Unicorn School by Linda Chapman Page A

swirling around them.
    Willow watched in awe as the flying unicorns landed effortlessly on
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    the grass. Some of them only looked about eleven or twelve and yet they flew so confidently. She wished she could do it as well as them.
    â€˜Well, what do you think?’ her dad asked.
    â€˜It’s brilliant!’ Willow exclaimed, looking at the castle and at the unicorns who were cantering up toeach other and talking about the summer holidays. They all seemed so much bigger than her. Willow knew that she was small for her age – something her annoying older brothers usually teased her about.
    â€˜I wonder which of these unicorns are Year Ones like you,’ her mum said as they trotted down the hill towards the golden gates. ‘And who you’ll make friends with.’
    Willow glanced around at all the other unicorns. She felt strangely shy. Usually she liked meeting other unicorns but everyone else seemed to know each other and have friends to talk to.
    Her dark eyes fell on a big whiteunicorn nearby. He was standing with a unicorn who looked as if he might be his father. They had the same silvery-white horns, handsome straight noses and thick dark grey manes.
    I bet he’s a Year Three at least
, Willow thought, looking at the tall unicorn. She watched the way he was standing close by his dad’s side and frowned. It was strange he looked nervous and he didn’t seem to be talking to anyone like the other older unicorns were.
    The unicorn’s father bent his head. ‘I’ll leave you now, Storm,’ Willow heard him say. He glanced at the gates. The elves had started to bustleabout, taking out registers. ‘It looks like the gates are about to open. Have a wonderful first term here.’
    â€˜Thanks, Dad!’ Storm, the big unicorn, snorted.
    Willow frowned. First term! So he must be a Year One unicorn like her. But he looked so much older. Her mum nudged her. ‘We should go, Willow. The elves need to organize everyone into their houses.’
    â€˜Houses?’ Willow said, wondering what her mum meant.
    â€˜All the unicorn pupils belong to a house – Star House, Moon House, Rainbow House or Sun House,’ her mum explained. ‘You’ll eat with the people in your houseand share a stable with them too.’
    â€˜And later in the term there will be competitions between the houses,’ her dad added.
    â€˜I wonder which house I’ll be in,’ Willow said.
    â€˜Well, your brothers were in Rainbow House when they were at school, so maybe you will be too,’

    her mum answered. ‘Now goodbye and be good.’
    â€˜Course I will be!’ Willow replied.
    Her dad chuckled. ‘That’ll be a first!’
    â€˜Dad!’ Willow stamped a hoof crossly.
    Her dad snorted softly. ‘You know I’m only joking. I’m sure you’ll make us proud of you.’ He touched his horn to Willow’s neck. She felt a tingle of magic flowing through her then her nervousness faded.
    She lifted her head and her dark eyes glowed. ‘I
will
make you proud of me,’ she told them strongly. ‘I promise I will.’
    Her mum smiled. ‘Goodbye,Willow!’ Both Willow’s parents touched horns with her and then they took off into the air. Willow watched them swoop away until they became small dots in the blue sky. Now that her parents had gone, she suddenly felt very alone.
    Three older unicorns walked past her. They looked about eleven. The one leading the group had dark grey legs and black eyes that sparkled mischievously. He nudged his friends. ‘Look at that teeny-tiny Year One.’
    One of his friends – a girl – smiled at Willow. ‘Isn’t she cute?’
    â€˜I’m not cute!’ Willow said, tossing her head. She didn’t like beingcalled teeny-tiny or cute. She was nine after all!
    The leader of the group walked up to her. ‘Are you missing your mummy and daddy?’ he