Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT After supper, there was a knock on Diamond dorm's door. It was Isla and Molly from Ruby dorm. "We've made some cakes," said Isla shyly. She opened the lid of a massive cake tin full of spider cupcakes. "And toffee apples," added Molly, holding out a plate. "We thought we'd take them to the stables now. Is that OK?" "Sure, we'll come with you if you like? We can finish off putting up the decorations," said Rosa. They all headed down to the barn. On the way, they stopped at the stables to say hello to their unicorns. All the unicorns trotted out of their stalls to greet their riders– all apart from Honey.

Freya went into her stall. Honey's nostrils fluttered in a whicker but then she seemed to stop herself, turning it into an unhappy snort. "Honey, don't be like this," begged Freya. "Please." She went over and stroked her, but Honey turned away. Freya's heart twisted in her chest. She knew Honey's feelings had been badly hurt. She wanted

to say she was sorry and tell her how much she loved her, but it was so hard to put her feelings into words. She wished she could be more like Matilda and just blurt out whatever she was thinking. Instead, she cleared her throat and picked up Honey's water bucket. "I'll get you some more water," she said. She scrubbed the bucket and refilled it, then put more sky berries in Honey's manger and fluffed up the straw in her bed. "I'll… um, see you tomorrow then," she said, hesitating in the doorway, desperately wanting to say more. Honey gave a small nod. Walking away unhappily, Freya joined the others, who were now decorating. By the time they had finished, the barn looked amazing, covered with fake cobwebs, giant spiders, cut-out ghosts and cauldrons. There were hay bales to sit on, pumpkins set out for leapfrog racing, a load of popping pea pods and a massive pile of apples on one of the straw bales ready to be put in a bucket for apple bobbing. Rosa looked around and gave a happy sigh.

"You know, I really think this is going to be the best party ever!" Freya didn't sleep very well that night. She kept thinking about Honey and how miserable she had looked. She had pictured over and over again the grand moment when she would pull the blanket off the robot, revealing it to Honey in front of everyone. She had imagined Honey's delighted face and a strand of her own blonde hair turning red and gold like Honey's mane as they bonded. She really wanted that, but she didn't think she could bear another day of Honey looking so miserable. Maybe I should just forget about the surprise and tell her what I've been doing, she thought. She tossed and turned and by daybreak had made a decision. She was going to tell Honey what she'd been doing even if it meant ruining their chance to bond. She couldn't carry on making her unhappy. Leaving the others asleep in the dorm, she crept out to the hallway. But as she headed down the staircase, she heard footsteps at the bottom. She froze. It must be a teacher! Moving as

silently as she could, she went back up the stairs, past the dorm and into the secret room. Letting herself into it, her eyes fell on the robot. An idea formed in her mind. Why didn't she take the robot to Honey now? After all, it was Honey's birthday already. There was no reason she had to wait until the party that evening. I'll do it, she thought, feeling a rush of excitement. Tucking the blanket under her arm and getting her torch and some rope from the toolbox, she lifted the robot into the tunnel. "Robot… Forward!" she commanded. The robot started to trundle down the slope at her side, its wheels clattering on the stone. When they reached the chamber under the lake, Freya glanced at the right-hand passageway. Where did it lead to? If the stables were to the left, then the right must lead in the direction of the walled vegetable garden. Curiosity pricked at her, but she shook her head. No, there was no time to explore it. She needed to get to Honey and explain. A noise came from the tunnel behind her.

Freya swung round just as a stone bounced out of it into the chamber. She stiffened. "Is anyone there?" she demanded, stepping forwards bravely. There was no answer. Freya breathed out in relief. The stone must just have been dislodged by the robot's wheels. "Robot… Forward!" she said, turning it towards the passageway that led to the barn. The robot trundled on. It was tricky getting it through the trapdoor at the end but with the rope she managed to heave it into the barn. As she climbed out, an idea formed in her head. Maybe she could reveal the robot to Honey in here and still make it a bit of a surprise? She put the robot in the centre of the barn, covered it with the blanket and headed towards the door, but as she did so there was a flash of violet light from the direction of the tunnel. She swung round. POP! POP! POP! The pea pods that were piled on one of the hay bales started to explode, the peas whizzing through the air like marbles fired from a catapult.