The Story Traveller (16 page)

Lucy settled into the car seat and smiled. She knew she would never be bullied by Anna again and they might one day become friends.

‘So that's the young lady who has been bullying you,' Roger Chase said.

‘How do you know that?' Lucy sat bolt upright in surprise.

‘Your mum heard you tearing into her and put two and two together. You've got a wise mum.' Roger Chase laughed. ‘She felt sure if you two spent some time together you'd sort it out.'

‘And she was right,' Lucy smiled. ‘Clever Mum. Dad,' Lucy suddenly looked sad, ‘I'm lucky. I've got you, Mum and Sophie – you all love me. Anna is an only child and her mother seems to only love herself, while her father expects too much from her.'

‘I agree her mother is a rather cold fish, but I think her dad's heart's in the right place.'

‘I love you Dad.'

‘I love you too Lucy, and Mum and I are so proud of you. You were right in thinking Anna had a good reason to be a bully. I understand why you wanted to work it out for yourself, but that's not the best way for everyone.'

‘I know that, Dad,' Lucy replied, as she thought of Frances and the dreadful time she'd gone through. ‘But I was so sure Anna wasn't normally a bully, if you know what I mean.'

‘I know what you mean, sweetheart.'

***

That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Lucy felt her mobile vibrate under her pillow. The message ran: ‘Come to the bottom of your garden. Love Twinkle.'

Lucy crept out of bed and took her blue cloak from its hiding place. She tiptoed quietly downstairs and out of the back door. By the time she was half way there she found she could slip the cloak over her shoulders and, as she did so, her nightdress disappeared and she saw she was, once again, wearing her blue dress with the white apron.

As Lucy reached her father's shed, which was on the edge of their garden, she saw string after string of fairy lights and a beautiful bonfire blazing, where her dad used to burn the garden rubbish. Then, as she came round the last bend, she saw Twinkle and Speed and realised the fairy lights were just that: Twinkle's little helpers were holding hands and creating a wonderful grotto effect around the fire.

Twinkle and Speed came quickly up to Lucy and greeted her with affection. Twinkle gave her a kiss while Speed whinnied and put his nose into her neck.

‘What a wonderful surprise! What's going on Twinkle?'

‘It's a party to celebrate your first successful story travels, Lucy. Come and meet some old friends.'

Twinkle led Lucy into a circle of little helpers and there sitting on Mr. Chase's garden bench were Cinderella and Prince Charming. Cinderella got up and ran to hug Lucy and made her sit between them. Both girls were thrilled to see each other again. Then into the fire light stepped Ash with his wife Princess Bernadette, whom he introduced to Lucy with great pride and a royal flush on his honest face. Finally, and to Lucy's surprise and joy, in leapt Thomas Murphy.

Lucy had shaken hands with Ash and his Princess, aware of their Royal status, but she just threw her arms round Thomas and gave him a great big kiss on the top of his head, after carefully removing his hat, which she then returned. The little man turned quite purple and his hat went into a rapid spin, which made everyone laugh and helped break the ice.

‘Vasilisa, Baba Yaga, Yeh-Shen and the Wise One, could not make it because of the distance, but they send you their best wishes,' Twinkle told Lucy. ‘Now let's get on with the picnic.' Twinkle's little helpers flew about feeding everyone with delicious food, which ended up with light and succulent fairy cakes.

They had just finished this wonderful meal when a huge wind blew up and the ground began to shake. Moments later into the circle strode Manannan Mac Lir with Max tucked into his pocket. Lucy and Speed rushed over to welcome the late comers and so the party continued until the dawn began to rise and it was time for Lucy to say goodbye.

Eventually there was only Twinkle and Speed left (and of course Twinkle's little helpers). Lucy put her arms round Speed's neck.

‘Goodbye for now, Speed.'

‘Au revoir, Lucy my pet,' Speed snorted. ‘You do well in that exam tomorrow.'

‘I will.' Then Lucy turned to Twinkle. ‘Thank you, Twinkle. That was a lovely surprise.'

‘You deserved it, Lucy. You've done well.'

‘I've had a wonderful time. I've met so many amazing characters and seen so many amazing places. I only wish I could tell the world about them.'

‘But you can, Lucy,' Twinkle said with a smile.

‘But how? You told me rule number one…'

‘I said you must tell no one you're a story traveller. I didn't say you couldn't tell stories.'

‘What do you mean?'

‘Every story traveller that ever was has felt the same. So they've become story tellers. We never said you couldn't tell your story, just not that you are a story traveller.'

‘Oh Twinkle, thank you, thank you.' Lucy threw her arms round the fairy. ‘I do love you.'

‘And I love you too, Sugarplum,' Twinkle said. ‘Now off you go, back home.' So Lucy made her way back to bed and slept though a dawn of magical dreams.

The next morning on their way to school Lucy turned to Sophie and told her:

‘I've got a new story to tell you to-night.'

‘Oh good! What's it about?'

‘Wait and see. But I can tell you it starts like this: ‘Halloo…Halloo… Sophie stirred a little and tried to pull up her duvet.'

1 stuck up

2 mischief makers

3 very annoying

4 Gosh, really

5 Hurry

6 Goodbye

7 idiot

8 controlling

9 yes

10 no