The Fairy Bell Sisters: Hearts and Flowers for Clara. Margaret McNamara

Bell sisters shook the snow from their wings and flew into Lady’s Slipper Field. All the fairies were gathering there. This year the enchanted meadow was more lush and fragrant and flower-filled than ever before.

      “I think the gnomes must have done some of this magical gardening,” said Iris Flower. “It is their speciality.”

      “Off with this horrid winter hat!” Lily cried as she ran through the tall flowers. “Ooh! Avery!” she called to her best friend. “Can you feel that island sun?”

      “Of course I can. It’s a picture-perfect day!” said Avery.

      “I must look picture perfect for when the gnomes arrive,” said Lily. “How do you like my skirt?”

      “It’s pretty, Lily, but I don’t think it will help you win any races,” said Silver. “Heigh-ho, Poppy!” she called. “Let’s do some flying practice. There’s no snow to weigh our wings down here.”

      “I’ll take Squeak out of her fairy buggy,” said Rosie. “She’ll love being barefoot again. We’ll go for a romp, won’t we, Squeakie?” Rosie looked over at her older sister. “Do you have time for a quick walk, Clara?” she asked.

      “No,” said Clara. “I have too much work to do. I promised Queen Mab I’d organise the welcoming banquet and decorate the banqueting hall.”

      “You always take on so much,” called Lily. “Queen Mab’s lucky to have you.”

      “We’re all lucky to have Clara,” said Rosie.

      What Rosie didn’t know was that Clara actually wanted to be by herself. It was the perfect time to practise her sparkle charm. Most of the island would be deserted, as everybody would be in the meadow for the opening ceremony – which meant there would be not a soul on Sunrise Hill.

      Clara darted out of the summery meadow and away up the hill. She hoped no one would notice where she was going.

      It was cold and snowy up on the hill, but she knew the chilly wind wouldn’t trouble her if she could get some magic going. She had studied her Fairy Charms book last night, after all her sisters had fallen asleep. If she did this charm just right, the top of Sunrise Hill would be transformed.

      Clara had memorised the words of the charm – that wasn’t the hard part. It was doing the arm movements properly and spinning at the correct speed so that she always ended up in the same spot. She closed her eyes and gave it a try:

       Turn thrice around,

       Fling wide your arm.

       Sparkle now!

       Obey my charm!

      She opened her eyes – and started coughing. The pretty white snow of Sunrise Hill was covered in soot! “Where did all – ack – this come from? Ack! Ack!” Even the squirrels were covering their faces with their scrawny winter tails. “I must have done the spell all wrong!” Clara’s eyes were streaming and her nose was running. “I’m so sorry, little squirrel,” she said. “I’d better clear this soot before Queen Mab thinks there’s been a fire on Sunrise Hill. Sparkles will drive the smoke away – but can I do it?”

      Clara stood perfectly still and calmed her cough. She thought of what Queen Mab had said to her: You will be a very great fairy one day.

      Clara filled her mind with the idea of her magical power. And she recited the charm again:

       Turn thrice around,

       Fling wide your arm.

       Sparkle now!

       Obey my charm!

      Tentatively, Clara opened her eyes. The black soot was gone. In its place was a shimmering curtain of golden sparkles. The sparkles floated down to the ground and dusted the pure white snow, making it shine more brightly than Clara had ever seen. They landed on tree branches and turned the dark bark into patterns of shimmering gold. They turned the sweet little squirrel’s coat golden, from whiskers to tail. The sparkles made Sunrise Hill, always a beautiful place, look absolutely breathtaking.

      “I can’t believe it!” cried Clara. “Oh, how beautiful! I did it! My first sparkle charm!”

      A distant cheer went up from the meadow, and Clara remembered – the Welcoming Banquet. She hadn’t done a thing to get ready!

      

      Clara flew from Sunrise Hill back to Queen Mab’s palace. Everyone would be arriving there soon for a hearty dinner. She’d better get going – fast.

      “Hey, Clara!” It was Julia Jellicoe. “You’re going the wrong way!” Julia flew right into Clara’s path. “The opening ceremony is almost over. Come on!”

      “I’m not going, Julia,” said Clara. “I have too much work to do.” Clara hoped she didn’t sound too prim. She couldn’t exactly tell Julia that she’d been practising her magic. Not when she hadn’t mentioned it to her sisters – or to Queen Mab. “I’ve got to set up the Welcoming Banquet.”

      “Oh, thank goodness somebody’s going to organise it,” said Julia. “There are plates and dishes all over the place. Ours is a surprise.”

      “Julia!” said Clara. “What kind of surprise?”

      “The gnomes will love it. See you later!”