Read Online Fairy Dust by Titania Woods - Free Book Online

weeks now to get fairy dust – I don’t suppose I’m going to get it in the next day or so.’
    â€˜You’ve got to try!’ said Pix. ‘You’ve got over a day, Sooze – there’s still time.’
    .

    â€˜Think of your family,’ said Bimi again. ‘That’s how I got it.’
    â€˜I know, you’ve told me!’ Sooze’s elbows slumped on the mushroom desk as she glared down at the yellow petal. ‘And it still doesn’t help. What have they got to do with anything?’
    Poor Sooze! thought Twink. She looked exhausted. It was almost bedtime, and they had been at it for hours already. Bimi had been let into the secret, and the four of them were all in the empty Fairy Dust branch, having got permission from Miss Sparkle to practise.
    A squad of Fourth Years flew past the dark window, checking that all the ice ornaments were in place. The Queen was due to arrive just before dawn. The ceremony was mere hours away – if it took place at all!
    The thought chilled Twink down to her pixie boots. ‘Come on, Sooze, try just once more!’ she urged.
    Sooze glanced at her. ‘How did you get it?’ she asked. ‘And don’t tell me that you thought of your family, or I’ll scream!’
    Twink hesitated. ‘Well – I tried to imagine what Bimi might have done,’ she admitted.
    Sooze groaned, covering her face with her hands. ‘Naturally!’
    Twink saw Bimi’s mouth tighten as she bit back a reply.
    â€˜Just try, Sooze.’ Pix rubbed her yellow wing against Sooze’s pink one.
    Twink held her breath as Sooze reached into her bark box. Closing her eyes, she was silent for a moment – and then she flung the dust in a glittering shower of pink and gold.
    The petal stayed the same. The fairies’ wings drooped.
    â€˜What were you thinking of?’ asked Twink in a low voice.
    Sooze dropped her chin on her hand. ‘I don’t know. That – I wanted to get the secret to show my family I could do it. Well, you said to think of my family!’ she added defensively as they all looked at each other.
    .

    .
    â€˜Not that way, Sooze,’ said Bimi tiredly. ‘We can’t tell you any more, or we’ll give it away. But – oh, can’t you think of something else besides –’ She broke off, looking flustered as she realised what she had almost said.
    â€˜Besides what?’ said Sooze in bewilderment. ‘I don’t understand!’
    â€˜That’s just the problem,’ muttered Pix. And Twink knew with a sinking heart that she was right. It simply didn’t come naturally to Sooze to think of anyone other than herself. It could take her months to work out fairy dust!
    â€˜Are you girls still in here?’ Miss Sparkle hovered in the open doorway, eyebrows raised. ‘That’s quite enough practice – you must be worn out by now! Time to get ready for bed. I’ll put the fairy dust away for you.’
    â€˜Oh, please, Miss, just a few more minutes!’ burst out Sooze. ‘I really want to dance in the ceremony –’
    Miss Sparkle shook her head gently. ‘I’m sorry that you haven’t got it yet, Sooze, but never mind; watching the Spring Ceremony will be lovely as well. Now come on, flitter-flutter.’
    Despair swept over Twink as she and the others flew slowly from the room. Sooze would never have a chance to get it now. What on earth were they going to do?
    â€˜No,’ said Sooze.
    â€˜But, Sooze, we have to!’ whispered Twink. They were in the bath-branch, rubbing their arms with soft mossy sponges. Walnut buckets of fresh water stood on mushroom stands.
    â€˜ No ,’ repeated Sooze. ‘I am absolutely not going to tell Miss Shimmery. And you can’t, either – promise me, all of you!’ She glanced at Pix and Bimi, who were washing nearby.
    â€˜But, Sooze, it’s not being a tell-tale,