Free Term-Time Trouble by Titania Woods Page A

when Twink told her about the fairy dust trial.
    â€˜You’ve had quite a time, haven’t you?’ she said when Twink had finally finished.
    Twink nodded. ‘It was really awful sometimes – especially when we didn’t know who was playing all the pranks. And – and oh, Miss Shimmery, we were all so completely daft not to notice how unhappy Lola was!’ she burst out. ‘I wish that we had done something to help her.’
    â€˜Poor Lola,’ said Miss Shimmery, shaking her white head. ‘I, too, had no idea that she was so unhappy.’ She sighed. ‘Never mind, Twink. Perhaps we’ve both learned something, and can be more observant in future. I’m much more to blame than you are – I never imagined that something so serious might occur when I told you to handle matters on your own. I should have known better, after two hundred years of running a school for young fairies! But I think Lola will feel much happier soon.’
    â€˜Then she and Jax can move to a new branch?’ asked Twink eagerly.
    Miss Shimmery nodded. ‘Yes, of course. And I’m delighted that Jax has decided to stay. She and Lola may turn out to be very good for each other!’
    Twink glowed happily – and then she remembered the dejected slump of Mariella’s wings the night before.
    â€˜What will happen to Mariella?’ she asked.
    Miss Shimmery raised a white eyebrow. ‘Do you have a change of residence in mind for her, as well?’
    â€˜Oh, no!’ cried Twink. ‘It’s just – well, I know she’s not very nice, but – but I think maybe she’s learned her lesson this time. She thought she and Lola were friends – I don’t think she really knew what a horrible bully she was being.’
    Miss Shimmery opened and shut her rainbow wings. ‘You may be right, Twink,’ she said finally. ‘But Mariella shall certainly be asked to think about what she’s done, and how she can be a better fairy as a result.’
    She smiled suddenly. ‘And I might as well tell you, even if you did wish for Mariella to move branches, I would most likely say no. In her own way, Mariella is as weak a character as Lola. There are some fine fairies in Peony Branch – you set an excellent example to her, without even realising you’re doing so.’
    Twink stifled a giggle at the thought of Sooze setting anyone a good example! But perhaps she did help Mariella after all, by not putting up with any of the pointy-faced fairy’s nonsense.
    â€˜One more thing, Twink.’ Miss Shimmery’s eyes were as warm as the sunshine that streamed through her window. ‘You’ve done an excellent job as Branch Leader. I had every expectation that you would.’
    Reddening from the praise, Twink blurted out the question that had bothered her from the start. ‘But why did you pick me to do it? Why not Pix or Sooze? I could never work it out!’
    Miss Shimmery chuckled. ‘Couldn’t you? Think about all that has happened, my dear.’
    Twink thought hard, shifting on her mushroom seat – and then all at once the answer came to her. ‘It’s because I was so much under Sooze’s thumb, wasn’t it?’ she said slowly. ‘I didn’t even know I was, but by being Branch Leader, I had to stand up to her, and – and be my own fairy a bit more.’
    Miss Shimmery inclined her head in agreement. ‘And I think you’ve learned a few things about yourself in the process, haven’t you?’
    â€˜Yes, I have,’ said Twink in wonder. She knew now that she could take charge if she had to, and make decisions that other fairies would respect. She’d never be swayed by Sooze again – not unless it was something that she really wanted to do!
    Miss Shimmery didn’t ask her to explain, but looked as if she understood all of this without Twink saying a word. ‘I’m glad. You