The Shadow of the Rowan Tree

By Florie Parker

Are you a believer? The future of humanity depends on it!
This story follows Daisy and Margot, the tooth fairy she dreams of, as they discover new things about each other’s worlds and find themselves in a plot to save them both. Daisy discovers that Aspirion, the fairy kingdom, is more real than she ever could have imagined, whilst Margot uncovers an unexpected treachery which threatens their survival.
A tale of friendship, lies, teamwork and the power of believing. Two worlds inextricably linked with the potential to destroy each other. Will the belief in hope and magic overcome the odds?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jan 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398433533

Florie Parker

Florie Parker is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and mother to four children. She enjoys spending time walking the dog, running and cooking. Florie has enjoyed bringing the adventures of Daisy and Margot, the tooth fairy she dreams of, to life. Her hope is that you enjoy reading the finale to the trilogy, as much as she did writing it!

Book preview

About the Author

Florie is excited to share her debut story with you, which has been inspired by the never-ending energy, hope and belief of her four children. As a consultant surgeon, she has used her spare time – cooking for the family, walking the dog, hiking in the Lake District and skiing in the Alps – to let her imagination run wild. As a true Believer, she hopes you enjoy the book and hopes you will look out for the next in the series – Escape to Dorland and The Changeling.

Dedication

For my ever tolerant and supportive family – SSMNCS – you know who you are!

Copyright Information ©

Florie Parker 2022

The right of Florie Parker to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398433519 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398433526 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398433533 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Simon, Alli, Jo, Phyl and Marian for their valuable feedback and comments. Thanks to all at Austin Macauley Publishers. Without them, this book wouldn’t exist.

Daisy

It’s just not fair! Daisy thought to herself.

She stormed out of the back door and ran down towards the bottom of the garden. She was determined not to cry and convinced herself that her watery eyes were due to the cold wind, which was also making her wish she had put her coat on.

Her baby brother, Jake, was just so annoying and got away with everything. She knew she needed to ‘manage her anger’, as her dad always told her, but that was easier said than done.

The tree – her tree – was as stunning as ever. The fine creamy white flowers had given way to clusters of bright red berries which would soon be found scattered, as if by magic, across the rest of the garden and beyond. As she sat down, resting against the smooth tree trunk, she felt her anger settle with the sense of calm this place brought her.

She closed her eyes, feeling the tension leave her body like a balloon deflating and started pondering about a recurring dream she had been having over the last few weeks. She could only recall hazy snippets of a tuneful voice saying her name, a pretty face and the flash of white blonde hair.

She sensed these dreams had a purpose but couldn’t remember enough to understand why. Part of her would love to be involved in a great adventure, like the characters in her favourite film, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ but she kept that to herself as she didn’t want to be seen as childish.

…Daisy. She was suddenly aware of her mum calling and thought she had better run back up to the house before she got into any more trouble.

As she stood up, she saw a streak of blue and red out of the corner of her eyes and as she tried to focus, thought for the briefest moment that the chaffinch was being ridden by a small figure. She rubbed her eyes and when she looked back, the bird had flown away.

Just a trick of the light! she told herself.

She ran quickly back to the house where her mum was standing on the back step, thankfully not looking too cross. Daisy gave her mum a big hug and apologised for shouting and storming out.

It’s just that Jake makes me really angry sometimes. Particularly this time, because he has damaged my art pens! she said.

Mum looked at her sympathetically and said, He is only a baby and doesn’t mean to upset you. We can get you some new pens, so don’t worry about it for now. It’s time to have a bath and get ready for bed while I prepare you some supper.

Daisy ran up the stairs, keen to be as quick as she could, so she would have an extra few minutes downstairs before she had to go to bed. She ran her bath and whilst waiting for it to fill, got her school uniform out ready for tomorrow. She liked doing things for herself and knew Mum appreciated it too. After her bath, she pulled her pyjamas on and went back downstairs. Jake was sleeping in his carrycot, so at least she would have a few minutes without him being the centre of attention. Mum had chosen her favourite things for supper – yoghurt, banana and a fairy cake with tiny silver balls on top.

She took a bite out of the cake and with her mouth still full, spluttering crumbs everywhere, she asked, Do you think fairies eat fairy cakes?

Mum smiled back at her. I am absolutely sure they do! How else do you think they got their name?

After supper, Daisy did feel quite tired, so asked if she could go and read in bed after brushing her teeth. Mum gave her a hug and kiss and said that was fine, particularly as Jake was stirring and would no doubt need a bottle of milk before he would settle again. Mum said she would send Dad up, to tuck her in when he got home. Daisy climbed the stairs again, brushed her teeth and then settled into bed to read her book, as another wave of tiredness passed over her.

Margot

Shush! whispered Margot.

Billy was always good fun but one day, he would get them caught if he couldn’t be quieter. Stealing from the Brownies is a risky business but well worth the danger for some extra diddlepops, in her opinion. She had heard the rumours that the Brownies would cut off a fairy’s hair and turn their clothes inside out if they caught a thief and she shuddered at the thought. Not allowing that to dissuade her, she swept her long blonde hair out of her eyes and prepared herself for the final dash to the molill.

Margot had always been a quick runner and was sure she could get to the molill, grab a few diddlepops and get back to the safety of the bushes where Billy would be waiting for her, without the wrens seeing or hearing. The Brownies used the birds, as well as for transport, to guard the molills, which was where they stored their goods. Although, not the most intelligent of birds, they were one of the loudest and effective at warning of any potential thieves.

She ran out across the lawn to the large brown mound, resisting the urge to giggle at the recollection that humans called these ‘mole hills’ and actually thought they were created by moles! She thrust her hand into the dark mound and pulled it out with her fist, clenching at least eight of the most delicious looking orangery-yellow diddlepops.

‘Pure Nectar Indulgence,’ as the advert says!

She dashed back across the lawn to where Billy was waiting, astride his greenfinch and jumped onto the back of her waiting bird, being careful not to drop her precious swag. They immediately took off into the sky, noticing Daisy stirring from her doze as her mum shouted her name. Margot was desperate to let her know she really did exist but knew the ‘Fairy Code’ forbade it.

They flew higher and higher with the cold wind causing Margot to shiver, although she did wonder if it could be because of the adrenaline rush of her recent endeavour. Getting caught would not only result in a terrible consequence for her but would also risk bringing dishonour to her troop. As a Tooth Fairy, she commanded respect within the kingdom, as the whole essence of their world relied on the ability to safely gather extracted children’s teeth and deliver them to the Transformerator. She wasn’t entirely sure how the machine worked but knew it used the teeth to power a magical cloak which kept their entire world hidden from human eyes.

Can we land here and try one of those delicious looking sweets? Billy shouted to her over the whistling wind, pointing to the branch of a large oak tree.

It was a good spot to stop and enjoy their ill-gotten gains, whilst watching the crimson sun setting in the distance. Margot watched Billy put a whole sweet into his mouth, thinking the orange colour matched his hair.

As Margot enjoyed the intensely satisfying taste of her nectar treat, she relaxed back against the tree and thought back to the first time she had seen Daisy and their subsequent likening. Daisy had been in her garden and had decided to make a ‘fairy hotel’.

Her mum had helped her to gather some sticks, leafed branches and ferns to build the construct. Margot had sat in the shelter of the bushes next to one of Mum’s fairy statues watching how much care and attention Daisy put into the building. She had wondered if the child thought all fairies had wings like her mum’s statue, when in reality only the Pixies and Fairy Godmothers actually had them.

Daisy worked intently to ensure the building was sound. She then filled it with some delightful wicker furniture from her doll’s house, which had been destined for the bin after the last clear out of toys and luxurious green moss to cover the ground. Once complete, she had clapped her hands together in delight and her mum had taken a photograph of her sitting next to it with the biggest grin on her face.

That evening, Margot had returned home and was concerned when her chaffinch didn’t obey her commands and instead flew her directly to the Silken Palace, home of the king. She knew there were generally only two reasons to be summoned – either to be banished and join the Unseelies in Dorland and she was fairly sure she hadn’t broken the Fairy Code, or…

…to her delight she was greeted by Oberex, the King of the Fairies with a fanfare of trumpets played by the Fairylocks. This could only mean one thing – she had reached the top of the list and was chosen to be likened! It felt as though all of her wishes had come true when she was told her likening was Daisy.

She was now allowed to enter the child’s dreams and make her wishes come true, ensuring she always remained a ‘Believer’. As the Fairylocks played the music, the Pixies took the lead and began the Humbive, a spectacular, celebratory fairy dance. Margot was mesmerised by their athletic swirling and twirling, almost wishing she had a pair of wings and could be involved in the centre of it all.

Since that evening, she had gradually been entering Daisy’s dreams for short periods for the want of not overloading the child – it had been known for fairies to create dreams far too vivid and real, causing humans to be thought of as fantasists and crazy by their own kind. Margot did not want that to happen to her precious Daisy. She recited the Fairy Code regularly for want of not putting a foot wrong…

Fairies must NEVER contact their human likening when they are awake

Fairies are to ensure they have reasonable dream contact with their likened human to maintain a belief in our kind but not to result in extreme behaviour

Fairies are to be kind and considerate at all times

Fairies are to do their duty for the kingdom

Tonight, she was going to show Daisy her home and she was so excited!

Glorium

Dad got home late, after a long and tiring day at work. After taking his coat and shoes off, he said a quick hello to Mum, then tiptoed upstairs to give Daisy and Jake a kiss in bed, being careful not to wake them. In the dim light, he admired Daisy, fast asleep tucked under her duvet and felt a pang of guilt that he hadn’t seen her before bed.

Sweet dreams! he whispered as he tiptoed back down the landing.

Daisy was suddenly aware of a flash of light followed by a sense of falling. It felt as though the world was rushing past her and she couldn’t quite focus on her surroundings, hearing only a vague whooshing sound. She felt quite panicky and began to flay her arms and legs about, when suddenly she heard the tuneful voice again.

Relax, Daisy. You are safe. My name is Margot. I am a Tooth Fairy and I am going to show you where I live.

Daisy immediately became aware that she appeared to be looking at a beautiful chaffinch, with its blue grey cap, rust red body and vivid white strips on its wings and tail. She was astonished to see that sitting astride the bird was a tiny person. She rubbed her eyes and did a double take. Sure enough, there appeared to be a real, live person, did she say, ‘Tooth Fairy?’ riding the bird.

The Tooth Fairy turned in her direction and smiled the biggest, brightest, most friendly smile Daisy had ever seen. She was very pretty with white blonde hair and striking eyes – one green, the other the most extraordinary bright blue. Daisy was a bit confused as she didn’t have the pointy ears and wings that she had seen in books and like the statues Mum had in the garden.

Before she had chance to have another thought, Margot straightened up on her charge, gave a gentle squeeze through her legs and the bird quickened its pace. Daisy watched as they flew across her garden, the lawn spotted with brown earthy mole hills, past her favourite tree and out across the park.

They were approaching the nearby wood when