2. Goblin Afloat

Kirsty was just about to open the window to let Hayley in, but then she hesitated. "All of the water will rush inside," she said, frowning. Hayley laughed. It sounded like a tinkling bell. "Don't worry!" she called through the window. "It's fairy rain. It doesn't spill into people's houses." Slowly, Kirsty opened the window. The water stayed right where it was! Rachel leaned forward. She could tell that a strange invisible barrier was holding the water back. "It feels like jelly!" she said, poking her finger into it. The water on the other side of the barrier felt just like normal. Hayley fluttered through the window and blew the swan a kiss. "Thanks for the ride!" she said. "Good-bye!" The swan dipped its head

and glided away. "Hello, girls," Hayley sang happily. "Hello again, Hayley," Kirsty replied. She and Rachel had met Hayley in Fairyland at the beginning of their adventure, along with all of the other Weather Fairies. "We're so glad to see you," added Rachel. Hayley hovered in the air. She wore a pretty violet skirt and a matching top. Her long, dark hair was tied up in a ponytail and decorated with a bright blue flower. She folded her arms, and little droplets of blue and violet scattered from her silver wand. "It's time to get Doodle's Rain Feather back from that terrible goblin!" she said firmly, eyes flashing. "We think so, too," Rachel agreed. "But how can we look for him with all this flooding? We really need a boat." That gave Kirsty an idea. "I helped Dad clean out the garage last week, and we found an old raft. Let's go ask if we can take it out to play."

Hayley dived off the curtain rail, her delicate wings flashing, and landed on Rachel's shoulder. She hid beneath Rachel's hair. The girls found Mr. and Mrs. Tate in the kitchen. Mr. Tate looked baffled as he stared out of the window. "Since I can't get to work in this rain, I think I'll work on a mathematical theory about this flood water…" he murmured, wandering past them. "Hello, girls," said Mrs. Tate with a smile. "Your dad's trying to figure out why the water isn't flooding into the house, Kirsty. But I'm just glad the place is dry! I made some toast. Help yourselves."

"Thanks, Mom." Kirsty grabbed a piece of toast. "Is it OK if we go out in the old raft?" Mrs. Tate smiled. "Sounds fine to me. Just be careful, please!" Kirsty and Rachel rushed out to the garage, finishing their toast on the way. Kirsty pulled out the raft, along with an air pump and two wooden paddles.

It didn't take long to inflate the raft. Then the girls pushed it out through the window of the garage, onto the water. They climbed in carefully. It was just big enough for two people. "Perfect!" said Hayley. She fluttered down to the front of the raft, where she sat like a tiny sparkling figurehead. Blue and violet droplets scattered from her wand.

"Here we go!" Rachel dipped her paddle into the water. Kirsty began paddling, too. At first, the raft spun in circles. As the girls got the hang of steering it, they began moving out toward High Street. Suddenly, a lady in a yellow raincoat and boots jumped out in front of them. "Look out, Kirsty! It's the crossing guard!" called Rachel. She dragged her paddle in the water, using it as a brake. Quick as a flash, Hayley whooshed into Kirsty's pocket, out of sight. "Let the people cross!" said the crossing guard, holding out her arms. Kirsty and Rachel waited for a man to cross the street. He was pulling a floating wooden box with a dog sitting inside. "Thank you. All clear!" The crossing guard smiled at Rachel and Kirsty as they paddled on. Outside the post office, the girls saw a group of kids splashing about happily. They all wore boots and raincoats and didn't seem to mind the pouring rain at all. But not everyone was enjoying the rain. Kirsty spotted a cat perched in an oak tree in the village square. "Poor thing," she said. "At least it's safe up there." As they continued paddling toward the park, Rachel saw a strange, dark shape floating out from behind the playground slide. "Look over there. It's an upside-down umbrella!" she cried, pointing. Kirsty's eyes widened. Four ducks, all connected to some sort of rope, were quacking loudly, and pulling an umbrella boat along. Inside