My Secret Unicorn by Linda Chapman Page A

ago she had died. She had left Lauren the chest and a letter telling Lauren that she wanted her to take her place.
    So far, Lauren hadn’t helped anyone. She had been too sad after Mrs Fontana’s death to want to look in the chest properly. But she knew she couldn’t put it off forever. ‘I hope you can help me work out what the things Mrs Fontanaleft in the box are for,’ she said to Twilight.
    He whinnied. ‘I’ll try my best.’
    They flew down through the trees to the secret glade. No one ever seemed to go there apart from them. It was a very magical place: the air always seemed very still and even in the depths of winter, purple moonflowers dotted the grass.

    Twilight landed lightly. Bright fireflies were dancing through the air, and around the mound of grass in the centre of the clearing, pinky-grey rocks of rose quartz were gleaming softly in the starlight.
    Lauren slid off Twilight’s back and placed the chest on the mound. ‘Shall we have a look inside it then?’
    She felt a bit nervous. It was so weird to think that she was now the Keeper of Secrets. She didn’t feel old enough.
    Twilight nodded and rested his muzzle on her shoulder, his warm breath tickling her cold cheeks. She gave him a quick kiss and then opened the lid of the chest.
    Inside there was a soft leather book, a thick scroll tied with a silver ribbon,a dusty flat rock, a silver pendant shaped like a star, and five bottles, all different sizes and colours.
    Lauren hesitated. She didn’t want to touch the things. They felt like they still belonged to Mrs Fontana.
    A wave of sadness welled up inside her and she sat back on her heels, the contents of the chest untouched. ‘Oh, Twilight. This feels so strange. How can I possibly be the Keeper of Secrets? Mrs Fontana was so wise and clever. I don’t know where to start or what to do. How can I help other unicorns and their friends? I’m not Mrs Fontana, I’m just me.’
    â€˜Mrs Fontana wouldn’t have chosenyou if she didn’t think you could do it,’ Twilight told her. ‘I know it seems hard but we can work it out together.’
    His words made Lauren feel a bit better. She nodded. ‘Thanks,’ she said softly.
    There was a soft whinny in the air above them. Lauren looked up and gasped.
    Swooping down through the starry sky towards them was a beautiful unicorn with a shining silver horn…

CHAPTER
Two
    â€˜Sidra!’ Lauren cried, recognizing the tall, elegant unicorn.
    Sidra was one of the Unicorn Elders who ruled the magic land of Arcadia where most unicorns lived. She had visited Lauren and Twilight several times before.
    Twilight whinnied as the Unicorn Elder landed beside him. Her heavysilver mane and tail swept all the way to the floor and her beautiful face was noble and kind.

    â€˜What are you doing here, Sidra?’ Lauren asked.
    â€˜I came from Arcadia to talk to you both,’ Sidra replied, her silver horn glittering. ‘You are now a Keeper of Secrets, Lauren.’
    Lauren nodded.
    â€˜But you have not helped anyone yet,’ said Sidra.
    â€˜No,’ Lauren admitted. ‘Twilight and Iwere just about to look through the things Mrs Fontana left. It’s hard. I don’t really know what I should do.’ She looked at Sidra. ‘Can you tell me?’
    Sidra shook her head. ‘You must find your own way as Keeper of Secrets.’
    â€˜But it’s so difficult.’ Lauren looked into the Unicorn Elder’s dark eyes and admitted her fears. ‘Mrs Fontana was so clever, Sidra. How can I ever be like her?’
    Sidra snorted gently. ‘You will manage. You have a good heart, Lauren. Just do what feels right. But remember the golden rule: you must never tell another unicorn and their friend exactly what their powers are – they must discover them for themselves.’
    â€˜Can’t you tell me anything more?’ Lauren