Читать книгу Christmas in Enchantia - Darcey Bussell - Страница 9

Delphie spun down gently to the ground. As the colours around her faded, she stared in wonder. She was standing in a town square covered in snow. Long icicles hung from the roofs of the houses and shops. A man was roasting chestnuts, carol singers were singing and fairy lights were twinkling in all the windows.

It looked wonderfully Christmassy.

Delphie waited for someone to come up and speak to her. The ballet shoes usually only took her to Enchantia when someone was in trouble. Who could need her help this time? She glanced around but everyone seemed to be very cheerful and happy. They were bustling around the stalls, buying food and presents and wishing each other a happy Christmas.

Delphie shivered and rubbed her arms before hurrying over to the chestnut seller’s fire to warm up. The stall next to him was selling delicious-smelling gingerbread and tiny carved wooden figures of all the different characters from the ballets. Delphie spotted Cinderella, the swans from Swan Lake and Clara holding a tiny nutcracker doll. Delphie wished she had some money so she could buy one each for Lola and Poppy. They would love them!

“Delphie!”

Delphie looked round to see a familiar fairy in a lilac tutu dancing towards her. It was her friend the Sugar Plum Fairy. “Hi, Sugar!” she called.

“Hi, Delphie.” Sugar smiled and gave Delphie a big hug. “I’m so glad you’ve come!” Then she tapped Delphie’s shoulder with her wand. Delphie gasped as she suddenly found herself wearing a long red coat, black gloves and a black scarf.

“There, that will keep you warmer!” said Sugar.

“Thank you!” Delphie said gratefully, pulling the thick red coat around her. “So, what’s going on, Sugar? Why was I called? Everyone looks pretty fine here.”

“Yes, but they’re not fine at the Royal Palace,” said Sugar lowering her voice. “It’s King Rat again. He’s been trying to ruin Christmas.”

“Oh no.” Delphie’s heart sank. King Rat was very mean and hated dancing. “What’s he done now?”

“I’ll take you to the palace and the King and Queen will tell you,” Sugar said. “Come on! There isn’t a moment to lose!”

The fairy waved her wand and silver sparkles swirled around them. Then Sugar grabbed Delphie’s hands and they spun away through the air.

When they landed, Delphie found herself in the ballroom of the Royal Palace. It had been decorated with great swags of red-berried holly, golden tinsel and red ribbons and looked very festive. But the King, Queen and Princess Aurelia didn’t.

They were standing at one end of the hall, next to a table that was piled high with golden envelopes and were deep in worried discussion.

“I’m back!” Sugar called. “And Delphie’s with me!”

The royal family looked round. Princess Aurelia’s face lit up. “Oh, Delphie! Thank goodness for that.” She hurried over. “I’m so glad you’re here! King Rat has ruined Christmas!”

“So I’ve heard. Sugar just told me,” said Delphie. “But how can he have managed that?” she asked, curtsying to King Tristan and Queen Isabella.

“Come over here and we’ll explain,” said the King.

He led the way over to a group of comfy chairs near the fireplace and they all sat down. “King Rat hates Christmas,” King Tristan said. “He likes the food and the presents, but he hates all the singing and dancing and he really can’t stand people having a good time.”

“But the rest of us all LOVE Christmas,” said the Queen. “So this year I thought it would be a good idea to have a huge banquet on Christmas Eve.”

“Tonight!” Delphie breathed.

“We were going to invite everyone in the land and have lots of food and dancing and presents,” Princess Aurelia added.

“It sounds amazing!” said Delphie.

“It would have been,” Princess Aurelia replied sadly. “But it’s all gone wrong. The elves came to the palace to help us wrap the presents and when Mother went to check on them, they had all disappeared!”

The Queen nodded. “There was just a little red hat left on the bench with this.” She reached into the pocket of her dress and handed a black card to Delphie.

Delphie looked at it. There was just a scrawling signature in gold:

“He must have taken them!” Delphie gasped.

“That’s what we think,” said King Tristan. “And it’s not only the elves who have gone either. The magic Christmas tree has been stolen as well.”

“And we’ve been so worried about the elves and trying to work out how to rescue them, that we haven’t had time to deliver the invitations for the banquet!” wailed Princess Aurelia. “Oh, Delphie, what are we going to do?”