“Ju-lia,” said Clara. “What kind of surprise?”
“The gnomes will love it. See you later!”
When Clara arrived at the palace, her cheeks were red and her toes were freezing. She flew into the banqueting hall and warmed up by the fire. Then she went into the kitchen and looked over the chart she had put up last week, just to make sure everyone had done her part.
“Oh dear me no!” she said. “They’ve done exactly what they said they wouldn’t.”
Only two fairy families had brought what they said they would:
A single Harmony Casserole would never feed an island of fairies plus a colony of gnomes. And much as they all liked sweets, the gnomes and fairies would want something more filling after spending all day outside. What were they all thinking? Clara shook her head and smiled a little. At least we’ll have some great desserts.
Since all of Queen Mab’s helpers were at the meadow, any new cooking and preparing would be up to Clara. She looked in the queen’s storeroom and was relieved (though not surprised) to see it well stocked.
“This will be a challenge,” said Clara. “But I think I’m up to it.”
Clara set to work, humming to herself as she rolled up her sleeves and tied on an apron and started washing and sorting.
Before long, pots of water were boiling on the woodstove, vegetables were scrubbed, and eggs were beaten. Clara was putting the finishing touches on a pot of corn chowder when she heard a long, joyous cheer from the meadow. That will be the end of the opening ceremony, she thought. They’ll soon be here!
She felt a gust of icy air come through the door.
“Rosy, is that you? I could really use some help. The fairies have only brought cookies and candies, all because of those silly—”
“Gnomes?” said a deep voice.
Clara turned around. Oh no! A gnome was here—already!
“Hi. I’m Rowan.”
“Oh, hello,” said Clara.
Clara remembered Rowan well from last year’s Games. He had done such a good job! He’d taken fourth place among all the competitors. The two Curricle sisters had won the second and third prizes. Only one other gnome—a brazen young chap called Alasdair who’d come first—had done better than Rowan.
Clara wasn’t sure what to say to Rowan. She hadn’t ever really talked to a gnome before.
“Um, do you . . . do you remember who I am?” Rowan asked at last. “I was at the Games last year.” He blushed. “You were in the, um . . . third row, second from the left when the Games began. You were giving out snacks to the fairies and explaining scoring to your sisters and looking after a little baby. All at the same time.”
“Sounds like me.”
“You’re Clara Bell.”
Clara’s eyes widened. She wanted to reply, but she wasn’t sure what to say. Rowan must have thought that meant she didn’t remember who he was, because he added quickly, “I didn’t win. I’m sure you remember that.”
“You came in fourth,” said Clara. “That’s a pretty big honor.”
“Not if you ask my big brother Alasdair.”
“Alasdair’s your big brother?” asked Clara.
“Yes, and he never lets me forget it,” said Rowan. “He took first prize last year. As usual. But I’m going to beat him this year. I’ve been training all fall.”
“Training? What have you been doing?”
Rowan told Clara all about how he’d been practicing for the Games—running up his own island’s steepest hill, lifting boulders, swimming around the Outer Islands.
“But I’m talking too much!” said Rowan. “I’m sorry. Tell me about you, Clara.”
Clara hesitated. But she felt Rowan would be very easy to talk to. Maybe it was because she knew he’d soon go back to the Outer Islands and she’d never see him again. Maybe it was the friendly twinkle in his dark eyes. “I’ve been training, too,” she said.
“For the Games?” asked Rowan.
“No, my sister Sylva has been training for the Games. I’ve been training . . .” Clara stopped herself. She wished she had not brought it up. “Um, did you know we have a baby dolphin in Sheepskerry Bay?”
“Are you changing the subject? Because I have a feeling I know what you’ve been training for,” said Rowan. “I think you’re coming into your magic powers.”
Clara was startled. How did he know?
“Gnomes can do one or two tricks when they’re my age, but they don’t get their full powers till they’re much older,” said Rowan. “Tell me what it’s like.”