Free Magic Kitten: A Circus Wish by Sue Bentley

Chapter
* ONE *
    Sadie Allen tensed as she ran forward and jumped high in the air. Tucking her head under, she flipped over and landed with a soft thud of her bare feet.
    Sadie’s classmates clapped and whooped.
    ‘Thank you, fans!’ Sadie joked as she performed a mock bow.

    She really loved gymnastics and the circus skills workshop at her school was turning out to be something she was really good at. First there had been the warm-up games and now they had moved on to floor acrobatics – it had been the best fun ever!
    ‘That was great, Sadie! Well done!’ called Lena.
    Sadie tossed her long fair plait over her shoulder and grinned at the older girl.
    Lena Tomani was a circus performer who was appearing with her parents in their trapeze act at the nearby circus school. She had come to Sadie’s school to demonstrate and share some of her skills.
    Lena was tall for her twelve years and pretty, with short dark hair and a confident manner. Presto, her shaggy little dog, followed close at heel as Lena moved round the gym.
    Lena turned to another girl. ‘Off you go, Jenny. Don’t try anything too complicated at first.’
    Jenny Coleman was Sadie’s best friend. They lived a few houses away from each other. ‘Go for it!’ Sadie called out to Jenny encouragingly.
    Jenny screwed up her face inconcentration as she threw herself on to the mat. She curled into a forward roll, but her arms and legs shot out at angles and she collapsed into an untidy sprawl.
    There was a ripple of laughter.
    ‘Shut up, you lot!’ Sadie defended her friend. She helped Jenny scramble to her feet. ‘Are you all right?’
    Jenny’s round face was bright red and sweaty. ‘Course I am! Leave me alone. You’re just making it worse.’
    ‘Sorry.’ Sadie blushed and stood aside, as Jenny pushed past her off the exercise mat. She tried not to feel too hurt by Jenny’s words. She just wished that her friend could enjoy the workshop as much as she did.
    Lena and her little dog were going over to another group who were learning balancing skills. Some of the kids in the year above Sadie were walking on stilts and trying the unicycle. There was a lot of giggling going on.
    ‘Sadie! Why don’t you come and have a try at this?’ Lena called. ‘It’s a bit more advanced, but you should be fine.’
    ‘OΚ,’ Sadie answered. She tugged at Jenny’s arm. ‘Why don’t you come too?’
    Jenny shook her head. ‘You go. I don’t suppose Lena wants any clumsy fairy elephants over there.’
    ‘But you could just watch if you want. Lena won’t mind.’
    ‘I think I’ll get a drink instead. I’llsee you later,’ Jenny said. She wandered off towards the drinks machine.
    Sadie hesitated. Should she go after Jenny? Her friend really didn’t seem to be having fun at all.
    ‘There’s a set of stilts here if you’re interested, Sadie!’ Lena shouted.
    Sadie made up her mind. ‘OΚ. I’m coming!’
    It was great fun stomping around on the stilts. Sadie had natural balance and found it easy to keep up with the older girls.
    When it was time for a break, Miss Kemp, the gym teacher, called for everyone to gather together and sit in a circle. ‘Lena’s kindly offered to give us a demonstration of what can be achieved with discipline and hard work.’

    Sadie went and sat down next to Jenny. ‘This should be good!’ she enthused.
    Jenny shrugged. ‘It’ll probably just be Lena showing off.’
    ‘What’s the matter? Don’t you like her?’ Sadie looked at her friend in surprise.
    ‘I suppose she’s OK,’ Jenny replied. ‘But she’s hardly said a word to me.’
    ‘That’s only because you didn’t joinin very much. Lena’s been really friendly with everyone,’ Sadie said.
    ‘I don’t know why you’re sticking up for her,’ Jenny murmured.
    ‘I’m not…’ Sadie began.
    ‘Can we have silence, please,’ Miss Kemp interrupted. ‘Lena’s ready now.’
    Lena had now taken off her tracksuit to reveal a red leotard with gold braid