twelve fairies to the mix didnât seem such a bad idea.
As Rosy had said, âThis is turning out to be such a topsy-turvy Christmas, I wonât be surprised, no matter what happens.â
So on the morning before Christmas, the great room at the Fairy Bell sistersâ house looked far from forlorn, even though there was no tree in the bay window and no wreath on the door. The presents the sisters had made for Tink and bought for one another at the Christmas Fair were wrapped in cheery paper and set out on the windowsill. Poppy came over that morning to help Sylva gather holly boughs to place in the rafters. âTink wonât mind that,â said Poppy.
âTink wonât mind anything!â said Sylva. âSheâll be so surprised when she gets here and finds so many fairy friends. Sheâll make the party such a magical event!â
âIâm sure it will be lovely whether Tink is here or not,â said Poppy. âYou sisters have done so much already.â
âOh, but Tink will put the magical touches on it all,â said Sylva. âWithout her itâs just an ordinary tea party, but with herâitâs completely special.â
Sylva and Poppy cut as many holly branches as they could manage without getting too scratched by the pointy leaves. They flew back to the Fairy Bell sistersâ fairy house with some difficulty. Not only were the boughs heavy in their arms, but the wind was blowing quite fiercely.
âThat wind is really kicking up again,â said Poppy. âI hope it wonât blow Tink off course.â
âTink is so close to Sheepskerry by now that a little wind wonât hurt,â said Sylva, even as she and her best friend had to fight the gusts. âSheâll be here in lots of time for the party. You wait and see.â
Wait and see . Sylva wished she had never said those words. Because waiting and waiting and waiting and not seeing was exactly what she and Poppy did that day. It wasnât so bad at breakfast time, as they knew Tinker Bell would not arrive in time for an early meal. But Tink had said the morning of Christmas Eve, and as the clock got closer and closer to noon, Sylvaâs heart sank.
âThe other fairies will be coming for our Welcome Home Tink party so soon!â Sylva cried as the clock struck three. âShe hasnât even arrived yet. We wonât get to see her for more than a few minutes before everybody else arrives. Itâs not fair!â
âWe might not get to see her at all at this rate,â said Goldie. âI wouldnât be surprised if she just forgotââ
âDonât say such a thing, Goldie,â said Rosy, who was almost never cross. But between all this waiting for Tinker Bell, and Squeakieâs fussing, and Sylvaâs chatter, even Rosyâs nerves were frayed.
âYes, please, Goldie,â said Clara. âThings are difficult enough today, now that Sylva has invited a dozen fairies to a magical tea.â
âNow itâs turned into twenty fairies, and Iâll say what I want,â said Goldie. âAnd it will probably turn out to be thirty fairies or more. All our fairy friends are bringing their fairy friends. We have about enough sandwiches and cakes for ten. Tink had better get here and get here fast.â And she flew up to her bedroom and slammed the door.
âIâm not feeling very Christmassy,â said Sylva.
âNo lolo,â said Squeak.
âThatâs about the first thing sheâs said that Iâve really understood this whole week,â said Rosy. âWhat do you suppose is going on with her?â
âCan you please stop talking about Squeak when Iâm the one who needs love and care?â said Sylva. âNo one is paying attention to me!â And she flew up to her room.
âWe canât pay attention to you and take care of Squeak and make a party for