Oh dear, you have Fairy Flu,’ she said as soon as she saw Mummy Fairy. ‘I’m afraid there is no spell for Fairy Flu. If you try to cure it with magic, you’ll make it worse. You must drink lemon squash and rest. And you must definitely not try any more magic.’ Then she pointed her Computawand at herself, pressed a code – bleep-bleep- bloop – and said, ‘Cooleridoo!’ Mummy Fairy put on a woolly hat and flipped through the book. ‘Let me try something else,’ she said. ‘Here we are – a spell for strength. Strongeridoo!’ At once, the bed gave a little bounce. I looked at Mummy Fairy, and Mummy Fairy looked at me. The bed bounced again. She tried all the different medicines in the cupboard, but nothing worked. At last Daddy called the doctor.

Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic (Mummy Fairy, 4) Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic (Mummy Fairy, 4)

But Mummy took no notice. ‘Here we are,’ she said. ‘I knew I’d find something! A spell to make you feel cooler. That’s exactly what I need.’ She got out of bed, stamped her feet three times, clapped her hands, wiggled her bottom and said, ‘Marshmallow’ . . . and POOF! she was a fairy. I think that’s a bad idea,’ said Daddy, looking alarmed. But Mummy Fairy pointed the Computawand at herself and pressed a code – bleep-bleep-bloop.Do you feel any better?’ asked Daddy. ‘No,’ said Mummy. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m going to look at the Fairy Doctor App.’ Now Mummy Fairy had muscly arms, a green face and snow falling on her head. I didn’t think she looked at all better. I sat down on the bed and said, ‘Mummy Fairy, why don’t you just rest like Granny said?’

Mummy Fairy and Me/Fairy Mom and Me - Sophie Kinsella Mummy Fairy and Me/Fairy Mom and Me - Sophie Kinsella

Mummy doesn’t like rest. She likes working hard and having fun and being busy. As soon as the doctor had gone she got out of bed. Looking very wobbly, she stamped her feet three times, clapped her hands, wiggled her bottom and said, ‘Marshmallow’ . . . and POOF! she was Mummy Fairy. But her wings were all dull and droopy, and her crown didn’t shimmer. Mummy Fairy!’ I said. ‘You’ll freeze! And your head will turn into a snowball! Shall I call Aunty Jo? Maybe she can cure you.’

Success!

We all waited. But Mummy Fairy’s spots didn’t go away and her nose was still runny. Her wings drooped even further. But I’m sure I can cure myself,’ she said, putting me down again. ‘I just need to find the right spell. Look, here’s a cure for spots. Spotseridoo!’ She pressed a code on her Computawand – bleep-bleep-bloop – and all her spots disappeared. After lunch I went to see how Mummy was feeling. She was sitting up in bed all alone in her nightie, drinking lemon squash and reading her Spell Book.