Power Play Read Online Free PDF Page A

with three,’ said Summer shyly. ‘I think you’re right, Twink – we have a lot of new players, and we need the practice.’
    To Twink’s dismay, Summer was the only one on her side. She swallowed hard, wondering if she ought to put her wing down and insist on three practices a week. But she didn’t want to come on too strongly at first – the others might think that being the Games Fairy had gone straight to her head!
    â€˜All right,’ she said finally. ‘Let’s – let’s start with two practices a week, and see how we get on.’
    â€˜Brilliant!’ said Vera, bouncing up from her seat. ‘Well done, Twink – that was a really good meeting. See you on Wednesday, everyone!’ And with that, she and Zayna flitted from the room, laughing and talking.
    But I haven’t ended the meeting yet , thought Twink, her wings drooping.
    It appeared that it was over, though. The other team members started leaving as well, smiling their goodbyes to her. To hide her burning cheeks, Twink fussed over the oak leaf and easel, putting them away.
    â€˜Yeah, a really good meeting,’ said a dry voice.
    Twink looked up to see Romi beside her, shaking her head. ‘You’ve got to be a lot firmer than that with those two, Twink,’ she said in disgust. ‘They like Fledge, but they don’t like to work hard. They’ll fly all over you if you’re not careful!’

    â€˜I was firm,’ protested Twink. ‘I just asked everyone what they thought, that’s all.’
    â€˜Well, I think you’re asking for trouble,’ said Romi heatedly. ‘But then, you’re the Games Fairy, not me.’ Her tone made it clear how unfair she thought this was. Without waiting for a reply, Romi jetted from the room.
    Slowly, Twink gathered up her things and followed. Never mind what Romi thinks, she told herself as she closed up the log. I want everyone to like me before I start throwing orders around! Besides, two practices a week are probably plenty.
    Even so, Twink’s wings felt heavy as she flew back towards the school. Somehow being the Games Fairy seemed much harder than she had thought.
    It didn’t become any easier over the next few weeks. Vera and Zayna quickly made a habit of arriving late to practices, and then didn’t seem to take them very seriously once they got there. More than once Twink saw the two of them hovering side by side on the Fledge field, chattering away while the others practised their moves.
    When Twink tried to talk to Vera about it, the older fairy blinked in surprise. ‘But Twink, Zayna and I have been playing for years! We know all these moves already.’
    Something in her tone made Twink feel like a beginner at the game. It was true that she hadn’t been playing nearly as long as Vera.
    She took a deep breath. ‘Yes, but it’s not just about knowing the moves yourself – it’s about working with the other team members so that you all play together smoothly. We’ve got the Sparklelight game coming up next week, and –’
    Vera laughed and patted her shoulder. ‘We’ll be fine! Don’t worry, Twink. We’ll beat Sparklelight, no problem.’
    She flitted off, and Twink was left staring after her, biting her lip. Vera seemed so confident that suddenly Twink felt unsure of herself. Perhaps Vera was right, and she was worrying needlessly. Meanwhile, she supposed it wasn’t harming anything to let Vera and Zayna have a bit of fun.
    But as the days went on, the situation worsened. Some of the other fairies started to become affected by Vera and Zayna as well, so that practice times were rapidly becoming a time for jokes and merriment, rather than getting down to work.
    Twink did her best to keep order, but it was difficult. If she didn’t laugh along with the others then it would seem like she didn’t have a sense of humour . . . and besides,