Magical Mayhem by Titania Woods Page A

it took us so long to get here that I bet all the best beds are taken already.’ She gave the salamander a dark look.
    â€˜You’d better hurry, then,’ snapped Twink, patting Sal’s head reassuringly. Usually she and her sister got on very well, but there were times when she wanted to throttle Teena!
    â€˜Don’t worry, I’m going!’ retorted Teena. ‘Bye, Dad,’ she added, kissing his cheek. ‘See you later, Twink.’ She skimmed off to where Zuzu was waiting near the entrance.
    Twink let out a breath when she was gone. ‘Let me guess – I need to be patient with her,’ she said to her father. That’s what Twink’s mum was always telling her, though sometimes it was easier said than done!
    Her father smiled. ‘Well, no one ever said being the oldest was easy,’ he pointed out, handing Twink her bag. ‘But don’t be too hard on Teena – she looks up to you a great deal, you know.’
    â€˜She has a funny way of showing it sometimes,’ muttered Twink, adjusting Sal’s lead.
    Twink’s father laughed and gave her a hug. ‘Why else do you think she got her wings in a twist when you didn’t have time for her over the hols?’ he asked. ‘Bye, Twinkster – have a good term. Send us a butterfly and let us know how you get on with your project!’
    Twink stood waving as her father flew away. When she could no longer see him, she dropped her arm thoughtfully to her side. Teena was such an independent little thing that it was difficult to think of her looking up to Twink . . . but perhaps her father was right.
    I’ll make sure I spend more time with her this term , Twink resolved. Then she glanced at Sal, swishing his spotted tail about in the grass. That is, after I finish the project , she amended.
    â€˜Twink!’ shouted a voice.
    Twink grinned as her best friend Bimi Bluebell came fluttering up, her gold and silver wings glinting like sunshine. She landed beside Twink and the two fairies hugged tightly, bouncing up and down.

    â€˜It’s so good to see you!’ exclaimed Twink.
    â€˜You too,’ said Bimi warmly. ‘Oh, and look, here’s Sal – hello, Sal!’ she added, stroking the salamander’s sleek head. Sal thumped his tail on the ground.
    Twink grabbed her bag in one hand and Sal’s lead in the other. ‘Come on, I’ve got to get checked in with Miss Twilight,’ she said. ‘Then I need to take Sal back to his pen in the Creature Kindness log before we fly up to Violet Branch.’ The fairies all lived and went to school high in the branches of the oak tree – much too far up for a salamander to be expected to climb!
    â€˜All right,’ said Bimi, tucking a strand of midnight-blue hair behind her pointed ear. ‘I’ve already been up to Violet Branch and saved our beds. We’re making a three with Pix again – I thought we could swap notes on our project more easily that way.’
    â€˜Great!’ said Twink happily.
    Talking non-stop, she and Bimi flew over to the tree root where Miss Twilight stood checking in students. Twink’s heart felt as light as thistledown. It was wonderful to be back at Glitterwings. She could tell already that it was going to be a glimmery term!
    â€˜I can tell already that it’s going to be a boring term,’ said Teena glumly as she and Zuzu flew into the school.
    The inside of Glitterwings Academy was like a high, golden tower, with fairies swooping in and out of its branches as far up as the eye could see. Teena almost groaned to see it again. Everything looked exactly the same as last term!
    â€˜Boring?’ Zuzu looked at her in surprise. Her long pink hair was just the same shade as Teena’s, though she wore hers pulled back with a leafy clasp. ‘But why?’
    Teena sighed as she and Zuzu began flying up the trunk towards Snowdrop Branch. ‘Oh, I don’t