The school fete was a huge success. The sun shone and everyone who came along was in a really good mood. Our stall was busy, especially when families realised the famous “Ellie-bot” was working there. In fact, I think having Ellie there made us the most popular stall in the fete.

Mum came along with Henry and he managed to hook three ducks to win some sweets. I’d had such a wonderful morning that it made what happened next even more upsetting. We began to pack our stall away and things suddenly turned bad.

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

It all went wrong because of the paddling pool. I was busy with the bucket, scooping out the water and sloshing it onto the grass. Shavina and Erin came over. They had been running a stall where you had to knock cans over using small beanbags.

“Hi, guys!” said Shavina.

“Hi, Ellie,” said Erin. She was wearing her tracksuit from her street-dance club.

“Hi!” said Ellie. “Your dance was brilliant, Erin.” Erin’s street-dance club had performed a routine in the middle of the field and we’d taken Ellie-bot closer to watch.

Erin smiled. “Thanks!” she said. “How did your stall go?”

Nia tipped out a pile of coins from a plastic tub. “It was great,” she said. “Mainly thanks to Ellie-bot, who was so good at calling in the crowds.”

Ellie-bot’s eyes wiggled and flashed, and we all laughed.

The paddling pool was nearly empty, so I lifted one side and the water gushed out onto the grass. I twisted the pool to get the last few centimetres of water out and Ellie-bot’s head turned to watch.

“Oooh, look, Anna!” said Ellie. “The pool looks just like a skating rink!”

I froze. I looked at the bottom of the paddling pool which was shiny and white.

“Yes, yes, it does a bit,” I said. I turned away and undid the stopper on the side to let the air out. The pool slowly began to shrink.

“Anna?” said Ellie. “I was thinking that maybe I could ask my mum if I could come and see you skate one day. Do you think your coach would let me?”

I looked down at the deflating paddling pool, then turned to face Ellie-bot. Nia, Shavina and Erin were all staring at me.

Nia was frowning. “I didn’t know you did ice skating, Anna?” said Nia.

Erin took a step forwards, her arms folded. My mind raced as I tried to think of what to say. I pressed my lips together.

“You must have to travel for miles,” said Shavina. “The rink just outside town closed down a while ago.”

I swallowed. I didn’t know that. And even if the rink was still open, there was no way that anyone would believe I was having lessons. My friends knew my family couldn’t afford for me to go to any clubs.