Free Worry Magic by Dawn McNiff Page B

a hard ball, and I seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.
    I really was for the high jump now  … 
    Cave Woman perched on a nearby desk
    â€˜So what’s going on, Courtney?’ The coldness in her voice had completely gone.
    I looked up in surprise.
    And then she smiled.
    It was only a little smile, but I swear I’d not seen her smile even once since September. I’d never even seen her teeth.
    Oh, lovely magic – you DID do it!
    â€˜What happened back then?’ She sounded so different. Kind, even.
    â€˜Um  …  I was just  …  er  …  tired.’
    What could I say? –
‘I was just having a quick magic dream in your lesson. You know, like you do.’
    I took another sneaky glance at her. She was still looking at me with gentle eyes.
    I looked away quickly and blurted:
    â€˜Miss, sorry – it was my fault Lois’s phone went off. I texted her.’ My voice was trembling as I confessed. I HATED being in trouble. ‘Please! Tell me off, not her. And write to my parents, not hers. It’s her birthday, see – please can she have her phone back?’
    I didn’t dare look at her again. I picked at my nail while she sort of hummed and then sighed.
    â€˜Well, I’m not known for bending the rules, but I appreciate your honesty, so I’m going to let it drop this time,’ she said. ‘You can give Lois her phone back as it’s her birthday and we’ll leave it at that.’
    â€˜Really? Oh, thanks, miss!’
    I couldn’t believe it. She really had been magicked nicer!
    â€˜And I promise I won’t  …  er  …  doze off in your lesson again.’
    She nodded, looking at me hard. ‘And please, Courtney, do talk to me again if you’re worried about anything. Any time.’
    Worried about anything?! Huh, she had no idea.
    I nodded back at her.
    â€˜Erm  …  please can I go now, miss?’
    She went to her desk and handed me the phone.
    I beamed at her, took it, and got out the door as fast as I could.
    Wow – and how cool that the magic could even crack a hard nut like Cavey! I just knew it could sort out really difficult stuff  … 
    Good job too, with Mum and Dad arguing all the time.
    And poor Gran  … 
    I ran to the canteen to find Lois.

Chapter Twenty
    Lois was standing against the radiator in the corner by herself, looking really sad.
    I pushed through the lunch crowd, wondering where Bex had got to.
    â€˜I got it back!’ I cried, waving her phone above my head.
    â€˜Oh, wow!’ Lois’s face lit up. ‘HOW did you manage that?’
    â€˜Skills,’ I said, winking at her.
    She squealed and hugged me.
    Just like my cool dream.
    â€˜Right, come on! Let’s get in the lunch queue. I’m having two birthday puddings to celebrate. Maybe even three!’ she said, dragging me by the hand.
    â€˜Where’s Bex?’ I asked. Not that I exactly cared. But she was usually hanging around.
    â€˜She had to go and see Mrs Dexham – she got in trouble in maths this morning or something.’
    Good – she was out of the way for a bit then.
    Lois had brightened up, chatting away all bubbly while we queued.
    â€˜So can you come to mine after school – for cake?’
    When I nodded, she lowered her voice and looked around her.
    â€˜I had to ask you when Bex wasn’t here, see. I can’t invite her round to mine cos my family aren’t keen on her. My mum says she acts too grown up for her age, and Max calls her T-Rex  … ’
    I tried not to snigger.
    â€˜I tell him to shut up. He can be a bit too mean sometimes,’ said Lois. ‘But they love YOU, of course!’ she said, prodding me. ‘And maybe after, we can go for a quick swim. Do you want to? I think we’re getting takeaway for tea, but apart from that we’re not doing much birthday-ish stuff tonight,