Emily spent as much of the next two days as she could with Molly. She even missed chances to do extra skating practice. But suddenly the competition didn’t seem as important to her. So what if I don’t win? she thought. I’ll do my best in it, but it’s more important to be with Molly while she’s injured. Charlie was a good distraction, but Emily knew Molly really liked her visits too.
However, strangely, even though she wasn’t practising as hard, Emily’s skating started to improve again. On Saturday morning, before their skating lesson, she went through her routine. Starting in the centre of the ice and imagining the music in her head, Emily set off. Move began to follow move easily. While most of her mind was focused on the skating, Emily felt excitement growing. She felt light and balanced and she was getting every move right. It was a very good feeling.
Tilda and Alice both clapped as she finished the final spin. Glowing with delight, Emily went over to the side to get her breath back.
Madame Letsworth was there. ‘Well done, Emily. That’s the best I’ve seen you skate in a few days.’
Emily smiled. Even though Madame Letsworth wasn’t her official skating teacher, Emily had the feeling that nothing escaped the headteacher’s eagle eyes. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’m really surprised. I haven’t practised much the last few days because I’ve been so busy with Molly. I thought I’d be awful!’
Madame Letsworth smiled back. ‘Skating isn’t just about practising. It is important, but to skate well you must also feel good about yourself inside.’ Her eyes met Emily’s. ‘You may not have been practising much for the last few days, but you have been doing something much more important by helping a friend who is in need. You know you have been doing the right thing and that has helped your skating.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘Of course, that doesn’t mean you can stop practising altogether though, Emily!’
‘I wouldn’t ever do that. I love skating!’ Emily declared.
‘It’s in your heart,’ Madame Letsworth said softly. ‘There’s no doubt about that.’
Emily skated away. As she glided round the rink, she thought over what Madame Letsworth had said about being happy and how that affected her skating. It was true, she realized. She’d felt different skating in the last few days since she had been helping Molly, lighter somehow and happier inside – much better than when she had been wrapped up in practising and thinking only about winning. The pink skates are very important, she thought, but not as important as my friends.
‘So how was skating?’ asked Molly when Emily went up to see her after the lesson.
‘Really good!’ Emily enthused.
‘That’s great!’ said Molly. ‘I can’t believe it’s the competition tomorrow. I wonder what Hannah will say when she sees her new dress.’
‘I hope she likes it,’ said Emily anxiously.
‘Oh, she’ll love it!’ Molly declared. ‘You’re such a good friend, Em, to think of doing that.’
‘I should have realized earlier that Hannah needed help with it,’ Emily sighed. ‘I’ve not been a good friend. I should have done something about that, and I should have said something to you about not doing that jump.’ She looked guiltily at Molly.
Molly frowned. ‘Don’t be silly. Even if you had said something, you know I wouldn’t have listened. Getting injured was my own stupid fault. I’d have only told you that you were interfering if you’d said something.’ She met Emily’s eyes. ‘You’re a brilliant friend, Emily. And to prove it, I’m planning a surprise for you after the competition tomorrow.’
Emily frowned. ‘What surprise?’
‘Duh! If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, but me, Charlie and the frost fairies have been sorting it all out!’
‘Oh, go on, tell me,’ begged Emily, intrigued.
But no matter how much she pleaded, Molly refused to say any more. ‘You’ll find out tomorrow,’ she kept repeating annoyingly. ‘I’m not going to tell you now.’
Finally Emily gave up, but as she left Molly’s room, she felt as if she was fizzing inside. What with the competition and a surprise, it looked like the next day was going to be very exciting indeed!