Rose hesitates. I guess she doesn’t want to leave me on my own. “I’m fine,” I say, and she gives me a grateful smile before shooting off.

I look at my watch. Just six minutes to go. My heart squeezes with excitement. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. In front of me, Tariq bends over his bag and shoves half an egg sandwich in his mouth. We’re going home at lunchtime, but obviously he can’t wait.

The eggy smell drifts over me, and I shut my eyes and breathe it in. Dragons, I think, and in a flash I’m back in Roar, flying high over the Bottomless Ocean on Vlad. Waves crash below us and Vlad sends a jet of fire rolling toward me along with the smell of sulfur.

Something hits my head and I open my eyes to see an eraser sitting on the desk. From across the room Harriet calls out, “Sorry, Arthur. I was aiming for Tariq!”

Miss Kimble looks up and realizes that her classroom has descended into chaos. “Right,” she says, clapping her hands. “Who’d like to share one of their descriptive sentences with the class?” Everyone falls quiet, even Harriet. Then, like a dragon sighting its prey, Miss Kimble’s eyes lock on to me. “Arthur Trout, let’s hear one of yours.”

“Umm . . .” I swallow and desperately try to find a sentence that doesn’t involve anything magical. “I’m also looking forward to swimming,” I read, skipping the bit about heavily tattooed merfolk.

Miss Kimble frowns. “Well, it’s a sentence, but I wouldn’t exactly call it descriptive. Let’s have another one.”

Rose turns and shoots a massive glare in my direction. I’m seconds away from the end of term and I’m about to get into trouble. “Ahh . . .” I say.

And then, quite literally, I’m saved by the bell.

The classroom erupts with noise as chairs are scraped back, books are stuffed into bags, and coats are pulled on. “Take your work home with you!” shouts Miss Kimble as she rushes toward the door. “You can finish it during half-term WHILE I’M SKIING!”

I crumple up my piece of paper and stuff it in my pocket. I don’t need to write about Roar, because finally, after weeks of planning and waiting and dreaming, I’m going back.

Chapter 2

While Rose gives out her cupcakes, I join the crush of students heading out of school.

Mum’s parked exactly where she said she’d be, and seeing as Rose isn’t here, I take the front seat.

“Hey, Arthur!” Mum says, giving my hair a vigorous ruffle. “Looking forward to staying with your grandad?”