six

“A fairy dollhouse!”

Sylva and Poppy slowly, carefully lifted the dollhouse out of its crate. There was not a scratch or a dent on it. It was in perfect condition.

“It must be very old,” said Poppy in a whisper.

“Oh look, it’s got everything!” said Sylva. “What a sweet couch in the sitting room.” She ran her finger across the dark-red fabric. “It’s velvet!”

“Look at the curtains in the bedroom,” said Poppy. “Lace!”

“Ooh! The kitchen has tiny little pots and pans hanging on the wall. I think they’re real copper!” She looked around some more.

Sylva had always wanted a fairy dollhouse of her own. The one at the Bell sisters’ fairy house was Tink’s first. Then it got passed down to Clara, then to Rosy, and then to Goldie. By the time it got to Sylva a couple of years ago, it was pretty much destroyed.

But this one—

“It has an attic!” cried Poppy. “With hardly any dust.” She gave Sylva a playful nudge. Sylva nudged her back.

Lady Courtney bestowed a rare smile on them both. “Maybe it was magic that brought you here at the exact right moment,” she said. “What a treasure you have found. It’s yours now, my dears. The queen will be happy it’s going to two such good friends.” Lady Courtney sighed. “It once belonged to two other young fairies. They too were best friends—a lot like you.”

“I thought it was Queen Mab’s,” said Sylva.

“It was Queen Mab’s and—” Lady Courtney started to say something, but then she stopped herself. “Take good care of it, please,” was all she told them.

“Of course we will, Lady Courtney!” said Sylva. “Come on, Poppy. Let’s fly it home to my house before anyone else sees it. It’s ours fair and square.”

“Fair and square to share!” said Poppy.

The two friends closed the dollhouse doors and carefully placed the house back in the crate. With some effort, they lifted it together. “I think I’ll be able to get it off the ground, Sylva,” said Poppy.

“Great! Let’s pump our wings and get this home!” said Sylva. They turned in the direction of the Fairy Village.

A sudden rustling of wings stopped them in their tracks. Then they heard an urgent voice.

“Sylva! Poppy! One moment, please!”