Molly Twinkletail Runs Away

Chapter Three Grizelda!

Goldie led the girls through the trees. A bush of pale pink roses grew beside the path and Lily stopped to admire the delicate flowers. Molly leaned out of her pocket and wriggled her nose.

“They smell just like my mom’s strawberry pancakes!” she squeaked.

“All the flowers look beautiful, Goldie,” said Lily, looking around them. “Does that mean the Blossom Briar is better now?”

The Blossom Briar grew beside the cave where Goldie lived. As long as it was covered in blooms, all the flowers in Friendship Forest would thrive. Grizelda had tried to destroy it, but luckily the girls and Goldie had stopped her.

The cat nodded happily. “It’s covered in new buds!” She led them out of the trees. “Now, here’s Sunshine Meadow!”

The girls gasped as they stepped into a field of lush green grass. It was dotted with blooms of orange, yellow, and deep red.

“It’s beautiful,” Jess cried.

“The flowers are all the colors of sunshine,” said Lily. She set Molly Twinkletail on the ground and handed her the bag of hazelnut chips.

“Thanks for the ride,” said Molly. “I’m off to do some more helping. See you later!”

They waved good-bye to the tiny mouse, and watched as the meadow began to fill with animals preparing their stalls and games.

Goldie pointed to where a squirrel was setting up an apple-bobbing game—but his apples had fallen onto the ground. “I think Woody Flufftail needs a hand,” she said.

They went over to Woody’s stall and helped him gather up the runaway fruit.

“These look delicious,” Lily told him as she picked up a rosy apple from under the table.

“Here, try one!” Woody said. He held out an apple in each paw to Lily and Jess.

“Mmm,” said Jess, biting into the crunchy fruit. “It’s the best apple I’ve ever tasted!”

“They’re from the Treasure Tree,” Woody explained. “That’s where we get all our food from.”

Before the girls could ask Woody more about the Treasure Tree, Lily spotted Molly scurrying toward them.

“I helped Agatha Glitterwing the magpie set out all the shiny prizes for her raffle,” she said breathlessly. “And I helped Lucy Longwhiskers arrange her seed cakes.”

“Goodness—” Lily began, but Molly Twinkletail took a breath and carried on.

“And I helped Mr. Cleverfeather set up his Bubble-Blower machine,” she said. “He’s an owl and a brilliant inventor.”

The girls grinned at each other. “We met Mr. Cleverfeather last time we were here—in his inventing hut,” said Jess.

“Bother!” Woody exclaimed suddenly.

“What’s the matter?” asked Lily.

“I’ve only got big apples for my game,” he said. “I completely forgot to pick small ones for the little animals!”

Molly clapped her front paws together. With an excited squeak, she scurried away again.

“Molly, where are you going?” Jess called, but the little mouse had already disappeared.

Just then, a glint of light above the forest caught Lily’s eye. A glowing yellow-green orb was floating toward the meadow. The girls had seen it before, when they first came to the forest...

Lily felt her tummy flip over. She nudged Jess. “It looks like Grizelda has decided to join the fair, too,” she said nervously.

Jess gasped. “Oh, no!”

As the orb got closer, all the animals stopped what they were doing to watch. When it had reached the center of the meadow, there was a cra-ack and a shower of green sparks. When the sparks cleared, the girls saw a tall woman in a shiny purple tunic and tight black pants. She had cold, dark eyes and a thin, bony nose.

“Stay back!” Goldie warned everyone. “Grizelda the witch is here!” All the animals squeaked in fear.

Grizelda squashed some yellow flowers with the pointy toe of her high-heeled boot. “Well, well.” She sneered. “It’s the cat and her interfering humans.”

“Go away, Grizelda!” Jess shouted. “Go back to your tower and leave Friendship Forest alone!”

Grizelda pointed a finger at Woody’s pile of apples, and they disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. With gasps and shouts, the forest animals shrank away from her. Some of them huddled together in groups, with big ones shielding the little ones. Some were crying, and others ran to hide behind the stalls.

“The poor animals,” whispered Lily. “It’s the first time they’ve seen Grizelda. They’re so frightened!”

Grizelda’s eyes glittered. “Having a nice time at your little fair, are you?” she screeched. “You should be more careful. I’ve seen your Treasure Tree, with its silly fruit and nuts. While you’re here enjoying yourselves, my Boggits are destroying it. Soon you won’t have anything to eat!”

The animals gasped with horror. Lily, Jess, and Goldie looked at one another in dismay. They’d met the Boggits—Grizelda’s filthy, horrible helpers—once before.

“Ha-ha!” shrieked Grizelda. “You’ll all have to leave Friendship Forest and I’ll make it lovely and gloomy and move here instead!”

The animals whimpered with fright.

Jess stepped forward. “Grizelda,” she said bravely, “we stopped you before and we’ll stop you again!”

The witch glared down her pointed nose. “Think again, humans. This time there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”

She snapped her fingers. With a flash and a shower of sparks, Grizelda disappeared.