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could it have been?” Todd asked.
    Zoe shrugged. “I don’t know. Anyway, Flame helped me…I mean I…um, managed to get all the bantams back in, so Jake’s plan to get even didn’t work.”
    “I still think we should tell Mr. Fawsley. And I don’t care if it means beinga tattletale!” Tracy fumed.
    “He’d only deny it was him, just like he lied about making Fudge bolt. And it would be his word against ours.” Zoe sighed.
    The twins looked at each other. They knew Zoe was right.
    No one spoke for a while. A few minutes later Bracken and her cubs appeared through the trees and the horrible thought of Jake Fawsley was pushed to the back of everyone’s mind.

“I can’t believe it’s the town fair tomorrow!” Zoe said to her nana at lunchtime the following day.
    Joy Swann smiled and handed Zoe a salad. “It’s exciting, isn’t it? Your mom’s arriving first thing, so she can watch you in the competition. And I think I’ve got a good chance of a getting first prize for my bantams this year.”

    After lunch, Zoe and Flame went over to the twins’ house. They spent the afternoon practicing the jumps and then left the ponies out in the paddock.
    Zoe went into the tack room with Todd and Tracy. They all cleaned and polished until their arms ached. Everything had to be gleaming for tomorrow’s show.
    Flame curled up on the old woodenchest, where the horses’ brushes and clean saddle cloths were kept. Zoe noticed that he kept looking around anxiously. Once he stood up and stared into space, the hackles on his back rising.
    Zoe felt a flicker of alarm. What was wrong with him?
    Flame insisted on getting into her shoulder bag for the short walk back down the lane to Nana’s house. Tucking himself into a small, tight ball, he pressed himself into the corner of Zoe’s bag.
    She slipped her hand inside to stroke him. He was trembling all over. “What’s wrong, Flame?” she asked worriedly.
    “I sense my enemies drawing closer.I may have to leave in a hurry,” Flame whined softly.
    “Oh no,” Zoe said, feeling her heart sink.
    She had hoped that this day would never come. Now it looked as if Flame might have to leave at any moment. She didn’t know how she was going to cope with losing him.
    Zoe felt distraught for the rest of the evening as Flame was clearly terrified. She didn’t know what to do, except stroke him reassuringly. That night, Flame crawled trembling into the back of Zoe’s wardrobe and stayed there. Zoe lay awake for a long time worrying about him.

    The following morning, however, Zoe was awakened by a little, furry head nudging her cheek. Flame was on her bed. His emerald eyes glowed and he seemed just like his usual self.
    “Oh, Flame! You’re still here!” Zoe sat up sleepily and gathered him into her arms. She had been almost certain that he’d be gone when she woke up.
    “My enemies have passed close by, but they couldn’t find me. I think I am safe again for a little while,” Flame purred, snuggling up to her.
    “I’m so glad,” Zoe said with relief. She just hoped his enemies kept on going and never came back.
    “Zoe! Are you awake?” a familiar voice called up the stairs.
    “Mom!” Zoe leaped out of bed.She hopped about on one foot as she hurriedly pulled on her jeans and then dragged a brush through her short hair. “Come on, Flame!” she called, racing downstairs.
    She threw herself at her mom and gave her an enormous hug.
    Zoe’s mom smiled. “I’ve missed you, too! Oh, this must be the kitten I’ve heard so much about!” She bent down to stroke Flame. “Hello, little one.”
    Flame gave a little mew of greeting. He rubbed his small furry body against Helen Swann’s ankles.
    “I’ve got a feeling he might be coming home with us,” Helen said to Zoe.
    “Definitely!” Zoe said. She promised herself to keep her fingers and toes crossed that Flame would.
    Flame padded after Zoe and her mom as they went into the kitchen where Zoe’s nana had breakfast