One Wish by Michelle Harrison

‘Both were found accidentally when the castle was undergoing repairs. The first leads from a west tower bedchamber to a local pub called The Nobody Inn. The second goes from the kitchens to the site of what was once a farmhouse, and the third from the dungeons to an old well.’
    ‘Can we see them?’ someone asked.
    The guide shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not. The first two are only open to the public at certain times of year for special events; the next one is Hallowe’en. And the third is permanently out of bounds along with the rest of the dungeons and the west towers of the castle, for safety reasons.’
    At this, Tanya let out a disappointed huff. Her mother laughed.
    ‘Never mind. There’s a tea room downstairs – how about some lunch? And an ice cream on the pier afterwards?’
    But they never made it to the pier for ice cream, for Mrs Fairchild started to feel unwell during lunch. ‘It’s just a headache,’ she said, rubbing her temples. ‘Too much heat, I think. I’m going back to the cottage for a lie-down.’
    ‘I’ll come with you,’ Tanya said, concerned.
    ‘No, you stay out.’ Her mother gave a weak smile and dug into her purse, producing a ten-pound note. ‘Here. Why don’t you go to the amusements? There’s no need for your day to be spoiled by hanging around the cottage.’
    Tanya took the money, feeling a little guilty, but at the same time grateful she didn’t have to return to the cottage just yet. She collected Oberon from the shade of a large tree where they’d left him. He woke from his snooze when Tanya unhooked his leash, thumping his tail at her return.
    Tanya stood outside the castle entrance. She didn’t really feel like going to the amusements, not on her own anyway. The heat and the visitors in the night were taking their toll and she was feeling a little sleepy. In addition to that, she needed to decide how to tackle the fairy back at the cottage before it did any lasting damage, and for this she wanted a quiet place to think.
    The Wishing Tree glistened in the distance, its jewelled colours like tiny, welcoming flags dancing on the breeze. It was all the persuasion she needed. She set off, leaving the castle behind her. Oberon ran off ahead, half-heartedly chasing a rabbit which escaped him easily. Tanya found a sturdy stick and threw it a few times, but soon gave up. Oberon had never quite understood the rules of ‘fetch’, preferring instead to play tug of war whenever she tried to wrestle the stick from him.
    He became less boisterous as they neared the tree, staying close to Tanya and eyeing it suspiciously. Sure enough, Tanya saw the tree peeking at her as she approached, and for a split second she could have sworn it looked pleased to see her. Perhaps she was right and the tree was lonely out here.
    It snapped its eyes shut when it saw her looking.
    ‘Hello,’ she said quietly. She peered up into the branches, but there was no sign of Ratty or anyone else.
    The tree blinked, making a great pretence of waking up. Clearly, it didn’t like to appear too eager. ‘You haven’t left a wish here yet,’ it said, its dewy-green eyes watching her closely. ‘Why ever not, did you forget?’
    ‘No,’ Tanya answered, remembering how shocked she’d been after meeting Ratty. ‘Not exactly. I was . . . distracted.’
    The tree lowered its shaggy moss eyebrows into a frown. ‘It’s not every day you meet a tree as wise and magical as me.’
    ‘Oh, I know,’ said Tanya earnestly, not wanting to upset it. ‘You’re the loveliest tree I’ve ever met . . .’
    The tree preened, breaking out its twiggy smile.
    ‘It’s just that I was startled by the boy who was here last time,’ she continued. ‘You see, I’ve never met anyone else who can see fairies before.’
    ‘I’m not a fairy, I’m a sprite,’ said the tree a little huffily. ‘I’ll thank you, girl, to get it right.’
    ‘Sorry,’ she said quickly.
    The tree sniffed. ‘Fey’s the word you’re