Snowy Wishes by Sue Bentley Page A

snowcapped mountains through the cabin window, let alone spend any time with her dad. It looked like this was going to be another lonely Christmas after all.
    “How come you and Dad are okay? I can barely even stand up without wanting to throw up,” she grumbled.
    “It’s just sheer bad luck,” her mom said sympathetically. “We had no ideathat you’d react so badly to a sea voyage, or we’d have chosen a different way of spending Christmas.” She handed Robyn a glass. “Have a drink of water. It might help.”

    Robyn sipped the water. She felt a tiny bit better after having a drink. “Thanks, Mom. I think I might stay sitting up. Maybe I’ll look through that music magazine you got me. Where’s Dad?”
    “In the sun lounge, reading his paper. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to bring you something? Maybe a sandwich or some fruit?”
    At the thought of food, Robyn made a face. “I couldn’t eat a thing.”
    Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m really starting to wonder whetherwe shouldn’t get off the ship at the next port and arrange to take you home.”
    “No! You can’t!” Robyn said at once and then wished that she hadn’t spoken so loudly. Her head felt as if it was spinning. “Dad will be so disappointed if we waste this vacation. And you’ve been really looking forward to it for ages.”
    “So have you, sweetheart,” her mom reminded her gently. “This was supposed to be a really special Christmas together, remember?”
    Robyn nodded. “I know, but we’ll have lots more of them,” she said, trying hard to hide her disappointment for her mom’s sake. “I don’t see why you and Dad can’t still have a good time. I’ll be fine in here by myself. I’m nearly tenyears old, aren’t I? And I
have
to start feeling better soon. No one stays seasick forever!”
    Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m still not happy about leaving you alone. I’m just going to pop back to have a word with your dad. Let’s see what he has to say about this. I won’t be long.”
    Robyn’s shoulders slumped as the cabin door closed. Even though it wasn’t her fault that she felt so ill, she knew she’d feel really guilty if their cruise was cut short.
    It’s just not fair! I’m so fed up of being sick!
she grumbled to herself.
    She took a deep breath and decided to get up. Maybe her mom and dad would change their minds about taking her home if she could convince them that shewas feeling stronger.
    Pushing back her quilt, Robyn slowly swung her legs over the side of her bunk. Her head swam a bit, but she stood up determinedly and reached for her jeans and fleece top. She was a bit wobbly on her feet, but she took her time getting dressed and finally managed it okay.
    I’m much better. I’m fine,
she told herself determinedly as she bent down to pull on her sneakers. Suddenly, a strong dizzy feeling washed over her, and she lost her balance.
    “Oh,” Robyn gasped, toppling forward.
    She threw out her arms, ready for a painful bruising landing, when a brilliant golden flash and a shower of sparks lit up the small cabin. Timeseemed to stand still and a warm tingling sensation ran down Robyn’s spine. She felt a sudden jolt, but there was no hard landing.

    To her complete astonishment, Robyn found herself sprawled full-length on her tummy on a sort of bouncy raft, made of shimmering gold-colored bubbles, and whizzing all around her wasan ice storm of spinning, glittering sparks.
    Robyn caught her breath as she felt herself slowly rising up into a sitting position and then being lowered gently on to the floor. The bubble raft and sparks dissolved with a loud crackling noise, like chip bags being crumpled up.
    Robyn sat there shakily on the floor and looked around nervously.
    What had just happened? She felt like pinching herself to see if she had been dreaming.
    “I hope you are not hurt,” woofed a strange little voice.
    Robyn nearly jumped out of her skin. “Who said that?” She