Christmas Fairy by Titania Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t . . . she wouldn’t . . .

    ‘Look at me!’ demanded a voice. Twink awoke with a gasp. The fairy decoration was hovering in front of her, beating her sparkly green wings.
    ‘You’re real!’ exclaimed Twink, sitting up. ‘But – but how –’
    ‘Santa did it.’ The fairy laughed, kicking her feet in the air. ‘Santa can do anything!’ she called as she skimmed away.
    ‘Wait!’ cried Twink. She started to fly from the tree, and then fell back with a yelp as a sudden blaze of light burst through the room. A tall figure in flowing red robes appeared.
    Santa had arrived.
    Twink cowered against her branch. The spirit of Christmas wasn’t at all like Lindsay had described. He was almost as tall as the ceiling! His long white beard looked wild and woodsy, with a jaunty holly bow and – Twink blinked in amazement – a pair of robins nesting in it!
    Santa strode forward, his red robes swirling about his feet. A hush seemed to fall as he stooped beside the tree, placing presents under it. Twink watched in a daze. All thoughts of talking to him had vanished.
    As Santa rose, he caught sight of Twink and smiled. ‘Hello, little fairy,’ he said gently. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll see your family again – that’s my Christmas promise to you! Now, hop on to my hand and I’ll take you home.’
    Joy burst through Twink. She leapt towards Santa’s outstretched hand – and then suddenly she was flying through her old familiar meadow, enjoying the winter chill on her wings.
    She was really back! There were trees, and grass, and open spaces. With a shout of delight, Twink did a midair somersault, and then sped towards her family’s tree stump. How excited everyone would be to see her!

    Twink smiled in her sleep. Home . . . everyone was so happy . . . but something was wrong. What was it?
    Sleepily, she opened her eyes – and then jolted wide awake. The room was dark! Lindsay’s parents were gone. Only the soft sound of Clarence’s snores filled the air. Beside her, Twink could just make out the little fairy – a dangling decoration once more.
    It was only a dream! Twink slumped against the branch as disappointment crashed through her.
    But . . . maybe Santa hadn’t come yet. Surely her dream meant that he would come and save her. Twink dived from the tree and plunged downwards to the little box that controlled the lights.
    Click! The tree burst into sparkles as she landed on the switch. Twink held her breath, looking around her. And then she saw it, and her wings drooped in dismay.
    A new pile of brightly wrapped presents was clustered under the tree. Dejectedly, Twink flew from one to the other, peering at the cards. They all said exactly what she’d known they’d say: To Lindsay, with love from Santa Claus.

    Santa had already come and gone.
    Twink sank on to the large golden bow of the last present, fighting tears. Oh, how could she have been so stupid as to fall asleep? This had been her last chance!
    And now she was too late.

Chapter Eight
    ‘Mum! Dad! I love it!’ A pile of crumpled wrapping paper lay beside Lindsay, revealing a pink satin jewellery box.
    ‘Look inside,’ said her father, smiling.
    Tired and sad as she was, Twink felt a tremor of excitement as Lindsay opened the lid, craning to see from her hiding place in Clarence’s wicker basket. It smelled strongly of dog, but apart from that was surprisingly cosy – especially since Clarence seemed very protective of Twink now, and insisted on cradling her with the curve of his tail!
    The little girl squealed with delight as she held up a tiny golden locket. ‘Mum, Dad, thank you!’ she cried, launching herself at her parents for a hug.
    A warm glow filled Twink as she watched. Lindsay had said that Christmas wasn’t supposed to be about presents, and she was right. It was about family – and that was something that both fairies and humans could understand.
    Twink sighed and stroked Clarence’s soft black fur. Oh, how she wished