The Triumphant Tale of Pippa North by Temre Beltz

Author:Temre Beltz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Saved by a Sinkhole

In the dormitory of Razzle’s School for Meddlesome Boys, sleep had never been a restful activity for Oliver. But on that night, instead of merely sleeping with one eye open, he lay fully awake, hands balled into fists at his sides and boots fully laced up in case he needed to make a run for it.

After breaking into Headmaster Razzle’s office and setting Master Von Hollow’s horses free, Oliver was practically oozing guilt out of his pores. But when he had snuck back into school no one had been waiting to seize him. No one had even been waiting to question him. Everything seemed as “normal” as it ever had.

Oliver rolled up onto his hands and looked out toward the window, expecting to see nothing more than a bit of swamp fog or perhaps a few swarms of gnats. Instead he saw something sparkling. Oliver blinked. The Swinging Swamp was not known for sparkling; if it had been, the magicians might not have spent so many years trying to find a way out.

The sparkle, however, was looming larger, or perhaps it was moving closer, and before Oliver knew it, a fluffy doughnut came streaking through the window and right onto his lap.

Oliver grabbed hungrily for the doughnut, but the moment he touched his finger to it, it exploded into a sugary cloud and transformed into a letter. Oliver’s jaw dropped. The only person he was expecting a letter from was a fairy godmother, but he never imagined he’d hear back so quickly.

Trying to see by the murky swamp light, Oliver pressed his face so close to the letter that it touched the tip of his nose. Curiously, the letter smelled as delicious as it had looked. He read hurriedly:

Dear Oliver,

I’d be lying if I said your letter wasn’t the best one I’ve ever received.

However, I’d also be lying if I didn’t let you know that your letter is the first one I’ve ever received. I hope your heart’s not sinking right now. I may be brand-new to fairy godmothering, but I feel as if I’ve been ready for ages.

And so, if you’re willing, I’m willing. I would like nothing more than to help your friend find her way home. Note: I know you didn’t use the word “friend,” but only a friend would make a wish on someone else’s behalf, so friend it is. As far as first-time wishes go, “fix-it” wishes are the easiest and least controversial—meaning no special Council authorizations required—to grant.

So let’s do this! Let’s meet this Wednesday at sunset on the South Peak of Triumph Mountain. I hope the Triumph Mountain part’s not too inconvenient, but work obligations are keeping me indefinitely away from the Merry Meadow. Triumph Mountain really is lovely this time of year (always, in fact), and I think you’ll agree the extra miles are totally worth it.

Well, I guess that’s it. I’m so excited I could scream! I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with myself until Wednesday.

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