longer. She let it out in a long, long sigh. ‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘Thanks for the cold cure, Mrs Willow. I must go home now.’
Mrs Willow looked sad. ‘Can’t you stay for a cup of tea?’ ‘No, I-I have to go.’
Trudy couldn't wait to get away. The room was too full of beautiful things. Any minute now there would be a disaster, she felt sure. She turned to the door.
Something furry brushed against her leg. Trudy jumped backwards.
The furry thing gave a loud ‘YEOWLL!’ It leaped on to the piano.
Trudy jumped again, sideways. Her elbow hit the green-and-white vase. It began to sway. She watched in horror as it rocked from side to side……to side to side……to side to side and… It fell to the floor and broke into little pieces. DISASTER. Nobody moved. The cat-who had caused all the trouble-sat on top of the piano. It swished its tail. Then Trudy said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I’
m really sorry. It’s because I’m clumsy. That’s why I didn't want to came into your house. I knew something would get broken. It always does when I’m around.’ ‘It’s all right,’ Mrs Willow said calmly. Surprised, Trudy stared at her.
‘Not a bit. You see, that vase has been broken before. It had to be mended then. And do you know who broke it?’ Mrs Willow smiled. ‘I did, when I was just about your age. Yes, I used to be clumsy too.’
Trudy couldn’t believe it. Mrs Willow seemed so tall and graceful. She didn't look the sort of person who would knock things over. ‘You couldn't have been as clumsy as I am,’ she said. Mrs Willow took a photo from the top of the piano. ‘Do you see this girl playing tennis?’ she asked. ‘Well, that was me.’ Trudy looked at the photo.
The girl playing tennis was tall and thin with untidy hair. She had a wide grin on her face.
Mrs Willow laughed. ‘I was a real ugly duckling, wasn’t I? But do you remember what happened to the ugly duckling?’ Trudy nodded. ‘It grew up to be a swan. But I don't think I shall. I’ll just grow up to been ugly duck.’
‘Not if you do as I did. You have to keep telling yourself that inside, where it matters, you’re really a swan.’ Trudy said doubtfully, ‘I’m a swan.’
‘It does work, you know. It’s a kind of magic. Say it again. This