Chapter 3

Chapter THREE The Funfair Spectacular did not look very spectacular at all. In fact it looked particularly unspectacular. The stripy tents were grey and tattered, the rides sounded clanky and rattly, the music was so quiet you could barely hear it, and the fairy lights were fizzing and spluttering as though they were about to go out.

The people operating the rides looked sad and grey too. They had worry lines all over their faces. 'Oh dear.' said Mum sadly. What a shame.'

My heart suddenly felt very small and tight. I held on to Mum's hand for a minute because my eyes were feeling a bit prickly. Suddenly I wasn't sure if I wanted to visit a human fair after all. Perhaps I should have listened to Mum and Dad, and gone to a vampire or a fairy one. I felt embarrassed to have brought my whole family here. 'Maybe we should go home,' I suggested. 'Nonsense!' said Mum, who always liked to look on the bright side. We've only just got here! It's not that bad, Isadora. The rides are only a little bit run- down. Nothing a bit of magic can't fix.'

'Ooh yes!' said Mirabelle, rubbing her hands together gleefully. 'I bet we could make this human fair a whole lot more exciting!' 'No!' I cried worriedly. 'No magic, remember?'

'Okay,' said Mum, sounding slightly disappointed. 'Well, let's go in anyway. I fancy a ride on the teacups.' 'The teacups!' scoffed Mirabelle. I think we should go on the roller coaster! Or the ghost train!' I didn't feel like going on any of the rides, but I followed my family into the fair and towards the roller coaster. As we got closer I could see that the paint was faded and peeling.

'At least we won't have to queue!' said Dad cheerfully, as we walked up to the man in the ticket booth.