Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT "Go away!" said Zara again when Phoebe stuck her head inside her tent. She was sitting cross- legged on her sleeping bag, talking to Lily and Aisha. Phoebe still felt bad about before but Shimmer getting his magic was far more important than any argument. "Shimmer's found his magic!" she exclaimed. "What?" said Lily. "It's awesome!" Phoebe rushed on. "But we don't know exactly what it is. He keeps exploding things!" "Are you joking?" Zara gave her a withering look. "Phoebe, have you seriously not learned

anything today? Making stuff up just isn't funny." "But I'm not making this up!" Phoebe protested. "Shimmer was messing around, banging his hoof on the ground, when suddenly a mini bolt of magic flew out and a stone exploded. Then he shattered a boulder– a whole boulder– and a water bucket! It was incredible." Zara studied her hands. "Phoebe, be honest. Is this just another of your stories?" asked Lily, her eyes meeting hers. "No, it's the truth," insisted Phoebe. "Cross my heart and hope to die. Come and see!" Aisha and Lily got to their feet. "Are you coming, Zara?" Lily asked. Zara sighed. "All right, I'll come. But you'd better be telling the truth this time, Phoebe." They trooped outside and went to Shimmer. He'd called the other unicorns over. "OK, everyone, are you going to watch my magic?" he said. "Stand back then, it's very powerful," he boasted. With a lot of show, Shimmer brought his hoof down on the ground. Nothing happened. He tried

again and all he managed to do was to dislodge a clod of turf with his hoof. The other unicorns snorted and looked at each other. Zara exclaimed in disbelief and stomped back to her tent. "I knew it!' she called over her shoulder. "I just knew you were lying, Phoebe!" "Phoebe!" Lily said in frustration. "I really believed you. How could you upset Zara again?" "Wait, Zara!" Aisha called. She and Lily ran after her. Their unicorns all went too. Phoebe fought back tears as she watched Aisha and Lily put their arms round Zara. "Phoebe, I'm so sorry." Shimmer's eyes were huge. "I think I must have worn myself out using my magic before, and now I've let you down and made you look like a liar in front of everyone."

"It's all right." Phoebe buried her face in Shimmer's mane so that he couldn't see how upset she was. "It's not your fault, it's mine. I do always make things up. I don't blame Zara and the others for not believing me this time." She shook her head. "I tried to change before but didn't manage it. From now on, I really am going to tell the truth. If I start exaggerating, then you must stop me and not encourage me." Phoebe looked Shimmer in the eyes. "If we're going to make good guardians of Unicorn Island then we have to bring out the best in each other, not the worst." Shimmer nodded solemnly. "You're right, Phoebe. I love the way you tell stories and make everything so exciting but people need to be able trust us, particularly now that I have my magic, whatever it is." "I'll help you find out. We'll start tomorrow." Phoebe cuddled up closer to Shimmer. "I love you, Shimmer. You're the best unicorn ever." "I love you too, Phoebe," he said, nuzzling her. Shimmer lay down and Phoebe snuggled

under his mane, cuddling it like a soft silky blanket. It had been a long day and she suddenly realised how tired she was. She was just dozing off to sleep when Aisha and Lily came out to find her. "Are you OK?" Aisha asked softly. Phoebe nodded sleepily. "I think I'm going to sleep under the stars tonight with Shimmer." "But you haven't had any dinner," said Aisha. "I'm OK," said Phoebe. She didn't want to go back to camp and face Zara. "I'll have a big breakfast in the morning." "Wait here!" said Lily. She and Aisha hurried away and came back with Phoebe's dinner of sandwiches and an apple. "Thanks," Phoebe said. "See you in the morning," they said. She smiled as they crept away. At least Aisha and Lily didn't hate her. The hard knot of upset inside her began to loosen. She ate her cheese sandwiches, shared the crusts and her apple with Shimmer, then closed her eyes and seconds later she was fast asleep.

Phoebe woke at first light to the cry of seagulls as they swooped overhead. Sitting up, she ran a hand through her tangled hair. "Morning," Shimmer whickered, his breath warm on her cheek. "Morning," said Phoebe, stretching. Shimmer got to his feet. "I feel much better after a good night's sleep. I've got loads of energy. I bet my magic will work again now." Moving away from Phoebe, he stamped a hoof. Sparks fizzed up into the air and a nearby rock shattered into hundreds of pieces. Phoebe clapped with delight. "That's awesome, Shimmer. If only we knew exactly what magic it is. I wish we could ask Zara about it. She's really good at scientific stuff like that." "There's Zara now," said Shimmer, nodding towards the coastal path. Phoebe followed his gaze and saw Zara riding Moonbeam down towards the beach. "I think I might go after her and try apologising again," she said.