The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee (17 page)

The sun streamed through the window. It had been doing so for a while, but right now it was coming through at just the right angle. Just the right angle, that is, to go over the top of the chipped cup on the table, straight through the open bedroom doorway, and smack into the left eye of a sleeping Pete McGee. He woke with a start. Then he realised that the blinds had been opened and Ashlyn and Marloynne were standing there watching him.

‘Man, we had to wait a while for the sun to get you in the eyes,' Marloynne laughed.

‘Why didn't you just wake me up then?' Pete responded.

Marloynne shrugged and smiled, a twinkle in his eyes.

‘I dunno. This was more fun?'

Pete sat up, tangled in the covers.

‘I wished her back, you know. I wished her back, but it didn't work.'

Marloynne and Ashlyn exchanged a quick glance then ripped Pete out of bed. Marloynne grabbed Pete's arm and Ashlyn pushed him from behind, mock frustration in her voice.

‘Just come and have some breakfast. It's been cooked especially for you.'

Pete went along although he lacked their enthusiasm. He knew they were just trying to cheer him up, but it wasn't working. He still wondered why the Wilderene Flower had let him down. The blood thing had worked. Why hadn't the wish? And who was that standing at the sink in the kitchen? He stopped dead in his tracks. Wait a minute. He knew that back. He knew that hair. He knew his mum. Pete cried out in delight. He jumped on his mother's back and held her close, his arm squeezing the breath out of her. Mrs McGee spun around and wrapped her arms around her son, the love she had for him flowing out in her tears.

‘You did it, Sir Pete McGee. You are my hero. You are my knight.'

Ashlyn couldn't hold back any longer.

‘She was just here, Pete. She was here when we got up. I don't know why the flower didn't work straight away, but it worked.'

Pete nodded into his mum's shoulder, not wanting to let her go. He did let go though, to run and get the Green Book. He realised that the book had deliberately given him that one last test, to choose between himself and another. He opened it and whispered a secret thank you. Having to make the difficult choice made seeing his mother happy and well even more rewarding. He placed the book on the kitchen table then dragged his chair over so it was right up against his mother's. While the book went on about how important its role had been to the whole quest, Marloynne and Ashlyn stood hand-in-hand and watched as Sir Pete McGee, the brave and noble knight, cuddled up to his mum. He was home again.

So that's it. Not a bad journey at all, was it? In fact, it was a journey that you might indeed say was incredible! This then, gentle reader, is where we part company, for my story is finished. So until you read the book again, or hear my voice on the big screen in the movie version, be good, dream big, and always take the chance to show the world just how great you can be.