The Story Traveller (2 page)

‘Oh dear, I hope I can remember them.' Lucy looked worried.

‘They're not difficult to remember. Number one: you must tell no-one, and I mean no-one, that you're a story traveller. That can be a bit hard at times. Number two: you must never tell anyone in the story what's going to happen to them; again that can be a bit tricky. Number three: you must never try to change the way the story ends. You being there may well change parts of the story, but you must never alter the ending and that can catch you out if you aren't careful. Finally, rule number four: you must try your best not to get into fights, arguments or long discussions with the nastier characters, as it could be dangerous for you and your friends.'

‘At least that shouldn't be too difficult,' Lucy smiled.

‘Don't underestimate them, my dear. Those characters will try anything and use anybody to change how the story ends. We'll forgive the odd slip up here and there, but anything serious and you're out. Finally, this is not a rule, but a word of warning: stay away from the Forest of the Furies, especially if you're on your own.'

‘I've
no
intention of going in there again!' Lucy said with conviction. ‘Did I really see hobgoblins in there, Twinkle, or was it my imagination?'

‘You can never tell what is who and who is what in Storyland and especially in the Forest of the Furies,' Fairy Godmother answered. ‘But do be a dear and try to keep out of

??that dark place. My magic doesn't work too well in the dark. Anyway, enough of that, it's time for you to go and find Cinderella.'

Lucy jumped up and then stopped and looked down at her nightdress.

‘Won't I be rather noticeable dressed like this, Twinkle?'

The fairy godmother laughed.

‘Silly me! You need a dress, shoes and a cloak of invisibility.'

‘Cloak of invisibility?'

‘Yes, it's so important you are not seen by the villains. Your cloak will make sure you are invisible, but you must remember always to have it with you, my dear.'

As she spoke Twinkle whispered to some of the little people in the basket. A sprinkle of tiny fairies flew into the air and landed gently on Lucy's neck, arms and feet. She laughed as some of them tickled her with their wings. The fairy godmother then took hold of her walking stick and drew a circle in the air.

‘Magic wand I ask of you, a dress and shoes, both spanking new.'

The walking stick dissolved into a silver wand and a shower of silver dust floated to the floor.

Lucy looked down with expectation, but there were her bare feet and there was her yellow nightie.

‘Oh dear!' said Twinkle. ‘I've got it wrong again!' Lucy looked up and saw that the fairy godmother was now in a beautiful dark blue dress that shimmered as she moved, while on her feet were a pair of silver shoes.

‘It's so annoying,' said Twinkle. ‘The wand knows exactly what I want, but she's a stickler for precision. Now let me concentrate more.' Twinkle wrinkled her nose and tried again. ‘Lucy's the one to have new clothes from the top of her head to her bare little toes.'

The wand was whisked through the air again, only this time a burst of tiny stars rose up and floated over to Lucy and were caught by the fairies. In less time than it took for Lucy to wink, she found she was wearing a lovely blue dress with a neat white apron and a pair of shiny blue shoes. Lucy wasn't really into clothes and spent most of her time, when not at school, in jeans and t-shirts, but she had to admit the outfit was something really special. She was delighted.

?? Her delight changed to laughter as she turned to Twinkle, who was, once again, in her comfortable grey cloak, but the hood had been thrown over her face by the wand so that Twinkle's face had completely disappeared.

‘That's enough Wandela,' a slightly irritated voice said from the folds of the cloak. ‘That's better,' Twinkle smiled, as her cloak fell away from her face. ‘Now I can see what I'm doing. Wandela does like to play tricks on me sometimes. Right, now for your cloak of invisibility, my dear.' Again Twinkle gave orders to some of the fairies who then left the basket, holding a simple dark blue cloak, which they placed round Lucy's shoulders.

‘How do I make myself invisible?' asked Lucy, as she pirouetted round and round.

‘Just lift the hood over – so!' Twinkle pulled the hood gently over Lucy's head. ‘Now you see her – now you don't!'

Lucy, amazed by such a wonderful piece of magic, turned and looked into the brook and slipped the hood on and off as she watched her reflection come and go.

‘You must never lose that,' warned Twinkle. ‘It must go home with you when you return and you must keep it safe. Don't let anyone else touch it.'

Lucy was so amazed, she could do no more than shake her head, though she did rather wonder how she would be able to hide anything so blue and so bulky.

‘Now be off with you, and look for Cinderella. You'll find you two have a lot in common.'

‘Why's that?' queried Lucy. ‘My, you are the one for questions, but I think you know the answer to that, my dear,' Twinkle said softly as she saw the look of pain start up in Lucy's brown eyes. ‘I know you both have to deal with bullies.' Lucy suddenly looked very helpless. ‘Yes, the FGMU knows about the bullying you suffer, Lucy, but we are sure you and Cinderella will be a great comfort to each other. Poor Cinders knows a lot about being bullied too.'

Her voice was so gentle and kind Lucy almost started to cry, but then Twinkle added briskly ‘Now be off with you, Sugarplum!' ‘Thank you, Twinkle. I hope we meet again soon,' said Lucy, once more smiling, if a little tearfully.

‘Oh, I'm sure we will, my dear.' The fairy godmother once again spoke to the fairies in her basket and a cloud of them rose in the air. ‘Just follow your Fantasia of Fairies, Lucy. They'll take you to where Cinderella lives. Now remember all the things I've told you, that's a good girl.'

Lucy waved a cheery goodbye, and ran to keep up with her little guides. As she listened to the fairies sweet singing, she tried to memorise all the instructions given her by Twinkle. But the one that lodged in her mind the strongest was ‘Don't go into the Forest of the Furies!'

As Lucy followed her guides, they passed banks of wild flowers. They were so pretty Lucy thought they would make a nice gift for Cinderella. Each time she stopped some of the little people came and tried to hurry her on. They pulled at her cloak, they flew into her hair and pulled it; but they were too small to hurt. Lucy just laughed and collected more flowers. Eventually some of the wee folk helped her, flying backwards and forwards, as they brought her one delicate flower at a time. When Lucy felt she'd collected enough she dropped a curtsey to the impatient fairies.

‘Thank you, my little helpers. Now I'm ready to follow you without any more delays.'

As they left the circle of birch trees and passed through the meadow into a pretty wooded area, Lucy realised they were never far from the forest. It seemed to follow them whichever way they turned. The odd cottage began to appear, and then more and more houses. Suddenly, as they turned a corner, Lucy saw the most beautiful sight. High on a purple-hazed hill was an incredible castle.

‘Is that where the Prince lives?' Lucy asked. Even though every little fairy said ‘Yes' the sound was just a sigh on the breeze.

The sun began to sink behind the castle and all the turrets, towers and walled areas glowed, as if made of burnished gold.

Lucy then realised her guides had stopped. They all pointed at a large house a short distance away. In contrast to the sun drenched castle, this was dark and foreboding; it was also very close to the forest and obviously little sunlight reached the walls.

‘That can't be Cinderella's home, surely?' Lucy asked rather nervously. The place looked unloved and unfriendly. But every tiny head nodded in unison and then, with a minute tinkle of goodbyes, the fairies flew off. Lucy was alone again.

‘Lucy Chase, you're here to meet Cinderella, not the Ugly Sisters!' she told herself and began to walk slowly towards a pair of huge rusty iron gates, which had obviously stood open for a great many years. They must have been quite magnificent once, with their rampant lions on top, but now they just looked as neglected and run down as the rest of the house and as unwelcoming. As Lucy passed through them she shivered, for the air suddenly became much colder, and she was in two minds whether to turn back. Then she heard a sweet voice singing. The lovely sound cut through the bleakness of the rundown building like a dancing moonbeam and gave Lucy courage. She followed the sound round to the back, which was even darker and more depressing than the front, and where the forest had begun to encroach on the once well kept gardens. There Lucy spotted a flickering candle light in a small window, in what must have been the basement of the house. She carefully walked down the flight of damp stone steps and at the bottom found a wooden door that hadn't seen a coat of paint for many years. But it was definitely the right place, for now the singing was crystal clear and quite heartbreaking.

Not sure if Cinderella would be alone, Lucy carefully covered herself with her cloak and knocked gently on the door. The singing stopped at once and there was a short silence. Lucy knocked again. The door opened a little. A beautiful face peered through the gap. Lucy could see the bluest of blue eyes and the fairest of fair hair. It was definitely Cinderella.

‘Who's there?' Cinders whispered nervously. ‘Is anyone there?' Lucy quickly slipped off her hood and stretched out her hand to the frightened girl.

‘Hello,' she said simply. ‘I'm Lucy. I've come a long way to meet you Cinderella. May I come in?' she added quickly, as Cinderella began to shut the door, at the same time, looking behind her nervously.

‘I'd love to ask you in,' she whispered. ‘But my stepmother doesn't allow me any visitors.'

‘Don't worry,' Lucy grinned. ‘I've my cloak of invisibility with me.' Cinderella showed no surprise at such a comment. ‘Phew!' thought Lucy. ‘If I'd said that at school I'd have caused, at worst amusement, at best surprise. But then I suppose magic is normal in Storyland!'

Cinderella opened the door wider and Lucy stepped in and gave her the bunch of flowers.

‘For me?' Cinderella flushed with joy at the kind thought.

‘Of course!'

‘I did go out to pick some today, but I met this old woman, who was looking for firewood and…'

‘And you collected the firewood for her instead!'

‘How did you know that?' Cinderella looked surprised. ‘Because you are such a kind person that's the sort of thing you would do. Did the old woman have a grey cloak and a gnarled walking stick?'

‘Why yes! You met her too?'

Lucy smiled, as she remembered the pretty, upright lady she had been interviewed by.

‘You could say so!'

‘I felt sorry for her,' Cinderella said. ‘She looked so weary.'

Not wanting to break any of the rules, Lucy suddenly asked:

‘Do you think I could have a drink of water?'

Cinderella rushed over to the table and poured some water into a beaker, which she handed to Lucy. All the time she continued to look behind her at the door. Lucy thanked her and sipped slowly, in order to give Cinderella time to relax. The poor girl was torn between her usual kindness and her fear of being punished for inviting a stranger into the house.

Suddenly, a shrill voice screamed out:

‘Cinderella, where are you, you lazy good for nothing?' Cinderella looked at Lucy with horror and then a slight smile reached her lips, as Lucy pulled the hood over her head and disappeared.

The door crashed open. A tall, pompous woman with black hair and matching coal black eyes, strode in, followed by two crimped, simpering girls. All three were overdressed in what they obviously thought was the height of fashion, completely unaware that, rather than fashionable, they looked ridiculous.

Their display of bad taste contrasted strongly with the threadbare dress that Cinders wore. Lucy could see that it had once been a graceful mourning gown, but poor Cinders had been reduced to wearing it every day, so that the black had faded to a dull grey and the soft wool to rags.

The Countess Carnac, dressed in a deep purple gown, with red flowers across her ample bosom, looked much older than her forty years; while Imogene, (in a green and yellow gown, decorated with large tartan bows) and Leticia, (in a pink dress fringed with pale blue), looked as if they were ready for a fancy dress ball. Leticia had even dressed her small white poodle in a matching outfit!

‘Why didn't you come when I called?' demanded the Countess. She strode over to Cinderella and, without waiting for a reply, cuffed her around the head. The young girl bit her lip, but made no sound. Her stepmother then threw a dress at her. It was a deep shade of puce; with so many jewels and baubles attached it looked like a giant pin cushion. ‘There's wax on one of the sleeves. I expect
you
dropped it there when you were lighting the candles. You're so careless. Now make sure you get it all off. My dears,' she said turning to her two vain daughters, ‘do
you
have any work for this idle girl?'

‘Yes,' said Imogene, at twenty the older of the two girls and certainly the most disagreeable. ‘You broke this necklace when you were doing my hair, you stupid thing!' She threw the pearls at Cinderella. They hit her on the cheek and then scattered in every direction.

‘There are exactly 150 pearls, so make sure you find them all or else!' Her green eyes flashed with malice, her face made ugly by the cruelty showered upon Cinderella.

‘What about you, my little darling?' Countess Carnac turned to Leticia, who at eighteen was the same age as Cinderella, but had none of Cinders' natural beauty and grace. Lucy thought the younger sister, with her drab brown hair and small brown eyes, looked rather mouse-like, but then decided that was unfair to mice.

In an attempt to sound and act like her older sister, Leticia turned on her stepsister.

‘Here, you silly thing! I told you to sew these flowers and ribbons on my hat and you haven't done it.' Her face was petulant as she tried to be equally unpleasant. She certainly managed to be spiteful, but lacked her sister's cruel manner.

‘But Leticia,' Cinderella answered gently, ‘the hat is so pretty now, it doesn't need any more decorations.' ‘How dare you?' Countess Carnac glared at Cinderella. ‘If my Leticia wants these decorations on her hat, that's what she'll have. Give Cinderella your hat darling and you girl, make sure it's ready for tomorrow morning.'

Leticia pushed the hat into Cinderella's already full arms and pinched her as hard as she could, and then looked to her sister for approval, but Imogene was too busy admiring her reflection in the small hand mirror she had taken from her purse.

Lucy suddenly had an overpowering desire to strike back at Cinders' tormentors. They reminded her of Anna, Diane and Martha. Anna was like Cinders' stepmother, bossy and the one who issued the orders; Diane and Imogene were both cruel bullies, while Leticia's weaker personality reminded her of Martha, who seemed in awe of the two stronger characters and often looked unsure and unhappy, even as she carried out spiteful acts. So, as the three bullies turned to leave, Lucy tiptoed behind Imogene and yanked her hair. Furious, the girl turned on her sister and yelled at her.

‘What did you do that for?' ‘Do what, Imogene?'

‘That!' and Imogene pulled hard on Leticia's mousey hair. Immediately the younger sister burst into noisy sobs.

‘For goodness sake!' their annoyed mother called over her shoulder. ‘Behave yourselves and go and get ready. Remember we're dining out tonight. Imogene stop pouting, it doesn't become you and Leticia, you'll have a blotched face if you don't stop crying.'

As the door slammed behind them Cinderella sank to the floor, not sure whether to laugh or cry. In the end laughter won and she shook her head at Lucy, who had now removed her cloak.

‘Lucy, I know it was funny, but you shouldn't have done that!'

‘Why ever not?' Lucy said indignantly. ‘You got cuffed, hit in the face and pinched. All I did was tweak Imogene's hair!' Her own eyes sparkled with her success.

Cinderella carefully hung up her stepmother's dress and then put Leticia's hat on the table.

‘Yes, but two wrongs don't make a right. I feel sorry for Imogene and Leticia.'

‘You feel sorry for them! Why?' Lucy was puzzled.

‘They've never known the love of a good mother; I have.' For a moment Cinderella looked tearful. ‘My mother really loved and cherished me. Their mother is only interested in money and position. She married my father for his title and his wealth, but soon found that though she became a Countess, there was no wealth. She's never forgiven him for that.'

‘Where is your father?' Lucy asked. She knew her father would never let anyone treat her the way the Countess treated Cinders.

‘He lives and works in Spain. He's always trying to make enough money to satisfy my stepmother, but that's impossible.'

‘Surely he sticks up for you when he comes home?'

‘He hasn't been home for over a year. I'm sure he thinks I'm being well looked after.'

‘You ought to write and tell him what's going on,' insisted Lucy.

‘Poor Papa has enough troubles.'

‘So you're left alone with those three awful wretches! I know how you feel, Cinderella. I'm being bullied by three girls at school, who do their best to make my life unhappy. They're called Anna, Diane and Martha, and, from the moment I get to school until the moment I get home, they try to make my life as miserable as possible. They're so like your stepmother and stepsisters it's amazing.'

‘Do you have to clean, cook and look after their clothes too?' asked Cinders. Lucy laughed.

‘No,' then her smile disappeared. ‘No, their bullying is more about calling me names and making nasty comments.'

‘You mean like me being called Cinders because I have to sleep here in the kitchen by the cinders of the fire?'

‘I hadn't thought of Cinders being a cruel name given you by bullies but, of course, it is. I also know you as Cinderella and that's a very pretty name.'

‘Ella is my real name; that's where that comes from. I've never thought of Cinders or Cinderella as pretty names. I hate both of them.'

‘Then I'll call you Ella from now on,' Lucy promised.

‘So what names do they call you?' asked Cinderella.

‘Oh, four eyes, stupid, things like that.' Cinderella looked puzzled.

‘Four eyes! Why four eyes? I don't get that.'

‘I normally have to wear spectacles; it's a rude name for people who wear glasses.'

‘Name calling is hurtful,' Cinders said. ‘They've often called me lazy and useless and lots of other nasty things. When my mother was alive she called me darling, sweetheart, dearest. I do miss her so.' Both girls fell silent with their own thoughts and then Cinderella asked:

‘Is your mother dead too?'

‘Oh no! She's very much alive – she's lovely.'

‘And your father?'

‘I'm lucky, I know. I've both my parents and a little sister called Sophie, who is six.' ‘So why haven't your parents stopped you being bullied?' asked Cinderella, innocently.

This made Lucy stop and think.

‘Well, I haven't actually told them about it,' she replied in a small voice.

‘Why ever not?' ‘I suppose, like you, I don't want to worry them. They've their own problems to deal with at the moment,' was all Lucy could say. ‘So how do you cope?' asked Cinderella.

‘It varies. Sometimes I can, other times I can't. But I do my best not to let them know that they upset me.'

‘Yes, I think that's important,' Cinderella said. ‘But I agree it can be very hard at times.' ‘What I can't understand, Ella, is why you're so nice to them?'