Chapter 5

Chapter FIVE I sidled over to the table, my fairy wand lighting up Edith's face. She looked a bit sad. 'What are you doing down here? I asked. 'To be honest...' said Edith. 'I was feeling guilty.' 'You were feeling guilty?' I said. 'I'm the one who should be feeling guilty, Edith.

I broke your crystal ball! I'm so, so sorry. It was a mistake. I only stroked it once and then it lit up and I didn't mean to drop it out of the window, but it started ringing and there was a face—' My words were all coming out in a gabble. It all just sounded like excuses. I stopped. Took a breath. 'I'm really sorry,' I said again.

'Carlotta and I shouldn't have been in your room, touching all your stuff. I'm going to save up my pocket money and buy you a new crystal ball, I promise.' Edith smiled. 'Thank you, Mirabelle,' she said. 'I knew you two didn't go in my room to tidy it!' She chuckled and I managed a smile.

'Why are you feeling bad?' I asked her. 'I shouldn't have shouted at Carlotta like that,' sighed Edith. 'It was mean. Or shut you both out of my room earlier. If I'd just let you in and shown you the potion kit in the first place, the crystal ball might never have got broken!' That sounded true, but it still didn't make it OK for Carlotta and me to have snuck into Edith's room without asking. 'Carlotta and I are always arguing nowadays,' continued Edith. 'We used to play together all the time, but now... I find her games boring. And she doesn't understand that sometimes I want Privacy!' 'My big brother Wilbur is the same,'

I said, nodding. 'He hardly ever plays the games I want to play. But you know what? I love joining in with his! Most of the time he doesn't mind too much. I bet Carlotta would love doing things you like. She loves painting her nails and all that stuff!' Edith raised an eyebrow. 'I did notice your nails...' Blushing, I hid my fingers under the table. Whoops! Edith took a sip of her hot bogwater, and my tummy grumbled loudly, even though I hate witchy drinks. 'Are you hungry?' asked Edith. 'Or thirsty? Do you want me to make you

some bogwater? 'Er... No, thank you,' I replied politely. 'I'm not a fan. It's a bit gritty for my fairy tastes.' 'I love it gritty!' said Edith, licking her lips. 'The grittier the better! What do fairies drink for a treat?' 'Hot chocolate!' I said. 'Or milkshake! Or ice cream fizz. Or raspberry crush!' 'Sounds disgusting...' replied Edith. 'I can't even imagine what those drinks look like.' 'I can show you!' I said, waving my wand so that a tall glass of pink milkshake with a swirl of raspberry cream and chocolate sprinkles appeared on the table.