Jade and the Surprise Party (7 page)

“A party,” replied Lila, smiling.

“I know about that,” said the White Cat. “Red Riding Hood’s been expecting me. But what about all my friends? Are they safe?”

“They are indeed,” said Lila. “But not here. They’re waiting with Red Riding Hood in the Land of Sweets.”

“Waiting for who?” The White Cat let go of Lila’s hand and made to go towards the cottage. But Jade stopped him.

“Look Cat, please do as Lila says. Here is your carriage.”

The White Cat stared at the glittering carriage. “Are you sure? For me?” he asked faintly.

Lila and Jade both nodded and grinned at each other as they opened the door for their friend.

“Oh, my shimmering tail! A surprise party! This is unbelievable!” cried the White Cat as he stared at the sign above the door to the ballroom. Then he turned with shining eyes to Jade. “Did you know about this?”

Jade grinned. “Yes!”

“And you kept it a secret!”

Jade giggled. “It wasn’t easy!”

The White Cat patted her arm with his paw and skipped into a graceful
pas de chat
as Lila flung open the door to the ballroom. The loudest claps and cheers rang out, filling the whole palace.

“Oh, my glittering whiskers!” the White Cat exclaimed, which made everyone cheer all the more loudly. Then they broke into song and Jade sang too at the top of her voice.

“Happy Birthday, dear White Cat. Happy Birthday to you!”

“I am such a lucky fellow!” declared the White Cat pirouetting round and greeting all his guests. “What a wonderful surprise.”

It was the best party Jade had ever attended. As everyone tucked into the most lavish feast, she told her friend the story of all that had happened. She began with Lila asking for Jade’s help in keeping him out of the way of the party preparations. And she ended with the moment when she’d managed to bring the Lilac Fairy back to life.

“I’m very proud of you!” declared the White Cat. “And I’m so relieved that everything has turned out perfectly! Would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”

“As long as you let me keep up with
you!” Jade replied, laughing a little nervously.

“Then why don’t
you
lead and I’ll try to follow!” suggested the White Cat.

Everyone clapped in time as the two of them twisted and turned, twirled and jumped.

There were no celebratory photos now that Bettina was gone, but that really didn’t matter.

“Oh, your sparkling shoes!” the White Cat cried out finally.

At first Jade thought it was just another of his outbursts. But then she realised he was looking down at her red shoes, and saw that they really were glowing.

“It’s time for me to go now, White Cat,” she said. “Enjoy the rest of your party!”

The White Cat held both her hands in his paws. “Thank you for everything! This party is the best ever!”

Jade smiled as she let go of his paws and felt herself being lifted up in a swirling mass of bright colours. “Goodbye! Goodbye!”

Next thing she knew, Jade was standing on her landing at home just outside her sisters’ room.

“Are you coming, Jade?” came her mum’s voice from downstairs.

Of course! She’d been just about to go to the phone when the shoes had whisked her away. And as usual when she returned from Enchantia, no time at all had passed
in the real world.

She took the phone from her mum. “Hello?”

“Oh, hi Jade. It’s Chloe.”

“Chloe!” Jade suddenly felt ashamed of the way she’d been in class that morning. The White Cat’s voice popped into her head.
I keep forgetting you’re only human!
And she began to apologise down the phone. “Sorry about this morning, Chloe. I shouldn’t have gone so fast. I know how hard it is when
you can’t keep up. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s OK,” Chloe replied, sounding happy. “I was phoning to ask if we could get together during the week and have a practice?”

“Yes, that would be great!”

When Jade put the phone down she went back upstairs and into Lottie and Hannah’s room, ready to finish off
Sleeping Beauty
. She stopped in the doorway, though. Both her sisters were fast asleep.

Jade crept in and picked up the book.

She turned straight to the page with her favourite picture and studied it carefully.

What a beautiful pose the Lilac Fairy was holding. Jade closed her eyes and saw a picture of herself in the ballroom of statues. Then she opened her eyes and
smiled. She’d had such an amazing adventure… She couldn’t wait to go on many more.

1. Start in a demi-plié with your right leg extended in front of you and your foot pointed in front. This is called a pas degage. Hold your arms curved in front of you in first position.