Friends Forever by Titania Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

‘Stripe, would you like to fly home to your family this morning?’
    Stripe’s eyes widened. He gulped, and beat his wings without taking off. He looked petrified and excited, both at the same time.
    â€˜Let’s give him some practice!’ Twink flew across to the bed. Landing lightly on top of it, she clapped her hands. ‘Come on, Stripe, fly to me.’
    The wasp took a deep breath. Launching himself in the air, he wobbled across the room in fits and spurts. At the last moment he crashed into Twink, and they fell on to the bed in a tangled heap.
    Twink sat up and laughed. ‘Well – almost!’
    Bimi jumped on to her mushroom. ‘Now back to me, Stripe!’ she called.
    Over and over, the wasp flew back and forth between the two fairies. Shaky at first, his flying gradually improved until he hardly wobbled at all.
    â€˜Stripe, that’s brilliant!’ said Twink. She stooped down to look into his eyes. ‘Would – would you like to fly home now?’ A painful lump grew in her throat at the thought. She tried to ignore it. She’d miss Stripe, but she knew he needed to be with his parents.
    Stripe looked uncertain. He stared out of the door at the lightening sky and buzzed anxiously to himself.
    â€˜Maybe he needs a bit more practice,’ said Bimi. ‘Why don’t we come back at break this afternoon and see him off then?’
    â€˜What do you think, Stripe?’ asked Twink, stroking his back. ‘Do you want to spend this morning practising? You could even try flying outside for a bit! Then when we come back we can say a proper goodbye to you.’
    Stripe flew up into her arms, beating his wings gently against her chin. Twink hugged him in relief. She didn’t have to say goodbye to her friend just yet.
    â€˜I think that’s a yes,’ laughed Bimi. ‘All right, Stripe – you keep practising, and we’ll see you off in style this afternoon!’

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    Chapter Seven
    At breakfast that morning Twink ate her seed cakes happily, enjoying the crunchy treat for the first time in what seemed like ages. Everything was going to be all right. She and Bimi were friends again – and Stripe was almost ready to return to his family!
    Once breakfast was over, Twink rose with the others to queue for the door. ‘Oh, there’s Mrs Hover!’ cried Bimi. ‘I just want to ask her about some more glitter for my tapestry.’
    As Bimi flitted off, Mariella edged over, fluttering her pale green wings innocently. ‘Speaking of projects, Twink, what are you going to do for mine?’
    Twink stared at her. ‘ Yours? ’
    Mariella widened her eyes. ‘Well, they’re due tomorrow. And I know that you’ll want to help me out with mine – won’t you?’
    Twink felt her jaw drop. ‘You’re mad! I’m not doing your project for you. I haven’t even thought about my project yet!’
    â€˜Oh, but I thought you were doing that really glimmery project on friendship,’ piped up Lola, her eyes shining meanly.
    â€˜Yes, that’s right,’ said Mariella. ‘You’ve got your project all sorted, but you don’t want to help me with mine! I call that selfish.’
    â€˜So do I,’ echoed Lola, crossing her thin arms across her chest.
    â€˜And I think selfish people deserve whatever happens to them,’ continued Mariella, narrowing her eyes. ‘Especially ones with secrets. ’
    Twink’s wings felt hot. ‘I don’t care!’ she burst out. ‘You can do whatever you like, Mariella. I’m not doing your project for you.’
    Mariella gaped at her. ‘ What? ’
    Twink gulped, but went on, ‘You heard me. And – and you’d better think twice before you tell anyone about Stripe. You know what they think of tell-tales here!’
    She flew off without waiting for a response, but not before she had seen the flash of anger in