Ready to fly

READY TO FLY

When the bells finally trilled for the end of break Lila, Meggie and Bella gathered with the rest of Charm One beside the Bewitching Pool. Mistress Pipit arrived and held up her wand for silence.

“Now I hope you’re feeling inspired after having seen your first Bugs and Butterflies game because it’s time for us, as a class, to get down to some serious work.” She paused and smiled. “You’ve done very well in our fairy gym lessons in the garden. I think you’re ready for the next step. Today, you’re going to have your first flying lesson in the Flutter Tower.”

“We’re going to fly,” cried Lila, jumping up and down. “At last, at last, at last!” Mistress Pipit gave Lila one of her quelling looks and Princess Bee Balm gave a haughty sniff in her direction, but Lila was too excited to care. From her bedroom window in the Star Clan turret, she had often looked at the Flutter Tower, standing higher than the tallest trees in the Wishing Wood and she longed to go inside it.

“Follow me,” said Mistress Pipit, and set off with a line of eager fairies scurrying behind her. Lila couldn’t have been happier and, chattering gaily, the three friends followed the other fairies through the trees of the Wishing Wood. Above them, the ancient oaks spread their mighty branches, shading out the sun, while long, sinewy roots anchored the great trunks to the earth.