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game.’
    â€˜Well, you certainly had a bit of luck,’ admitted Tasha with a smile. ‘What’s up, Twink? Glitterwings usually has such a great team.’
    Somehow, Twink found herself telling Tasha about the troubles she’d been having – how superior Vera seemed whenever she tried to talk to her, and how the fairies had been playing up during practices.
    â€˜I knew we needed more than two practices a week,’ finished Twink. ‘But everyone really hated the idea, so . . .’ She trailed off.
    Tasha had been listening sympathetically. ‘I suppose it can’t be easy for you, being younger than half your players,’ she said. ‘But Twink, you’ve really got to take control. You’re not there to be their friend, you’re there to be their leader! Who cares if they moan a bit? They’ll soon get used to it.’
    The chatter in the branch seemed to fade as Twink stared at her. ‘You – you’re right,’ she said slowly. ‘I’ve been so scared that the team won’t like me that I haven’t dared to put my wing down.’

    Tasha gave her a friendly nudge. ‘Well, don’t be scared any more,’ she said. ‘You’re a great player, Twink, and I bet you could be a good Games Fairy.’ She grinned. ‘Mind you, I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. It just means you’ll probably beat us at our next game, too!’
    Tasha flitted off to talk to one of her players, and Twink munched thoughtfully on a piece of honey cake, turning the words over in her mind. Suddenly she realised that Tasha’s advice had been exactly the same as Romi’s . . . though Tasha was so nice that it had sounded very different!
    Twink felt an unexpected pang as she glanced around her at the party. Romi should be here with us, she thought. Maybe the purple-haired fairy was prickly sometimes, but she was an excellent player – one of the best Guards they’d ever had.
    Then Twink remembered Romi’s scornful tone, and her wings stiffened. Well, good Guard or not, she certainly wouldn’t be asking Romi back on to the team. It was difficult enough being Games Fairy without having Romi there, sneering at her every move.
    Things were about to change, though. Twink glanced over at Vera and Zayna, laughing together by the window, and her jaw tightened firmly. Tasha was right. She was going to get her team under control . . . whether they liked it or not!

.
    Chapter Six
    The next morning Twink hung another oak-leaf notice outside the Great Branch, pounding the thistle-nail grimly into the wall.
    FLEDGE TEAM MEETING
    TODAY AFTER LESSONS
    IMPORTANT – BE ON TIME!
    Twink Flutterby, Games Fairy
    A group of sixth-year fairies were heading towards the Great Branch for breakfast. Vera was with them, and she flew across to Twink. ‘What’s up?’ she asked in surprise. ‘I’m busy this afternoon; I’ve got to revise my Advanced Spellwork.’
    Twink whirled around, scowling. ‘Just be there!’
    Vera’s eyes widened. ‘But –’
    â€˜I mean it, Vera,’ snapped Twink. ‘I expect to see you there, and that’s that.’
    She sped away before Vera could reply. Though Twink’s heart was pounding, it had been a lot easier than she’d thought to be firm with Vera . . . in fact, after weeks of biting her tongue, it had been a relief!
    Bimi had saved Twink a seat at the Bluebell Branch table. Her pretty face looked troubled when Twink told her what had happened.
    â€˜What’s wrong?’ asked Twink. ‘Don’t you think I was right to stand up to her?’
    â€˜Of course!’ said Bimi quickly, fluttering her gold and silver wings. ‘It’s just . . . well, I don’t know. Be careful, Twink. Maybe you’ve been too easy on them, but you don’t want to go too far in the other direction either.’
    Twink made a face. That