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A Day in the Life of Turpin

Posted on February 17, 2016, tagged as Extras, Fun Stuff, One Wish, Turpin

The U.S. edition of One Wish hits the book shelves next month, almost two years since the U.K. release. In my next few blogs I’ll be bringing you some background info about the book, as well as some fun content to introduce you to the characters.

If you don’t know about One Wish, there’s a description on the Books page of this website, but briefly, it works as a prequel to the 13 Treasures trilogy, or a stand alone if you’re unfamiliar with those books. It gives a glimpse of an adventure Tanya and Oberon have in the summer prior to when 13 Treasures kicks off. In this book, Tanya meets a new friend, a boy named Ratty who, like her, can see fairies. Ratty also comes with his own fey sidekick, a mischievous thief of a fairy named Turpin. When Ratty is kidnapped it’s down to Tanya and Turpin to rescue him.

Turpin is by far my favourite fairy character that I’ve created. She’s grubby, cheeky and vain, but also fiercely loyal to Ratty, which made her so much fun to write about. In honour of Turpin I’ve written a special ‘diary’ extract to give you a glimpse of her character.

 

DAWN

Yikes! Pecked awake by dratted magpie whose nest had stolen. Thought had scared it off for good yesterday when barked like a fox. Is persistent thing. Must practise fox bark. Found silver pendant and shiny sweet wrappers in nest. Stupid bird. Pendant fitted lovely in pocket. Hey presto!

 

MID-MORNING

Sat on Ratty’s shoulder all the way to pier, bestest pick-pocketing place. Got two purses and snaffled waitress tips in ice cream parlour. Nicked ice lolly for Ratty but got distracted by coin under someone’s sandal. Finally got it but lolly melted in pocket. Feel sticky.

 

MIDDAY

Stole fish and chips. Chewed on Ratty’s hair while he ate it. Tasted of sea salt and candy floss – nice! 

 

LATER – DON’T KNOW WHEN

Went to that snooty Wishing Tree. Loves itself, it does! If only could still do magic. Would teach it some things or two. Must steal some matches to shake at it . . . that’d get its twigs in a twist. Ho ho! Ratty wanted to use his wish find out about you know what. Was doing best to distract him, but then strange girl turned up. Girl who can see fairies, too! Flicked ear wax at her but missed. Scarpered quick-sharpish, but reckon we’ll see her again. She’s a tricketty one.

 

SUNDOWN

Ate soup around camp fire. Watched Ratty till he fell asleep, chewed hair. Tasted of wood smoke and ice lolly where wiped hands earlier. Chased off tooth fairy – was drunk and got wrong address. AGAIN. Counted Ratty’s teeth just to make sure. Now to bed. Saw comfy looking rabbit-hole earlier. Nothing like good night’s rest before good day’s thieving!