Читать книгу The Fairy Bell Sisters: Silver and the Fairy Ball - Margaret McNamara - Страница 11

Once the water jugs were in the pantry and covered with tea towels, Clara put some wood in the oven to get it hot.

“Normally I’d let Lily mix the batter,” said Clara, “as she’s the third oldest. But she must be out looking for sea glass again.”

“I’ll do it,” said Silver.

“All right,” said Clara, “you can do it. If you pay attention and follow the recipe.”

“I’m not looking for sea glass,” called Lily from upstairs. “I’m trying on my gown for the Fairy Ball.”

“The Fairy Ball?” cried Silver. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Queen Mab hasn’t even set a date for the ball yet, Silver.” Clara shook her head. “Lily just likes any excuse to try on her ball gowns.”

“I heard that!” said Lily. She came to the top of the stairs in the most elegant pale pink dress of fine cotton. She’d topped it with a tartan cape.

“I don’t know how you do it, Lily,” said Clara. “On anyone else that would look ridiculous.”

“Rosie says you have flair,” said Silver.

“I know! I do!” said Lily.

Clara heaved a long sigh. “It gets so chilly at night, Lily. You won’t be wearing that flimsy gown if the ball is held in late summer.”

“I’ve heard it won’t be,” sang Lily, and she flew off to put together another creation.

“I’m definitely going this year,” said Silver. “I’ll be eight years old in one little week! Queen Mab will have to let me in.”

“If you are eight years old at the time of the ball, then of course you will go,” said Clara. “But not a moment before.”

Silver sifted the flour into a fragile pile.

“I love sifting flour,” she said.

“Look – you’ve got it all over the table,” said Clara, as she creamed the butter and sugar. “Sweep that up, please.”

Silver swept it up, though most of it went on the floor.

“Now for the eggs, Silver,” Clara said. “Just give me a minute to butter the pan. I really should have done that before we started.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “Then I’ll watch as you crack.”

If Clara had thought about it, she would have known that it’s pretty hard to ask someone to wait to crack an egg, especially if that someone is Silver. Clara might have mentioned, too, that Silver should check the recipe before she took the next step. Or asked someone to help.

But Lily was busy upstairs.

And Rosie was still out with Squeak.

And Clara didn’t remind Silver to follow the instructions.

And Silver didn’t follow the instructions.

Crack.

Crack.

If you think Silver smashed the eggs against the bowl and filled the batter with shells... you are only partially right. What she also didn’t remember was—

“Not like that!” cried Clara.