Magic Puppy: Classroom Princess Read online

  Kelsey bit her lip, feeling her colour rise. How could she change her dad's mind? He just had to let Storm live with them. Storm was in danger and only she could keep him safe.

  ‘Please, Dad,’ she rushed on. ‘I promise that I'll look after him. He can sleep in my room and I'll buy his food from my pocket money and everything.’

  Mr Fisher looked surprised. ‘Well, I haven't seen you this passionate about something for a long while! You're usually such a quiet little mouse. Is this really important to you?’

  ‘D-Definitely,’ Kelsey gulped.

  ‘Storm looks like a little King Charles spaniel,’ Jo commented. She turned to Kelsey's dad. ‘Maybe it would be a good idea for Kelsey to look after him, at least until an owner turns up. Being responsible for a pet can do a lot for a person's self-confidence,’ she said.

  Mr Fisher wavered. ‘That's true,’ he said, looking at Kelsey thoughtfully.

  Kelsey didn't even mind that they were talking about her as if she wasn't standing right there. ‘So, can I keep him then, Dad?’ she asked, crossing her fingers and all her toes. ‘Storm can sleep in my bedroom and –’

  ‘That's not fair! Storm should live at our house sometimes if we're going to share him,’ Louise grumbled.

  ‘Yeah. He's going to be our dog too, isn't he? I'm going to get him a collar and a dog chew from the pet shop,’ Anna cried.

  ‘But he's not your…’ Kelsey's shoulders sagged and her voice tailed away. The twins were impossible when they were in full-on bossy mode. She wished she could just point the TV remote at them and press the Pause button.

  Jo stepped forward. ‘Hold your horses, you two!’ she snapped at the twins. ‘Who said anything about puppy-sharing? Storm belongs to Kelsey. She found him in her garden. So he's her responsibility. I'm sure she'll ask us for help if she needs it. Isn't that right, Kelsey?’

  Kelsey nodded.

  ‘Aw, Mum!’ the twins complained.

  ‘That's enough! I'm not going to argue with you,’ Jo said in a warning tone.

  The twins got the message.

  Kelsey was too amazed to speak. She had never expected Jo to be on her side.

  Her dad smiled in his usual easy-going way. ‘Well, it looks as if that's settled. You can keep Storm, Kelsey. But if an owner turns up, there'll be no arguments. Understood?’

  Kelsey nodded happily. She knew that no one was going to come and claim this particular puppy! ‘Thanks, Dad. I'm just going to take Storm upstairs to make him a bed and then I'll go to the shops to buy him some food.’ She beamed gratefully at Jo on her way out. ‘Um…Thanks,’ she said quietly.

  Jo smiled back, her blue eyes twinkling. She squeezed Kelsey's shoulder gently. ‘You're welcome!’

  Halfway up the stairs, Kelsey paused with Storm in her arms, half expecting Anna and Louise to come haring after her and insist on ‘helping’ her with Storm. But no one followed her. It actually seemed quiet and calm downstairs.

  In her bedroom, Kelsey kissed the top of Storm's fluffy little head and then placed him on her bed, where he turned round in circles before making himself comfortable.

  ‘I like it here. This is a safe place,’ Storm yawned.

  Kelsey smiled at him. She felt a warm glow of happiness as she realized that she now had a special magical friend – a secret just for herself.

  *

  ‘Are you going to be OK while I'm at school today?’ Kelsey asked Storm after breakfast on Monday morning.

  Storm was curled up on her lap under the table. ‘I will come with you. I like school,’ he woofed.

  Kelsey looked down at him in amazement. Storm knew about school! He was full of surprises.

  ‘Well, OK, then,’ she said, still not quite sure about having a puppy in her class all day, ‘but I'll have to hide you inside my school bag, in case Miss Armitage notices you. She's my class teacher.’

  Storm's big midnight-blue eyes looked at her with eagerness. ‘Do not worry. I will use my magic so that only you can see and hear me.’

  ‘You can make yourself invisible? Cool! There's no problem, then!’ Kelsey said delightedly. ‘Maybe you should do it now in case Dad sees you leaving with me.’

  Kelsey felt a slight tingling sensation down her spine. Little gold sparks bloomed in Storm's silky brown-and-white fur and then faded immediately.

  ‘It is done,’ Storm woofed.

  Chapter

  FOUR

  Kelsey walked to school with Storm trotting along invisibly beside her. She still expected someone to notice her new puppy and ask about him. But when no one did, she slowly began to relax, smiling at the thought of her very special secret.

  As Kelsey and Storm walked through the school gates, Kelsey spotted Anna and Louise. The twins were in the year above her and were standing chatting with a group of older girls.

  ‘Hiya, Kelsey,’ Anna shouted, waving eagerly.

  ‘Hey! How's that mega-gorgeous little puppy?’ boomed Louise.

  Kelsey hid a smile as she thought how amazed they would be if they knew that Storm was right under their noses, but of course they couldn't see him! ‘Storm's fine, thanks,’ she answered.

  ‘We're coming over to your house with Mum after school tomorrow. And Louise and me are going to take Storm for a walk just to help you out,’ Anna said enthusiastically.

  ‘That's OK. I'm doing fine with him, thanks,’ Kelsey said, determined not to let the twins take up all of Storm's time.

  Anna didn't reply and Kelsey was surprised to see that she actually looked crestfallen at this.

  ‘Haven't you ever heard that sharing is caring?’ one of the girls from the twins’

  group called out. Kelsey's heart began thumping as the whole group of older girls all turned to look at her.

  Kelsey ignored them and luckily the next moment the bell went and she turned quickly towards the safety of her classroom.

  Surprised by Kelsey's sudden movement, Storm scampered forward, almost tripping her up. Kelsey did a hasty sidestep, to avoid treading on the little puppy and barged straight into a boy from her class.

  ‘Oof!’ It was Ross Kirk, a fairly new boy who had only lived in Long Morton for a few months. There was a thud as the pile of books Ross was carrying crashed to the ground.

  The twins and their friends all giggled. Kelsey went hot. She hated how she blushed all the time.

  ‘Watch out!’ Ross said crossly, going redder than Kelsey. Even his ears glowed.

  ‘Sorry, Ross,’ Kelsey murmured. She bent down to pick up one of the books, but some loose pages fluttered out and were whipped across the playground by a stiff breeze. ‘I'll get them!’ she called.

  As Kelsey ran about chasing pages, Storm scampered around helpfully snapping pages out of the air and jumping on others, so that Kelsey could gather them all up.

  ‘Thanks, Storm,’ Kelsey whispered as she returned with the book to Ross. ‘Um… sorry. Some of the pages got a bit messed up.’

  ‘I can see that!’ Ross complained, looking confused at what Kelsey realized were puppy teethmarks! ‘This is a school library book. You know how Miss Armitage's always going on about how we're supposed to look after them. I'll probably get double detention.’

  Kelsey felt really bad for him. She wanted to help, but didn't know what she could do.

  But Storm did. He jumped up, pawing at her skirt to get her attention. ‘Ask Ross to give the book to you!’ he woofed.

  Kelsey wasn't sure what Storm was planning, but she already trusted him. She didn't hesitate. ‘Give me the book, Ross. I'll… um… try and fix it.’

  Ross frowned suspiciously, but he handed it over. ‘OK, then. But if Miss Armitage asks me where it is, I'm telling her you've got it. I'm not doing detention for you as well as me!’ Thrusting his hands into his

  pockets, he went into school.

  All the other kids had gone inside now, including Anna, Louise and their friends. Kelsey stood in the empty playground with Storm.

  ‘Crikey! Ross's moody, isn't he
? Anyone would think I dropped his book on purpose,’ she said, looking down at Storm. ‘Why did you want him to give it to me anyway?’

  Storm's little muzzle creased in a mysterious smile and Kelsey felt another warm prickling sensation flow down her spine. But it was much stronger this time.

  Glittering sparks glowed in Storm's brown-and-white fur and his little floppy ears crackled with electricity. Lifting a front paw, he sent a glittering jet of sparks whooshing towards the battered library book in Kelsey's hands.

  She watched in complete amazement as the book fanned open by itself. A swarm of sparkles like tiny fireflies whizzed between the pages. They busily rubbed out muddy marks, smoothed out creases and teethmarks and stuck all the loose pages back in place.

  In no time at all, the book was as good as new. Then it closed with a loud snap! and Kelsey saw that every last golden spark had faded from Storm's silky fur.

  ‘That's fantastic. It's as good as new. Thanks, Storm!’

  ‘You are welcome,’ he woofed.

  Kelsey grinned at him, wondering what else her marvellous little friend could do.

  Storm sat on Kelsey's lap while Miss Armitage took the register, but he soon jumped down and went exploring.

  Kelsey smiled as she saw him snuffling around the school bag of one of her classmates. She thought that he could probably smell the girl's pet dog or cat.

  ‘Now, class. Pay attention,’ Miss Armitage said. She had lovely curly dark-red hair, which she wore in a pony tail. ‘As you know we've been looking at festivals, such as Diwali, Easter and Rosh Hashanah this term. And this weekend we'll be celebrating our local Wassail night festival here in Long Morton. Now, I've got some very exciting news for you. This year's Wassail Apple Prince and Princess will be chosen from this class.’

  Some of the class started cheering and clapping.

  ‘Yay! I hope it's me, Miss!’ said Mandy, a girl with long dark hair and olive skin.

  Kelsey hoped it would be Mandy too. She didn't fancy wearing a crown and cloak and leading the procession through the old orchard in front of hundreds of people.

  From the corner of her eye, Kelsey noticed Storm ambling back towards her. He jumped on to her lap and then climbed up on to her desk. As he sat down, his silky tail swept against her pencil case and she just caught it before it was knocked to the floor.

  Kelsey gasped inwardly, but luckily everyone was listening to the teacher and no one noticed.

  ‘I am sorry,’ Storm yapped.

  ‘Doesn't matter. No one saw. Did you have a good mooch about?’ Kelsey whispered, smiling.

  Storm nodded. ‘Yes.There are lots of exciting smells in here,’ he panted happily, his pink tongue hanging out.

  ‘Pay attention, please, Kelsey. Who can tell me what wassail means?’ Miss Armitage's voice rang out.

  ‘Good health,’ a boy called Simon cried.

  ‘Simon's right. It's from the Anglo-Saxon “wes hal”. Does anyone know how long the wassail tradition goes back?’ Miss Armitage looked pointedly at Kelsey.

  Kelsey pretended that she hadn't noticed and slipped down in her seat.

  ‘Kelsey, do sit up straight!’ the teacher said briskly. ‘Answer the question, now. Speak up, dear.’

  ‘Um… does it go back hundreds of years?’ Kelsey guessed, willing herself not to blush.

  Miss Armitage nodded her approval. ‘Kelsey's right. Although no one knows for sure. Wassail was probably invented by farmers who were tired and worn out after the Christmas merrymaking. They knew they had hard winter work to look forward to and they needed something to pick them up.’

  ‘My gran has a pick-me-up every night in her cocoa,’ Simon said cheekily.

  Miss Armitage gave him one of her looks. A lot of kids laughed.

  Despite herself, Kelsey couldn't help smiling. She noticed that Ross wasn't laughing. He sat by himself, looking pale and tense.

  ‘Get your workbooks out, please. You can start on your designs for musical instruments and lanterns,’ Miss Armitage said.

  Kelsey began working on a drawing for her lantern. While everyone was occupied, the teacher scribbled down everyone's name from the register on scraps of paper and put them into a small bag.

  Kelsey looked up from her drawing for a moment and saw that Ross still wore the same tense expression. He hadn't drawn very much, either. ‘I wonder if he's still worried about getting into trouble because of his library book,’ she whispered to Storm.

  She didn't think she could risk nipping across to Ross's desk with the book. Miss Armitage was bound to notice and ask awkward questions. She'd have to give it to him later.

  Storm craned his little neck to look at Ross. ‘He seems like a very quiet boy.’

  Kelsey nodded. ‘He never speaks to many people in class and I don't think he's made many friends. He must be quite lonely.’

  Storm's furry little brow wrinkled in a frown.

  Kelsey had just turned back to the lantern design when she suddenly felt a familiar warm tingling sensation down her backbone. She gave a small gasp as bright gold sparks ignited in Storm's brown-and-white fur and his floppy little ears fizzed with magical power.

  What was happening?

  A big streak of golden glitter shot straight at Ross. It bounced off him at a sharp angle and whizzed towards Miss Armitage. Some of the glitter flowed into the small bag she was holding and then

  shot back towards Kelsey. The golden sparkles swirled around Kelsey for a few seconds and then disappeared, just like that, leaving her with a very suspicious feeling.

  Chapter

  FIVE

  ‘Storm? What did you just do?’ Kelsey asked in an urgent whisper. She looked round the classroom, but everything looked just as it always did.

  ‘I have found a way to make sure that Ross makes lots of friends!’ Storm woofed, looking pleased with himself.

  ‘Well, that's really sweet,’ Kelsey said carefully. ‘But how are you going to do that?’

  ‘You will see.’ Storm's eyes glinted mysteriously. Lifting a little back leg, he began daintily nibbling his toes.

  Kelsey blinked. Storm was obviously up to something. What could it be?

  ‘Can everyone stop whatever they're doing? I'm about to draw the names,’ Miss Armitage called out. Once everyone had settled down, she shook the bag and then took out two slips of paper and unfolded them. ‘This year's Apple Prince and Princess will be…’ she said, pausing for effect, ‘Ross Kirk and Kelsey Fisher!’

  ‘Yay! Three cheers for Ross and Kelsey. Hip, hip…’

  As everyone began cheering, Kelsey sat there in stunned silence. ‘Oh no,’ she whispered to Storm. ‘I can't do this!’ She felt herself going hot and cold at the thought of having to lead the Wassail procession.

  Ross was staring across at her with his mouth open. He looked as if he wished the floor would open up and swallow him.

  Storm gave Kelsey an encouraging grin that showed his sharp little teeth. ‘But it is good. Everyone will want to talk to you and Ross. You can help him not to feel so shy and he will make many friends!’ he yapped.

  Kelsey couldn't answer Storm with the whole class looking at her. She didn't get a chance to speak to him until break. ‘Storm!’ she scolded, once they were by themselves. ‘I don't want to be Apple Princess. You'll have to use your magic to make Miss Armitage choose someone else!’

  The tiny puppy's ears drooped. ‘I am afraid I cannot do that. The decision has already been announced.’

  Kelsey sighed deeply. ‘Oh, that's just great! Thanks for nothing!’

  Storm tucked his tail between his legs and rolled his big dewy eyes. ‘You are angry with me. I will leave if you want me to,’ he whimpered.

  ‘Oh no, please don't do that!’ Kelsey burst out hurriedly. She had been so concerned about how she felt that she'd forgotten about Storm's feelings. She pretended to bend down and fiddle with her shoe so that she could stroke him.

  ‘I'm sorry. I'm not really cross. I never want you to leave!
’ she declared. It was true, she thought. Storm hadn't been her friend for long, but she couldn't imagine life without him now.

  Storm perked up again. Wagging his tail, he wriggled his body and licked her hand.

  Kelsey smiled. ‘I'll just have to put up with being the Apple Princess, won't I? It might not be so bad if I have you with me.’ She fought down the sinking feeling in her tummy.

  ‘I will help you!’ Storm yapped eagerly.

  ‘Thanks. But ask me first next time,

  OK?’ Kelsey said.

  Storm nodded and raised one front paw. ‘That means, I promise!’

  Kelsey smiled at his cheeky little face. ‘Let's go and find Ross and give him his book back.’

  When Kelsey handed the book to Ross, he just gaped at her.

  ‘It's all mended. How did…’

  ‘I'm just naturally brilliant at fixing things!’ she joked. At least, Storm is, she thought, imagining Ross's face if he knew the truth. ‘So no one's getting double detention!’

  Kelsey and Storm had just turned into her street after school the following day. She saw the car parked outside her house and remembered that Jo and the twins were coming round.

  As she walked into the front garden, the house door opened and Anna and Louise came bouncing out. ‘Hiya, Kelsey!’ they chorused.

  ‘Hi,’ Kelsey greeted them.

  ‘Me and Louise were going to take Storm for a walk before you got back from school,’ Anna said.

  ‘We looked everywhere for him, even in your bedroom, but we can't find him,’ Louise put in. ‘Your dad reckons he might have run away again.’

  Kelsey felt a stir of frustration. It didn't seem to occur to the twins that she might not like them poking around in her room.

  ‘Storm's… er… got a secret hiding place he goes to when I'm at school,’ Kelsey stammered. ‘You two stay here. I'll go and find him.’

  She went upstairs and changed out of her school clothes and then came back down to the sitting room with Storm trotting beside her.