Read Magic Kitten: A Circus Wish for Free Online Page B

wanted to.’
    Flame blinked slowly, a gentle look on his tiny fluffy face. ‘That is not possible, Sadie.’
    Sadie sighed and gave him a cuddle. ‘I know. But I’m trying hard not to think about that.’
    The rousing sound of the brass band filled the air. A drum major marched along, twirling his baton as he led the carnival parade. Decorated lorries and floats came next.
    Behind them, led by the ring-mistress in a black top hat and shiny black boots, came the circus performers.
    The Flying Tomanis were on a float decorated with silver balloons and sparkling bunting. It even had a trapezeand they took turns to perform as the lorry trundled along the street. Presto sat beside Lena, wearing a tiny silver coat and wagging his tail madly.
    Sadie and Jenny walked alongside the Tomanis’ float. One of the clowns had lent Jenny a costume. She looked amazing in a fuzzy red wig, a yellow shirt and baggy checked dungarees.
    Sadie wore a bright-blue leotard and silver tights. She had a white face with a big red nose and a crooked painted smile. She wore a backpack and Flame was inside, safe from the milling crowds that lined the pavements, and hidden from his enemies.
    ‘Are you enjoying this?’ Lena shouted above the band down to Sadie.
    ‘It’s fantastic! I love it!’ she yelledback. ‘Isn’t it brilliant, Jenny?’
    Jenny nodded, her eyes shining. She pointed at the crowd. ‘Look, there’s my mum and dad. They’re with your parents!’
    ‘Hi, Mum! Hi, Dad!’ Sadie and Jenny chorused and waved.
    The crowds cheered and clapped as the parade passed by. There was a ripple of laughter as a clown on stilts blew a loud hooter.
    The carnival parade poured through the park gates with a stream of people following behind it. Strings of coloured lights and spotlights made the park seem magical.
    The Tomanis’ float came to a halt beside the makeshift circus ring and Lena and her family began gettingready for their evening performance.
    ‘Back soon!’ Jenny had an attack of nerves and ran off to find a loo.
    Sadie had butterflies in her stomach too. It was almost time for her and Jenny to do their act. She took off her backpack and opened it for a quick word with Flame.
    He wasn’t inside.
    ‘Flame? Where are you?’ Sadie hissed.

    As she remembered the only other time he had gone missing, a horrible suspicion crept over her.
    Suddenly she glimpsed two lean, dark shapes under a parked lorry. Cruel eyes seemed to flash in the spotlights trained on the ring.
    Sadie gasped and her heart missed a beat. Flame’s enemies were here. He would be killed. She had to find him and warn him!
    As she dashed between the lorries, there was a bright silver flash and a cloud of sparkles. Sadie saw Flame as a magnificent young white lion standing there. This time, there was an older, grey lion alongside him.
    Flame turned and looked at Sadie. His calm emerald eyes were gentle.‘Take care. Be well,’ he said in a deep velvety growl.
    Tears pricked Sadie’s eyes. Her chest ached so much she could hardly breathe. ‘Goodbye. I’ll never forget you,’ she croaked.
    There was a final flash. Flame and the grey lion had gone.
    With a shriek of rage the dark shapes disappeared too.
    Sadie stood there. The cheerful noise of the carnival went on around her, but she didn’t hear it. She was going to miss Flame dreadfully. But then Sadie realized how proud she felt to have been his friend. She would always have the memories of their time together.
    ‘Sadie?’ called Jenny’s voice. ‘We’re on in a minute.’
    Sadie wiped her eyes. ‘Coming!’ she called, as she ran out to meet her friend.
    Jenny stared at her tear-streaked face. ‘What’s happened?’
    ‘Flame’s owner turned up and has taken him home,’ Sadie improvised hastily. ‘I knew he couldn’t stay forever. He was a stray, after all.’
    ‘Oh, what a shame. You poor thing. You must be so upset.’ Jenny put her arm round Sadie. ‘We don’t have to do our act, if you’d