Olive - The Chosen One (16 page)

    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 15
th
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 1
st
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 1
st
).’’

    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 1
st
- 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 from 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 1
st
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!