The Story Traveller (3 page)

‘It's simple,' Cinderella replied. ‘They're all bullies because they're unhappy. Life might not be great now, but I've some wonderfully happy memories, so really I'm the lucky one.'

‘You're fantastic!' Lucy hugged her new friend. ‘Now let's get on with these chores.' She suddenly became very businesslike. ‘What shall we do first?'

‘Well, I don't know how to get the candle wax off this sleeve, do you?' asked Cinderella.

‘No, but I'll ask my mother and let you know tomorrow,' promised Lucy. Cinderella smiled at the thought that she would see her friend again.

‘If I sew all these bits and pieces on Leticia's hat, would you rethread the necklace for me?'

Lucy moved over to Cinders' truckle bed and picked up the broken necklace, which had landed on the cover. She was saddened to see how lumpy and uncomfortable the bed was, with no pillows and just the one thin, worn blanket.

She then began to search for the rest of the pearls. Some had rolled under the bed; some had been flung across the room. Using her apron as a basket she tracked down as many as she could. This careful search of the basement kitchen brought home to Lucy how miserable Cinders' life was. ‘At least I've parts of the day when I'm free of my three tormentors, while poor Cinders has to endure their bullying from sunrise to sunset.'

Once Lucy and Cinderella heard the front door slam, and knew the three overdressed peacocks had left for their dinner party, they got down to their work, and, as they did so, Cinderella told Lucy about her mother and all about her troubles that began after her mother died and her father remarried. In return, Lucy told Cinderella about her new school and how her troubles with Anna began.

‘I'd been at the new school about a week. I'd settled in well and was doing fine, when I began to notice that Anna, Diane and Martha were always following me and whispering. Then the name calling started and each day it got worse. What I can't understand is why? What have I done to upset them?' Lucy looked puzzled.

Cinders said: ‘I don't think it's what you've done, but more what's wrong in their lives. It's the bullies who have the problem.'

‘You've a wise head on your shoulders, Ella,' Lucy replied and was rewarded with a warm smile.

Then, to lighten the mood, she said:

‘I met Prince Charming today.' Cinderella's eyes lit up and her smile grew wider and wider.

‘You didn't!' ‘I did. Spoke to him too!' ‘Oh Lucy! You're so lucky. Every girl in the land's in love with Prince Charming, and that's without meeting him. All most of us get to see is his head on a coin. Is he really handsome?'

‘Oh very!'

‘Go on then, tell me all about him. What colour are his eyes, what colour's his hair, what was he wearing, how does he sound?'

‘Hang on!' Lucy laughed. ‘I'll do my best. Now let me see. I should think he's about nineteen or twenty.'

‘He's twenty-one,' interrupted Cinderella.

‘He has hair as black as yours is fair. His eyes are a brilliant grey and he has the most perfect white teeth that go with a beautiful smile.'

‘Oh!' Cinderella sighed. ‘I wish
I
could meet him.' Lucy allowed herself a little grin, but remembered the rules and said nothing. ‘He was richly dressed in royal purple and seemed to be a kind person, if a little headstrong. In fact he's everything a prince should be.'

‘And what's his voice like? I bet he has a beautiful voice,' Cinderella said.

‘He does, very melodious. If I were a little older, say your age, I would be in love with him, but he is far too old for me in more ways than one; although I think he's very attractive.' (Lucy added as an afterthought.)

‘Don't you feel a little bit in love with him?' Cinders laughed.

‘Well, perhaps a tiny bit.' If they hadn't been so busy with their work they might have noticed the fairy godmother's face peer in at one of the windows and they might have caught sight of her little helpers creeping in under the door. Although Lucy had managed to collect up most of the pearls, there were still some thirty missing. The wee fairies flew this way and that, and in no time had found every single pearl, even though some had gone under the floorboards and a few had landed in the flour. Carefully they rolled the pearls within Lucy's grasp, then, their task completed; they shook off the dust, dirt and flour and returned under the door to the fairy godmother's basket.

‘145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150,'counted Lucy. ‘They're all here. My word,' she added, we've been talking non-stop but haven't we achieved a lot?'

‘Yes,' agreed Cinderella. ‘Only that wax to get off.'

‘We'll do that tomorrow night,' promised Lucy.

‘You really are coming back?' Cinderella asked a surprised smile on her face.

‘Try and stop me!'

‘Lucy, do you mind if I take these flowers to my mother's grave?' Cinderella said, not wanting to hurt her friend's feelings.

‘Oh please do.'

‘Only, I'm sure my stepmother will throw them out when she sees them, and I always try to take some to her grave when I can.'

‘Oh Ella, how can you bear it?' For a few moments the two girls clung to each other and then Cinderella said: ‘I need to go and make up their bedroom fires before they return, tidy their rooms, feed and walk Leticia's dog and then get their breakfast things ready for the morning. I must get some sleep, because I have to be up by six. I hope you don't mind.'

Lucy was about to suggest she gave Cinderella a hand when she saw Twinkle at the window, beckoning her outside.

‘Of course I don't mind. I have to go home now anyway. But we'll see each other tomorrow.'

The girls hugged and said their goodbyes, and then Lucy wrapped her cloak round her and left the kitchen. Twinkle was waiting for her at the top of the steps.

‘So, you've decided to take the job, Lucy?'

‘Oh yes, please.'

‘Well my dear, you've done well today. Perhaps you shouldn't have pulled Imogene's hair, but I can see why you were tempted.'

‘They didn't see me, Twinkle. I was invisible, honest.'

‘On this occasion yes, but you must be careful. How did you like Cinderella?'

‘Oh, she was wonderful and so pretty. She also has the patience of a saint.'

‘Yes – perhaps too much at times. If you were a little more like Cinderella and she a little more like you, neither of you would be bullied.'

‘You mean I should try to understand why Anna is a bully and Cinderella should try to be less accepting?'

‘Something like that,' Twinkle said kindly. She looked carefully at Lucy and suddenly began to walk up and down in a very definite manner. Lucy wondered what she was up to.

‘Now remember Lucy, when you get back to school never look as if you're expecting trouble. Don't look down on the ground, but be purposeful. Walk, as you have just seen me do, with your head high and your eyes looking straight ahead. You may not feel very confident inside, you may even be scared, but you'll certainly look confident and bullies don't like that.'

‘Thanks for everything, Twinkle.' Lucy reached up on her toes and kissed Twinkle's cheek. ‘I suppose it's time for me to go home now.'

Twinkle touched her cheek with her hand and gave a little smile.

‘Yes dear. You're about to have your first Storyland journey. Well, to be accurate, your second, but because you hadn't been officially appointed you don't remember that trip. Your return home will be much more exciting.'

Lucy wondered how anything could be more exciting than the time she had just spent with Cinderella.

‘Here's your means of transport,' Twinkle said. A beautiful white horse, with a silver saddle, suddenly trotted up to Lucy.

‘Oh cool!' Lucy was almost lost for words. ‘So cool! He's wonderful! What's his name?'

‘He's yours to name Lucy, and whenever you travel to and from Storyland he'll be there for you.'

‘I'll call him Speed.' Lucy's hand stroked the soft muzzle.

‘A good choice. For a treat, as this is your first ride, Speed will take you home by the scenic route and point out a few famous landmarks.'

‘You mean Speed can talk?' Lucy looked stunned.

‘Of course I can!' a deep bass voice replied, slightly irritated.

Lucy put both her arms round Speed's neck and gave him a big kiss.

‘Steady now!' said a somewhat embarrassed Speed.

Fairy Godmother laughed and patted Lucy on the head.

‘Now on you get and don't forget to take care of your cloak.'

Lucy climbed onto a fallen tree trunk and from there onto Speed's back. Although she had never ridden before, the saddle seemed to fit like a second skin. She blew Twinkle a kiss.

‘See you tomorrow, Twinkle. See you tomorrow little helpers.' Lucy's last sight of Twinkle was of her standing there waving, with her little helpers circling round her in all the colours of the rainbow. It was magical.

‘Take me home, Speed,' she whispered in the horse's ear. ‘By the scenic route, of course!'

Speed, true to his name, carried Lucy along Storyland so fast his hooves hardly touched the ground. Cinderella's gloomy house had just disappeared from view, when Lucy noticed they weren't far from the castle.

‘Oh please, Speed!' she begged. ‘Can I just have a quick visit to Prince Charming's home?' Speed snorted, which to Lucy sounded like a laugh, and turned towards the castle.

The night was still and there was a full moon, which gave a silver hue to the Prince's home. To Lucy it was the most beautiful castle she'd ever seen. Made of an iridescent stone, the moon caught shards of silver, which gave the impression that hundreds of shooting stars had reached for the sky. As they rode up to the main entrance Lucy saw the grand sweeping staircase that Cinderella would soon climb, and soon run down, leaving her glass slipper behind.

Suddenly a voice above her said:

‘Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Chase. We meet again, but this time
you
are on horseback.' Lucy looked up to see Prince Charming smiling down at her. ‘He is a magnificent beast,' he went on. ‘Is he for sale? I would dearly like to buy him.'

Lucy put her arms round Speed's neck and gave him a hug.

‘He's priceless, Sire! I would never part with him.' Lucy could feel Speed swell with pride.

‘Quel dommage! I would much prefer to ride off on your wonderful steed than have to meet and dance with hoards of pushy princesses.'

‘Perhaps you'll find a princess who's not pushy, Sire.'

‘Ma chère Mademoiselle, the life of a prince is not a happy one, but your horse would make it more bearable. Please let me buy him from you.'

Lucy laughed and turned to leave.

‘I'm sorry Sire, the answer is still no. Princes
can
live happily ever after, you know. You may too. I must say bon nuit; it's getting late.'

‘So, where are you off to at this time of night, Mademoiselle?' the Prince asked. ‘Home, Sire – and I
must
be on my way.' Lucy gave a quick wave and Speed raced off. Soon the castle was left behind. When Lucy looked back it was just a beautiful pearl coloured glow against the horizon.

‘Lucy, my pet,' Speed said, which made Lucy smile, ‘we're about to pass through the Happy Ever After gate: you may feel a bit wobbly.'

Lucy saw in front of them a shimmering gateway, which reminded her of a huge plate of jelly, and, as they passed through, she did feel a slight wobble and was sure she smelt and tasted raspberries.

So Lucy's first magical journey continued. With the star-studded sky and the full moon, everything she passed was crystal clear. Cottages, small houses, chateaux, all came and went, and still Lucy had no idea where she was or what time in history she was travelling through.

‘Why are we leaving Storyland?' she asked.

‘Witches and warlocks never come into your world, while a horse and rider travelling through the night will attract no undue attention.'

‘But they would in my world!' Lucy thought, so she asked, ‘Speed what year is it?' She was curious about the lack of lights in the homes and on the roads.

‘1710. About the time the story of Cinderella was first printed in France. Just sit and enjoy.' So Lucy did.

Speed carried Lucy through 18
^th
Century France: past small homesteads, mostly in the dark, but here and there a light shone from some poor home, as the family worked through the night. The odd poacher was overtaken, caught unawares by the speed and silence of their approach, and several urgently galloping messengers were left behind. They all gaped open-mouthed, as they were out-ridden by the white horse with a small girl on its back. They were, after all, the fastest riders in France! Lucy and Speed rode on through hamlets, villages and towns, past massive chateaux and opulent hunting lodges and, as they zigzagged across France, Speed pointed out the various landmarks.

So fast was the last part of the journey Lucy took little in. As she leant her head on Speed's mane her thoughts drifted.

‘Well, Lucy Chase,' she told herself. ‘You've had quite an adventure. That more than makes up for all those nasty comments from the tedious triad. But don't waste this magical moment thinking about
them',
she scolded herself. ‘They aren't worth it.'

Lucy then looked forward to her next meeting with Cinderella, but realised she would have to approach her mother over the wax, without arousing any suspicion. While her mind was on that tricky subject Speed stopped. They were on the edge of a pebbly shore.

‘My pet, would you dismount?' Lucy jumped down and looked at Speed, curious to find out what was going to happen next. ‘We're about to cross the English Channel,' he went on.

‘Are we going by boat?' Lucy asked, as she looked round for sight of a ship.

‘Goodness no!' Speed snorted. ‘We'll fly, of course.' As he said that, he unfolded a beautiful pair of silver wings.

‘Oh, you're so clever Speed!' Lucy ran her fingers gently down one wing.

‘Don't do that, it tickles!' Speed made the nearest sound to a snigger a horse could. ‘Now listen carefully – your life depends upon it.' Lucy was immediately attentive. ‘We'll re-enter Storyland by the Once Upon a Time gate, because horses cannot fly in your world, and we have to pass over the sea. In Storyland the sky at night belongs to witches, warlocks, bats, hobgoblins and wicked beings. They're always on the look out for story travellers, so we must be careful.' Speed whinnied at the end of such a long speech, as if it had taken his breath away, while Lucy looked worried and drew closer. She glanced all round her and shuddered. ‘Don't worry, my pet!' Speed went on. ‘Just do up every button, every hook and eye and tie every ribbon you can find, then climb back on and hold the reins in such a way that the cloak covers your hands.'

‘What about you Speed? Won't they try to hurt you?'

‘While you're invisible, I'm invisible.' Speed told her. ‘So you can see how important it is for you to do as I ask.'

Lucy did as she was told and climbed back into the saddle. It took her a few seconds to work out how to hold the reins with her hands covered, but with advice from Speed, she eventually managed to hide every inch.

At once Speed rose into the air and to Lucy's amazement they were flying over the sea. As Speed moved his wings she felt very much as if she was on one of those carousel horses; she certainly felt a little giddy, but then relaxed and began to enjoy herself. She even found the confidence to look around her. Below were minute fishing boats. They looked, from that distance, the size of walnut shells. These tiny vessels sometimes had one lantern swinging from aft, and sometimes lanterns at both ends. The sea was as calm as the sky was clear, and the moon created a silver path where it touched the water. They followed the silver path for a short time then, with a wobble, Lucy realised they had just passed through the Once Upon a Time gate, as she suddenly tasted blackcurrants.

‘Be careful Lucy,' Speed whispered. ‘We're back in Storyland. Night time, especially with a full moon, is the time for all bad spirits to be abroad.' Lucy wrapped the cloak even tighter round herself. For a while she wasn't aware of anything but the sea beneath them, but then she began to hear odd sounds that disturbed and unnerved her.

‘Don't look up, Lucy,' whispered Speed. Immediately Lucy wanted to, for though she could see nothing she could hear a great deal. Above them came the whoosh of objects travelling very fast; the odd cackle of laughter and the clash of heavy objects, as if they were on a battle field. There was also a nasty odour of rotting flesh and damp fungi, which made Lucy feel quite sick. But it was her instincts that gave her the strongest message. She sensed danger and clung on even tighter, though her hands itched to get to her hair, to twist and twirl it, until she felt more relaxed, but she resisted. Though she didn't look up, Lucy was well aware they were surrounded by many nasty forces. She did catch the occasional glimpse of large scary shadows, which created little curls of fear. Her stomach began to twist and turn, while her mouth went dry. Lucy's tongue tried to moisten her lips, but without success, so she popped it in between the gap in her teeth and pushed hard. That seemed to help, though Lucy had to admit to herself she was scared. However, she remained calm, her only outward signs of any tension being the way she held so tightly to Speed.

‘I can do this,' Lucy repeated over and over. ‘I can do this.' This did seem to work. Her nerves began to settle and her heartbeat to slow down.

After what seemed like forever, the noises died away. Lucy's sense of danger receded and she immediately felt pleased with the way she had remained so in control.

‘If I can cope with those monsters, then Anna's lot should hold no fear for me,' she told herself, perhaps a little too confident in her ability to cope.

So Lucy relaxed her hold and began to look down at the moonlit sea once more. Suddenly, to her delight she saw, with the help of the man in the moon, a little mermaid on a rock, combing her hair.

‘Oh look, Speed!' Lucy let go of the reins with one hand and pointed at the mermaid. As she did so just the tip of her finger showed and, too late, she became aware that the tips of Speed's hooves were also on view. ‘Lucy, wrap up! Hold on tight!' Speed ordered. Immediately Lucy covered her hand, only to see two whirling dark creatures rushing towards them.

‘That was a story traveller!' she heard an ugly voice shout.

‘Can't be far away,' another said. ‘But she must have a cloak of invisibility.'

‘I saw her first Eyesore – she's mine!'

‘Get lost, Hideous, you old hag! She's not yours – she's definitely mine!' To Lucy's horror a huge witch, astride her broomstick, rushed past her. Her nose and chin almost met and the wart on the end of her nose was so disgusting it made Lucy feel quite queasy. This ugly harpie was followed closely by a warlock, whose large bulbous eyes oozed foul pus. As the two fought and tussled over who should claim the story traveller, wave upon wave of other witches and warlocks as well as hobgoblins, bats and horrifying beings, rapidly joined them and the air echoed with a spine chilling chant.

‘Finders keepers, finders keepers, finders keepers.' The whole sky was filled with the beat of wings and the sweep of broomsticks. There were so many nasty flying monsters looking for Lucy, the moon disappeared and the sky became pitch black. Odious bits of spittle, pus and blood spattered all round. The baying of the mob became louder and louder, as more and more spirits of the night joined the hunt.

Unable to escape, Lucy hung on to Speed so tightly the poor horse could hardly breathe and she found all thoughts of feeling brave soon disappeared. She was absolutely petrified.

But Speed was magnificent. He twisted and turned always one step ahead of the disgusting creatures. It was as if he had eyes in his tail, as he seemed aware of what was in front, behind and at the side. In fact Speed did have eyes everywhere. Hidden in his mane, in his wings and in his tail, were hundreds of little fairies, who relayed quiet but accurate details on which way he should move.

Unaware of this extra help, Lucy just clung on in sheer fright and, as her terror grew, she fought the desire to scream out. Once more she repeated over and over ‘I can do this; I can do this.' But these words no longer seemed to help. Sheer panic overtook her. Unable to bear it any longer, she opened her mouth in absolute terror, ready to let out an almighty scream, when suddenly a voice in her ear, close and oh so comforting, said:

‘Hang on Sugarplum! We'll soon get you out of here.'

‘Twinkle,' the shaken girl whispered. ‘I can't see you – where are you?'

‘Right now, my dear, I am using
my
cloak of invisibility, but don't worry I'll stay with you until you're safe.'

‘I'm so frightened and it's all my fault. I just don't know what to do!'

‘Just sit tight. Speed and I, along with my little helpers, will soon have you out of here: indeed we will.'

Ahead of them Speed and Twinkle could see The End gate. It was blocked by a horde of gruesome nightmares, who jostled and pushed each other, all determined to claim the story traveller if she came their way. They argued so loudly there was no danger they would hear Twinkle, as she whispered instructions to Speed and her little helpers. Suddenly, a voice, clear as a bell, sounded across the night skies.

‘Footloose, my faithful steed – they have closed The End gate. We must return to the land of Jack and the Beanstalk.' Immediately a host of little people took on the shape of four hooves and a pointing finger and flew off.

With a roar of rage, the angry night people chased after them, but there was little chance they would catch the wee folk, who constantly made it look as if Footloose kept changing directions. Besides, their innocence and goodness could travel so much faster than the weight of cruelty and evil carried by the chasing throng. Then another voice bellowed out:

‘This story traveller is mine – mine you idiots!' An enormous ogre strode though the fray, swatting warlocks, bats and witches, as if they were small flies. Each blow sent them spinning miles from where Speed quietly waited with Lucy, who was by now so petrified she had almost strangled her faithful friend.

The last they heard of the ogre was as he yelled out:

‘Fee Fi Fo Fum –

I smell the blood of an Englishwoman.

Be she story traveller be she not

I'll find her; catch her, for my pot.' Once the mass of screeching banshees had gone Twinkle flew over to The End gate. There she found two gigantic spiders, still on guard. Built like armoured tanks, they had huge fangs that protruded from their mouths, which were slimy green and quite repulsive, while their enormous protruding eyes were as revolting as their natures. Each of their legs ended with sharp serrated knives, that could rip anything or anybody to pieces in seconds. If that wasn't enough they'd covered the whole of the opening of The End in their glutinous web, which consisted of a highly sticky poison.