The sting of Claudine and Amanda’s unfriendly greeting felt less keen as Lily looked in wonder at the bedroom where she was to stay. Instead of curtains made of oak leaves, there were delicate water-silk panels of shell pink. A sweet gold-and-white dressing table – with a three-way mirror! – was nestled in a corner. A plush rose carpet was on the floor. And the bed! Lily flew over and fell on to the pillowy feather duvet. “There’s nothing like this on Sheepskerry!” she said.

“It’s nice, isn’t it,” said Avery without even looking around. “I’ll leave you now so you can have a moment’s peace before dinner.”

“That sounds good,” said Lily. “Will you sit next to me at the dinner table, Avery? I have to admit I’m a little nervous around those Townley sisters.”

Avery shook her head. “Oh, no!” she said. “I never sit at the table, especially not on a grand occasion like this! Why, there must be a dozen fairies staying here at least! I’ll eat with Caraway Cooke in the kitchen after you’ve had your meal.”

Lily’s face fell. The mainland kept surprising her.

“Will there be anything else, miss?” asked Avery.

“Please, call me Lily!”

Avery smiled a cautious smile. “Will there be anything else, Lily?” she asked.

“There is one thing.” Lily wanted to ask why the Townley sisters seemed so … unfriendly. But she didn’t want Avery to think she couldn’t handle herself on the mainland.

“If you’re wondering why Amanda and Claudine are so unfriendly,” said Avery, “the reason is that the Townley sisters win the fancy-dress prize every single year. All the mainland fairies seem to think that’s the way it has to be.” Avery busied herself by unpacking Lily’s bags. “But now the island fairies have been invited and Amanda and Claudine have heard that island fairies are very good at creating things out of bits and pieces. Especially you.”

“Oh my!” said Lily.

“And that’s why they are not on their best behaviour.” The little porcelain clock on the mantelpiece struck five. “Now I must fly,” said Avery. She slipped out of the door and Lily was on her own.

“I’d better change into a different dress,” said Lily to herself. “Which means I’ll have to re-do my nails too. I hope I’ll be fancy enough for dinner!”

As she got ready, Lily thought a lot about what Avery had told her. How nice that people are saying I’m good at creating things! she thought. But how sorry I am that Claudine and Amanda are cross about it.

When she was dressed and her nails were drying, Lily flew over to the window to get a breath of fresh autumn air. She looked out on the city below her. “What a lot of lights!” she said. Lily gazed up at the stars, but she couldn’t make them out for the bright city glow.

Then she strained her eyes towards the harbour to see if she could glimpse the ocean or the islands beyond. She could not. “Oh well,” said Lily, with a small sigh. “I know they’re home and safe on Sheepskerry.”

I’m sure you can guess who was on Lily’s mind!