Free A Singing Star by Chloe Ryder Page A

one of the giant seahorses was right here in front of her. When she looked again the seahorse was still staring back at her.
    ‘Pippa MacDonald,’ Rosella bowed her head. She was carrying a rolled-up scroll, tied with a pink ribbon, around her neck. ‘This is for you.’
    An icy feeling spread through Pippa. Was there trouble in Chevalia? Her hand trembled as she reached forward to take the scroll.
    ‘Don’t worry.’ Rosella’s dark eyes were kindly. ‘It’s a royal invitation.’
    As Pippa unrolled the scroll, silver musical notes flew into the air and a sweet voice sang out, ‘Pippa MacDonald, the King and Queen of Chevalia invite you to a royal performance by the Royal Pony Orchestra, accompan­ied by Diva, the Duchess of Savannah.’
    As the voice faded the invitation appeared in writing on the scroll. Underneath Stardust had added a note in pink writing. ‘Please say you’ll come. My cousin Diva has an amazing voice. It’s going to be a magical night!’
    Pippa smiled. How could the concert not be magical when it was taking place in her beloved Chevalia?
    ‘Yes, please,’ she said immediately. ‘I’d love to come.’
    ‘Good.’ Rosella trod water next to the bank. ‘Climb aboard, Pippa. Chevalia awaits you!’
    Pippa grasped Rosella’s long, pink spines as she climbed on to the seahorse’s back.
    ‘Hold on tight,’ said Rosella. ‘To Chevalia.’
    As Rosella swam to the middle of the river Pippa glanced back at her family. They were frozen like statues. Mum was in mid-run, chasing after the football, and Jack was in the air, halfway through a jump. Miranda was lying on her tummy on the picnic blanket, her nose buried in her book. Pippa waved, even though she knew they couldn’t see her. The moment she’d climbed on to Rosella’s back she’d entered a magic time bubble. Pippa could stay in Chevalia for as long as she liked but she wouldn’t be missed, as no time would pass in her own world.
    As Rosella sped down the River Thames, Pippa sat back and enjoyed the sights of London whizzing past and above her: the majestic Houses of Parliament, the massive London Eye, Tower Bridge, and the stern stone walls of the Tower of London. Further on they sailed past the shiny silver Thames flood barrier and into the open countryside until at last they were out on the choppy open sea. Pippa loved riding the waves with Rosella. Her curly hair streamed behind her and she tasted salt on her lips.
    Soon they arrived on the shores of a large island. The long, sandy beach was edged with trees.
    ‘Thank you, Rosella.’ Pippa patted Rosella’s neck as she jumped into the clear, blue water.
    ‘Enjoy the concert,’ called Rosella.
    As Pippa waded to the shore she wondered how much time it would take her to walk to Stableside Castle.
     

     
    She’d only ever made the journey on horseback. She stepped through the surf and on to the beach. Something was moving in the trees. Pippa’s heart leapt.
    ‘Stardust,’ she exclaimed as a pure white pony galloped across the sand.

Chapter 2
     
    ‘You came!’ Princess Stardust’s hooves threw up clouds of sand as she stopped a horsehair away from Pippa. She whickered softly and nuzzled Pippa’s curly, brown hair.
    ‘Of course,’ Pippa threw her arms around Stardust’s neck and hugged her friend back. ‘I wouldn’t have missed the big concert and seeing you again for anything.’
    ‘I can’t wait for you to meet my cousin Diva,’ said Stardust. ‘She’s got an amazing voice and she’s so much fun to be with. You’re going to love her. Jump on my back and I’ll take you to her now.’
    Pippa put her hands on Stardust’s snowy white neck and vaulted aboard. Stardust took off, galloping across the beach and into the Wild Forest. She hurtled through the trees, leaping over the puddles of quick-stick mud. They passed a group of wild ponies playing in a clearing. Pippa waved and the wild ponies stamped their hooves and whinnied back. A short while later