Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE "Planning time!" announced Rosa happily, when they all gathered in Diamond Dorm after dinner. Violet longed to stay, but she had to keep her promise to Twinkle. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go to the stables." "Why?" Matilda asked. "Twinkle wants us to spend time together– he thinks it might help us bond," she explained. Her friends nodded. "Then you should go," said Freya. "Definitely," said Matilda. Violet put on her coat and gloves and slipped out of the dorm. It was very cold outside. Her feet crunched on the frosty grass. Glancing up at the

sky, she hoped it wouldn't snow. There was a rustle in some nearby bushes. A shiver ran down her spine. What if the cloaked figure was also out in the garden? Feeling uneasy, she broke into a run and sprinted to the stable block. It was a relief to dive inside. As she stood breathing in the sweet smell of hay and letting her heart slow down, she heard a murmur of voices from Twinkle's stall. Who was he talking to? Violet went closer and listened. "Try not to worry about it," Daffodil was saying in a kindly voice. "You will find your magic soon and bond with Violet, I know it." Violet smiled at Daffodil's words of encouragement. The little unicorn was just like Ms Willow, so kind. "It's hard not to worry," Twinkle admitted. "I don't want to let Violet down, Daffodil." Violet felt a rush of surprise. She hadn't thought Twinkle worried about things like that. "You won't let her down," said Daffodil. "You'll bond soon and then you'll be together forever." Violet caught a note of wistfulness in her voice but Twinkle didn't seem to notice. "I wish I could do something to make it

happen." "This starlight ride is an excellent idea. The more time you spend together the better," said Daffodil. "Have fun. You only get one special partner, Twinkle. Make the most of her." She left his stall and went slowly back to her own. Violet watched her with a frown. Daffodil looked upset. But why? She waited until Daffodil went into her stall and then she stepped out of the shadows, pretending that she'd just arrived. "Hi, Twinkle. What's been happening?" "Nothing much," said Twinkle quickly.

Violet was a little surprised that he didn't mention his talk with Daffodil. "Let's get going," he said. "It's a cold night. It

might even snow!" They left the stable and rode over to the stream at the bottom of the meadow, where they stopped and watched the dark water flowing by. The starlight made the water glitter. In a nearby tree, an owl hooted softly. Twinkle sighed happily. "I love night-time, when the stars are shining," he said. "It makes me feel all tingly. Do you like it too?" "Oh, yes," agreed Violet. It was lovely being there with Twinkle in the starlight, but she could feel the cold seeping into her fingers and toes despite her thick gloves and socks. She also kept thinking about his conversation with Daffodil. Why hadn't he mentioned it? "Twinkle…" "You're shivering!" They had spoken at the same time. "You first," said Violet. "I can feel you're cold," he said, sounding concerned. "Put your hands in my mane to warm up." Violet sunk her hands into Twinkle's long mane and immediately felt warmer, both inside and out. "That's better," she said, gazing up at the sparkling sky.

"Look, a shooting star!" said Twinkle. "Make a wish, Violet!" They both watched the star arching over them. "Do you think we wished the same thing?" Twinkle asked. Violet smiled. "I think we might have done." "Now, what were you going to say?" asked Twinkle. Violet had wanted to ask about Daffodil's visit, but she didn't feel like spoiling the special moment. "It was nothing important. This is so nice– just being here with you. The two of us together." Twinkle stamped a hoof. "It really is, but even I'm getting cold now." A pink spark caught Violet's eye. Had that just flown up from Twinkle's hoof? Hope bubbled inside her as she breathed in a faint scent of burnt sugar– the smell of magic. "Twinkle, did you see that?" "See what?" he asked. Violet hesitated. The spark had vanished now and she didn't want to get his hopes up just in case she'd imagined it. "Nothing. Should we walk on a little way and try to warm up?" "Cantering will do that better than walking!" said Twinkle.