Moon Princess by Barbara Laban

travelled on through the night. Luggage was crammed into the racks above their heads, and the passengers sitting underneath were squashed together just as closely. Some were already asleep, others were absorbed in books or newspapers, and lots of them were eating. The smell of dried meat and fish reminded Sienna of breakfast with Ling that morning. It felt like years ago that she had been sitting with her in the kitchen.
    The old man sitting opposite smiled as he glanced at Feng’s T-shirt. ‘ Xiangshan Si? Fragrant Mountain Temple?’
    Feng looked up in surprise and nodded.
    Sienna studied the man closely. His eyes seemed kindly, although his voice was low and serious. ‘That’s a very long journey you’re making. I hope you’re prepared for such a trip.’
    Sienna was so tired it took her a moment to realize that she understood almost everything the man was saying. She squinted at him. Thereseemed to be a shining energy surrounding him, like tiny glittering dust particles, and she rubbed her eyes to try to clear her vision.
    â€˜Well, Feng knows the city we’re going to well. And we have plenty of supplies with us,’ said Sienna. She realized she was responding in sing-song, fluent Mandarin. How did I do that?
    The man looked at her with a smile in his eyes and continued to speak in Mandarin, ‘I don’t know what you’ve got planned, but that was an ugly scene on the platform earlier. I hope you’re not in danger.’
    â€˜What … what do you mean? Can you see … did you really see … ?’ stammered Sienna.
    The man smiled. ‘Yes, I can see what you see. It gets harder every day, when one is getting older, but I’m still quite well practised. I can even see the little dragon that keeps flying around your friend’s head.’
    Sienna couldn’t believe her ears. An adult who could see their invisible friends! And … a dragon? A little dragon … ?
    She remembered Feng mentioning his childhood daydreams. Rufus said he’d caught sight of Feng’s invisible friend, although he hadn’tmentioned a dragon, and outside the restaurant, she had once spotted a flash of light over Feng’s head – like a flicker of fire. Could it have been … ?
    Concentrating as hard as she could, Sienna stared at the space above Feng. After a few moments, she saw him. As small and translucent as a bubble, a tiny dragon was trying desperately to attract Feng’s attention. He was pulling Feng’s hair with his tiny claws, and now and then he spat out small quantities of fire, flashing in the shadows of the carriage. That must be what she’d seen before! The little creature looked totally exhausted, and Sienna was afraid that he could come plummeting down at any moment.
    Feng was looking at her quizzically.
    â€˜Above your head – a little dragon!’ Sienna pointed. ‘Just like you imagined when you were little!’
    Feng whispered, ‘Xiaolong,’ then reached above his head, desperately trying to find the invisible creature. But his hands passed straight through the dragon, and eventually Feng dropped his hands to his lap, looking sadder than ever.
    â€˜We sometimes wish for the most wonderful friends when we’re children,’ the man said quietly to Sienna. ‘It’s a pity most people forget their special friends sooner or later, when the mind turns outwards and imagination lessens. You must concentrate hard and have faith to keep cherished companions.’
    â€˜Do you have a special friend … ?’ asked Sienna. She couldn’t help but ask – she’d never met anyone who knew of invisible friends before.
    â€˜Oh yes,’ replied the old man, smiling warmly. ‘He’s been with us this whole time, and you in particular have already started to benefit from his presence! I think it’s time we all introduced ourselves.’ He nodded slightly to the children