The silence was broken by a proud chirrup from Nelli. The audience laughed then leapt to their feet, stamping, clapping and cheering. Maggie blushed and skipped a curtsey before fluttering back to her seat.

As the cheers subsided, Daisy noticed Grevillea stalk off through the crowd.

Daisy watched as Grevillea stepped into the forest, right where the songbirds were perched waiting.

She’ll be checking on Boronia’s lyrebird, Daisy told herself. But for some reason, she felt uneasy.

‘May I be excused?’ Daisy asked.

‘Why? What’s wrong?’ asked Efa.

‘Nothing,’ Daisy answered. ‘I just want to check on Melody.’

Nen looked at her steadily. ‘All right. But make sure you’re back before Maggie sings again,’ she said.

‘I will be,’ Daisy promised. Gesturing for Vu and Nelli to join her, she hurried after Grevillea.

As they stepped into the forest, Vu chirruped a question in Daisy’s ear.

‘I’m not sure, Vu. I just have a feeling that something’s not quite right,’ Daisy explained.

The lyrebird was alone under the trees. There was no sign of Grevillea. Behind Daisy, the music started again. Grebe was on stage, singing another thumping tune. His boobook owl singing partner, perched on top of the fallen log, provided a deep-throated woop woop as the backbeat.

It wouldn’t be long before it was Maggie and Melody’s turn to sing. Daisy peered into the trees above her but couldn’t see Melody. With Nelli and Vu following, Daisy flew up for a closer look.

She saw Grevillea on a branch, edging towards Melody and speaking quietly. Daisy crept closer to listen.

‘Maggie told everyone that Stormy is a much better singer,’ Grevillea was telling Melody. The magpie cocked her head.

‘She is only singing with you,’ Grevillea went on, ‘because she couldn’t find Stormy.’

With a distressed warble, Melody took to the air, flying in a few confused circles before disappearing into the forest.

At first Daisy was too shocked to react. Then shock turned to anger.

‘You cheating liar!’ Daisy yelled. ‘You’re scared that Maggie’s going to win.’

Grevillea spun around, her look of surprise quickly becoming one of scorn. ‘I’m not now,’ Grevillea sneered. ‘You’ll never find that magpie in time. And when your sister is disqualified, my Boronia will win.’

Daisy couldn’t believe how spiteful Grevillea was. How could a grown-up cheat like this? Without thinking about the consequences, Daisy pulled out her wand and pointed it at Grevillea. ‘Words designed for causing harm, render silent with this charm.’

Grevillea tried to speak but no words would come out. She reached, as though to grab Daisy, but Nelli flew between them and wiggled her bottom in Grevillea’s face, chirruping angrily.

‘I don’t know how much you know about ladybirds,’ said Daisy, ‘but they’re excellent at defending themselves. And right now there’s a powerfully stinky gas aimed in your direction.’

Grevillea gulped, taking a step back. Nelli waggled her bottom threateningly and Vu chittered for her not to move again. The older fairy froze mid-step.

With Nelli watching Grevillea, Daisy and Vu hurried back down to the clearing. Queen Jasmine was on her throne, watching Grebe sing. Daisy hesitated, wondering what to do. She could tell Queen Jasmine what Grevillea had done and Boronia might be disqualified. But without Melody, Maggie still couldn’t perform in the finale.

Why did I speak to that horrible Grevillea? thought Daisy, remembering their conversation at the rehearsal. If Maggie loses now, it will be because of me!

Daisy couldn’t let that happen! She had to find Melody. Grevillea could be dealt with later.

But no fairy could fly as fast as a magpie, and Melody had a long head start. Determined not to let Maggie down, Daisy opened her locket and took out her magic boots. Closing her locket again, she waved her wand over the boots and whispered, ‘Undo.’

The boots sprang back to full size. Daisy slipped them on. Now she could catch up to Melody. If she knew where she was.

But Melody could be anywhere. Even with her magic boots, Daisy couldn’t search the whole forest.

Vu chittered something in Daisy’s ear.

‘Good thinking, Vu! Magic can do the searching for me!’

Daisy closed her eyes. She imagined Melody flying through the forest. Holding the image firm in her mind, Daisy swished her wand and chanted, ‘I need to know where she could be. Send a guide to help me see.’

A tiny ball of silver light danced in the air before her. It darted to the right, then stopped, as though waiting for Daisy to follow.

Knowing what was coming next, Vu dug his claws into Daisy’s dress, holding on tight. Daisy took a step forward. The light took off, whizzing through the forest. Leaping forward, Daisy followed.