Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR The following day was Sunday, and pupils were allowed an extra hour in bed, so Scarlett was not pleased when Layla woke the whole dormitory at the usual time, going to the window and flinging back the curtains with an urgent cry. "Oh no! Look at the lake, everyone!" Sleepily, Scarlett tumbled out of her warm bed and went, shivering, to the frosty window with the others. Layla pushed the window up so that everyone could see out and dislodged a thick layer of snow from the roof above.

"Brrrr," shivered Scarlett as a blast of cold air stung her face. She slammed the window shut again. "But the lake," cried Layla. "Look at it!" gasped Sophia. "It's completely frozen!" The lake's surface was as smooth as glass with swirls of colour trapped inside. Even the fountain was a glassy statue, the rainbow

coloured water frozen into towering spirals, with beads of water scattered over the icy lake like bright jewels. "It's so pretty," breathed Scarlett, looking in awe at the beautiful colours. "It's a disaster," said Layla, turning pale. "I'm going to check on Dancer straight away. Thank goodness we collected water yesterday," she added as she pulled on a pair of jodhpurs. "There's enough for a few days– if we're all very careful." She shot a reproachful look at Scarlett. Scarlett felt guilty but pushed the uncomfortable feeling away. Layla was far too serious about things. She should just lighten up. So what if the lake was frozen? Everything was bound to be fine in a few days. Scarlett dressed and headed to the stables through the falling snow. She slowed as she passed the lake. Snow was beginning to lie on the surface, thicker than icing sugar on a cake.

Scarlett imagined building an igloo and having snowball fights. Was it wrong to be just a teeny bit excited? The freeze wouldn't last long so why couldn't they just enjoy it? Feet crunching through the thick snow, she hurried on to the stables. Blaze was in a lively mood, tickling Scarlett with her red and gold tail from the moment she arrived. "Stop it," Scarlett giggled. "I want to tell you about the lake." Blaze stood still and pulled a serious face. "I'm listening." "It's fro— Ooooh! Blaze! Stop it!" Scarlett collapsed in giggles as Blaze made a goofy expression. "Tell me. I'm listening now," said Blaze, serious again, but as Scarlett started speaking she turned round and tickled her once more. "It's snowing and the lake is frozen!" yelled Scarlett, grabbing her tail. That got Blaze's

attention. She swung back and stared with wide eyes. "I know. It's awful," Scarlett lowered her voice, "but it's not as if you haven't got anything to drink. There's enough stored water to last for a while. I bet this cold weather will end soon, so we'd better make the most of it. Do you want to play in the snow?" "That sounds fun," Blaze agreed eagerly. Most people had decided to stay in the warm stables with their unicorns, plaiting their manes, weaving friendship bracelets and discussing the big freeze. Even Isabel wanted to stay inside out of the cold, having a contest with Olivia and Sophia as to who could plait the most ribbons into their unicorns' tails. Scarlett and Blaze threaded their way between the chattering pupils, who were busy swapping coloured ribbons and bottles of glittery hoof polish, to reach the door. Outside at last, Blaze's breath puffed out icy

white clouds as she waited for Scarlett to climb on her back. "Look at me!" she snorted. "I'm smoking like a dragon!" "Me too!" huffed Scarlett, pursing her lips so that her breath came out as snowy white rings. "There's enough snow to build an igloo or a snow unicorn." "Let's have a snowball fight first!" Blaze lifted her hooves high as she waded through the snow. Veering away from the lake, she headed towards the fields and woods. "Faster!" Scarlett cried. Blaze snorted as she sped up, her mane and tail flying out behind her. The cold air stung Scarlett's cheeks and blew her hair in her face. She swiped it away, yelling, "Brake!" as the woods came nearer. Blaze leaned back, digging her hooves into the snow and trying to stop. The icy snow hissed under her hooves and a rainbow-coloured cloud of steam rose up, enveloping Scarlett.