Chapter 2

Chapter TWO On the morning of my birthday I woke up bright and early. The sun was shining outside and the birds were chirping. I poked Pink Rabbit awake. 'Today's the day!' I said to him. I leapt out of bed and we flew down the stairs together. Mum, Dad, and my baby sister,

Honeyblossom, were all in the kitchen waiting for me. The table had been laid for breakfast and there was a pink package sitting in front of my place all tied up with glittery ribbon.

'Happy Birthday, Isadora!' cried Mum and Dad together. They both sat at the table smiling. Mum had a bowl of flower nectar yoghurt with wild berries in front of her and Dad had already started drinking his red juice. Vampires love red juice. Honeyblossom was sitting in her high chair and happily waving her bottle of pink milk in the air. I sat down at the table. 'Can I open my present?' I asked excitedly. 'Of course!' said Mum. 'You've only got one because it's a very, very special one this year.' I reached for the present. I was

just about to pick it up and tear off the wrapping when... DING DONG! Mum swooped the present away from under my hands and jumped to her feet. 'Must be Cousin Wilbur!' she said. 'He's arrived early. We mustn't let him see Isadora's present. He'll be very jealous.' She put my present in the cupboard under the sink and hurried to answer the door. 'You'll have to open it later,' said Dad, sounding a bit disappointed. Cousin Wilbur came into the room. He was wearing a long black robe with silver stars on it and a pointy hat on his head.

Wilbur is a wizard. Well, almost a wizard. He is a wizard-in-training and also a bossy know-it-all. He thinks he knows everything because he is older than me. 'Happy Birthday, Isadora,' he said.

Then he puffed out his chest and stuck his nose in the air in a smug sort of way. 'I am your birthday magician,' he explained. 'Wilbur the Great!' 'But... I began. 'I have some excellent tricks up my sleeve,' Wilbur continued. 'Your friends will all be very impressed.' 'It's very kind of you to come and help out at Isadora's party,' said Mum. 'It is, isn't it,' agreed Wilbur. I frowned. 'Wilbur is a real magician,' I said. 'The magician is only supposed to do pretend magic. Mum, Dad, and Wilbur all looked confused.