‘What is this?’ called Madame. ‘You have ruined the dance! Why are you not in the air?’
‘I’m – I’m sorry, Madame,’ stammered Twink. ‘It’s just that –’
‘She can’t fly,’ broke in Mariella. She and Lola snickered.
‘Oh! You are that girl,’ said Madame. ‘I had forgotten. Ah. Well – you shall just have to hop for now, instead of flying. Pretend to fly. We shall not hear the wood’s thoughts today, but you shall all learn the steps.’
Miserably, Twink joined hands with the others as the dance began again. No one said a word to her, not even Sooze. She was sure they all blamed her for ruining the dance.
‘Now fly!’ said Madame. Feeling like an idiot, Twink hopped in place as the others lifted up in the air. She could hear Mariella and Lola laughing, and she grit her teeth. She was not going to let them get to her.
‘Madame!’ cried Sooze suddenly. ‘What’s that on your shoulder?’
‘You bad fairy, you have ruined the dance also!’ said Madame, exasperated. ‘What is this you are saying? What about my shoulder?’
‘There’s a – a thing on it,’ said Sooze, wide-eyed and innocent. The fairies all landed, clustering about Madame. Twink pressed her lips together to keep from shouting with laughter. There was a fat green glow-worm nestled on Madame’s shoulder, purring gently.
‘Oh! Get it off! Get away from me, you glow-thing!’ shrieked Madame, swatting at her shoulder. The glow-worm nuzzled Madame’s neck, humming with pleasure.
‘I think he likes you, Madame,’ said Pix, her voice wobbling with laughter.
‘But I do not like it! Horrid things, they should stay in lamps!’ Madame tried to scrape the worm off, but it clung to her like a tiny owl.
‘Maybe you should go and see Matron,’ said Sooze, her violet eyes wide. ‘He seems really attached to you.’
‘I shall! I shall! Class dismissed!’ And Madame flew quickly away towards Glitterwings, the affectionate glow-worm still cuddled on her shoulder.
Mariella sniffed. ‘I think you had something to do with that,’ she said to Sooze. ‘I’ve never seen a glow-worm do that before!’
‘Me? How could I?’ demanded Sooze. ‘We don’t learn power spells until third year.’
Mariella scowled, but had no answer for this. ‘Come on, Lola,’ she snapped. The two fairies flew haughtily away.
The rest of Daffodil Branch pressed around Sooze. ‘How did you do it?’ gasped Twink. ‘I’ve never seen anything so funny!’
Sooze grinned, fluttering her wings. ‘My sister gave me some fairy dust with a love spell cast on it. It wears off after a few minutes – by the time Madame gets to Matron, that worm won’t care about her in the least!’
The fairies howled with laughter, imagining it. Even Bimi was smiling. ‘Madame will think she’s gone mad!’ cried a yellow-haired fairy called Zena. ‘Sooze, you’re brilliant!’
Twink laughed with the others, glad of the chance to forget about not being able to fly. But once the merriment died down, Pix looked thoughtfully at her.
‘Twink, it’s really too bad that you still can’t fly,’ she said. ‘I wonder if there’s anything we can do to help you?’
Twink made a face. ‘Mrs Lightwing says I just need to relax, but I can’t seem to do it.’ She tried not to let the others see how much this bothered her. Every night, she had nightmares about flying that turned her wings cold.
‘Maybe there’s something she hasn’t thought of,’ said Pix. ‘I think I’ll fly to the library after dinner and do some research.’
Twink’s heart lifted. ‘Oh, Pix, would you?’ she cried. Everyone already knew that Pix was the cleverest fairy in their year. If anyone could figure out a solution, she could!
Pix nodded seriously, tucking a strand of short red hair behind her ear. ‘Yes, of course. It’s not just for you – it’ll be wonderful for all of us when you can fly!’
The first-year Common Branch was a cosy, moss-carpeted space with spotted mushrooms for seats, and a ring of fire rocks at its centre – enchanted stones that glowed hot in the winter and cool in the summer. Normally in the evenings the branch was filled with chattering fairies doing their homework, but that night everyone crowded around Pix.
‘Well? Have you found anything out yet?’ asked Sooze.
‘A few things,’ said Pix. She opened a petal book and flipped through its pages. ‘Twink, you’re not the first fairy who couldn’t fly. There was another one called Agnes Leadwing back in 1047. She couldn’t fly, either.’
‘What happened to her?’ asked Twink eagerly.
‘Well . . .’ Pix rubbed her nose. ‘Actually, she never did learn how to fly. She had to have a special mouse cart made for her, and she rode around in that all her life.’
‘Oh,’ whispered Twink.
Sooze made a face. ‘Pix, that doesn’t help at all! Didn’t you find out anything useful?’
Pix flushed and put the petal book away. ‘I tried. There’s just not a lot in the library about it. Every fairy can fly.’
‘Except Twink,’ sniffed Mariella, listening in from the edge of the group. ‘Really, I don’t know why you’re all bothering. It’s obvious that there’s something wrong with her.’
‘There is not!’ cried Twink. ‘I’ll be able to fly just as well as you soon, wait and see!’
‘No one can fly as well as Mariella,’ said Lola primly. ‘She’s the best of anybody.’
‘They should send you home,’ continued Mariella, narrowing her eyes at Twink. ‘You’re holding the whole year back. We can’t even listen to the wood because of you!’
Twink’s throat tightened. She couldn’t answer.
Sooze took a step forward, her pink wings opening and shutting rapidly. ‘I think you should just be quiet now,’ she said in a low voice. ‘We’re all behind Twink, even if you aren’t.’
The Common Branch held its breath, waiting to see what Mariella would do. The pointed-faced fairy flushed and looked away.
‘I’m going to bed now,’ she announced. ‘I’ve had enough of this.’ And she flounced off, with Lola fluttering after her.
‘Phew!’ said Zena. ‘We shan’t see her again anytime soon.’
‘Good,’ said Sooze. ‘Who wants to!’
‘Thanks,’ Twink said shyly to everyone. ‘But . . . I suppose she’s right, really. Maybe I should just go home.’ She swallowed hard at the thought of telling her parents she couldn’t fly. She had been pretending in her letters home that everything was fine.
‘Don’t you dare,’ said Bimi unexpectedly. They all turned and looked at the normally quiet fairy in surprise. Her pretty cheeks reddened. ‘Well, you can’t let Mariella chase you off, can you? It would just be too sickening!’
‘She’s right,’ Pix nodded. ‘We’ve got to think of something to help you, Twink.’
‘I know!’ said Sooze suddenly, lifting off the ground in her excitement. ‘What about the fairy dust? Maybe you didn’t have enough sprinkled on you!’
Twink gasped as hope flickered through her. ‘Do you think that’s it?’
‘Why not?’ said Sooze. ‘What else could it be?’
Pix shook her head. ‘She got the same fairy dust as the rest of us, and we can all fly. I don’t think that’s it.’
Sooze landed with a thump. ‘Oh, don’t be such a wet leaf, Pix! It’s worth asking Mrs Lightwing about it, isn’t it?’ She grinned at Twink. ‘We’ll do it tomorrow. I bet you’ll be flying by lunchtime!’
.
Chapter Four
‘No,’ said Mrs Lightwing.
‘But –’ started Twink.
Mrs Lightwing shook her blue head firmly. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there wasn’t anything wrong with the fairy dust. You can fly, Twink – you just get frighten
ed and can’t control it. See me after school today; I think it’s time I gave you some extra help.’ And she flew off without even a backwards look.
They were in the Great Branch, where the school was having breakfast. Twink sat down and looked glumly at her cup of nectar. She saw Mariella whisper something to Lola, and winced as they giggled.
‘I told you,’ said Pix sympathetically. ‘Never mind, we’ll work something else out.’
‘Well, I still think we should at least try it,’ said Sooze. ‘Winn told me that they once got a bad batch of fairy dust in a Creature Kindness class, and a caterpillar turned into a frog! If just one flake isn’t right, everything can go wrong.’
Twink stared at her. ‘But how can we try it? Mrs Lightwing said –’
Sooze shrugged. ‘I’ll get some more fairy dust from Winn. She uses it in her lessons. Just leave it to me!’
Pix let out a breath. ‘Sooze, I don’t think –’
A hush fell over the Great Branch. Looking around, Twink saw that Miss Shimmery had flown on to the raised platform.
‘Good morning!’ called the HeadFairy. ‘I have some very exciting news. As our old girls know, each year Glitterwings Academy puts on an exhibition for your parents. Well, this year it’s going to come early. We’re going to have a special Flying Exhibition at the end of this term! All of your parents are invited, and I know that you’ll make me very proud.’
Twink froze in horror as the Great Branch erupted in excited whispers. Oh, no! What would her parents think when they saw her on the ground? Then she remembered that they were going to be away at the end of term, and her wings sagged in relief. Even so, it was still awful. She’d be humiliated in front of everyone!
Sooze didn’t seem to notice the look on Twink’s face. She was busy chattering away to a silver-haired fairy called Sili. ‘What a glimmery idea! Usually the exhibitions are totally boring. But this – we can really show off and have some fun!’
Twink clutched Sooze’s arm. ‘Sooze, you won’t forget about the fairy dust, will you?’ she whispered. ‘It’s important!’
Sooze shook her head. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t forget,’ she whispered back.
Miss Shimmery held up her hands. ‘Quiet, please! Now, I know that I can depend upon every fairy in this school to make our exhibition an outstanding occasion.’ She folded her rainbow-coloured wings behind her back. ‘Let’s all sing the Glitterwings song.’ From behind her, a small band of crickets leapt into place, tuning up their legs like violins.
Trying not to look as worried as she felt, Twink rose with the others, opening and closing her wings in time to the music as they sang.
Oh, Glitterwings, dear Glitterwings
Beloved oak tree scho-ool.
Good fairy fun for everyone,
That is our fairy ru-ule.
Our teachers wise,
Their magic strong,
With all our friends,
We can’t go wrong.
Oh, Glitterwings, dear Glitterwings
Beloved oak tree scho-ool.
As the day went on, Twink wasn’t at all sure that Sooze would remember the fairy dust. The whole school was buzzing about the Flying Exhibition, and Sooze seemed more excited than anyone. She darted ahead of Twink and Sunny as they flew to their Flower Power class, doing somersaults in the air with Sili and Zena.
‘Look at us! We’ll be the stars of the show!’ she cried.
The excitement continued in class, with buzzing whispers filling the branch.
‘Girls, pay attention!’ said Miss Petal. ‘We’re about to do a practical demonstration.’ She flew to a wooden cupboard and brought out a small acorn pot. A tiny drooping daisy grew in it, its leaves limp and sad-looking.
‘Now then,’ said Miss Petal, putting the flower on a table. ‘If a daisy is poorly, what do you do?’
Twink shifted on her mushroom seat. Usually Pix was the first to wave her hand in the air, but today, like all the others, she was gazing out of the window.
‘Look, the Second Years are practising already,’ someone muttered. ‘We want to make sure we do better than them.’
‘Girls!’ called Miss Petal, rapping the table with her hand. ‘I know that flowers don’t take part in flying exhibitions, but can we please pay some attention to them anyway?’
The whispers quietened somewhat as the class reluctantly settled down.
‘All right, now watch,’ said Miss Petal. ‘You just put your hands on the flower, and you send it cheerful thoughts.’
Twink watched as Miss Petal rested her fingertips on the daisy’s leaves and shut her eyes. Almost instantly the flower perked up, lifting its head until it looked bright and strong.
Miss Petal stepped back with a wide smile. ‘There, you see? The technique varies a bit for more complicated flowers, like roses and orchids, but for many of them, you can just use cheerful thoughts to heal them.’
Twink glanced around her. If Miss Petal had expected her class to be impressed, she must be disappointed! Most of the others were already gazing out of the window again, dreaming of flying.
Miss Petal sighed and put the flower away. ‘All right, everyone, open your books.’
It was even worse in Flight class. When Twink arrived at the flying field, everyone had already been split into teams of three. Mrs Lightwing flew overhead, bellowing orders.
‘Right, teams, work on your barrel rolls – all together, now! Nice, precise wingwork!’
Sooze was in a team with Sili and Zena. Jealousy pricked Twink as the three of them laughed together. She shook herself.
I’m being silly. She’s still my best friend, even if she likes Sili and Zena too!
Finally Mrs Lightwing noticed Twink, and landed in front of her. ‘We’ll have those extra lessons this afternoon, Twink – but meanwhile, watch the others, and notice their technique. Especially Mariella; she’s got it down pat. Look at her go!’
Annoyingly, it was true: Mariella was twisting and turning with the greatest of ease, flipping about in the air like a fish in water. Twink could see the smirk on her face as Lola and Bimi struggled to keep up with her. Poor Bimi, thought Twink. Imagine having to fly with Mariella!
But at least she could fly. ‘Mrs Lightwing, what am I going to do?’ burst out Twink.
The Flight mistress patted her arm. ‘Don’t you worry,’ she said staunchly. ‘We’ll get you flying yet!’
But Twink thought Mrs Lightwing looked worried as she flew away. She thought of Agnes Leadwing and her mouse carriage, and swallowed hard.
The different flying teams clustered together in the Common Branch that night, making plans. ‘Let’s do some extra practice tomorrow!’ suggested Zena.
Twink watched as Sooze fluttered her wings in agreement. ‘Glimmery! We’ll do some loop-the-loops, and give Mrs Lightwing a real surprise!’
It was obvious that she had forgotten all about the fairy dust. Twink looked away. She was sitting alone at one of the mushroom desks with her Flower Power homework: a drooping daisy that needed a cheering-up spell.
Taking a deep breath, Twink put her hands on the flower’s leaves and tried to imitate Miss Petal, sending the daisy cheerful thoughts as hard as she could. But her thoughts must not have been very cheerful, and the daisy drooped even further. Oh, great! Twink let out a heavy sigh.
Her extra flying lesson with Mrs Lightwing that afternoon had been a complete disaster. Twink had shot straight up in the air again and got hopelessly tangled in the lower branches of Glitterwings. It had taken Mrs Lightwing and two of the Sixth Years almost an hour to get her down again. Twink’s cheeks flamed at the memory.
It’s all right for Sooze, she thought crossly, watching the lavender-haired fairy laugh with Sili and Zena. She’s not the one who can’t fly!
Then she felt guilty.
Sooze was a sparkly, wonderful friend. Why shouldn’t she be looking forward to the exhibition?
Because I’m dreading it, answered a tiny voice inside of her. Wouldn’t a real friend notice how Twink was feeling? Twink’s wings slumped, and she pushed the flower away. It would just have to cheer up without her, somehow.
Suddenly Sooze appeared at her side, violet eyes shining. ‘What are you doing hiding over here, Opposite? I’ve got something for you!’
Twink scrambled from her seat. ‘You mean –’
Sooze pulled a small pouch from her petal bag. ‘Fairy dust,’ she announced proudly. ‘Winn gave me a good pinch of it. We’ll have you flying properly in no time!’
Happiness burst through Twink. Sooze did care how she was feeling after all. She had been such a wasp brain to doubt her!
Sooze pulled at Twink’s arm. ‘Let’s test it out over here, in front of the fire rocks where there’s a bit of room. Come on, everyone, clear a space!’ The first-year fairies all crowded to one side, murmuring excitedly.
‘Good luck, Twink!’ cried Sili. ‘We’ve got our wings crossed for you!’
‘You’re going to do it here in the Common Branch?’ said Pix doubtfully.
‘Why not?’ said Sooze, positioning Twink on the moss carpet. ‘We all want to see Twink fly, don’t we?’
‘We’re not allowed to fly in here, though,’ pointed out Pix.
‘I’ll only fly a little bit,’ promised Twink. She bounced on her tiptoes, excitement tingling through her.
‘But you can’t control it, that’s the problem!’ Pix flapped her yellow wings in exasperation. ‘Sooze, I really don’t think this is a good idea – ’
Sooze ignored her. Reaching into the pouch, she scooped out a glistening handful of fairy dust. ‘Twink, are you ready?’
Twink nodded, and screwed her eyes up hard. Please work, please, please! she begged silently.
The tinkling of chimes whispered through the air again as Sooze threw the dust on her. The same wonderful feeling as before rushed through Twink, and she gasped. Had it worked? She cracked an eye open cautiously, her heart beating hard.
Flying High Page 3
