‘These English are very stiff’ she thought. More of a smirk than a smile passed across their lips.
‘Oh well as long as they are smiling with me rather than at me’ she thought.
‘‘Pace’’ she whispered.
Even the bell boy just stood there looking at her after he carried their cases up for them.
Rainbow smiled thinking ‘that didn’t work.’
She gave the peace sign, a definite no-go!
He bowed and said ‘‘anything else I can help you with madam?’’
He put out his hand, Sunshine shook it vigorously saying grazie mille - thanks so much!
Speranza took some coins out of his pocket and gave it to the bell-boy whispering to Sunshine ‘‘you have to tip them amore mio.’’
Speranza smiled to himself thinking ‘I love this woman. She has a heart of gold and can be mis-understood as she is just so open and loving. I would rather have her in my life than a stiff upper lipper, she knows how to give and how to love. Never judge a book by it’s cover…….’
They were up and early the next day. Destiny felt it was only appropriate to visit fairy Harrods first as she wanted to buy an outfit suitable for meeting the Queen.
‘Who knows?’ she thought ‘she might be fortunate enough to meet her.’ She had been practicing her curtsy ever since she learnt of where they were going.
Harrods was pure luxury and stravagante. Everywhere was adorned in gold, it was bellissima! Totally over the top, just the way a fairy likes it! As the fairies came down the escalator in the shop, they were overwhelmed to see a beautiful fairy lady singing opera, her voice echoed throughout the shop. She had the most beautiful voice, she sung un-amplified and it’s tones were carried throughout the store. She was a Soprano! Magnifico! At the bottom of the escalator there was a memorial to the late fairy Princess Divina and her lover David who was the son of the fairy owner of Harrods. They were to be engaged. A huge sparkly diamond ring lay in a cabinet on display for everybody to admire alongside a picture of the two of them wrapped up in fairy love but, this love was not to be for they had an unfortunate accident before the night of the proposal. All was lost for these two fairies.
Once the fairies had taken pictures, Destiny made a hurried fairy run to the sale room, her heart was beating so fast…….
The boys wanted to visit fairy Harrod’s Christmas room which had the most extraordinary decorations and was open all year round. No-body could visit fairy Harrods without buying a momentum of one of it’s decorations. The boys brought one for everyone and had them packaged up and sent to their hotel. They chose ones with the year they visited adorned in gold thread, a keepsake forever….
They could hear Big Ben striking mid-day and decided it was time to do a little sight-seeing after the exhausting shopping trip. Shopping sure took it out of you!!
The flags were at half mast at fairy Buckingham Palace, the fairy Queen was not in residence. The fairy Queen’s staff that supports the day-to-day running of the monarchy were there. The fairies were informed that a huge ball was to be hosted there within the next day or two. Excitement was bubbling throughout the great hallways.
What Destiny did not know was that Luna had secured four tickets to this ball. Yes, four tickets and they were going to meet the fairy Queen! Luckily Destiny had already purchased a bold viola ball gown for just such an occasion, she even had a sparkly tiara and she had mastered her fairy curtsy to a tee.
The guards were standing very straight in front of the palace. They did not smile at all. Rainbow thought she would try to make them laugh. Maybe she would do a little fairy peace dance. Nothing! Just stern faces! Sunshine offered the peace sign! Nothing! Not even a flicker!!! Suddenly a band started playing.
‘What’s going on here?’ thought the fairies.
Guards started marching towards the guards on duty. The guards were changing. Yes, they were lucky enough to see the changing of the fairy guards.
‘Big fairy WOW!’ thought the fairies.
Oak and Birch were keen to go on the London Eye. Everyone agreed even though it was quite high up and sort of scary, it should be done and what a view they all got! They could see for miles all over London.
You really wouldn’t have thought that Luna would be so well known in London but, he was, cameras were flashing everywhere. Fairy fans wanted a picture taken with the famous ‘Robertus - The Roman Centurion’ and of course with Renesmee Pearla, who was nearly as well known as her famous fairy father.
The day of the ball at Buckingham Palace was fast approaching. Luna had told Destiny and Cielo the night before because they knew if they told her too soon, she wouldn’t be able to sleep. He had arranged for a hair and make-up artist to help his mother get ready for such a special occasion. Destiny wore her long viola dress which had gold embroidery along the neck-line. The sleeves were narrow and then flared out at the elbow, all a bit reminiscent of times gone by. She looked divine. She wore a delicate Swarovski crystal necklace around her neck. Not too much, just perfect! Perfect to meet the fairy Queen Henrietta. She wore gold flat sandals as she didn’t want to wobble when she curtsied and she had only just learned the art! She carried a small crystal clutch bag in gold to pick out the gold embroidery on her dress. She wore a gold shawl which was draped around her shoulders. Her hair was piled high and was threaded with a thin gold rope. She looked very exquisite.
The Queen’s butler welcomed the guests and led them to security which was very tight. They were shown into the huge ballroom by further butlers who were dressed very regally. They looked like something out of a film. Destiny could see the Queen in the distance but, knew she had to wait until they were all formally introduced. They made their way down the ornate stairway.
The footman made the announcement ‘‘may I introduce Luna and Dandy from LA.’’
‘How come famous people don’t need a surname?’ thought Destiny to herself.
‘‘Along with Luna’s parents Destiny and Cielo Ramazotti’’ said the footman.
They made their way into the beautifully decorated room where they were given a glass of the best champagne and offered some Russian caviar.
‘Ooh lovely’ thought the fairies.
Cielo thought it best if Destiny didn’t have too much champagne especially as she had not officially met the Queen yet. He knew that she tended to get a bit giggly and over-talkative. He thought it better that they just mingled until they were led to their seats.
Destiny couldn’t help but stare at the fairy Queen Henrietta. She had so much grace! I mean who wouldn’t? Even if you did it slyly, it’s not every day you get to meet the fairy Queen of England. She had her husband the Duke next to her, he looked quite dashing. A loud gong was sounded.
‘‘Please take your seats fairy ladies and gentlemen.’’
A nicely dressed waiter came along to seat everyone. Name cards were on the tables. They were seated quite promptly still in awe of their surroundings.
The Fairy Queen stood up.
‘‘May I say how lovely it is to see you all this evening. Welcome to this charity ball which is raising money for those who are less fortunate them ourselves.’’
‘‘Here here!’’ shouted the fairies tapping on their crystal glasses with a fork.
Cielo tapped a little too hard and broke his, always him! It was replaced immediately. Destiny stifled a smirk as Cielo’s face went as red as the dress the fairy lady next to him was wearing.
Luna said ‘‘don’t worry, we will donate more to the charity, bid higher at the auction.’’
Destiny squeezed her husband’s leg under the table. She realized too late it wasn’t Cielo’s leg she was squeezing but, another male fairy. To top it all, her false nail flicked off and bounced along the marble tiles. It was painted gold so did look sort of pretty but, nobody looked too amused! Well apart from the boys who were trying not to look anyone directly in the eye. Silence seemed to fall over the room as the nail did its own little ping-pong dance loudly
down the tiles. Destiny thought it was probably best not to admit it was hers so gave a fairy in a pink ensemble who sat a little bit further along a glare as much to say ‘is that your nail?’
An aperitif was served first to whet the palette followed by the first course of crab soup which was quite delicious along with a crusty bread roll. This was followed by a light salad which was interesting to the fairies as it had radishes in it which they had not had before, a sorbet was served to cleanse the palette followed by the most amazing steak the fairies had ever tasted. It just melted in your mouth. A fish course was then served followed by an Italian desert of Spumone which made the fairies very happy. It was a mouth-watering dinner and the wines, port etc just kept flowing. Cielo noticed that Destiny was getting a little bit light-headed. He knew she wasn’t a great drinker, she could only handle the odd glass of wine. This worried him a little as they hadn’t been introduced to the fairy Queen yet and she still had to curtsy.
‘‘I think you should just drink water’’ he whispered in her ear ‘‘till after the curtsy.’’
Destiny agreed, after all, her head was spinning… Luckily for her, the donations and auction were to take place first. An auction was to take place in the yellow room. All proceeds would go to the Queen’s charity. Cielo took hold of Destiny’s arm tightly. She swayed a little. Thank God she wasn’t wearing heels! Now, it doesn’t matter how much alcohol Destiny had consumed, she could always spot a sparkly piece of jewellery and tonight was no exception! There in front of her was the most amazing piece of jewellery she had ever seen. The emeralds were huge and caught the light. She wanted it! She had to be careful not to move her hand around too much in case the auctioneer thought she was bidding.
She turned to face Luna and said ‘‘that necklace is just right for me. I am in love with it! Pleeeeese!’’
Luna looked towards Dandy and said ‘‘mamma wants the Emerald necklace, we have to secure it for her.’’
It was decided that Dandy would do the bidding as he was calmer in situations like this and wouldn’t get carried away in the heat of the moment. A few little trinkets were sold for the odd few thousand and then THE NECKLACE came into bidding.
‘‘May I start this bidding off at £1,000,000’’ the auctioneer said ‘‘it was originally owned by the fairy Queen Isabella 1st and dates back to the 15th century.’’
‘I want it even more’ thought Destiny.
Quickly fairy bidders began holding up their cards. Dandy bidded £2,500.000 but, the bidding kept rising and before the fairies knew it the bidding had reached £3,000,000.
Destiny gave Luna a tearful forlorn look with puppy dog eyes and whispered ‘‘you only have one mamma, one who gave birth to you, who looked after you through sickness but, don’t worry if it’s too much! I totally understand……’’
‘How can I let my mother down’ thought Luna. He raised his card saying ‘‘£4,000,000!’’ There was a huge gasp in the audience.
The auctioneer said ‘‘sold once, sold twice, sold for the third time’’ and with that he banged his hammer down and said ‘‘sold to the fairy in the pink suit! What number is your card please fairy sir.’’
Even Luna stuttered as he said number 13!
‘Unlucky for some but, not for his mamma!!’ he thought.
Destiny was jumping up and down in excitement. She couldn’t wait to get the antique necklace around her neck. She was taken into a back room to try the piece on. It felt and looked amazing but, it had to go back into the vault until Luna was able to wire the money the next day to complete the purchase. Destiny had always had a little obsession with the fairy Queen Isabella 1st and the fairy Tudors. She found her to be a fascinating woman and was intrigued as to why she never got married. She knew that she had experienced the flutter of love but, had lost it. Now she would feel a connection to the woman who reigned over fairy England for 45 years.
The auction came to an end. The fairy Queen had given a speech on the importance of helping others and recognizing that everyone was not as fortunate as the majority of the people in this room. She thanked them for their kindness in supporting the auction and for their generous donations. This money would make a huge difference to the charity. Destiny couldn’t stop smiling, apart from the fuzzy feeling from the wine, she had something to treasure for the rest of her life. She couldn’t wait to show her mamma and the girls. They would not believe it. Her father would think it was just a little too excessive…..
The fairy Queen was doing her rounds, chatting to her guests, thanking them again for their generosity when Destiny caught a glimpse of her coming towards her with her husband and press secretary. The fairy Queen was wearing a pale yellow dress and she was wearing one of her crowns!
‘Mio Dio - OMG!’ thought Destiny as it caught the light from the crystal chandeliers and sparkled more than the stars outside in the sky. The fairy Queen was adorned in diamonds!
She was upon Destiny and Cielo before Destiny had time to think to put her glass of wine down.
No time! The fairy Queen was there right in front of her.
Her Press secretary Bernard said to the fairy Queen ‘‘may I present the mamma of Luna (the fairy who purchased the emerald necklace of Isabella 1st).’’
The fairy Queen held out her gloved hand to Destiny who in turn proceeded to curtsy with the glass of red wine in her other hand.
‘OOPS!!!’
She was smiling as she tried to keep her balance. The wine swirled in the glass and then appeared to have a mind all of it’s own! It leapt out of the glass in droplets all down the beautiful pale yellow gown the Fairy Queen was wearing. A huge gasp came from Destiny’s mouth. Cielo got out his white handkerchief and tried to pat the droplets off profusely apologizing. The mouths of both the fairy Queen’s husband and press secretary were wide open. The Fairy Queen, ever the lady, held herself in check and smiled sweetly said ‘‘don’t worry my dear, these things happen. I had my dressmaker run up two of these gowns in the event that an accident may happen. They always do you know!’’
With that, she gave Destiny’s hand a very long squeeze and said ‘‘enjoy wearing those Emeralds’’ and off she went to be introduced to Luna and Dandy who were looking on taking the fiasco in from the corner of the room. They knew that it was not etiquette to find it all highly amusing but, in a way, it was!!! Destiny their mamma! She will never be forgotten by this Fairy Queen. NEVER!!!
Destiny and Cielo looked at each other.
Cielo whispered to his wife ‘‘the fairy Queen of England will never forget you.’’
Everyone in the room knew that this was true! She would be known as the fairy who wore the huge diamond ring (just like Fairy Elizabetta Taylor) that spilt wine down the Fairy Queen Henrietta’s gown. She was the mamma of Luna the famous fairy actor who purchased the Emerald necklace which had once adorned the neck of fairy Queen Isabella 1st - WOWSER!!!! POW!!
‘Try to beat that one!’ they all thought.
Destiny did feel a little embarrassed by it all. I mean who wouldn’t? She decided to scribble a little note to the Fairy Queen Henrietta on one of the royal paper pads from the auction room inviting the Fairy Queen and her husband to come and visit them in Salento and to experience a little of Italy. She explained that they lived in the olive tree fields in the south of Italy and how the sheer ambience and smell lifted the spirits. It made everyone feel alive just by being there. She said they could come incognito! She could become Sofia (her Zia) for a week and could relax without fairies knowing who she was. No paparazzi! Just freedom!
She passed the note to the Fairy Queen’s private butler. He assured her that he would give it to the fairy Queen.
The royal blues band started to play in the Red room. An announcement was made for the fairies to make their way towards the dance floor. The room was also spectacular. Crystals, gold and ornately framed oil paintings adorned the room. Destiny and Cielo took to the dance floor still feeling a little shaken but, excited at the same time fr
om it all. Luna and Dandy followed in quick pursuit. Destiny noticed that the fairy Queen had changed into a fresh frock and seemed unfazed by it all.
‘Maybe this sort of thing happens all the time’ she thought to herself.
They danced the night away and then it was time to go back to the Ritz hotel. A horse drawn carriage had been arranged to take them back, they made their way through the streets of beautiful London. It was a starry night, the stars sparkled nearly as much as the Emeralds on Destiny’s new necklace. She wished she already had it around her neck.
The rest of the fairies waited patiently for everyone to return.
Destiny and Cielo told them over breakfast about the necklace and once Luna returned from the bank, they would go and do some more sight-seeing.
Destiny told the story of her spilling wine down the Fairy Queen of England. She was beyond dismayed! The girls stifled giggles and wished that they had been fairy flies on the wall to see it all. The Fairy Queen of England took it all in her stride. She was full of elegance and well-mannered. It was all to be expected, after all, she was the fairy Queen. She was very serene.
They decided that today was the day they would do some serious sight-seeing.
First stop was Madame Tussauds and then the London Planetarium along with the Rock Circus.
Luna had been approached to say that they would be displaying a life-like statue of him in the hall of fame as he was going to be recognized for all the money he had raised for charities throughout the world.
They first went to see the Royal family. Destiny felt very close to the Fairy Queen as she had met her personally. It was amazing, what a lovely family they were. Fairy Queen Isabella 1st was displayed wearing the most fabulous Emerald necklace. There were film stars galore Fairy Barbara Toulouse, Fairy Jake Crab and fairy George Monroe. They were all so life-like.
Next was the chambers of horrors, it was very scary! A maximum security fairy prison had been taken over by its unhinged inmates and they were out to get you….. This one was certainly not for the faint hearted!
Next was the Planetarium where the fairies were able to view the solar system and earth from space, they were able to explore the stars and galaxies of the universe. The fairies were in awe!!! It was spectacular!
Olive - The Chosen One Page 14