Free Bryony Bell's Star Turn by Cara Shores, Franzeska G. Ewart Page A

rollerskate makers out there!’ And she unfurled a large roll of paper on which she had drawn a pair of rollerskates. But what rollerskates! Bryony’s heart did a triple-flip as Angelina pointed out all the features she had designed.
    â€˜I call them Bryony 3000s,’ she explained. ‘They’re white, of course, but they’ve got
gold
wheels, and a
gold
logo, which is Bryony’s face, and when you skate really fast…’ she pointed to the back of the golden wheels, ‘…little stars shoot out! So I’m really hoping,’ she said with an alluring look to camera, ‘that someone out there can make a pair of size four Bryony 3000s in
double-quick time
, for my sister’s Christmas. Because,’ she added, ‘I think she’s the biggest star of us all!’
    All of a sudden, Bryony’s entire world seemed to catapult into outer space as Angelina thrust the golden box into her arms. ‘Happy Christmas, Bryony,’ she said. ‘I hope you like them.’
    Camera one zoomed in for a close-up of the unwrapping. Everyone jostled for a view. Speechless, Bryony removed the gold tissue paper, held the skates up, then slipped them on.
    The Bryony 3000s were a perfect fit. Their leather was whiter and softer and shinier than the snow on the potting shed roof. Their wheels were as gold as the Christmas star. And, very best of all, above the glittering Bryony 3000 logo, Bryony’s own face, her favourite rose hair ties picked out in tiny red stones, sparkled out.
    Bryony looked round the sea of faces till she came to Big Bob’s. He was standing squashed up against the stuffed bear’s head and when he met her gaze he reached up, took off the rhinestone-studded Stetson, and hurled it to land right on her head. ‘Come on, princess!’ he called. ‘Let’s see if you can make the stars come out!’
    Head buzzing with happiness, Bryony pushed off and, followed closely by camera two, skated three times round the living room, finishing offwith a triple spin that sent showers of stars onto the carpet.

    â€˜Oh, thank you, Angelina!’ she said, hugging her sister. ‘They couldn’t be more perfect.’
    She took Angelina’s hand and pulled her back into the kitchen, where Clarissa was handing out lemonade to the children and Big Bob was carefully balancing a little silver tray of glasses filled with pink champagne.
    â€˜There you are, lass,’ he winked. He handed Bryony the smallest champagne glass, and watched as she took her first tentative sip.
    â€˜Thanks, Dad,’ she said, feeling a lovely rosy glow. ‘Makes me feel really grown-up.’
    As a starburst of champagne bubbles shot up her nose, Bryony looked down at the sea of happy faces. The Bryony 3000s made her feel even taller than before. In fact, she thought with sudden surprise, she was almost as tall as Trish now.
    It was a giddy, sparkly feeling, like flying. She did a spin, and the Bryony 3000s sent out another starry spray.
    â€˜What was the wish you wished on the star, Bryony?’Angelina had squeezed in close and was whispering in her ear. ‘Was it for new skates?’
    Bryony began to shake her head. Then, catching Big Bob’s eye, she stopped.
    â€˜Let’s just say,’ she said, giving Angelina a hug, ‘that whatever it was,
you
made it come true.’
    The kitchen exploded into even more cheers and, above the hubbub, Big Bob banged the table for silence. Then he raised his glass in Bryony’s direction.
    â€˜A special Christmas toast,’ he announced, as camera one zoomed in for a final, rather wobbly, close-up, ‘to our Bryony – the star who makes
all
our wishes come true.’

About the Author
    I was born in Stranraer, a small town by the sea in Galloway, and I still like to be there as much as I can. I love the sea, the lochs and the rivers.
    Most of the time, though, I live in Glasgow with my cats Lily,