Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR Over the next few days, a constant buzz hummed through the buildings and grounds of the academy as the students and their unicorns rushed from one task to the next. Sapphire dorm made hundreds of foil stars and glittery rainbows to string around the lake. Olivia's fingers ached from cutting and gluing, and her brain ached from worry. It would be so much fun if she could graduate with her friends, but she was also desperate for them not to discover her secret. By Wednesday afternoon tempers were beginning to fray. Things came to a head when

Olivia, Snowflake and their friends returned to the stables after a long session in the sand school. Valentina was there, standing on one of the automated trolleys, attempting to hang a model of a golden unicorn from a hook on the wall. "Go away," she said. "We won't disturb you," said Ava. "But we need to give our unicorns a drink." Valentina's face turned as red as a squashed tomato. "Did you not hear? Go away. Move on– and fast!" "Valentina, no!" squeaked Jacinta, but it was too late. The remote-controlled trolleys were also voice activated. The moment the words were out the trolley took off. "Stop!" yelped Valentina. The trolley stopped suddenly, sending her flying across the stables. She landed in a pile of hay with her feet in the air and the model on her head. It broke in two, raining gold beads and glitter down on her.

"That's your fault," she screamed, pointing at Ava. "Valentina, calm down." Jacinta rushed over to help. "It wasn't Ava's fault and there's still time to fix it." Valentina was too angry to listen. She jumped to her feet and stomped over to Ava. CRACK! The noise made everyone jump. "Tiddlywink!" Jacinta stared in wonder at her unicorn as blue sparkles, the colour of a midsummer sky, floated up from her hooves. The sparkles wafted through the stables, leaving everyone they touched with a sparkly blue outline. Olivia suddenly felt as light as air. All her troubles floated away and happiness bubbled up inside her. Valentina smiled a huge soppy smile as she ran a hand through her hair. "Look, everyone!" she cooed. "The gold beads from the model are making my hair sparkle. It's so pretty."

Jacinta stared at Tiddlywink with huge eyes. "You've got soothing magic!" "Just like my mother," said Tiddlywink, looking delighted. "I can hardly believe it.

Soothing magic calms tempers and turns sad occasions into happy ones." Jacinta hugged her. When they pulled apart, everyone saw that Jacinta's brown hair had a vibrant strand of green, yellow and orange. "You've bonded," squealed Delia. "You're going to graduate too!" "Oh, Jacinta, that's wonderful!" said Valentina, hugging her friend. "Do you think we could make Tiddlywink use her magic on Valentina every day?" Ava whispered to Olivia. Olivia grinned. Unfortunately, by dinnertime Valentina was back to her normal self. She sat in stony silence as Jacinta and Delia compared the moment their unicorns had discovered their magic. Finally she slammed down her knife and fork. "Will you please be quiet? Honestly! Finding magic and soothing magic? They're both rubbish! Golden Briar will have much more powerful magic than

either of your unicorns. That's why it's taking longer for him to discover it." "I'm sure you're right, Valentina," ventured Jacinta. "We could help you if you want, especially as it's almost graduation day." "Oh, for goodness' sake!" Valentina stood up so fast her chair toppled over with a bang. "I don't need your help! It won't matter if Golden Briar has found his magic or not. I'll graduate anyway. My parents will see to it. They're—" "Governors!" shouted everyone in earshot. "I hate you all!" Sticking her nose in the air, Valentina flounced from the room. Isabel watched her go. "I am so glad we don't have a Valentina in our dorm." "I don't know." Scarlett's eyes twinkled. "Imagine the fun we could have teasing someone as stuck up and snobby as that!" Olivia crumbled her roll and avoided meeting their eyes. Glancing across the room, she saw Ms Primrose watching her. A hot blush