Free Fairy in Danger by Titania Woods

you’ve seen, it can also be very dangerous.’
    That was certainly true, thought Twink. She couldn’t hold back a shudder as she remembered the Terrible Timmy’s leering face.
    â€˜Now, I do understand what it’s like to be a young fairy at school,’ continued Miss Shimmery, ‘and so I try to turn a blind eye to things like midnight jaunts to the Dingly Dell – within reason, of course! However, this was something very different, as I think you’ll agree. The outcome might have been disastrous.’
    Twink’s wings felt heavy with guilt. ‘I know,’ she whispered. ‘I – I’m sorry.’
    Miss Shimmery’s sparkle specs caught the moonlight as she gazed at her. ‘If you were me, Twink, what sort of punishment would you give to a student who did what you did?’ she asked.
    Startled, Twink tried to think. ‘Well – I’d want it to be serious enough so that she wouldn’t do it again,’ she said slowly. ‘But I’d want her to really have to think about what she’d done as well, so that she’d see why it was wrong.’
    Miss Shimmery nodded approvingly. ‘Yes, that’s what I think, too. Would you agree, Twink, that restricting your free time for a month, plus asking you to write a report on the dangers of sneaking out at night, might accomplish both of those things?’
    The punishment was far milder than she’d been expecting. Twink nodded in relief. ‘Yes, Miss Shimmery.’
    The HeadFairy smiled. ‘That’s what we’ll do, then. And, Twink . . . I was talking to some of the tooth fairies before, and I’m very impressed at how you helped them to escape. Well done, my dear – you acted with both courage and resourcefulness.’
    Twink’s pointed ears grew warm at the praise. ‘Thank you,’ she said. Embarrassed, she quickly changed the subject. ‘Miss Shimmery, there’s one thing I still don’t understand. What was that little branch at the top of the tree first used for?’
    The HeadFairy laughed. ‘Apparently, a long, long time ago, there was a tooth fairy who taught at Glitterwings. I’ve read about how cosy she found it up there – so you see, Shadow had good reason to feel drawn to it!’
    Twink thought of how prickly Shadow had seemed when they’d first met. She had a feeling that Shadow would be much happier now that she was back home again, teaching the other tooth fairies how to make carvings like she did!
    Miss Shimmery squeezed her shoulder. ‘Come along,’ she said. ‘Let’s go and join your friends.’
    Twink felt like singing as the cool evening breeze tickled her wings. Catching up with Bimi and Sooze, she smiled at them. ‘Is everything all right?’ whispered Bimi.
    â€˜Better than all right,’ Twink whispered back.

    Just ahead, she could see Glitterwings Academy, rising up from its hill in the moonlight. Her heart swelled. Oh, she was the luckiest fairy in the world! Not only did she go to the best school ever, but she had the most wonderful friends that anyone could have wished for.
    â€˜Look, Opposite,’ said Sooze, nudging her with her wing. ‘There’s the branch that started it all.’
    Twink smiled as she gazed at the tiny branch at the top of the tree. How funny to think that the only reason she’d gone up there in the first place was for her term project! She grinned at her friends, linking her arms tightly through theirs as they flew.
    â€˜Well, I definitely learned something new about Glitterwings, didn’t I?’ she laughed. ‘I’m going to have the most glimmery report ever!’

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    Bloomsbury Publishing, London, Berlin, New York and Sydney
    First published in Great Britain in 2010 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
    36 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QY
    Text copyright © Lee Weatherly 2010
    Illustrations copyright © Smiljana Coh 2010
    The