Term-Time Trouble (2 page)

Twink peered over her shoulder at Jax. The green-haired fairy sat scowling at her petal mag. Everything about her said
Keep away – I'm not interested!

Should Twink say something to her? She bit her lip, unsure whether to bother if she was going to be rebuffed. Before she could decide, a fairy with lavender hair and pink wings burst into the branch.

‘Hello, everybody!' she called, dropping her oak-leaf bag on the floor. Sweeping her long hair back with both hands, she wrung it out dramatically. ‘Ugh! This awful rain!'

Sooze! Twink looked up with an expectant grin as the other fairies chorused hellos. Sili, an excitable fairy with silver hair, caught Sooze up in a tight hug.

‘Oh, I'm so glad you're here!' she cried. ‘It's been so boring without you!'

Sooze laughed. ‘Already? The new term's hardly started.' She threw herself on to the last unoccupied mossy bed, bouncing up and down. ‘Hello, Opposite!' she called across to Twink.

Twink smiled at the nickname. She had pink hair and lavender wings – the exact
opposite
of Sooze. ‘Hi, Sooze!' she called back. ‘Did you have good hols?'

Sooze nodded. ‘Brilliant! And guess what?' She glanced around impishly at the others. ‘I've already had a super-glimmery idea about how we can liven things up around here!'

Sili squealed and clasped her hands together. ‘Ooh,
have
you? Tell us!'

Sooze stopped bouncing and lowered her voice. ‘Well, you know Rona, that purple-haired fairy in Jasmine Branch?' The others nodded. Jasmine Branch was a third-year branch, and Rona a fairy who thought she was a bit superior to everyone else.

‘Well, I accidentally crashed into her on my way in, and she got her wings in a twist over it – silly flea, it's not like I did it on purpose! Then she and some of her Jasmine friends started going on. They said that Peony Branch is the worst branch in the school, and that we're all a bunch of clumsy wasp brains!'

The fairies exchanged indignant glances.
How dare they!
thought Twink. Peony Branch was perfectly glimmery. Everyone knew that!

‘Well, of course I told them what I thought of Jasmine Branch after that!' Sooze grinned. ‘But I reckon we still need to get back at them properly. And I know just the way to do it!'

.

.

‘A prank, you mean?' asked Sili eagerly as the fairies drew closer.

‘Of course!' Sooze shot Twink a look, her violet eyes sparkling. ‘Will you help me, Opposite? I couldn't do it without you!'

A tingle of excitement swept through Twink. She knew Bimi wouldn't approve – her best friend thought Sooze was unreliable, and deep down, Twink knew she had a point. But how could she possibly refuse? It sounded too glimmery for words!

‘Yes, I'll help!' she decided, not meeting Bimi's eyes.

‘Hurrah!' cried Sooze, shooting up into the air. ‘We'll start planning right away – hang on, who's Miss Cheerful over there?' she demanded suddenly, catching sight of Jax.

Jax threw her petal mag down. ‘I suppose you mean me,' she snapped. ‘I'm called Jax – not that it's any of your business!'

Pix shook her head with a groan. ‘Yes, and she seems to
always
be this charming. Don't fairies bother to be polite where you come from, Jax?'

‘Why should I be polite?' demanded Jax furiously. ‘I didn't ask to be sent to this rubbish school. It's just like all the rest – awful! So if you don't like the way I act, then don't talk to me!' She snatched up her petal mag again and buried herself in its pages.

‘Well, lucky us,' said Sooze after a pause. ‘I reckon we should do as Jax suggests, and leave her alone!'

The Great Branch was the largest branch in the school. Dozens of mossy tables were lined up and down its polished wooden floor, with a large, colourful flower hanging over each one for the different branches.

Twink and her friends sat at the Peony Branch table, watching as the rest of the school flitted in. Sooze caught Twink's eye as Jasmine Branch arrived. ‘Ha!' she whispered. ‘Look at them – the smug things!'

Twink had to agree that the Jasmine fairies looked rather smug. Rona and her friends had obviously spread the word. One of the Jasmine fairies smirked when she caught sight of Sooze, and mimed clumsy flying. The others giggled.

‘Watch out!' called Rona over the noise of the Great Branch. ‘We're only four tables away from Peony Branch – they might all crash into us on their way out. They haven't quite got the hang of flying yet, you know.'

Oh!
Twink grimaced as the Jasmine fairies snorted with laughter. Sooze rolled her eyes. ‘They won't be laughing long,' she whispered to the rest of the table. ‘Just wait and see!'

Sili's large eyes grew even larger. ‘What are you going to do to them, Sooze?'

Sooze shook her head. ‘Sorry, but that's top secret – strictly between me and my Opposite.' She gave Twink a broad wink.

Twink tried to look as cool as Sooze, but her insides felt fizzy with excitement. There was something so thrilling about being Sooze's friend! Bimi, sitting next to her, said nothing, and Twink felt a pinch of guilt that she was being left out. She squeezed her best friend's hand, and Bimi gave her a small smile.

A hush fell over the Great Branch. Miss Shimmery, the HeadFairy, lifted into the air from the raised platform at the front, her rainbow wings gleaming like prisms. The students turned and faced her expectantly.

‘Welcome, all of you, to a new summer term at Glitterwings,' said Miss Shimmery in her low, strong voice. ‘Though it's rather a damp one so far, I'm afraid!'

The Branch laughed.

.

.

Twink settled on to her mushroom as the HeadFairy put on her sparkle specs and made the usual announcements – no fast flying in the school, uniforms required from tomorrow, and a special welcome to all new girls.

Miss Shimmery's white hair shone like a cloud as she smiled down at the Peony Branch table. ‘Welcome to Glitterwings Academy, Jax. I know that your branchmates will do everything they can to make you feel at home.'

Jax slumped down on her mushroom, looking crosser than ever. Twink sighed. They'd have a hard time making
her
feel at home – unless Jax was as awful to her family as she was to everyone else!

‘One final announcement.' Looking out at the school again, Miss Shimmery adjusted her sparkle specs firmly. ‘I'm sure I don't have to remind you that I expect my students to be well behaved at all times. Any rule-breaking this term will be looked upon very sternly indeed – so please, save your energy for your schoolwork.'

Her gaze fell lightly on the Jasmine Branch table, and then moved to the Peony fairies for a moment before scanning the rest of the school. Twink gulped. It was as though Miss Shimmery had read their minds!

‘Now then, I think it's time for a well-deserved meal.' Miss Shimmery clapped her hands as she drifted gracefully to the ground. ‘Butterflies commence!'

A river of brightly coloured butterflies floated into the branch, carrying oak-leaf platters piled high with seed cakes and nectar. A butterfly with yellow wings served the Peony Branch table, its antennae waving gently.

Sooze took a seed cake and leaned towards Twink. ‘Right, do you want to hear my plan? What I think we should do is –'

‘Sooze, maybe we shouldn't,' said Twink worriedly. ‘You heard what Miss Shimmery said.'

Sooze's mouth dropped open. ‘But we can't just let Jasmine Branch get
away
with this. You saw them! We have to do something.'

Twink squirmed. ‘I know – but –' She broke off, glancing across the table at Sili. The silver-haired fairy quickly made a show of talking to Zena, but Twink knew she was listening to every word – and that
she'd
be more than happy to do the prank with Sooze if Twink didn't.

‘I'm not sure if you should, Twink,' put in Bimi. ‘I think Miss Shimmery meant what she said.'

‘Oh, don't be such a wet leaf!' snapped Sooze. ‘Come on, Twink, just one little prank. What harm can it do?'

Bimi's mouth tightened. ‘Yes, but it won't stop at one, will it?' she pointed out. ‘Because then
they'll
play a prank, too, and then you'll play another one, and then –'

Twink felt a rush of irritation towards Bimi. She sounded like Twink's mother! And in front of the whole table, too. ‘All right,' she said, before she could change her mind. ‘I guess just one prank can't hurt.' She heard Bimi sigh, and hastened to add, ‘But that's really all, Sooze! We don't want to get into trouble.'

‘One prank. That's all,' said Sooze solemnly. ‘Cross my wings and hope to fly!'

.

Chapter Two

Two weeks later, Twink thought that she really should have known Bimi would be right. For of course the pranks hadn't stopped at just one. She'd been an idiot to ever suppose they would!

First Twink and Sooze had cast a fairy dust spell on Jasmine Branch's oak-leaf caps, so that they wouldn't come off no matter how hard the fairies tugged. Then a few of the Jasmine fairies had retaliated by turning Peony Branch's pixie boots into gnats that had buzzed all over the branch, refusing to be caught.

Other pranks had followed, each more inventive than the last. The rivalry between the branches became more good-natured as it went on, with each striving to play the most outrageous prank yet. Neither branch would have dreamt of giving the other away – they were having far too much fun!

It was becoming difficult to think of excuses, though. ‘
What
is the meaning of this?' Mrs Hover, the matron, had demanded just that morning, propping her hands on her ample hips. ‘Where are all your thistle combs?'

The Peony fairies had quickly stifled their giggles at the sight of the snail shells sitting on their bedside mushrooms. How had the Jasmine fairies managed
that
?

‘There was a bad batch of fairy dust in class yesterday!' said Sooze, her eyes wide and innocent. ‘I must have brought some of it back with me without realising it, and it got loose. Can you change them back, Hovey?'

Mrs Hover had done so, grumbling to herself as the fairies exchanged relieved glances. They had got away with it, thought Twink – but how much longer could they expect to? They were sure to get caught soon. But they couldn't stop now; Jasmine Branch was one up on them!

‘Shh!' hissed Sooze over her shoulder. ‘We're almost there!'

The great tree was dark and still, its branches filled with sleeping fairies. Despite her misgivings, Twink's spine tingled as she and Sooze glided silently downwards in their nightclothes.

Sooze landed on a ledge beside a closed door. Twink touched down at her side, fluttering her wings. The cluster of white jasmine blossoms that hung over the door swayed slightly.

‘Ready?' whispered Sooze.

Twink nodded. ‘But Sooze, this really does have to be the last one – agreed?'

‘Of course!' said Sooze impatiently. ‘Now let's get on with it.' Reaching into her pocket, she carefully drew out some blue powder. ‘Do you have the fairy dust?'

Twink fumbled at a small pouch on her hip. Yes, the fairy dust that she had sneaked out of class that afternoon was still there. It sparkled as she drew out a pink and gold handful.

She cupped the fairy dust in her palms. Sooze poured the blue powder on to it and stirred it about with her finger. Immediately, the pink and gold dust changed to a bright, shimmering blue that seemed to dance in the moonlight.

‘What now?' Twink whispered.

Sooze frowned, tapping her wings together. ‘Um . . . I'm trying to remember the words.'

.

.

‘You haven't forgotten them!' cried Twink.

‘No, I remember. Now, concentrate!' Shutting her eyes, Sooze put her hands over Twink's and chanted, ‘
Fairy dust and blueberry flakes, turn them blue before they wake!'

Sooze eased open the door and motioned furiously. Twink flung the dust into the branch. She had a fleeting glimpse of a dark room with a cloud of sparkling blue dust drifting through it, and then Sooze popped the door shut again. ‘Come on, let's get out of here!'

The two fairies leapt upwards, winging their way back to Peony Branch. A wild giggle welled up inside Twink. Playing pranks
was
great fun, there was no denying it. And Jasmine Branch had quite a surprise in store for them tomorrow!

It was even better than Twink had expected. When the Jasmine fairies flew into the Great Branch for breakfast the next morning, there was first a surprised murmur – and then peals of delighted laughter echoed across the Branch. The school twisted on their mushrooms, straining to see.

The Peony Branch table spluttered with mirth as they caught sight of the sheepish fairies. ‘Oh, Sooze!' cried Sili, clapping her hands over her mouth. ‘You and Twink are
brilliant
! Look at them!'

‘That – is
so
glimmery.' Zena wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.

Pix shook her head in admiration. ‘How did you ever think of it, Sooze?'

Sooze shrugged modestly. ‘I don't know. I just thought they'd look better with blue noses, that's all.' She smiled at Twink. ‘Right, Opposite?'

‘Right!' said Twink. Oh, she had never seen anything so funny! The Jasmine Branch fairies all sat red-cheeked at their table, trying desperately to pretend that nothing was out of the ordinary . . . but each and every one of them had a bright blue nose!

‘Well, I
think it's stupid,' snapped Mariella, flipping back her silvery-green hair. ‘And if we all get into trouble for it, it'll be
your
fault, Sooze.'

‘But at least you know better now than to run off and tell on us, don't you, Mosquito Nose?' pointed out Sooze with a wicked grin. And it was true that once Mariella would have done exactly that, but she had learned her lesson too many times to be tempted now.

The pointy-faced fairy glared at Sooze, and then turned away with a haughty sniff to whisper in Lola's ear. Lola smiled, but didn't look very happy. And Jax, sitting alone at the end of the table, had a glower on her face that was practically set in stone.

Twink noticed that Bimi hadn't said anything, either. She leaned towards her friend. ‘Bimi, you
do
think it's funny, don't you?' she whispered.

Bimi smiled, but her eyes were troubled. ‘Of course!' she whispered back. ‘But Twink, it's just going to keep on and on, and you know that the two of you are bound to get caught soon –'

‘Your attention, please!' announced a loud voice. Looking up, Twink saw with alarm that Miss Shimmery was hovering above the platform . . . and that she was looking directly at them.

‘The Jasmine Branch fairies appear to have something wrong with their noses,' observed Miss Shimmery dryly. The school started to snigger again, but the expression on the HeadFairy's face stopped them. Silence fell over the Branch.

Miss Shimmery beat her wings together sternly. ‘I have no doubt that if I ask them how their noses became blue they'll tell me they've encountered a bad batch of fairy dust – which, by a worrying coincidence, has also happened to the Peony Branch fairies several times over the last few weeks.'

Twink gulped. Oh dear! They obviously hadn't been as clever in fooling Mrs Hover as they had thought. She smoothed her hands anxiously over her peony-petal uniform.

‘I am extremely concerned about this rogue fairy dust that's causing so many problems,' continued Miss Shimmery. ‘Twink Flutterby, I should like to see you in my office directly after breakfast to discuss the matter.'

The HeadFairy floated serenely back down to the teachers' table. Twink felt the blood drain from her wings.
Her?
But what about Sooze?

Her friends obviously had no more idea what was going on than she did. They stared at her wordlessly, horror written on their faces. Bimi looked worried, but thankfully didn't say anything. Twink didn't think she could have borne to hear ‘I told you so!' just then!

‘Well, I suppose it was pretty easy to work out that there was a prank war going on,' said Pix finally. ‘But Twink, why does she want to see
you
?'

Twink shook her head. ‘I – I don't know.'

Oh, it wasn't fair that she should get into trouble if Sooze didn't! Yet how could she tell Miss Shimmery that without being a tell-tale? And what if Miss Shimmery told her parents? Twink's wings slumped miserably at the thought.

All at once Sooze leaned across the table and squeezed Twink's hand. ‘Don't worry, Opposite,' she said. ‘It's my fault, not yours – and I'll go along with you and tell her so!'

But when the two fairies flitted nervously into Miss Shimmery's office after breakfast, the HeadFairy shook her snowy-white head. ‘Just you, Twink. Not Sooze as well.'

Sooze didn't move. ‘But I need to explain! You see, it's not Twink's fault. I –'

A slight smile appeared on Miss Shimmery's face. ‘Thank you, Sooze, but I'm aware that it's not entirely Twink's fault. Please go on to Fairy Dust class now.'

Sooze licked her lips. ‘But –'

‘Close the door as you leave.' There was no mistaking the firm tone in Miss Shimmery's voice. Sooze flew off reluctantly, looking over her shoulder.

Twink's wings felt icy as she stood alone on the ornate petal carpet. The last time she'd been in this office was three terms before, when she had befriended a wasp named Stripe. She had been certain then that she'd be expelled, and she didn't feel much braver now.

.

.

Miss Shimmery sat at her mushroom desk and folded her rainbow wings behind her back. ‘Now then, Twink. It's quite obvious that there's a prank war going on between your branch and Jasmine Branch.'

It didn't seem to be a question, but Twink nodded anyway. ‘Yes, Miss Shimmery,' she mumbled. ‘But – but it wasn't
completely
our fault. They –'

The HeadFairy cut her off with a wave of her wing. ‘I'm not interested in who started it, or who's done what to whom. I don't mind a few good-natured pranks, but it's all got a bit silly now, and I've had enough. Mrs Hover says it's going to take half the morning to get those noses back to normal.'

Twink squirmed where she stood. Oh,
why
hadn't she listened to Bimi? ‘Yes, Miss. We'll stop now,' she whispered.

Miss Shimmery considered her keenly. ‘I know you will. Because I'm putting you in charge of Peony Branch.'

Twink's mouth fell open. ‘You – you what?' she stammered.

‘You're in charge,' repeated Miss Shimmery. Her voice was grave, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in her eye. ‘You see, Twink, I think both the Peony and the Jasmine fairies are old enough now to work this sort of thing out for themselves, without the school having to get involved. And just to make certain you do, I'm putting one fairy in charge of each of the branches. If there are any further problems that occur this term – and I mean
any
further problems – then that
fairy will be directly responsible for them.'

Twink fell into a horror-struck silence.
She
was meant to be responsible for
Sooze
? But how on earth could she make Sooze do anything? The lavender-haired fairy did exactly what she wanted!

‘But . . . why me?' she asked finally.

Miss Shimmery smiled. ‘I have my reasons, but I think I'll let you find them out for yourself.'

‘Oh,' said Twink blankly.

Miss Shimmery laughed and stood up. ‘You can go now, Twink. But remember what I said. I don't want to hear another word about any trouble from Peony Branch. If anything comes up, I expect you to deal with it yourself!'