Flying High (7 page)

After Twink left, Bimi sat alone for a few minutes, thinking hard. Finally she got up and joined the others. ‘Pix, can I talk to you?' she asked, drawing the red-haired fairy away from the crowd.

Pix's normally serious face was flushed. ‘Oh, Bimi, isn't it glimmery? The exhibition is really almost here!'

‘Yes, but I don't think Twink's too happy about it,' said Bimi in an undertone. ‘Especially with her parents coming!'

Pix's face fell. ‘Oh, poor Twink! I suppose we all forgot about her tonight. Wasps, how awful of us!'

‘I think I might have an idea, though,' said Bimi. She quickly told Pix what she was thinking of. ‘Only I'm not sure of the best way to do it,' she finished. ‘Everyone in Daffy Branch would have to help for it to work.'

‘Bimi, that's a fantastic idea!' said Pix excitedly. ‘I think it could really work!'

‘Me too,' said a voice behind them.

Bimi turned, and her eyes widened in surprise. Sooze was standing there.

‘But I thought –' Bimi stopped, biting back the words.

Sooze reddened and fluttered her wings. ‘I – I suppose I shouldn't have got so cross with Twink,' she said awkwardly. ‘I was just feeling bored of it all, but I really do want to help. All right?'

Bimi smiled at the sheepish fairy. ‘Sooze, that's glimmery! Of course you can help!' Privately, though, Bimi wondered how long it would be before Sooze got bored again!

‘Everyone else will want to help, too, I'm sure of it,' said Pix. ‘And I don't see how we can get in trouble this time, either. We're just doing what Mrs Lightwing said!'

Suddenly a dreadful thought came to Bimi. ‘Oh, no!' she groaned. ‘It's not going to work after all. We've forgotten about Mariella! We'll never get
her
to help.'

Sooze grinned, and flicked back a strand of bright lavender hair. ‘Well, she doesn't have to know that's what she's doing, does she? You leave Mariella to me!'

M

‘Twink, wake up! You've overslept!'

Bimi was shaking her by the shoulder. Blearily, Twink opened one eye – and then sat up with a start. Daffodil Branch was empty! Its moss beds were all neatly made up, without a fairy in sight.

‘Where is everyone?' gasped Twink.

‘They've already left for breakfast,' said Bimi. ‘Hurry, you'll be late!'

‘But where's Mrs Hover?' Twink threw back her daffodil-petal blanket and leapt out of bed, quickly smoothing her wings.

Bimi shook her head. ‘I don't know. Oh, Twink,
hurry
!'

Her thoughts spinning, Twink flung on her uniform. Why hadn't anyone woken her up? But there was no time to ask. Bimi was already racing for the door, half-flying in her hurry.

‘Come on!' she called over her shoulder.

Wasps, they must really be late! Twink grabbed her oak-leaf cap and ran after her.

She reached the ledge outside the door and stopped short. Sunny was gone. Twink blinked. Sunny was
always
there, waiting patiently for her! What was going on?

Bimi had already taken off, skimming away towards the Great Branch in a blur of silver and gold.

‘Wait!' Twink called after her. ‘Sunny's gone! I can't – '

‘Oh!' screamed Bimi suddenly. Stopping in midair, she clutched her left wing.

Twink rushed to the edge of the ledge. ‘Bimi! What is it?'

‘My wing! I've got a cramp!' Twink's heart iced over as Bimi began to fall. ‘Help!' she shouted. She grew smaller and smaller as she plummeted towards the ground.

Without thinking, Twink launched herself off the ledge. Flapping her wings feverishly, she sped past classrooms and dorm branches, piercing through the air like an arrow. Bit by bit, the tumbling figure of Bimi grew closer as Twink gained on her.

They were nearing the ground now – oh, wasps, she wasn't going to make it! Twink put on an extra burst of speed, flying faster than she had ever thought possible.

‘Hurry, Twink!' cried Bimi.

Her fingers brushed Bimi's . . . there! Twink grabbed Bimi's arm, her wings fluttering furiously to slow her down before they hit the ground. The two fairies landed in a heap on the soft moss carpet.

Phew! Twink sat up in a daze, breathing hard. ‘Are you all right?' she asked.

‘It worked!' shouted Bimi. Jumping up, she threw her arms around Twink. ‘Twink, you flew! You really flew!'

Twink's mouth fell open as she realised. ‘I – I did, didn't I?' she gasped.

Bimi's face was alight. She grabbed Twink's arms, jumping up and down. ‘I knew you could do it! Twink, you can fly!'

Suddenly all of Daffodil Branch was there, whooping and shouting, pounding her on the back. ‘Twink, you did it! You really did it!'

Twink gasped as her friends caught her up in a jubilant hug.

‘I can fly,' she whispered. She fluttered her wings and lifted up in the air, holding her breath. But nothing bad happened. Her wings didn't go berserk with fear. She was flying, just like any other fairy!

Twink did a sudden dip, dancing about over the others' heads. ‘I can fly! I CAN FLY!'

And she was off, soaring up the great trunk of Glitterwings. Shrieking and laughing, Twink glided and dived, looping the loop and twirling in the air. She couldn't stop smiling. Her heart felt like it was shimmering with fairy dust.

Suddenly Sunny was there, flying around her with excited chirps. Twink flung her arms around his neck.

‘Oh, Sunny!' she cried. ‘I can fly!'

‘We had it all planned,' laughed Pix at breakfast. ‘It was Bimi's idea to pretend to have wing cramp, but you had to be all on your own, so that you'd have to fly! So we all got up really, really early this morning and snuck out of the Branch, taking Sunny with us –'

‘He didn't argue at all!' broke in Sili, bouncing on her mushroom. ‘I think he knew what we were up to.'

Twink's wings still tingled with the joy of flying. She could hardly wait to be up in the air again. ‘How did you know I'd fly to save you?' she asked Bimi.

The blue-haired fairy smiled shyly. ‘I remembered how you jumped to help Lola when she fell that time in Flight class. And I thought that maybe if someone else needed help, you wouldn't think about being scared – you'd just fly.'

Twink took another seed cake from the oak-leaf platter. ‘Oh, Bimi, I'm so glad you were right!'

‘Me too,' said Bimi with a sudden smile. ‘I almost hit the ground for real!' Everyone laughed.

At the end of the table, Mariella's face was a thundercloud. Sooze nudged Twink and grinned. ‘I told her we were playing a trick to get back at you for all those lines we had to do, so that you'd be late for breakfast and get into trouble. She could hardly wait to help us then!'

Mariella flushed and put down her acorn cup. ‘Well, I don't know why everyone is making such a stupid fuss! It took you so long to fly that you'll probably never catch up with the rest of us anyway.'

‘Especially Mariella,' squeaked Lola. ‘She's a wonderful flyer.'

Twink rolled her eyes. Trust those two to try to dampen her spirits! But nothing could dampen them today. She smiled and rubbed her wings together, reliving the magic.

‘But I still say
I
should have been the one to get to fall.' Sooze pretended to sulk, and then giggled and brushed her wing against Twink's. ‘Opposite, isn't it glimmery? We can fly together to all our classes now!'

Twink hesitated, and glanced across at Bimi. ‘Thanks, Sooze . . . but I'll be flying with Bimi,' she said softly.

‘Oh!' Sooze looked taken aback, and was silent for a moment. ‘Well . . . I suppose I'll carry on flying with Sili and Zena, then. But we're still Opposites, right?'

‘Right!' said Twink. And it was true. Sooze was a wonderful friend when things were going well – but Twink knew now that she'd rather have a best friend who was wonderful
all
the time. She and Bimi smiled at each other.

A flutter of wings stirred the air as Mrs Lightwing landed beside their table. ‘What's this I hear about a high-speed rescue this morning?' she said sternly, crossing her arms.

Twink jumped up, almost knocking over her cup of fresh morning dew. ‘Mrs Lightwing! I can fly now, I can really fly!'

‘So I've heard. It was hard to miss, the way you were shouting up and down the school! Is your wing better now, Bimi?' The Flight mistress gave Bimi a hard stare.

Bimi's pretty face reddened. ‘I – I didn't really have wing cramp, Mrs Lightwing. We were just doing what you said – getting Twink in the air without her thinking about it.'

‘And it worked!' cried Twink. ‘Mrs Lightwing, it worked!'

‘Yes, I see.' Mrs Lightwing tapped her wings together. ‘But I'm not sure I approve of fairies pretending to fall all the way down the school!'

Daffodil Branch held its breath as Mrs Lightwing scanned the table. Then a small smile tugged at the corner of the Flight mistress's mouth, and suddenly Mrs Lightwing was beaming at them.

‘Well done, Twink,' she said quietly, gripping Twink's shoulder. ‘I knew you had it in you! I'm proud of you – of all of you,' she added, glancing at the others. ‘It was a bit unorthodox, but you got her in the air!'

Twink glowed. ‘Can I fly in the exhibition now?'

‘The exhibition?' Mrs Lightwing looked startled. ‘I'm afraid not. The other girls have been practising their routines for weeks now. You've only just started. You won't have the proper wing control.'

Twink felt herself colour up as Mariella smirked. ‘But – but my parents will be here soon,' she stammered. ‘I thought –'

Mrs Lightwing shook her head. ‘Twink, I'm sorry. It really is too bad, but I just don't see how we could get you into good flying order by this afternoon. The answer is no.'

.

Chapter Seven

That morning the students polished every leaf of Glitterwings, and hung long streams of flowers from its branches. Pink and gold fairy dust shimmered in the air, spelling out the words
Welcome Friends and Families!

The guests started arriving shortly before lunch. Twink waited on the front lawn with the other fairies from Daffodil Branch, scanning the sky for her parents.

‘What am I going to tell them?' she asked Bimi. ‘They'll expect me to be flying in the exhibition, not doing a dance!'

‘Just tell them the truth,' said Bimi sensibly. ‘They'll be glad you can fly now, that's all.'

Twink sighed. She knew Bimi was right, but she still wished she could perform for her parents like everyone else.

Mariella and Lola landed on the grass nearby. ‘Have you heard?' said Mariella loudly. ‘They're going to give out prizes for the best fliers! What a shame there's not one for the best
dancer.'

Twink's heart sank. She shrugged, trying to pretend she didn't mind.

‘And
you're
sure to win the biggest prize of all, Mariella!' Lola fluttered her pale wings. ‘You're the best there is!'

Mariella simpered, flipping back her silvery-green hair. ‘Well, I didn't like to say so myself, but I do
have a lot of natural talent.' She narrowed her eyes at Bimi. ‘I just hope my
entire team
will fly their best too, so they don't let me down!'

‘Don't worry,' snapped Bimi. ‘But you know, Mariella, I think one of the Sixth Years is a lot likelier to win than you! They've got that amazing obstacle course they're flying through – it's a lot more impressive than a few barrel rolls from a First Year.'

Mariella scowled, but had no answer to this. She and Lola flitted off over the grass.

‘Charming as ever!' said Twink.

Bimi shook her head. ‘Oh, I don't mind Mariella so much. You know where you are with her – she's just nasty. But that little two-faced Lola! She's obviously forgotten all about how you saved her that time.'

Twink grinned. ‘Well, I'm still glad that I didn't let her hit the ground, I suppose!'

Suddenly she recognised two familiar figures flying towards her, leading a mouse below them. She gave a squeal and shot up into the air. ‘Look, my parents are here! And they've brought my little sister!'

All thoughts of wishing that her parents wouldn't come vanished as they landed, smiling broadly at her. Her father, tall and solid, with his familiar grin and shock of dark purple hair. Her mother, calm and pretty, with her sudden laugh and bright pink locks. And Teena, trotting up on Brownie and practically jumping up and down in the stirrups, she was so excited!

Twink rushed into their arms. ‘I'm so glad to see you!' she cried.

Her mother kissed her, and her father ruffled her hair. ‘You're looking well!' he teased.

Teena gazed up at the giant oak in awe. ‘Oh, it's wonderful!' she gasped.

Twink felt her chest swell with pride for her school. ‘It is, isn't it?' she said. Then, remembering her manners, she quickly introduced Bimi to her parents, and knew from her mother's smile that she approved of her friend.

After that it seemed that all the other families arrived at once. Twink saw Sooze and her sister Winn talking happily with their parents. Mariella's mother had a pointed nose that stuck up in the air exactly like her daughter's. ‘This isn't at all how it was done in
my
day!' Twink heard her say.

Bimi's mother was very beautiful, with elegant silver and gold wings and glistening blue hair, just like her daughter. She greeted Twink with a warm smile. ‘I'm so glad Bimi's made a friend!' she said. ‘I was worried that she might not. She's so shy, and she gets so prickly when she's nervous.'

Behind her, Twink saw Bimi scowling in embarrassment. ‘Oh, we just ignore her when she's prickly,' she laughed. ‘We know she doesn't really mean it!'

When all the families had arrived, the school butterflies streamed out of the tree, carrying woven-grass blankets and sweet seed cakes. A picnic! Twink and Bimi exchanged a delighted smile. In no time at all, the school was spread out on the mossy lawn, eating and drinking and laughing.

Between bites of seed cake, Twink chattered away to her parents, telling them all about the term so far. But somehow, she didn't mention the difficulties she'd had learning to fly.
I'll tell them soon,
she assured herself.
When the right moment comes.

Finally a break came in the conversation. Twink steeled her wings. ‘Mum . . . Dad . . .' she started.

A group of sixth-year fairies swooped over the crowd like birds. ‘The Flying Exhibition is about to begin!' they called through cupped hands. ‘Students, get into your teams and see Mrs Lightwing for the flight order! Parents and families, please make your way to the flying field!'

Teena danced in place. ‘Ooh, this is so exciting! Twink, what are you doing in the exhibition?'

Twink opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again. ‘I – I – oh, you'll see!' she managed weakly. ‘Come on, Bimi, we'd better hurry.'

The two fairies flew towards the flying field. ‘Why didn't you
tell
them?' demanded Bimi.

‘I just couldn't.' Twink banked to avoid a slow-flying moth, and swallowed hard. ‘Anyway, they'll find out soon enough.'

While the flying teams waited in oak-leaf tents, Twink stood alone at the side of the field, waiting for her cue to begin her dance. Looking around, she could see the hundreds of mushroom seats that had been grown specially by Miss Petal for the exhibition – short ones in the front row and tall, thin ones in the back.

Madame Brightfoot flew over, her cobweb dress sparkling. ‘Are you ready to dance, my child?' she cried.

Twink nodded. ‘Yes, Madame.'

Madame Brightfoot clasped her hands together. ‘Ah! It is the most beautiful dance I have made for you. Never mind that you are not in the air, everyone watching will be taken to the stars!'

Privately, Twink thought that the only stars today were going to be the flying teams! Never mind, she decided. If she had to do a dance, she'd do the best one in the world. She'd make her parents proud of her whether she was flying or not.

Finally, the mushroom grandstand was full. An expectant hush fell over the flying field. The bird and cricket orchestra began to play a lilting tune, and the first-year teams swooped out of the tent.

Now! Twink took a deep breath, and ran out to the middle of the field.

As the teams looped and twirled overheard, Twink concentrated on her steps. Turn, dip, sway, jump . . . Madame was right, she realised. It
was
a lovely dance! She forgot about not flying, and let the dance carry her away.

When the first-year teams flew back to the tent, Twink was almost sorry to see them go. Finishing her dance, she quickly tiptoed to the audience – and then stood stunned as a fresh wave of applause swept over her. They were applauding
her.
She must have done really well!

Excitement sparkled through Twink like fairy dust. Without thinking, she shot into the air and did three celebratory loop-the-loops, one after the other.

When she landed, the audience was laughing good-naturedly. Twink clapped a hand to her mouth. Oh, wasps! What would Mrs Lightwing say now? Her face on fire, she raced off the field just as the second-year team flew on.

After the exhibition, the students mingled with their families and friends on the flying lawn, sipping sweet nectar served by the butterflies. The Sixth Years were allowed to wear their own clothes for the occasion, and looked very grown-up in their sparkly shorts and tops.

‘Twink, that was wonderful. We're so proud of you!' Twink's mother enveloped her in a hug.

‘Even though I didn't fly?' Twink thought she knew the answer, but she still wanted to hear her mother say it.

Her mother laughed, fluttering her lavender wings. ‘But, Twink, you
did
fly. You did three perfect loop-the-loops!'

‘We're very proud of you, Twinkster,' said her father gently. ‘You got the hang of it in the end. We knew you would.'

Twink's mouth dropped open. ‘You – you
knew
I couldn't fly? But –'

‘Miss Shimmery wrote to us weeks ago,' said Twink's mother. ‘We all decided that the best thing was for you to come to it in your own time – and you did.'

‘But we wanted to be here for you today, either way,' added her father. He squeezed her shoulder. ‘To congratulate or commiserate!'

Madame Brightfoot landed beside them. ‘What do you think of this wonderful dancer girl?' she cried. Twink's parents turned away to speak to her, and Twink and Bimi looked at each other in amazement.

‘They never said a word!' said Twink in an undertone.

‘I suppose they trusted you to work it out on your own,' said Bimi. ‘That was pretty glimmery of them.'

‘And of the school, really,' said Twink thoughtfully. ‘They did everything they could to help me not be so afraid, but in the end it was down to me – well, with a bit of help from my friends!' She and Bimi grinned at each other.

Teena's eyes were wide, going from one to the other. ‘What?' she demanded. ‘What are you talking about?'

Twink scooped her little sister into a hug. ‘I'll tell you someday when you're older!' she promised. She took off her oak-leaf cap and popped it on to Teena's bright pink hair. ‘Look, you're a Glitterwings girl already!'

When it was time for the flying prizes to be announced, everyone gathered around the mossy platform where Miss Shimmery and the teachers waited.

The HeadFairy hovered above the crowd, her rainbow wings glinting in the sun. ‘With so many talented fliers here today, it hasn't been easy to decide on the winners, but Mrs Lightwing and I have done our best!'

Mariella, standing nearby, smirked. ‘I'm sure they'll choose me,' Twink heard her say to her mother. ‘No one in our year can hold a glow-worm to me.'

‘We'll start with our First Years,' said Miss Shimmery from the platform. ‘It was a very difficult choice, but the best flier in the first year is . . . Sooze Birdsong!'

The entire first year burst into wild applause. Sooze screeched with delight, and flitted to the stage to collect her prize.

‘Oh!' Mariella's wings snapped shut.

‘How outrageous!' huffed her mother. ‘You're far
more talented, Mariella!'

Twink watched Sooze collect a scroll and a kiss from Miss Shimmery, and smiled.
Well done, Opposite,
she thought. Even though they weren't best friends any more, she was still pleased for Sooze. All that practising she had done had paid off!

After Miss Shimmery had announced the best fliers from all the years, she held up her hands for silence. ‘Now then. There's still one more prize to give . . . that of the best flier in the entire school.'