Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO The girls excitedly discussed ideas for how to track down the evil man as they rode back to the stables at the end of lunchtime. "Zara," Moonbeam said, as she and Zara reached her stable. "Can I talk to you? It's about these feelings I keep having." Zara wanted to talk about the mystery but she forced herself to smile. "Of course." "I might be wrong," said Moonbeam. "But I keep seeing pictures in my head and when I do, I start to say strange stuff out loud. Do you think it could be my magic?" "Your magic? But, Moonbeam, the stuff you say, well, it's just…" Zara caught herself. She'd been about to say rubbish. "It just doesn't seem to mean anything much," she finished. Moonbeam frowned. "But what if it does mean something? What if it's important?"

Zara stroked her. She really wanted Moonbeam to find her magic but seeing pictures in her head and saying strange things didn't sound much like magic to her. "I really don't think it has anything to do with your magic powers," she said. "But I'm sure you'll find them soon," she added quickly. Ms Rosemary was waiting for them in the stables, wearing a big floppy hat and sunglasses. "Good afternoon," she said when the students had all arrived. "Today we are learning how to keep our unicorns cool. Can anyone think of a way?"

Spike from Topaz dorm put his hand up. "Make them wear sunglasses and a big hat, just like yours, Ms R!" Everyone burst out laughing and Ms Rosemary smiled. "That's an interesting idea, Spike. I'll think about it," she said. "Any other suggestions?" A familiar sharp voice cut across her. "Heatstroke is a serious matter, Ms Rosemary. Rather than making jokes, don't you think you should be educating the students about what to do in the current weather conditions?" Zara's heart sank as Mr Longnose, the tall, thin school inspector, strutted through the stable door. Ms Tulip, the riding teacher, was hurrying along behind him. Why was he back? He'd inspected the academy only a few months ago. "Not him again," groaned Phoebe. Moonbeam gasped. "Zara!" she hissed. "I was right! I said someone was coming back, didn't I?" Zara patted her. "It's just a coincidence, Moonbeam. You can't really think you saw into the future that Mr Longnose would come back today. You're letting your imagination run away with you." Moonbeam hung her head. "Maybe," she muttered.

"I wonder why he's here," whispered Lily. Ms Rosemary was clearly wondering the same thing. "Good afternoon, Mr Longnose," she said. "What brings you back to the academy so soon? I thought your inspection was complete." Mr Longnose mopped his forehead with a perfectly ironed hanky. "I inspected the school but I didn't have opportunity to inspect the stables or the quality of riding lessons." Ms Tulip stepped forward. "As part of the inspector's visit– and so he can experience the teaching first-hand– I have offered to teach him to ride." She tucked a dark curl of hair behind her ear and blushed. "Would you like to come and meet Rocket, my unicorn, Mr Longnose?" she asked. "Indeed I would," Mr Longnose said. "Then, please– follow me." "Urgh!" whispered Phoebe as Ms Tulip led Mr Longnose into the stable block. "Poor Ms Tulip!" agreed Zara. "I can't think of anything worse than teaching bossy Mr Longnose." "Did you see the way she was buttering him up? She must be hoping he gives her a good report." Phoebe fluttered her hands and fluffed up her hair. Imitating Ms Tulip perfectly she simpered, "Oh, let me teach you to ride, Mr Longnose!"

Lily rushed to Ms Tulip's defence. "Don't be mean. Mr Longnose had better give Ms Tulip's teaching a good report or I'll… I'll complain about him!" Aisha nodded in agreement. "I don't see why he's come back. He spent lots of time watching our riding lessons with Ms Tulip when he was here before. Why does he need to see more?" "I hope he falls off Rocket," grumbled Phoebe. She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Actually, I didn't mean that. I hope he learns to ride superfast, gives lovely Ms Tulip a brilliant report and then goes away again really quickly!"

"Me too," said Lily. "It's bad enough having to deal with a heatwave without having to put up with Mr Longnose too!" Her words sent a thought exploding into Zara's mind. She gasped. "What? What is it?" demanded Lily. But before Zara could speak, Ms Rosemary clapped her hands together for silence. "Right. Pay attention, please. This afternoon we are going to make a sun cream to protect your unicorn's nose. The ingredients and equipment are laid out in the storeroom. Go and collect everything and read through the instructions." While the rest of the class headed for the storeroom, Zara pulled her friends into a huddle. "What's going on?" said Phoebe eagerly. "You look like a snot-nosed flapdoodle just sneezed on you!" "It's Mr Longnose!" hissed Zara. "Maybe he's the person causing all the problems! We know he's very clever and studied geology at university. What if he's responsible for all the extreme weather we've had this year? He was with us when the tidal wave struck and he's here now just when the heatwave is getting really bad." She gazed round at her friends. "Maybe the extreme weather we've had