The Story Traveller (6 page)

Cinderella handed Lucy her cloak and gently sat Twinkle down.

‘The footmen who chased after you said you'd run into the Forest of the Furies. Everyone thought that would be the end of you. I did too. How did you get out?'

‘It's a story of foolhardiness and courage,' Twinkle said, as she stood up and smoothed her apron. ‘Lucy can tell you all about it on another occasion. But for now we must get you ready for the ball.'

Cinderella spun round to face the smiling Twinkle.

‘Me, go to the ball – but how?'

‘Trust me. I'm your Fairy Godmother and Fairy Godmothers can work magic.'

Cinderella looked from Lucy to her Fairy Godmother in amazement.

‘My Fairy Godmother! I remember now, my mother used to tell me stories about you, but I didn't know they were true. My own Fairy Godmother!' Cinderella sank down on her bed, caught between surprise and joy. Lucy could see she hadn't really grasped she was going to the ball, so she put her arm round Cinders.

‘You'll get to see the Prince.'

‘Oh I will! I will…but I've nothing to wear. I can't go like this and anyway the castle's too far away for me to walk.'

‘Oh ye of little faith!' Twinkle's sapphire blue eyes flashed with mischief. ‘Now Cinders, go and look for six white mice. They must be white. Bring them to the front drive, then find a sleek brown rat.'

Cinderella's face fell.

‘
Six
white mice! I'll never manage that!'

‘Really Cinderella, you are more trouble than Lucy. Seek and you shall find. Now Lucy, on your rush to the Forest of the Furies, did you pass any pumpkins?'

‘I'm sure I must have!' ‘Good girl – find me the biggest and the best and bring it…‘

‘To the front drive!' ‘You're a quick learner. When you've done that, find me two handsome frogs from the garden pond.'

With a happy grin, Lucy placed her cloak round her shoulders and left the kitchen.

Unlike Cinderella, Lucy knew she would find what was needed. And, as if by magic, she found the pumpkin patch and soon staggered back with a beautiful golden pumpkin. Then she ran to the pond and gently called out:

‘Hallo, dear frogs. I need two very handsome gentlemen to help Cinderella get to the ball.'

Oh what a jostle there was, as the pond suddenly became a huge trampoline. Frog after frog leapt out of the water, to show off in front of Lucy.

‘You're all so good-looking, so I'll take the first two to jump onto my hands.'

Immediately two young frogs leapt onto her outstretched palms.

‘I don't suppose any of you are a prince?' she added as an after thought. A chorus of croaks followed. ‘Oh dear! I'd love to kiss every one of you, but to-night is Cinderella's night.' Lucy carefully held the handsome frogs in each hand and ran round to the front drive, where Cinderella had just returned with a magnificent brown rat. Twinkle carefully placed the six white mice in front of the pumpkin, the brown rat on the top and the two handsome frogs at the back. Then she picked up her gnarled stick and said: ‘Butter and crumpets, biscuits and tea,

Turn into a coach for Cinders to see.'

Twinkle waved her now glittering wand. Nothing happened. Lucy laughed.

‘There are no butter and crumpets, biscuits and tea. Just six white mice, one rat, a pumpkin and two handsome frogs! Try again Twinkle.'

‘Oh dear,' said Twinkle. ‘Having you here has put me off. Now concentrate, Twinkle, old girl. Dear Mr Rat, make yourself smart. Six white mice please play your part.

Handsome frogs leap to your post.

Pumpkin become the coach with the most.'

A cloud of little helpers rose up in the air and flew up around and over the group. There was a sudden flash of a thousand gold stars and then, after these cleared, there was the most beautiful golden coach, pulled by six striking white horses, with a sleek driver and two very handsome footmen at the back, all dressed in gold and green livery.

Cinderella and Lucy ran up and peered inside. It was quite breathtaking. The seats were made of delicate pink rose petals, which gave out a wonderful perfume. The roof of the coach was studded with tiny stars that shone and glittered, while the outside of the coach was decorated with precious stones and pearls. ‘Now we need to make you look like the rightful owner,' Twinkle told Cinderella.

‘Magic wand help Cinders out, Make her belle of the ball without a doubt.' This time Twinkle made no mistakes and Cinderella suddenly found herself dressed in a beautiful silver dress, decorated with tiny diamonds. Her lovely blonde hair fell over one shoulder in graceful curls and was again decorated with tiny diamonds that looked remarkably like Twinkle's little helpers.

‘Ella, you look wonderful,' Lucy told her. ‘And look at your shoes, they are so dainty.'

Cinderella lifted her dress a little and stared with awe at the beautiful crystal slippers, which sparkled so much they sent out bursts of stars each time she moved her feet.

‘Well, Ella, you'll certainly be the belle of the ball,' Lucy laughed, as she watched Cinderella twirl in her new clothes. Then, suddenly, Cinders stopped and looked worried.

‘But I haven't got an invitation. They won't let me in without one.'

‘Yes, you have, yes, you have!' Lucy suddenly remembered the invitation in her apron pocket. ‘Here it is for the Honourable Ella Carnac.' Lucy handed the envelope with the Royal Crest to Cinderella.

‘But I can't take that!' Cinderella said sadly. ‘My stepmother and stepsisters will know I'm there. I'd never hear the end of it.'

‘Don't worry, my dear,' said Twinkle. ‘Give me the envelope. We can soon change that. Who would you like to be?'

‘Oh I'm not sure. Could I be Lucy?' ‘No ‘fraid not,' Lucy told her. ‘Remember I've already met the Prince, but how about The Honourable Belle de le Bal, which you certainly will be.'

‘Yes, what a good idea.' Twinkle said.

‘Invitation change the name

Though the owner is the same.'

With a flurry of little helpers and tiny stars the invitation omitted all trace of Cinderella's real name and confirmed her place as belle of the ball.

‘Now Cinders dear,' Twinkle told her as she helped the excited girl into the coach, ‘have a wonderful time, but my magic only works until midnight, so be sure you leave the ball before the last chime of the clock, or you'll find yourself in your old dress.'

‘Oh thank you, Fairy Godmother!' Cinderella leaned out and kissed Twinkle. ‘Can Lucy come too?' Lucy could hardly believe her luck.

‘Of course, but only if she stays invisible. Lucy, remember you've already met the Prince twice, so be careful. It would be better if you just watch the ball from the grand staircase and like Cinders you must leave before midnight.'

‘Of course I will. Thank you, Twinkle.'

‘Now, do up your cloak before you get in the coach. It must appear Cinderella is on her own.'

The two girls were so excited they hardly spoke all the way there. The white horses were very fast and the journey seemed to be over before it had begun.

One of the footmen helped Cinderella out of the coach, while the other straightened the folds of her dress. Lucy followed close behind, as Cinderella walked daintily up the great sweeping staircase, towards the important looking footman at the top.

Lucy ran to the top of the stairs and looked down at the glittering ball; it was a wonderful sight. Ladies dressed in every colour of the rainbow, swirled and danced with handsome men, many in smart uniforms and others in rich velvets. The footman, with great admiration in his eyes, waited for the music to stop and then called out in a resounding voice:

‘The Honourable Belle de le Bal.'

Hundreds of pairs of eyes turned to look up at the late newcomer, as she floated down the stairs. Gasps of admiration escaped the lips of most of the gentlemen. The Prince, bored by the whole evening, had his back to Cinderella and was in a lively conversation with Lucien, but both men stopped and turned as they heard the response from the men on the dance floor.

The Prince took one look at Cinderella as she came down the last few steps, and hurriedly crossed the ballroom to reach her, just as the next dance began. Without a word they took to the floor, oblivious to the rumble of voices that surrounded them. While everyone wanted to know who the beautiful and mysterious guest was, the Prince and Cinderella only had eyes for each other, and danced as if they had always belonged together.

Lucy had to admit they did make a perfect couple. Cinderella, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, held close by the dark-haired Prince; Cinderella, in a gown of gossamer silver coloured silk, the Prince, dressed in black velvet, with the finest of white lace. They matched each other perfectly in grace and beauty.

Lucy looked round for the Countess and her two spoilt daughters. They weren't difficult to find, being the most overdressed women in the room. She was pleased to note they obviously had no idea the beautiful young girl was Cinderella.

Lucy kept her eye on the clock. She, of course, knew what was about to happen to Cinderella, but had no idea what would happen to her if she disobeyed Twinkle, so at five minutes to twelve she left the Palace to find Twinkle and Speed waiting for her.

‘Well done, Lucy! You've done as I asked,' Twinkle said. ‘Speed will take you home shortly, but I just have something to tell you.'

Lucy went over to Speed and patted his neck. ‘Hallo, old friend. I'll do as I'm told this time!'

Speed pawed the ground and said: ‘Thank goodness for that.'

‘Now Lucy,' Twinkle began. ‘The FGMU have met to talk about your first days as a story traveller.' Lucy looked at Twinkle anxiously. She feared they'd decided to sack her after all.

‘We've been very impressed, young lady, first with your kindness and help to Cinderella, and secondly and more importantly, with the way you got yourself out of danger.' Lucy began to relax. ‘Of course, you should never have left your cloak behind, but you showed remarkable courage, fortitude and commonsense and certainly proved you can work on your own initiative.' By now Lucy was beaming. ‘So as a well done and thank you, we're sending you to meet some other Cinderellas, for just one visit each. There are many Cinderella stories from all over the world, but we want you to pick just three out.'

‘Wow, Twinkle – please thank the FGMU for me. But I don't suppose I could be sent to meet Harry Potter or Alex Rider instead?' Lucy asked hopefully. Twinkle threw back her head and laughed. ‘Sorry poppet, but Harry and Alex don't live in Storyland, so it's not in our power to send you to them.' ‘Where do they live then?'

‘In due course they'll come to Storyland, but right now they're on Royalty Island. You would have to ask permission of the authors to visit them, which means you would break your vow never to tell anyone: so you see Lucy it's a no win situation.'

‘Well, I'll just have to wait till they move,' Lucy said, wondering how long that would be. Again Twinkle laughed.

‘Sweetie pie, by the time Harry and Alex come to live here you'll be so old you'll not be interested in young school boys. Never mind, I think you'll find our gift to you very worthwhile. Every Cinderella's had to deal with being bullied, and each one has dealt with it in a different way. You'll find meeting them very helpful.'

‘Of course I will, Twinkle.' Lucy realised she'd sounded a little ungrateful. ‘But how shall I choose?'

‘Read some of the other Cinderella stories, and then decide who you would like to visit. I'm sending one of my little helpers with you. She'll bring back your decision.'

Twinkle extended a finger to her basket and a wee fairy jumped on it. To Lucy's amazement she then gently deposited the little helper in Lucy's cloak pocket.

‘Before you go to school tomorrow, perhaps you could find a nice home for her and then, when you're ready to send her back, please find a big dandelion clock so she can have some help on her return journey home.' ‘I'm really taking one home with me?' Lucy couldn't believe it.

‘Yes, you really are!' Twinkle replied with a laugh. ‘Make sure you look after her. She doesn't need much in the way of food; just a drop of water and a tiny bit of honey will do fine. Now Lucy,' Twinkle went on in a more business like manner. ‘How are you dealing with Anna Ibsen and co?'

Lucy was so amazed by the news that she was to take a little helper home she didn't respond straight away.

‘Lucy, come on now, pay attention. How are you dealing with Anna and her cronies?' Twinkle smiled. She realised the young girl's head was spinning with the thought of taking a fairy back with her.

‘How do you know Anna is the bully?' Lucy looked at the smiling fairy godmother.

‘We know everything about you and everybody connected with you, Lucy. We had to do a background check before we offered you the job. So how are things? Better?'

‘Well,' Lucy considered her answer carefully, ‘walking tall certainly threw them, but only for a while. They've gone one step further now and are telling everyone I'm a thief and I stole at my last school.'

‘I'm afraid that's what bullies do.' Twinkle gave the girl a hug. ‘You need to tell your parents and your teacher about this.'

‘I've told my parents most, but not about that. I haven't said anything to my teacher, because I don't want to get Anna into trouble. I'm sure she's never done anything like this before, so there has to be a reason.'

‘Yes, Anna is certainly an unhappy girl. But you can stop the rumours without mentioning names. Just tell your teacher about the story going round. She'll do the rest.'

‘All right, Twinkle. I'll see what I can do.'

‘Good girl. Now, let us know which other Cinders you want to visit, as soon as you can. We'll send you off to the first one straight after Prince Charming and Cinderella get married.'