‘Well, I was just thinking that when I get back to Earth I might start a “Most Popular Student in the School” competition,’ said Greta. ‘I’d win it for sure.’

Nicola snorted. Maybe this should be called the Valley of Impossibly High Hopes.

Although did that mean her own hopes were impossible?

No! Her hopes were sensible and realistic!

As they followed the path further down into the valley, the vegetation became thicker and the light dimmed. The snow gleamed as if sprinkled with thousands of tiny crystals. Every now and then there was a startling splash of brilliant colour from where the rainbow light had crept through. The Space Brigade fell silent. The only sound was the clip-clopping of their ShobGobbles’ hooves.

An hour passed.

Another hour passed.

‘Chirrrp!’ said Quicksilver. Nicola started. She felt like she’d been in a trance. She looked around and saw that they’d come to a clearing next to a bubbling creek. A huge pool of indigo light shone on a corner of the clearing and Nicola could see thousands of purple berries – just like the ones Silent Fred had drawn for them. Quicksilver smacked his lips.

‘Yes,’ said Nicola. ‘Indigo berries.’

There was also a huge mossy log that looked like it would make a comfortable seat, lying next to the remains of a campfire. It was the perfect spot for brunch – or lunfast.

‘Time for a break,’ announced Nicola, pulling on Quicksilver’s reins.

Nicola saw the rest of the Space Brigade stretching and rubbing their eyes as they climbed down from their ShobGobbles.

‘I feel like I’m in the middle of a beautiful dream,’ said Shimlara. Nicola knew exactly what she meant.

They led their ShobGobbles over to the creek and the patch of indigo berries. The ShobGobbles took long slurps of water before hungrily attacking the berries.

‘I hope we didn’t wait too long before feeding them,’ said Nicola worriedly. ‘If Katie was here she would have thought of it sooner.’

‘I think we’ve taken too long feeding ourselves,’ said Sean, rapidly pulling out Joy’s provisions from the saddlebags. ‘I can’t believe I forgot I was hungry. That never happens to me.’

Suddenly Nicola was starving too. She found a big checked picnic blanket in her own saddlebag and spread it out next to the log.

‘I hope it’s not too much weird stuff like last night,’ said Sean.

‘Well, it looks sort of normal,’ said Tyler, as he unpeeled the lid of a large silver container. Steam rushed out. He held up something shaped like a miniature rainbow and covered in flaky pastry. ‘Who wants to try it?’

‘I will!’ Nicola bit into one. The filling was like nothing she could describe. It was like crunching into a crisp apple at the same time as biting into a piece of chewy caramel. ‘I don’t know exactly what it is, but it tastes great.’