6. Bertram to the Rescue

Bertram to the Rescue "Oh, no!" Ruby gasped. "The goblins must have been really close. Thank goodness they didn't discover the pot." She flew over to the pot with Amber right behind her. They drummed on the ice with their tiny fists. But it was too thick for them to break through. "Should we try, Rachel?" asked Kirsty. "Maybe we could smash the ice with a stick." But Bertram had another idea. "Stand back, please, everyone," he said.

The girls moved to the edge of the clearing. Ruby sat on Kirsty's hand, and Amber flew over to Rachel. They all watched. Suddenly, Bertram took a mighty hop forward. He jumped right at the sheet of ice, kicking out with his webbed feet. But the ice did not break. "Let's try again," he panted. He jumped forward again and hit the ice. This time, there was a loud cracking sound. After one more jump, the ice shattered into little pieces. Some of it fell inside the pot. Rachel and Kirsty rushed over to fish out the pieces of ice before they melted. "There you are," Bertram croaked.

"Thank you, Bertram," Ruby called. She and Amber flew down and hugged the frog. Bertram looked pleased. "Just doing my job, Miss Ruby," he said. "You and Miss Amber must stay very close to the pot from now on. It's dangerous for you to go too far." "We've got to say good-bye to our friends first," Amber told him. She flew into the air and did a backflip, smiling at Rachel and Kirsty. "Thank you a thousand times."

"We'll see you again soon," said Rachel. "When we've found your next Rainbow sister," Kirsty added. "Good luck!" said Ruby. "We'll be waiting here for you. Come on, Amber." She took her sister's hand, and they flew over to the pot. The two fairies turned to wave at the girls. Then they disappeared inside.

"Don't worry," Bertram said. "I'll look after them." "We know you will," Rachel said as she picked up her beach bag. She and Kirsty walked out of the woods. "I'm glad Ruby isn't on her own anymore," said Rachel. "Now she has Amber and Bertram." "I didn't like those goblins," Kirsty said with a shudder. "I hope they don't come back again."

The girls made their way back to the beach. Their parents were packing up their towels. Rachel's dad saw Rachel and Kirsty coming down the path and went to meet them. "You've been gone a long time." He smiled. "We were just coming to look for you." "Are we going home now?" Rachel asked. Mr. Walker nodded. "It's very strange," he said. "It's suddenly turned quite chilly."