  Troubled, she picked up one of the books Sophy had left and tried to lose herself in the story. But although she stared at the words, all she could think about was the competition. She relived the moment where she had taken off into the air on her double axel, felt herself spinning, losing control …

  No! Issy quickly stared at the book again.

  The next morning the doctor said Issy could leave the sick bay, but that she wasn’t ready to do anything too active yet. Issy felt a rush of relief when she heard that. It is too early to get back on the ice, she told herself. It was a bad fall. He’s right. I need some time to recover.

  Not sure what to do with herself, she wandered down to the rink while the others were having their lesson.

  The three groups had all finished their footwork exercises and were now working on jumps and spins. The ice hummed with activity as the girls whizzed past, hardly noticing Issy as she stood in the shadows on the wrong side of the silver barrier. She shivered slightly as she watched them, feeling strangely shut out from the bright, busy world on the ice.

  Milly picked up speed, her white skates a blur. Suddenly she leapt into a double axel. Issy caught her breath in alarm, not letting it out again until Milly had landed gracefully, gliding away across the ice.

  Issy’s heart thudded wildly. I … I must still be a bit woozy, she thought. Maybe coming down here hadn’t been such a great idea.

  As she started to turn away, there was a hiss of blades nearby. ‘Hey there!’ said Jo cheerfully, pausing at the barrier. ‘You’re out of the sick bay then. How are you?’

  ‘Fine,’ said Issy, trying to smile.

  Jo cocked her head to one side as she regarded her. ‘You look like you need cheering up, Is.’ A gleam came into her light-brown eyes. ‘And guess what? I think I’ve got just the thing!’

  ‘What?’ asked Issy in surprise. She hadn’t really expected Jo to notice that she was feeling down.

  ‘I’m not going to tell you yet,’ said Jo with a grin. ‘But it’s going to be amazing, I promise!’ Madame Li called to Jo then and she skated off, calling over her shoulder, ‘Just wait and see!’

  Chapter Five

  Jo’s Idea

  That night at supper Jo kept raising her eyebrows at Issy, giving her looks that said, We’ve got a secret. Issy felt a tingle of excitement as she remembered Jo’s promise.

  Sophy noticed too. ‘What’s up with you and Jo?’ she whispered.

  ‘I don’t know,’ confessed Issy. ‘She says she’s going to do something to cheer me up, but she won’t say what it is yet.’

  Sophy’s hazel eyes widened. ‘Oh … I hope Jo’s idea of cheering someone up is something you’ll like!’

  Issy giggled. ‘I’m sure she wouldn’t do anything too bad,’ she said.

  Sophy started to say something else, but broke off as Vanessa’s snooty voice rose above the chatter at their end of the table.

  ‘Your twin seems to have found a new best friend, Maisie,’ she said with a smirk. ‘What’s the matter – aren’t you two speaking to each other?’ She nudged Lou, who sniggered.

  Issy looked at Vanessa with dislike. The blonde girl was always stirring and loved it when friends fell out with each other.

  Maisie, who had been talking to Jo, looked up in surprise. ‘What are you on about?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, she and Jessica seem awfully cosy now, don’t they?’ said Vanessa, pointing to the other end of the table. Milly and Jessica – a tall, slim girl who was as graceful on the ice as Milly was – were talking and laughing together.

  Maisie shook her head. ‘So what? We’re just twins – we’re not joined at the hip! We’re allowed to have other friends. And Milly and Jess have loads in common.’

  Vanessa looked flustered. She tossed her head, trying to hide it. ‘Well – I just thought –’

  ‘Don’t think, OK?’ broke in Maisie. ‘You don’t seem to be very good at it!’ Suddenly her eyes sparkled and she broke into song. ‘Act your age, not your shoe size!’ she warbled at Vanessa.

  The girls around them all burst
into laughter. ‘Very mature!’ sniffed Vanessa, turning away.

  To Issy’s relief, Sophy didn’t say anything else about Jo after that. Instead the two girls talked about the baby ice dragons in the woods, and whether they might be trying to fly yet. But, as Jo gave her a secret wink, Issy felt a nervous excitement flutter through her.

  What was Jo up to?

  On Friday Issy was allowed back on to the ice. She changed out of her slipper-boots in the changing room, fiddling for a long time with her skates.

  ‘Aren’t you coming?’ asked Sophy, waiting for her.

  Issy forced a smile. ‘Yep, I’m just coming now.’ Her heart was thumping as she and Sophy went to the rink together. What’s wrong with me? she thought in confusion. Why aren’t I looking forward to skating?

  ‘It’s lovely to have you back, Issy,’ said Madame Letsworth with a warm smile as the other girls in the advanced group grinned at her. ‘We’re just about to practise our footwork exercises.’

  For a change, Issy was glad to spend time on her footwork. The familiar exercises seemed comforting somehow. She felt herself begin to relax. But then it was time to work on their jumps. Madame Letsworth told Issy, Maisie and Jessica to practise their competition routines on their own for a bit, while she helped Milly work on her triple toe loop.

  Issy hesitated and then slowly started to skate. I can do it, she thought. I’m just a bit out of practice after a few days off, that’s all. Taking a deep breath, she picked up speed. She managed the double toe loop fine. OK, she thought, taking another deep breath. I can do this.

  Her first double axel was coming up. Getting ready, Issy leant on the forward outside edge of her right foot. Suddenly she remembered the terrifying sensation of her feet shooting out from under her. Her heart started pounding and she slowed back down, her feet still firmly on the ice.

  She tried a second time, skating even faster. But it happened again. When Issy got to the point where she was supposed to jump, the fall flashed through her mind and she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.