The tent was open-sided and had a view out over the beach. Inside, a table was set with bowls of fruit, baskets of muffins and platters of mixed sandwiches. There were ice buckets with cold drinks and urns full of coffee.

Lexie sat between Ruby and Kit. Someone had brought them all robes so they could take off their wet costumes, but Ruby still wore the remains of her zombie make-up. She and Kit reached for the muffins. ‘Yummo!’

But Lexie couldn’t eat. Grampy and Analita joined them and Mr Johns got straight down to business. ‘We think Lexie would make a terrific Princess of the Sands,’ he said. ‘We think it could be time for Princess Loretta to ... err ... step down.’

‘You’re going to kill her off?’ said Loretta in a tiny voice.

‘No,’ said Mr Johns quickly. ‘But, well ... yes. She could drown and then her younger sister could take over as the leader of the island. Perhaps Princess Loretta could become one of the sea ghosts.’ He gave Loretta a conciliatory smile, seemingly pleased with the idea. ‘We think it could pave the way for a whole new series. We would like to offer Lexie a full-time role on the show. What do you think?’

Lexie was dumbstruck. Was he serious?

‘But what about school?’ asked Analita.

‘Child actors do lessons on the set,’ he answered. ‘We have a tutor.’

‘What about Loretta?’ asked Lexie. ‘She was amazing today. She saved my life.’

There was no way Lexie would steal Loretta’s role like that. It was fun being the sand princess for a day, but she didn’t want to do it all the time. Doing anything solo was all wrong for her. She was a triplet: she did things in threes. Lexie could feel Ruby and Kit staring at her now. And she could see Loretta looking down. Her lower lip was trembling.

Mr Barnes stepped in. ‘Loretta has shown that she cannot take instruction,’ he said. ‘If she had let me train the horse properly, this never would have happened. I’m sorry, but the problem has been going on for too long. It is affecting the entire cast and today it put others at risk.’

‘But you wanted to be cruel,’ said Loretta.

Mr Barnes ignored her and kept talking to Grampy and Analita. ‘We would like Lexie to be the new princess, but you would need to sign over complete control of your horse to me. We can’t have this happen again.’

Lexie’s mouth fell open in shock. She would never give control of Featherfoot to a man who used whips and hobbles. Lexie could tell that Ruby and Kit were both horrified by the idea as well.

All three girls looked to Grampy. His face was calm, but he did not speak.

Loretta stood up. ‘I’m leaving and I’m taking Coalfire with me.’

‘Loretta, no,’ said Lexie. ‘Please don’t go.’ This was so unfair.

‘Excuse me, Mr Johns.’ It was the sea ghost rider with the brown horse. She stood at the opening of the lunch tent. About twenty other sea ghosts stood behind her. ‘We don’t want our horses trained by Mr Barnes anymore. He’s cruel.’

Behind the girl, all the other riders nodded their ghostly heads. One of them pointed to Grampy. ‘It was that man who helped Coalfire go back into the water. If he hadn’t helped, Lexie could have drowned.’

‘Mr Barnes was the one who made Coalfire spook at the water in the first place,’ said another. ‘The horses are scared of him.’

The stunt riders all began complaining loudly. They talked over the top of each other. ‘We want Loretta back,’ they were saying. ‘She showed she can do it. She saved Lexie. She’s a hero!’

Mr Barnes’s face glowed red and shiny, like a plump tomato about to burst. ‘I refuse to work with Loretta Lusk,’ he said. ‘Her horse is spoilt and disobedient.’

‘And I refuse to work with you,’ said Loretta. She folded her arms across her chest.

Lexie felt Ruby take one hand. Kit took the other. She felt hope, courage and compassion swim through her. She knew the right thing to do. Lexie stood and spoke loudly. ‘Please, everyone, stop arguing.’

The extras went quiet and looked at Lexie. The director and the animal trainer were also quiet. Before they could erupt into fighting again, Lexie continued.

‘I don’t want to be the sand princess,’ she said. ‘I could never be as great in the role as Loretta. I’m a trick rider, not an actress.’ She looked at her sisters and smiled. ‘And I’m part of a trio. Doing anything solo is just ... wrong.’

The crowd all cheered and clapped.

Loretta smiled at her gratefully. Lexie gave her a wink. ‘But if you ever need a stunt double, I’m your girl!’

Mr Barnes picked his hat up off the table and turned to Mr Johns, as if giving him one last chance to intervene. Mr Johns stared back and shrugged.

Mr Barnes shook his head scornfully. ‘I quit,’ he said, and stormed out of the tent.

A rumble of triumph moved through the stunt riders, and Lexie and Loretta exchanged a small smile.

Grampy, who had been listening silently and rubbing his chin, stepped forward. ‘Can I make a suggestion?’

Mr Johns held up his hand, gesturing for everyone to be quiet. ‘Yes, Mr Trickett?’

‘I have an idea,’ said Grampy. ‘One that might solve some of your problems.’