Success at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant Page A

seemed to have drawn so far away. We had a lot of catching up to do, but we were getting there, and I was determined we’d do even better.
    The whistle for team three to start seemed to come after no time at all, and though it was worrying in one way, I also felt quite flattered that Ryan can’t have thought Holly’s crew was that much better than ours, as he didn’t give us much of a start over them.
    â€œCome on. Keep it up!” I yelled, because when I turned round I could see that Holly’s team was rowing hard and gaining on us a bit already. Everyone in my team tried even harder and I realized we were really catching up with team one. It was such a wonderful moment when we pulled ahead of them! Then out towards the island we whooshed, pulling and pushing, pulling and pushing, in perfect rhythm with each other.
    â€œDon’t worry!” Ryan called to Poppy from his little dinghy nearby. “You’re doing fine. Just keep going!” But a big groan came from her boat.
    The next time I turned round I saw that Holly’s team was gaining on us and no matter how much I kept encouraging my team, they just couldn’t go any faster. They all looked exhausted. Team three overtook us only seconds before the buoy that marked the finish of the race, and a great cheer went up from their boat and from the landing stage.
    â€œYou were amazing!” said Antonia, patting me and Izzy on the back when we were on dry land once more.
    â€œYes, well done!” said Nicole.
    â€œHolly’s lucky, she’s got all the strong rowers on her boat,” said Emily, probably trying to make me feel better about coming second. But the truth was, I wasn’t disappointed. My team had sculled better than ever before and I felt proud of them and told them so.
    â€œGood work, Sasha!” Ryan called out as he walked towards us. “And well done, team two. I can’t believe how much you’ve improved.” Then, turning to me, he said, “I bet you’d like to get sculling again though, wouldn’t you?”
    I nodded happily. “Yes, I like coxing, but my favourite thing is definitely sculling.”
    â€œExcellent, because later I have plans for you and Holly.” He beckoned her over to where we were standing. Everyone else stood round talking excitedly about the race and what fun it had been, and as the spectators spilled out their congratulations to the winners and their condolences to the losers, I followed Ryan and Holly further along the landing stage, to where Celia was crouching, holding on to a boat.
    I heard myself gasp and, beside me, Holly seemed dumbstruck. It was the most beautiful, gleaming, racing scull double I’d seen yet.
    â€œYes,” said Ryan, smiling at our shocked faces. “This is a top-class double. A proper racing scull. I want to fast-track you two because I’m so impressed with the extraordinary progress you’ve each made. I’ve actually never seen anything like it in such a short time. You’ve definitely gone beyond stable sculls now, so this –” his hand reached out towards the wonderful, long slim boat – “is your next challenge!”
    I felt something tighten inside me at the same time as my heart sang. The thought of sculling in this amazing boat was like a dream come true. But sculling with Holly? Would the dream turn into a nightmare?

Chapter Nine

    It was five thirty on Wednesday afternoon and Holly and I were arriving at Pollington Water in Miss Fosbrook’s car, for our special extra session in the amazing racing double. Holly was sitting in the front beside Miss Fosbrook and I’d been left on my own in the back. It was a relief that Miss Fosbrook had been chattering away throughout the journey, because it made it less obvious that Holly and I never actually said a single word to each other, but only ever spoke to Miss Fosbrook.
    As soon as we’d parked, Holly got out and