Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE At breakfast the following morning, Evie was astonished when Dr Briar beckoned her over to where she was sitting with Ms Nettles. "Evie, I wonder if I could ask you for a favour." The jewelled rings on Dr Briar's fingers flashed as she patted a strand of her sleek dark hair into place. "The academy has many more works of art than I realised. Would you like to help me today?" "Me?" Evie was confused. Had Dr Briar really meant to ask her or had she meant Lyra, who everyone knew wanted to be an archaeologist when she was older? But no, Dr Briar was looking right at her and smiling encouragingly. Evie's cheeks heated up. It was lovely– if slightly astonishing– to be singled out in such a way. "Yes, please," she said immediately. "Perfect. Meet me in the hall at lunchtime and I'll show you what needs to be done." Evie almost floated out of the dining room but Lyra frowned when Evie told them what the conversation had been about. "She asked you to help? Why? I mean, no offence, Evie, but you are quite accident-prone. And Sam knows how much I love archaeology. Surely he'd have suggested Dr Briar ask me not you." Her frown deepened. "Make sure you don't tell them anything about the map." "Evie's not stupid; of course she won't say anything," said Ivy. Evie was hurt that Lyra had felt a reminder was needed and while the others got ready for their first lesson– science– she went to the stables to talk to Sunshine about it. As she approached Sunshine's stall, Evie heard a bang and saw a pink spark shoot out of the doorway. Evie rushed forward, her heart in her mouth. "Sunshine!" she cried. "Was that you? Have you found your magic?"

Sunshine popped her head out of her stable. "No!" she said quickly. "I haven't. Definitely not! Why are you here, Evie?" Her voice was almost unfriendly. Evie stopped in her tracks. She thought she'd seen a spark of magic. "I… I just wanted to talk to you about something." "Can't it wait?" said Sunshine. She didn't seem to want Evie to go into her stable. "Yes, I guess," said Evie uncomfortably. Sunshine had never been so short with her before. "I'll… um… come back later." "I'll see you at break then," said Sunshine. Evie turned away. What was up with Sunshine? She was acting as though Evie had really upset her. Feeling bewildered, Evie headed back to school.

Evie didn't go and see Sunshine at break. She didn't want to risk her unicorn being unfriendly to her in front of everyone. At lunchtime she waited for Dr Briar in the hall. In the centre of the room was the magic map, which showed the whole of Unicorn Island. It could transport people and their unicorns anywhere on the island but there was a magical force field protecting it and students were only allowed to use it with a teacher's permission. The walls of the hall were covered with enormous paintings of famous unicorns and previous headteachers. When Dr Briar arrived with Sam, she asked Sam and Evie to work their way round the room writing down the title and artist of each painting as well as making some brief notes. Evie felt shy at first. Sam often acted in a superior way but now it was just the two of them he was much more friendly. He knew lots of interesting stories about the artists who had painted the pictures. "How do you know so much?" she asked. "My mum's an art historian," Sam replied. "She's taught me lots about art. I often spend time with Aunt Angelica in the holidays too." He nodded towards Dr Briar, who was studying a large pink vase in an alcove. "I've helped her on tons of digs." He smiled at Evie. "I don't know nearly as much as you do about science and maths though. You're really clever." Evie felt a warm glow. "Thanks,' she muttered, thinking how much nicer Sam was when he was on his own. Sam's aunt called him over and had a low conversation with him. When he returned, he looked slightly uncomfortable. "So," he said, "what have you and the rest of your dorm been getting up to? You always seem to be whispering about something. What's the big secret?" Evie was surprised at the change of subject. "Nothing," she said, blushing. "There's no big secret at all. Who's this painting by?" she asked, moving on to a portrait of a previous headteacher. "Finoula Sparrow," said Sam, following her. "Did you know there are supposed to be lots of secret passageways and hidden rooms in the academy? I'd love to find one, wouldn't you?" He looked at her intently. "I guess," said Evie uneasily. "But you haven't found any secret places yet?" pressed Sam. "No, definitely not," said Evie quickly. She turned away. "I'm going to make some notes on the statues over there."

As she walked away from Sam, she glanced at Dr Briar and she saw her giving Sam a questioning look. He shook his head. Evie frowned, suddenly certain that Dr Briar and Sam were up to something. Why had Dr Briar asked her to help and not Lyra? Did she think that Evie would tell her more about what they were up to? Well, they can try all they like, but they're not going to get any information about the map from me, she thought determinedly. She stopped by the statues and wrote down some notes. Her scalp prickled. She was sure Dr Briar and Sam were both still watching her. But why? After lunch, in the geography and culture lesson, Ms Rivers announced that they were going on a statue hunt in the school grounds with their

unicorns. "I'll give you a list of artefacts to find," Ms Rivers told them. "Answer the questions about them and the first team to arrive back with the correct answers will win a prize." "This is the best lesson ever!" said Sienna as they fetched their unicorns. Sam and the boys from Topaz were ready first. "We are so going to win! Watch us and weep, Ruby dorm!" he cried, before galloping away with his friends. "I don't know how you coped with having to spend all lunchtime with him," Sienna said to Evie, pulling a face. "It was a bit weird," said Evie. She wondered whether to mention her suspicions about Sam and Dr Briar, but she didn't have any proof so she decided to keep quiet for now. To Evie's relief Sunshine seemed back to her usual friendly self that afternoon. "This is fun!" she whinnied as they galloped towards the rose gardens with the others. The girls visited the rose gardens, the safari trail, the play park, the vegetable garden and the lake, ticking nine of the ten items off their list. "We just need a winged unicorn statue now," said Lyra. "There's one in the orchard," said Evie. As they approached the orchard, the boys appeared at a gallop from the direction of the play park. "Faster! They're going to the orchard too," Sienna shouted. Ruby dorm raced into the orchard with the Topaz boys right behind them. The rearing unicorn with wings was on a plinth by a pear tree. Sunshine reached the statue first. She halted abruptly in front of it, making Evie slip sideways on her back. "Are you OK, Evie?" Sunshine said, anxiously stamping her feet. "Yes, yes, I'm—" But Evie broke off as there was a flash of pink and the statue exploded.

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