Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO "Phoebe!" Zara was shocked. "You can't go around saying stuff like that without any evidence to back it up." "You really can't," agreed Lily quickly. "Ms Nettles loves the school. She'd never hurt it." "Aha, but maybe she's just pretending to love it," said Phoebe, excitedly. "Remember that a couple of years ago the headteacher before Ms Nettles did all sorts of things to try to harm the academy. Maybe Ms Nettles has turned evil just like her!" "No, no, no!" protested Aisha, looking shocked. "Ms Nettles isn't evil!" Phoebe raised her eyebrows and folded her

arms. "She might be." "Phoebe, it really can't be Ms Nettles," said Zara sensibly. "We know the person responsible for the tornadoes is a man. Remember how we heard him shouting when Feather moved the tornado away from the academy. He said: 'You think you can stop me but you can't.'" "Oh, yes," said Phoebe, her excitement subsiding. "I guess that Ms Nettles might be upset because she's worried about the inspection," said Zara. "If she really was crying this morning like

you say then that may have been why." "We should make sure the inspector thinks the school is perfect!" said Lily. "I don't want Ms Nettles to get into trouble." "Me neither," said Aisha. "Let's talk to the inspector and tell them how brilliant all the teachers are– and what a great headteacher Ms Nettles is." "Definitely!" agreed Zara. They reached the messy barn. A few of the hay bales inside it had burst and there was hay all over the floor. "Oh dear, we'd better get some brooms and start sweeping," said Aisha with a sigh. "This will take ages," grumbled Phoebe. Lily grinned. "Not if we use magic! Wait here, I'll go and get Feather!" Feather's moving magic was very useful when it came to tidying up. Soon the barn was filled with the sweet scent of burnt sugar– the smell of unicorn magic. Pink sparkles were fading in the air, the loose hay was all in one big tidy pile and the other hay bales were piled up neatly. "There!" said Feather happily.

"You're the best!" said Lily, hugging her. The yellow, violet and blue streak in her dark hair merged with Feather's mane. Phoebe felt a flicker of envy. She really hoped she and Shimmer would bond soon. She could just imagine everyone fussing around them and praising them. It would be fantastic! With the barn tidy, Amethyst dorm set out for a ride around the grounds, sticking to the meadow to avoid the cross-country course. They cantered through the wildflowers and then let their unicorns splash in the sparkling stream. As they rode back towards the stable yard they saw a man in a suit getting out of a horse-drawn carriage at the school entrance. He was tall and thin with a severe face. "Who's that?" said Aisha. "I bet it's the inspector!" said Zara. "But Ms Tulip said he wouldn't be here until tomorrow," said Lily. "I know but it's got to be him. Look at the clues. He's carrying a suitcase and a clipboard just like an inspector would, he's wearing a suit which means he's someone who's here on formal

business, and he's arrived in a carriage which only someone official would do," said Zara. "And he's already being nosey," said Phoebe, as the man peered at the fountain in front of the school, frowned, and noted something on his clipboard. "I wonder if Ms Tulip knows he's here already." "We should warn her!" said Zara. They set off at a canter. When they reached the stables and told Ms Tulip about the man, she looked worried. "Oh dear. It does sound like the inspector has arrived early. I hope he doesn't come out here yet. We've not finished tidying." "Don't worry. Feather will help!" said Lily. Feather nodded eagerly. While Feather used her magic to help finish the tidying, the rest of the students quickly groomed their unicorns to make them look smart, and sorted out their stables so the straw beds were clean and fluffy and the haynets full. Ms Tulip gave a sigh of relief as she looked around the gleaming yard. "Well done, everyone, I think we're finally ready. Feather, you deserve a huge bucket of sky berries. Thank you! You must

be tired out after using so much magic." Lily fetched Feather a bucket of the sweet juicy berries that grew behind the school. Sky berries were unicorns' favourite food, and they were full of the vitamins they needed to stay healthy and keep their magic strong. Then, leaving the unicorns to rest, the girls went in for lunch. The students were tucking into delicious baked potatoes with melted cheese and salad when Ms Nettles showed the stranger into the dining room. Clapping her hands for silence, she introduced him. "This is Mr Longnose, everyone. He will be with us for a few days and is here to inspect the school. He will be sitting in on your lessons and he may want to ask you some questions. I hope you will all be very helpful and answer to the best of your ability." Phoebe studied Mr Longnose. With his dark suit, black tie, shiny black shoes and sharp eyes,