A Splash of Forever Read online

  To Pixie and Fonzie—crazy tabby clowns

  GROSSET & DUNLAP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

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  Text copyright © 2008, 2014 Sue Bentley. Illustrations copyright © 2008 Angela Swan. Cover illustration copyright © 2008 Andrew Farley. All rights reserved. First printed in Great Britain in 2008 by Penguin Books Ltd. First published in the United States in 2014 by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

  ISBN 978-0-698-17177-0

  Version_1

  Contents

  Dedication

  Copyright

  Title Page

  Prologue

  Chapter ONE

  Chapter TWO

  Chapter THREE

  Chapter FOUr

  Chapter FIVE

  Chapter SIX

  Chapter SEVEN

  Chapter EIGHT

  About the Author

  Prologue

  As a terrifying roar sounded, there was a bright flash and a dazzling shower of sparks. Where the young white lion had been, there now stood a tiny, fluffy gray-and-white kitten with bright emerald eyes.

  Flame trembled, hoping that his kitten disguise would protect him from his uncle. Keeping his belly low to the ground, he crept into the entrance of a nearby cave and hid behind a large rock.

  Outside Flame could hear heavy paws thudding over the stony ground. A dark shadow with a thick mane appeared at the mouth of the cave.

  “Ebony!” Flame gasped, pressing his tiny body more tightly against the sheltering rock.

  The adult lion sniffed the air and gave a low growl as it entered the cave. Flame stiffened. This was it! He was going to be found and dragged outside.

  Suddenly a huge paw, as big as Flame was now, reached around the rock and scooped out the kitten.

  “Prince Flame, I am glad to see you again, but it is not safe for you to be here,” the adult lion rumbled.

  “Cirrus!” Flame mewed with relief. “I thought my uncle had found me!”

  Cirrus’s gray muzzle crinkled in a fond smile as he encircled the kitten with his powerful paws. “While I live I will protect you, but Ebony will never stop looking for you. He wants to keep ruling in your place.”

  Flame’s emerald eyes flashed with anger. “Perhaps it is time for me to face him and take back the Lion Throne!”

  “Bravely said,” Cirrus growled softly, his tired eyes narrowing with pride. “Use this disguise and go back to hide in the other world. Return when you are strong and wise and then save the land from your uncle’s evil rule.”

  Before Flame could reply, a thunderous roar split the air. There came the sound of mighty paws on rock, and the ground shook as a heavy animal jumped to the ground outside the cave.

  “Ebony is very close. Go, Flame. Save yourself!” Cirrus urged.

  Bright silver sparks ignited in the tiny, fluffy gray-and-white kitten’s fur. Flame whined softly as he felt the power building inside him. He felt himself falling. Falling …

  Chapter

  ONE

  As Alice Forester listened to her teacher, she felt her heart sinking.

  “Now that the new pool’s ready for use, we’ll be starting swimming lessons tomorrow. So don’t forget your bathing suits!” Ms. Ritson said. She had a bright, smiling face and very straight brown hair that she wore tied back.

  “Oh, that’s just what I need—not!” Alice grumbled. She had only just moved to this school and had been really pleased to find that she wasn’t going to be having swimming lessons.

  Her tummy had gone all squirmy at the thought of the pool of blue chlorine-scented water. It’s all right for the other kids, she thought. No one’s going bully them for being better than everyone else at swimming.

  “Yay! I can’t wait to get in the new pool. We can do mega cannonballs and have shoulder-stand fights in the shallow end!” shouted Tim Wagnall.

  “Now, Tim. You know very well that kind of dangerous behavior isn’t allowed,” Ms. Ritson said, giving him one of her looks.

  “Too bad!” Tim said cheerfully.

  Everyone laughed, and even Alice found herself grinning. Tim was always messing around and playing tricks. He could be annoying sometimes, but he was really funny.

  “And I’ve got even more exciting news,” Ms. Ritson went on. “We’re having a grand reopening ceremony for the new pool, and as part of that there’s going to be a swim meet. Everyone’s going to take part!” She smiled brightly at the class. “I can see a few of you looking a bit concerned, but don’t worry. There’s a new after-school swimming club on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I’ll be coaching, and I’d like you all to try to come to a couple of sessions.”

  Some of the kids cheered. Tim stood up and ran around wind-milling his arms as if he was doing freestyle swimming, which made everyone laugh again.

  Everyone except for Alice. She felt as if her grin had frozen on her face. This was her worst nightmare coming true.

  Ms. Ritson clapped her hands for silence. “Calm down, everyone. I’d like you to take out your books and start work please.” As the class settled down, she came over to Alice’s desk. “Are you feeling okay, Alice? I noticed that you looked a little anxious when I was making the announcements.”

  “I’m not, ma’am,” Alice said. “It’s because … I’m … um, not allowed to go swimming. I’ve got this … um, really thin blood. It’s awful. The minute I get in the water my legs go all white and shaky, like cooked spaghetti, and my lips go blue and swell up like great big slimy slugs.”

  Ms. Ritson frowned. “That sounds alarming. I assume we have a doctor’s letter about that or a note from your mom, excusing you from swimming? I’ll check the school records.”

  Alice gulped. “I haven’t exactly been to the doctor. And Mom did write a note, but I lost it when … um, a dog grabbed it and ran away with it on the way to school.”

  “Is that right?” Ms. Ritson said, looking skeptical.

  “Yes,” Alice carried on desperately. “And I probably can’t come to after-school club, either. I have to pick up my brother after school and keep an eye on him. Mom’s a single parent and she babysits Esme and Luke during the week, so …”

  Ms. Ritson smiled patiently. “I’m fully aware of your home situation, Alice. Swimming club will be open until eight tonight. I’m certain that if you explain to your mom how important this is, she’ll make sure you can fit in an hour’s practice here and there.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Alice mumbled glumly as the teacher moved away.

  She sighed, wishing that her best friend from her old school, Holly, was still here. She would understand.

  Alice felt her eyes prick with tears, but swallowed hard and began outlining a swirling Celtic design in black marker.

  Tim Wagnall sauntered past her desk. Reaching back with one hand, he flipped Alice’s workbook onto the floor.

  “Oh!” Alice’s black marker had skidded across the diagram, ruin
ing all her careful work. “You idiot! I’ll have to do it all again now!” she said angrily.

  “Tough!” Tim snickered.

  As Alice bent down to pick up the book, Tim kicked it farther under her desk. Alice had to get down on her hands and knees to reach for it.

  Tim was still standing there with a silly grin on his face when she sat down again. “Buzz off,” she said irritably.

  Tim rolled his eyes before walking away. “Huh! Some people can’t take a joke.”

  “Yeah? Well, you’re about as funny as catching the plague!” Alice muttered under her breath.

  A minute later, a rubber band pinged Alice’s arm. When she looked over at Tim, he was innocently looking out the window.

  When the bell rang at the end of school, Alice headed for the path that led to her brother Ben’s classroom. The school’s garden filled the square space between the two school buildings. Still worrying about the swim meet, Alice wandered through the peaceful garden past some rows of tall green beans.

  Just as she reached a bench in the garden, there was a bright flash and a big spurt of silver sparks.

  “Oh!” Alice blinked, blinded for a moment.

  She looked over her shoulder to see if Tim Wagnall was lurking nearby—it would be just like him to follow her and set off a firecracker as a prank. But there was no one else around.

  When Alice turned back to the bench, she saw a tiny kitten with gray-and-white fur, a cute pink nose, and emerald eyes. Hundreds of tiny sparkles, like miniature fireflies, gleamed in its fluffy coat.

  Alice frowned. She was sure that she hadn’t seen a kitten there a minute ago.

  “Where did you just come from?” she murmured wonderingly.

  The kitten stood up and arched its tiny back. “I have come from far away. Can you help me?” it mewed.

  Chapter

  TWO

  Alice stared down at the kitten in surprise. She must be hearing things. She was sure there was no one else in the garden who could be playing a prank on her.

  Alice reached for the kitten to pick it up. It’s just a normal kitten—probably a stray, she told herself. Its gray-and-white fur was warm, and it was as soft as goose down. She felt a tiny, fast heartbeat ticking against her fingers.

  “Please, can you help me?”

  Alice’s eyes widened with shock at the little voice. She put down the kitten hastily but gently and took a step back. “H-how c-come you can talk?” she stammered.

  The kitten pricked its tiny ears. “In my world all the big cats can talk. My name is Prince Flame. What is yours?” it mewed again.

  Alice gulped. Talking cats did not just appear to ordinary schoolgirls in gardens! But this kitten had, and it was blinking up at her expectantly, waiting for her answer.

  “I’m A-Alice Forester,” she found herself replying.

  “Alice, I am honored to meet you,” the kitten purred. “Where is this place?” Despite Flame’s tiny size, Alice thought that he seemed strangely unafraid of her.

  “Meldway School. In Northampton,” she replied. “That’s my classroom behind us.” She felt confused. “Did … did you just say that you’re Prince Flame?”

  The kitten lifted its head and its bright emerald eyes gleamed with pride. “Yes. I am heir to the Lion Throne. But my uncle Ebony has stolen it from me and rules in my place.”

  Alice was still having trouble taking everything in. “No offense, but you seem a bit small to be the ruler of anywhere,” she said.

  Flame drew himself up indignantly. “Stand back, please.”

  As Alice stepped backward, Flame jumped down from the bench. There was another bright flash and a big whoosh of silver sparks that crackled as they hit the grass.

  “Oh!” Alice was blinded for a moment.

  When her sight cleared, she saw that in the tiny kitten’s place stood a regal young white lion. Its thick velvety coat looked as if it had been sewn from thousands of twinkling stars. Then just as suddenly as the majestic lion had appeared, Flame returned as the fluffy gray-and-white kitten with a cute pink nose.

  “Flame? Was that you?” Alice gasped. “You really are a lion prince!”

  Flame nodded, and she could see that his tiny kitten body was starting to tremble. “I am in danger from my uncle’s spies. If they find me, they will kill me. Will you keep me safe?”

  Alice felt her heart go out to him. As a young white lion, Flame was awesome. Disguised as this cute fluffy kitten, he was adorable. “Oh, of course I will. You can come and live with me.”

  More confidently this time, she picked him up and gently stroked the top of his head. Flame began purring and rubbing his head against her arm.

  “Hey! I thought you were supposed to be picking me up!” called an annoyed voice.

  Alice looked around to see a six-year-old blond boy running toward her. It was Ben. Her brother got his blue eyes and floppy fair hair from their mom. Their dad had had brown eyes and springy dark hair; Alice took after him.

  “What are you doing over here?” Ben asked. Then he saw Flame. “Cool! Where did you get that kitten?”

  “I was on my way over to meet you when I found him. He’s called Flame. And he can ta—” Alice began, but suddenly Flame reached up and tapped her cheek with one tiny front paw.

  “Meow-ow-ow!” he said loudly, looking up at her with pleading emerald eyes and shaking his head.

  Alice looked down at Flame, confused, before suddenly realizing that he didn’t want her to tell Ben about him. She patted him reassuringly, letting him know that she understood.

  Ben looked at Flame with puzzled blue eyes. “Why’s it making that noise? Can I stroke it? Are we going to take it home?”

  “Him, not it. And he’s got a name,” Alice corrected. “Yes, we’re taking Flame home. He can live in my bedroom,” she said, but then she remembered their mom’s strict rules about not having pets. “Listen to me, Ben,” she said, kneeling down to look him in the eyes. “This is really important: We’re not going to tell Mom about Flame, okay?”

  “Great. Flame’s really cute, isn’t he? We can share him,” Ben said, not really paying attention.

  “Ben! If Mom finds out about Flame, she’ll make us take him to the animal shelter. Do you understand that?” Alice said seriously.

  “Of course I do!” Ben said. “I won’t tell anyone about him. Cross my heart and hope to die!”

  “Okay then. And you have to do what I tell you to with Flame. No grabbing him and taking him out to play in the garden or dashing around to your friend’s house with him, without asking me first.”

  “I don’t see why you’re in charge!” Ben said, sticking out his bottom lip.

  “It’s because I found Flame, and anyway, I’m older than you,” Alice said. “Deal?”

  Ben kicked at some grass with the toe of his sneaker. He nodded. “Deal.”

  Alice gave a relieved sigh. “Right. Let’s go home.” She opened her shoulder bag, so Flame could jump inside. “There you are. Nice and safe,” she whispered as he settled in. As she and Ben started for home, Alice put her hand inside her bag and stroked Flame. He was curled up beside her pink velvet pencil case. She smiled as she felt him purring contentedly, but she wished that Ben didn’t know about him.

  There was nothing she could do about it now. She really hoped that Ben would remember his promise not to tell anyone about Flame—especially their mom.

  “Hi, Mom—we’re home!” Alice called as she and Ben came into the house.

  “Hi, Mom. Later!” shouted Ben, clomping straight up the stairs.

  “Hello, you two!” Mrs. Forester’s voice floated out of the kitchen.

  Alice popped her head around the door. Her mom was cooking supper. Esme and Luke sat in their high chairs, picking at little piles of carrot, apple, and grated cheese.

  “How are the terrible twins?” Alice said, bending down to give them each a kiss on the cheek. “Have you been good for my mom today? Have you?”

  The
twins gave her gummy grins. Esme held up a tiny bit of carrot between her finger and thumb. “Ally want?”

  “Mmm. Yum, yum. Delicious,” Alice said, nibbling at the chubby fingers and pretending to eat.

  As Esme squealed with delight, Mrs. Forester smiled and tucked a strand of her curly fair hair behind her ears.

  “It feels like it’s been a long day,” she said with a sigh. “How was school?”

  “Okay. Nothing special,” Alice said vaguely, deciding not to mention anything about the dreaded swimming lessons, the after-school swimming club, or the meet. Somehow all that seemed a lot less important than finding Flame.

  “I’m just going upstairs to get changed, Mom. I’ll only be a minute,” she said as she went into the hall. She looked inside her bag as she went upstairs. “I’ll make you a cozy bed on my comforter, Flame.”

  “Thank you, Alice,” Flame mewed softly. “I am feeling tired after my long journey.”

  Ben followed Alice into her bedroom. “Get Flame out. I want to play with him,” he cried eagerly.

  “Shhh! Mom will hear you,” Alice whispered. “Not now. Let Flame settle in first. He said that he’s … I mean, he’s probably tired,” she corrected herself hastily. “Kittens need lots of sleep, you know.”

  “But I want to play with him now,” Ben protested.

  “Well, you can’t. Maybe later,” Alice said firmly.

  “He’s my kitten, too. Not just yours!” Ben snapped.

  Alice made herself answer calmly. “Of course he is. Why don’t you come with me to buy Flame some food later?”

  Ben brightened. “Okay then. Can I choose what kind to get him?”

  Alice nodded.

  Ben went toward the door. “I’m going to ask Mom if I can go to Dean’s house to play now.”

  “Don’t say a word to him about Flame,” Alice cautioned. “Dean’s mom talks to our mom.”

  “I’m not stupid!” Ben scoffed, leaving her room.

  Alice heard him go into the bathroom and close the door. A minute later, the toilet flushed and she heard the faucet being turned on. Then Ben came out and went downstairs.

  Alice sat on her bed beside Flame, who was fluffing the comforter with his tiny gray-and-white front paws. “Ben’s already being a pain about you living here. But at least he thinks you’re just a normal kitten.”