Escape to Dorland

By Florie Parker

Have you ever doubted yourself? You are not alone…
Daisy and Margot return in a new adventure that will test their confidence and strength.
When tragedy befalls the fairy kingdom, Daisy is wracked with guilt as she tries to help her fairy friends. Margot, meanwhile, finds herself in a position she never could have imagined, with a responsibility she is unsure she can handle. With the help of the young girl and those around her, she must conquer her insecurities to protect her kind.
Events unfold, bringing an even greater challenge, which the pair must tackle to avoid a dreaded consequence.
Will they have the time and ability to be triumphant?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Nov 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398462250

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 Parker is delighted to share the sequel to The Shadow of the Rowan Tree with you. She hopes you enjoy the ongoing adventures of Daisy and Margot, the fairy she dreams of.

Continuing to be inspired by her four children, the story has been cultivated walking miles with Bruno, the family dog. Having recently completed a marathon, she is more sure than ever in the power of believing.

As the story unfolds, she has high hopes that you will look out for the final of the trilogy – The Changeling.

Dedication

In loving memory of Monica

Wife, Mother, Granny, Friend

SSMNCS always x

Copyright Information ©

Florie Parker 2022

The right of Florie Parker to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 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 9781398460645 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398460652 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398462250 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thanks to all at Austin Macauley Publishers; without them this book wouldn’t exist.

Daisy

He is just so annoying! Daisy thought to herself.

She was sat in her classroom, trying to concentrate on writing about what had happened during the Christmas holiday, but was distracted by Oliver. He was a new boy who had joined their school this term, having moved from some exotic, far-away place and whose family were clearly very wealthy.

…so, this year my Christmas list was really quite restricted! he went on. Mum and Dad said there wasn’t enough room in the transport container for too many things, so I had to make do!

That’s awful! one of the boys near him said.

Crikey! said another.

I know! he said, dropping his gaze. But the electric car is awesome, and my laser tag set is quite cool! he continued.

His audience seemed enthralled, and Daisy had to wonder if they were all stupid or totally immune to his showing off. The teacher thankfully intervened and asked them to work quietly on their own to complete the task.

As the bell rang and they lined up to leave the classroom, he was at it again…

I would love to invite you all around to our house—obviously quite pokey because we are only renting—so that we can play laser tag on the grounds! Dad has asked the gardener to set up some cargo nets and other obstacles that should make it brilliant!

He continued on, telling everyone where he lived. Daisy recognised the address as being close to the Wesley’s, which she had seen when Margot, the fairy she dreamed of, had been on a tooth collecting mission. She was sure it was actually a massive house and was all the more annoyed at how belittling he was.

What about you? Daisy, isn’t it? he asked, turning in her direction.

She was immediately aware that all of their eyes were on her and could feel her cheeks heating up, as they turned bright red.

Why did he need to single me out? she wondered crossly.

Urm… was the best she could utter before he intervened.

Don’t be embarrassed! he said, condescendingly. I know you may not have played laser tag before, but you would be protected by your team, he reassured her, looking around the crowd that had gathered.

Daisy felt herself shrinking away, as they started sniggering and whispering about her. She knew she should stand her ground and come up with a response, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.

Leave me alone! she shouted, as she turned around and ran away, hearing their laughter crescendo with her discomfort.

As she reached the edge of the playground, she heard a familiar voice.

Hey, Daisy! shouted Eliza. What’s the matter? she continued in a worried voice.

Daisy pulled up and turned to see her friend looking at her, with a confused expression on her face.

Sorry! she said, shrugging her shoulders. We have a new boy in our class, and he is just not my type at all.

Oh, dear! replied Eliza, walking to stand next to her. At least we can get away from it all with tonight’s ceremony, she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

Of course! said Daisy, immediately snapping out of her dark mood.

She had temporarily forgotten how special tonight was going to be and smiled at Eliza with excited anticipation. The girls were both believers and had recently realised they often shared the same dreams, albeit following their own individual fairy friends.

Margot

I had no idea how uncomfortable this uniform was going to be! complained Margot, as she pulled at the gold tunic near her neck.

Sandy sniggered, Stop moaning! It is a great honour to wear this uniform and protect our Kingdom. Anyway, it’s not that bad. I think you are just a bit scared.

Margot glared at him.

She wasn’t scared.

Or was she?

It seemed that so much had happened over the last few weeks. Ada, the Fairy Queen, had taken back control of the kingdom, and in recognition of her help with the Rebellion, Margot was to join the Defenders, the brave protectors of their kind. The official signing in ceremony was this evening, and she was feeling quite nervous. It felt incredible that trying to contact her friend Doddy, who had been banished to Dorland for breaking the Fairy Code, had resulted in her being involved in such an unpredictable chain of events.

What do you think she will do with Oberex? she asked Sandy, referring to the king who had falsely imprisoned Ada and which subsequently sparked the Rebellion.

I don’t know, but I certainly don’t envy him! he replied.

Margot knew that Oberex and Estelle, the Fairy Godmother who had helped him, were being kept under close guard since the night Ada returned, but she assumed their treachery may lead to more severe punishment. As she pondered the possibilities, she became aware of a pleasant humming approaching them.

Doddy! she exclaimed, leaping up to hug her friend. How are you?

I’m great! he replied, smiling broadly. I think all of the fairies in the kingdom are squashed into the Silken Palace for tonight’s ceremony!

Margot groaned as she realised she really was feeling quite anxious about the forthcoming formalities. She fidgeted in her new uniform, wondering if she would ever feel comfortable in it. Sandy looked so smart and powerful in his, while she just felt small and insignificant.

It is so cool being part of the orchestra! Doddy said excitedly, not noticing her discomfort. I knew I missed playing my umsumwinder whilst I was in Dorland, but I hadn’t realised how much.

Margot was pleased to see her friend looking so happy and was proud that he had, not only been asked to join the fairy orchestra, but that he would play an opening solo tonight. She wished that she could trade his excitement for her nerves.

Trying to distract her worried mind, she asked, How is Kesler?

Ha! he replied. He is loving being back in favour and my goodness, how he has been missed!

He went on to tell her how the number of children’s teeth being collected had increased again, allowing enough to power the Transformerator, as well as to be deposited in the stream, which provided the Sacred Rowan Tree with essential nutrients.

That is good news, Margot said, relieved that Kesler’s invention was working to protect their kingdom but wondering if they would ever need to return to the ‘Old Ways’ and indeed what they were.

In the distance, they could hear music that had started to play, the sweet melody being carried on the light evening breeze.

I had better get back, Doddy said, smiling and kissing her on the cheek before he wished her luck and flew off on his waiting chaffinch.

Hope you’re ready, Sandy said mischievously, as he jumped up onto his elegant Windhover.

Margot gulped and closed her eyes, trying to remind herself to enjoy the evening, especially as she had told Daisy she could watch in her dreams.

Oliver

He watched as the little stone he kicked scuttled down the road. He had walked through the village with his newly made friends, but as they had headed to their own homes, he now found himself walking alone down the last bit of the lane to their rented house. He was reluctant to call it ‘home’ as he doubted they would be there long enough to properly settle in.

He thought the first day in his new school had gone fairly well. He found most of the kids boring but knew he needed to at least try to make friends, as he sensed his dad was probably going to alienate most of the village. It had happened before, and this time, he was determined to be better prepared for it.

He was frustrated, however, that the pretty girl, Daisy, didn’t seem to like him, but he was sure he would win her over. He stopped as he walked over the little bridge and watched the water rushing past in the stream below. He shook his head as a strange thought popped into his mind.

This place is magical!

He shook his head harder, trying to dispel the thought. Since they had arrived here, he had been having dreams of what he could only describe as fairies, and now, his mind was giving way to whimsical thoughts. Dad would be so cross! He had always been told that he needed to be strong and that in the future he would be a ‘Leader of Men’. Thoughts of a magical world wouldn’t do at all!

He continued on up the small lane until he reached the gates to their property. Wandering down the drive, he admired the house that, he secretly had to admit, was actually rather large and impressive. There were huge trees on either side of the entrance to the drive, and he could see some cargo nets already strung up, in anticipation of his laser tag game. He dawdled down the drive, kicking the loose gravel under his feet.

He found his mum humming to herself as she arranged flowers in a huge vase in the kitchen. He recognised the elegant white roses and upright snapdragons, wondering if any other boys his age would know what they were called. Years of listening to his mum talk about them admiringly had clearly rubbed off on him.

Hello, cherub! she said as he walked in and dropped his bag on the table.

Please! Don’t leave that there, she said curtly, waving her hand vaguely in the direction of the bag, before continuing to hum and focusing her attention back on the arrangement.

He shrugged and picked it up, deciding he might as well go to his room and play some Alterworld before dinner. His dad didn’t entirely approve of the game, but since meeting Chris, the creator, at some fancy dinner, he seemed happier, so long as he didn’t play for too long.

After dinner, which was a predictable microwave-heated ready meal (why his parents never learned to cook mystified him) with the three of them barely uttering a word, he returned to his room. He was determined to be strong and not feel lonely, as he knew from his dad—that was a sign of weakness.

As he settled down to watch some television in his bedroom, a general weariness washed over him. He yawned, stretching his arms above his head before closing his eyes and being suddenly aware of a rapid falling sensation accompanied by bright flickering lights.

The Enlistment

Kesler nudged Nolly gently on the elbow.

Is he watching? he asked.

Nolly grinned back in reply. Oh, yes! Oliver, you are in for a treat tonight! he