Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE "Today we are going to be studying the thermal springs in the west of the island," Ms Rivers announced. "They are in a mountainous landscape that is home to the golden-spotted phoenix." There was the clatter of chair legs on the floor and Mr Longnose stood up. "Excuse me, Ms Rivers, but I am a trained geologist. I happen to have visited the thermal springs. Would you like me to share some of my knowledge with the class?" "Certainly," said Ms Rivers politely. "I'm sure they'll all be very interested in what you have to say."

"Oh, we will! We really will!" Phoebe burst out, hoping to make up for her earlier mistake by letting the inspector see how enthusiastic they all were about learning. "Ms Rivers, is it usual for pupils to be allowed to shout out in your class?" enquired Mr Longnose sharply. "No, of course not." Ms Rivers frowned. "Phoebe, please remember to put your hand up." Phoebe slid back into her seat. Flapdoodles! She hadn't made things better, if anything she'd made them worse! Mr Longnose launched into a long and boring description of how the hot springs were formed and then showed them how to greet the golden

spotted phoenix. "It's polite to bow from the waist like so, while extending your right hand out at exactly this angle." Phoebe heard Spike and his friend Johan swallow snorts of laugher as Mr Longnose folded his thin frame in half while twisting his wrist to hold out his hand with the fingers making a circle. Mr Longnose looked up sharply. "How rude!" he said in a displeased voice. "I am surprised you allow behaviour like this, Ms Rivers." Picking up his clipboard, he made another note. Ms Rivers fixed the boys with a look that made them subside instantly. "Thank you, Mr Longnose, for all that information. It's been most enlightening." Although her words were polite, Phoebe could tell from the tightness around her mouth and eyes that she was not happy at all. When Geography ended, they went to get a snack in the dining hall before going to a library session with Ms Tansy, the librarian. Mr Longnose walked to the hall with them, asking questions of everyone as they went. Did they like the school? Did they feel safe? "I'm going to talk to him," Phoebe told Zara.

"No, Phoebs!" Zara grabbed her arm. Phoebe frowned. "Why not? I just want to make sure he knows students don't feel unsafe here and to tell him how utterly amazing the school is." "Please, don't," Zara begged. "You never think before you speak and you'll only make things worse." She sounded so genuinely worried that Phoebe was taken aback. She and Zara often teased each other– she would tell Zara she was too sensible and Zara would tell her she was too dramatic– but this time Zara didn't sound as if she was teasing. "Come on, let's get rainbow cakes," said Zara, pulling her into the dining hall. Phoebe followed her, feeling confused and hurt. Did Zara really think she would make things worse if she spoke to the inspector? "Where are the cakes today?" asked Aisha as they got to the counter. "Didn't you hear?" said Lauren, from Opal dorm. "The kitchen ran out of flour. The delivery didn't get through because Mount Inferno started rumbling overnight, and the main road to the

north has been closed while scientists investigate whether it's going to erupt." "Really?" said Zara in surprise. As she loved science, she often read reports about the ancient volcano in the mountains behind the school. "But Mount Inferno has been dormant for over a hundred years." "I overheard Ms Rivers and Ms Nettles talking about it at lunchtime," said Spike, joining in the conversation. "No one knows why it's suddenly active again." "Luckily no one lives on its slopes," said Zara. "And school's far enough away to be out of the reach of the lava if it does erupt. The big danger will be to the villages nearby on the coast. Volcanic activity can affect the tides and Mount Inferno is covered by a glacier– a massive river of ice. If it does erupt, the glacier will melt which will cause dreadful flooding." "I hope it doesn't erupt!" said Lily anxiously. "Maybe it's just going to rumble for a bit," said Aisha. As everyone continued talking about the volcano, Zara shot Phoebe a puzzled look.

"You're being quiet." "Am I?" "Yes, normally if you heard news like this, you'd be waving your arms, telling us we're all going to die!" "Ha ha!" said Phoebe. "Very funny." But she didn't really feel like laughing for once. Zara's words from before were still stinging. While the others carried on talking about the volcano, she slipped away and went to the stables. Shimmer whickered when he saw her. "Phoebe!" "Hi, Shimmer," Phoebe muttered. He blinked. "Are you OK?" Phoebe shrugged. "You're obviously not. What's the matter?" he asked, nuzzling her hands. She sighed. "Do you think I'm a doughnut?" "What? No! Of course not!" Shimmer looked confused. "What are you talking about?" Phoebe put her arms round his neck and told him what had happened. "Zara said I'd make things worse if I spoke to the inspector. Would I have made it worse, Shimmer?"