thirteen

Precisely one hour later, Queen Titania’s Magical Costume Trunk appeared in the Townley sisters’ parlor in a puff of sparkling smoke, and all the fairies gathered around to wait for it to open.

“One at a time!” called Amanda. “I’m first. The rest of you get behind me.”

Goldie was dying to push her way to the front so she could have her pick of the items in the trunk for her witch costume. But she waited with the others behind Amanda and Claudine.

“You were last to breakfast this morning, Golden,” said Amanda. “So all of us think you should be last in line, don’t we, fairies?”

The other fairies said nothing.

“I suppose that’s fair,” said Goldie, though she wasn’t convinced.

The magical trunk opened with a peal of fairy bells. Goldie waited and waited as all the other fairies floated up to the trunk and flew away with their choices. I hope there are a few good things left for me! she thought. Finally Fawn Deere flew out with a wink to Goldie. She had chosen an armful of pink and sparkly items, which Goldie thought was rather odd, considering the witchy theme. But she didn’t have time to think about it. It was her turn to choose.

The magical trunk was a massive old leather box, but it crackled and sparkled, and it was packed with bits and pieces that would be perfect for costume making. Even after a dozen other fairies had taken their share of pieces, it was still full to the brim.

A treasure trove of jewels and shiny skirts and a pair of white opera gloves lay on top of the pile. Goldie looked at them longingly, and since she couldn’t resist, she tried them on. “How beautiful I would look if I went to the party in these lovely things!” she sighed as she gazed in a little mirror. “But they’re not for this witch!”

Just underneath a pair of pink stockings, Goldie was a little surprised to find a bolt of black taffeta and a length of deep purple lace. And under that, she spotted a shiny pointed hat and an old crooked broom.

“Perfect!” she said. “I can’t believe the other fairies left these for me!” She put her four choices aside. Now she had three more.

She chose some scuffed black slippers and a length of shimmering silk chiffon. Then she spotted a makeup kit. “Whoa-ho!” she said. “I can give myself green skin with this! And a warty nose!”

Goldie considered herself in the mirror that hung over the parlor fireplace. She peered in close and turned her head so she could see her charming profile. “I imagine the other fairies don’t dare look too witchy,” she said, “but I’m not afraid. I want to be the best witch the mainland has ever seen, and if it means I grow a warty nose, then a warty nose it will be!”