Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX Matilda moved closer to the chinchilla, who seemed to be trying to talk to them. He squeaked in alarm and raced back to the others. They all scattered, their squeaks becoming more high-pitched as they jumped into the Heart Tree's sagging branches, sending more leaves swirling to the ground. "Stop," called Matilda. "We're not going to hurt you. Please come back." "They're terrified. Whisper, can you help?" asked Ariana. Whisper had soothing magic. It meant he

could calm animals and people whenever they were anxious or angry. Tossing his mane, he lifted a hoof and stamped it on the ground. Crack! Blue, pink and purple sparks swirled in the air accompanied by the delicious scent of caramelised sugar. A memory tugged at Matilda's mind. She'd recently smelt that same smell. When had it been? But her thoughts were distracted by the sight of the chinchillas. As Whisper's magic reached them, they stopped squeaking and climbed back down to the base of the tree. Looking much calmer, they scampered towards the girls, who knelt down to greet them.

The chinchillas jumped into their laps. Matilda ended up with one on each shoulder and three in her arms. Their soft pink fur tickled her chin and their eyes were dark and sparkling. They had large round ears and they made a soft chittering sound. "What is it?" she whispered, knowing they were trying to tell her something. "What's been happening here?" "I bet it's something to do with the Heart Tree," said Rosa, looking up from her own armfuls of chinchillas. "I wonder why it's dying?"

"Hey, why are you all wearing chinchillas?" called a voice. It was Miki and Himmat from Topaz dorm. Matilda smiled at them; she liked both of the boys. "Is pink fur the new fashion?" said Himmat, laughing loudly. "Shh, don't scare the chinchillas. Something's upset them," said Violet. Miki and Himmat immediately stopped fooling around and looked concerned. "What do you mean?" Himmat asked, lowering his voice. Rosa explained what they had found. Himmat investigated the tree while Miki, who was brilliant with animals, picked up a chinchilla from the ground. He stroked it gently, starting behind its ears, then along its back and tail. The chinchilla relaxed into Miki's arms. Miki frowned. "Something's definitely wrong. Look how patchy its fur is in places. I know chinchillas moult at this time of year but their

coats should always look glossy and healthy. Himmat, can you pick me some leaves from those small white flowers? Yes, those ones," he added as Himmat pointed to a shady area dotted with tiny white star shapes. "Everyone, try feeding the chinchillas these leaves," Miki urged as Himmat handed him a

leaf and he offered it to his chinchilla. "They're good for chinchillas, they've got lots of the vitamins they need and they help calm them down." The chinchillas munched on the leaves, staring at the children with huge eyes as if they were waiting for them to do something. Miki pushed his long black fringe out of his eyes. "I don't understand it. Whatever it is that's upsetting the chinchillas, it must be very serious for their coats to be affected." "I think it's got to be something to do with the tree," said Violet. "I vote we find Ms Rivers and tell her about it," said Ariana. "I agree," said Rosa, "but let's finish the scavenger hunt first and then tell her. A couple more hours won't make any difference. It would be so annoying to let Valentina win, especially since it sounds like she's cheating." Rosa put the chinchilla she was cuddling down at the