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to let this sink in. “Good. So . . . um . . . we can be friends now?”
    â€œIf you still want to,” Fay said, her hazel eyes sparkling. “And thanks so much for my new diary. I love it.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Tessa said, beaming. “And guess who I just saw on the way to the village when I went to buy it. Donny Jenton!”
    â€œReally? Did he have tons of bodyguards with him?” Fay asked.
    â€œNo. He was all by himself. He was looking for Lady, who had escaped and run away.” Tessa told Fay about running after Lady and almost getting flattened by the heavy light but she left out all mention of Storm. “Donny was so happy that Lady was safe that he offered me a reward. At first I couldn’t think of anything I wanted. But then I asked if he’d take me and my friends out for a burger or something.”
    â€œYou didn’t!” Fay said, deeply impressed. “What did he say?”
    Tessa smiled. “He was so cool. He’s arranging for his car to pick us up after we finish filming tomorrow.”
    â€œWow! That’s so cool!” Fay exclaimed. “Wait until Kelly hears about this!”
    â€œHears about what?” Kelly demanded from the open doorway. “As if I’d be interested in any of your pathetic plans!”
    â€œSo you don’t want to hear about how Fay and me are going out for a burger with Donny tomorrow evening?” Tessa said casually.
    â€œWhat? Don’t make me laugh!” Kelly said. “Ugly Fay and silly, spoiled Princess going on a date with Donny? Yeah, right!”
    Tessa did not show her anger. She shrugged. “Well, I guess you’ll see for yourself when Donny sends his car for us.”
    â€œYeah, right!” Kelly crowed, but she didn’t look so sure of herself now. “Why would he want to take you two clowns anywhere?”
    â€œBecause Tessa saved Lady from getting squashed when some equipment almost fell on her,” Fay said. “Isn’t that right, Tessa?”
    Tessa nodded. “Donny’s my number-one fan now. I might get his autograph for you, if you ask me really, really nicely!” she teased Kelly and was happy to see the older girl flush with jealousy. She turned to Fay. “Want to play a game of ping-pong?”

    â€œYou bet!” Fay cried, linking arms with Tessa. They skipped past Kelly with Storm trotting invisibly after them.
    â€œI don’t believe a word of it. You’re just a big liar, Tessa Churchill!” Kelly shouted after them.
    â€œAm I? We’ll see,” Tessa replied smugly.
    Halfway down the stairs Tessa and Fay clapped their hands over their mouths and started to laugh. “Did you see the look on her face? You are so bad!” Fay whispered through her fingers.
    â€œI couldn’t help it!” Tessa answered. “I really enjoyed standing up for myself for once. Besides, Kelly won’t be left out for long. I’ll tell her tomorrow that she’s invited to come with us!”
    Â 
    Tessa held up her long skirts as she emerged from wardrobe in full costume the following morning. “I can’t believe that this is my last day of filming. It’s gone by so fast!” she whispered to Storm.
    Storm nodded, his midnight-blue eyes looking a little troubled.
    â€œAre you looking forward to coming home with me? Mom and Dad are going to love you,” Tessa said.
    But Storm didn’t answer. She noticed that he kept glancing nervously around as he followed Tessa down to the big old-fashioned kitchen where the scene was being filmed. “Is something wrong?” she asked him.

    â€œShadow is very close now. I can feel it. He will use his magic to make any dogs nearby hunt me down,” the terrified puppy barked, beginning to tremble like a leaf.
    â€œOh, no!” Tessa gasped, going cold all over. “Maybe it’s another false alarm.”
    Storm shook his head. “Not this