Daisy Takes Charge Read Online Free Page A

fairy, all dressed in brown, came towards them. He walked with a rolling gait and from the front, Daisy couldn’t see his wings at all.

    â€˜So you’re Pea’s new friend. I’m Pod, her overprotective dad.’ He laughed, a deep rumbling laugh. Daisy liked him immediately.
    â€˜Since you seem to be acquainted, Pea can fill you in while I see if the band is ready,’ said Cyan, heading to where a group of fairies had begun setting up their instruments.
    â€˜So,’ said Pea, leaning in conspiratorially. ‘Shall I start with the other musicians?’
    She pointed out a dainty fairy in a pale-pink dress who stood apart from the group.
    â€˜That one’s Boronia.’ Boronia was accompanied by an older fairy who looked to be talking sternly to her. ‘The grumpy curmudgeon is her mum, Grevillea.’

    Daisy giggled. Pod shot his daughter a reproachful look as Grevillea glanced in their direction. Pea paid no attention.
    â€˜The two boys with the wavy brown hair are Grebe and Lark. Grebe, the shorter one without wings, is the one competing.’
    â€˜Is Lark his brother?’ asked Maggie. Her voice was casual but her eyes sparkled.

    Daisy poked her sister. ‘You like him, don’t you?’
    â€˜I don’t even know him,’ said Maggie, her face flushing red.
    â€˜Yes, but you want to,’ whispered Daisy.
    â€˜He is handsome,’ said Maggie.
    â€˜Rose and Ella certainly think so.’ Pea nodded in the direction of two identical fairies with matching rainbow dresses and rosella wings. They were giggling and shooting covert looks in Lark’s direction.

    â€˜They’re twin sisters who perform together. They seemed friendly enough when I talked to them, although it was a bit hard to join in with them finishing each other’s sentences.’
    â€˜And what about the other boy?’ asked Daisy. ‘The one standing by himself.’
    â€˜That’s Ash. He doesn’t say much.’

    â€˜Contestants, over here please!’ Cyan clapped her hands and gestured for the contestants to move closer.
    Daisy gave Maggie a hug, whispered ‘Good luck’, then watched with Pod as Pea and Maggie joined the others with Cyan.
    When Pod turned to stand beside her, Daisy caught a glimpse of shiny, bronze, Christmas-beetle wings lying against his back.
    â€˜Isn’t this exciting?!’ Pod said. ‘I just hope Pea doesn’t knock someone off the stage.’
    Daisy wondered if he was kidding but then, watching Pea stumble over her feet, she realised it was a real possibility.
Please
, thought Daisy.
Don’t let it be Maggie.
Then she crossed her fingers for both of them.

I ntrigued to know what Cyan was explaining, Daisy and Pod moved closer to listen.
    â€˜There will be three rounds,’ said Cyan. ‘In the first round you will play your instrument. In the second, you will perform your original song. The songbird duets will be the finale.’ She pointed to a row of chairs at the base of the log. ‘That’s where you’ll sit when it isn’t your turn.’
    â€˜Who’ll be going first?’ Grevillea interrupted, pushing past the contestants to stand beside Boronia.
    Cyan shot her an impatient look. ‘I don’t know yet.’
    â€˜Boronia should be first or last,’ Grevillea continued. ‘The strongest performers always have those positions.’ Boronia cringed at her mother’s second interruption.
    â€˜I will make that decision later,’ said Cyan through gritted teeth. She turned back to the contestants. ‘Those of you with wings may fly to and from the stage. Grebe will take the stairs.’
    Grebe had been watching the band setting up. He looked back to Cyan upon hearing his name. ‘Sorry,’ he apologised. ‘What did you say?’
    â€˜That’s my brother, always looking ahead to the exciting part instead of concentrating on right