The Story Traveller (8 page)

‘Mind my clock! I don't want it striking the hour just yet.' Her mother shook her head and went to the bottom of the stairs.

‘I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Lucy Chase! You're as stubborn as your father, and that's saying something!' With that she retreated to the kitchen. Lucy knew her mother would go straight to the telephone and tell her dad and she was right.

When Lucy got to her bedroom she put the dandelion clock in the glass by her bed and then went quickly and quietly into Sophie's room. She knelt down on the floor and peered into the doll's house. She was sure it was in a much tidier state than when she had left. She took a quick look at the miniature kitchen table. The tiny bit of toast did look even tinier and the water jug empty.

‘I wonder if Sophie's been playing with it,' was Lucy's first thought. Then on reflection she said out loud:

‘Of course not! My visitor's been very busy! Little helper,' Lucy called softly, ‘are you there? It's time to go home.'

A bright prism of light moved across the bedroom and drifted down the tiny stairs. Lucy put her finger out and sensed, rather than saw, the little fairy sit on it.

‘Would you be kind enough to tell Twinkle I'd like to visit Yeh-Shen in China, Ash in Ireland and Vasilisa in Russia.'

One small helper alone was far too quiet for Lucy to catch her reply, but she was sure the message would be carefully delivered to the fairy godmother.

Lucy walked back into her bedroom and took the little helper over to the dandelion clock.

‘Get ready for take off,' she whispered. Lucy then carefully carried the dandelion over to her window, which she opened wide.

‘Goodbye, little helper. See you soon.' With a puff she sent the tiny parachutes blowing upwards into the sky. She stood and watched them until they'd all disappeared from sight. Only then did she close the window and change out of her school uniform.

Half an hour into her homework, Lucy's mum popped her head round the door.

‘Thank goodness it's Friday,' she echoed Lucy's earlier sentiments, as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. ‘I'm off to fetch Sophie, but before I go let me have a look at that knock on your head. You'd better show me your glasses too.'

After a quick inspection of the wound and the damaged spectacles, Jo Chase let her daughter get back to her work. She didn't mention the bullying again.

That night, when Roger Chase returned home, he wasn't so calm. Lucy could hear his comments, as he discussed the matter with her mother.

‘This is getting nasty.' He sounded really angry. Jo Chase tried to calm him down.

‘Lucy still seems to be coping. She thinks the worst is over, so don't go on about it too much.'

‘This is the last time I won't interfere. One more incident and I'm going to the school.'

‘I agree,' Lucy's mother replied.

‘Meantime, I've got something that might help. Where's Lucy?'

‘Doing her homework in her room,' his wife replied. ‘Now go gently.'

‘Yeah, Yeah.' Roger Chase took the stairs two at a time, and was soon standing by his daughter's desk. Lucy had just finished her homework. She was attempting to draw a dandelion clock from memory, still uncomfortable at lying to her mother.

‘Hi darling! Mum tells me you've had more agro today,' her father said, trying to keep it light.

‘Nothing I couldn't handle,' Lucy said defensively.

‘Good, but I have something for you, which might help.'

He handed Lucy a box. Inside was a pink mobile phone. Lucy's eyes lit up immediately.

‘For me?'

‘Yes, for you, my pet. If you ever find yourself in a jam you can ring one of us.'

Lucy took the phone out of the box and father and daughter sat happily side by side on the bed, as they read the instructions.

‘There's just one thing I'd like to know,' Lucy said, as she plugged the phone in to charge the battery.

‘What's that pet?'

‘Will I be able to use this abroad?'

‘Yes, but remember we're not going abroad this year darling, what with the move and everything.'

‘I know that, Dad, only…' Lucy said no more but had a strange little smile on her face.

‘I get the feeling I am missing something. Are you going on a trip that I've forgotten about, Lucy Lou?' ‘No, Dad…'

Unaware that Lucy was about to say more, Roger Chase got up and kissed Lucy on top of her head.

‘Well, Lucy Lou, I must go and spend some time with Sophie Su.'

‘Only in my dreams,' Lucy finished so quietly, her father never heard her.

Lucy was glad Cinderella and Prince Charming were getting married on a Saturday. She didn't think she'd have felt like going to school after a Royal Wedding
and
a visit to China!

When the time came to join Speed, Lucy picked up her new mobile. She reckoned if she got smaller it would too. Luckily, she was right and she put it in the pocket of her cloak. Speed wasted no time in getting her to the Palace, where she was met by Twinkle and her little helpers.

‘My, you look beautiful, Twinkle!' Lucy said, as she admired her wedding outfit of azure blue silk, which matched her eyes beautifully.

‘Yes, I brush up quite well, don't I?' Twinkle laughed as she patted her white hair, in which nestled her little helpers in a darker blue, so that it looked like her hair was covered in tiny gems. ‘Now Lucy, you're the flower girl, so you too need something special. What's your favourite colour?'

‘Oh – it's…' Lucy thought hard and ran through all the colours she liked. ‘It's lilac.'

‘Lilac it will be then. Now I'm going to concentrate. Cinderella's on her way. There is no room for mistakes.'

‘But you haven't got Wandela with you,' Lucy said, worried Twinkle had slipped up again.

‘Gnarled sticks and weddings don't go, so I have allowed Wandela to dress up too.' Twinkle twirled a beautiful parasol of matching blue silk and white lace.

‘Magic wand make Lucy's wish come true.

A dress of lilac, sparkling and new!'

Her little helpers rose in the air, as an arc of golden stars shot from the end of the parasol and twisted and turned round Lucy. When she looked down she was wearing a beautiful dress in a delicate shade of lilac, with tiny diamond bows showing the many tiered petticoats underneath. Lucy twirled in delight. Then she looked down and saw her smart lilac shoes, covered in minute silver horseshoes.

‘Oh! It's all fantastic, Twinkle, thank you.' Lucy's face showed her joy.

‘Here take my basket, so you can scatter the petals in front of Cinderella.'

Lucy turned, a look of disappointment on her face. She'd never want to hurt Twinkle's feelings, but her basket, wonderful as it was when full of the little helpers, was hardly smart enough for her fantastic new outfit. But she needn't have worried. The one Twinkle handed her was made in delicate silver and was filled to the brim with her fairies dressed in the palest of pink rose petals.

‘Won't they get hurt?' the worried young girl asked.

‘Bless you no! They'll be fine and so much more environmentally friendly than paper petals, as no one will have to sweep them up!'

Lucy suddenly had a nasty thought.

‘I suppose I'll have to wear my cloak, which means no one will see my beautiful dress.' ‘For once, Lucy, you don't have to have your cloak with you. I'm here and so is every good fairy in Storyland. No one is going to try to hurt you on this happy occasion.

‘You can certainly show off your lovely new dress, but remember, everyone will only have eyes for the bride, so in a way you will be invisible. Now give it to me to look after and I'll let you have it back after the wedding.'

As Lucy handed over the cloak, she remembered her mobile phone was still in the pocket. She took it out and showed Twinkle.

‘Have you ever used one of these, Twinkle?'

The fairy godmother took it from her outstretched hand and studied it.

‘No, I've never see one before. What is it Lucy?'

‘It's called a mobile ‘phone. I can put in a number and ring a friend and we can talk.'

‘It's magic then?'

Lucy smiled.

‘It does seem so, but it's a scientific invention. We have rather a lot of them in our world. You can also text, I mean write, to a friend using the letters on the front.'

‘Very impressive!' Twinkle said. ‘But why have you brought it with you?'

‘I thought if you saw it you could magic your own ‘phone, so we could talk to each other,' the young girl said hopefully.

‘Oh Lucy! I'm not sure, but I'll give it some thought. Leave it with me for now and I'll let you know later. I haven't had a challenge like this for ages.' The fairy godmother put the mobile back in Lucy's cloak pocket, but already her mind was on how she could master the little pink piece of pure magic. It was then that Lucy became aware of the huge crowds that lined the streets to the palace. There must have been the whole of Storyland there. Flags and banners were waved, flowers thrown, as the people laughed and cheered. Suddenly, the cheers got louder and the beautiful golden coach that Cinderella had used to go to the ball appeared, once again driven by six white horses. Lucy felt sure she recognised the driver and the two footmen.

But Cinderella wasn't alone. Sitting beside her in the coach, as proud as any man could be, was her father. Cinderella looked radiant as she held on to his arm and smiled up at him. Lucy was so pleased for her.

As Cinderella stepped out of the coach Lucy went up to her, to help her re-arrange her dress.

‘Oh Ella, you look breathtaking!' she told her friend.

‘Lucy, I'm so glad you could make it. I'd have missed you. Let me introduce you to my father, Count Carnac. Father, this is Lucy, the friend I told you about.'

The old gentleman gave a graceful bow and took Lucy's hand to his lips.

‘Thank you for all your kindness to my darling daughter,' he said simply. Lucy just curtsied in reply.

Cinderella, as with all true fairy tale brides, was dressed in a beautiful white gown with a long shimmering silver train, held on her head by a magnificent diamond tiara. Lucy and lots of little helpers set about straightening her dress and putting the train in place for her long walk up the sweeping staircase. When they were all satisfied that perfection had been reached, the bridal procession began.

As they entered the Palace chapel, Lucy could see Prince Charming, all impatience, with Lucien at his side. The Prince too was dressed in brilliant white, with his black hair caught back in a magnificent velvet and diamond bow. He visibly relaxed as he saw his bride walk towards him and even found time to give Lucy a smile, as she moved down the aisle spreading a carpet of fairy rose petals for Cinderella to walk on in her beautiful crystal shoes: the shoes that had brought her and the Prince together.

The rest of the wedding passed in a glow of excitement for Lucy. She was introduced to the King and Queen and lots of Lords and Ladies. She noticed the Countess and her two daughters were there, though relegated to a lower position in the pecking order and all three looked very subdued.

Cinderella did manage to sit and talk to Lucy for a few moments, while the Prince was away checking on the plans for their journey. She told Lucy that the Prince had kindly arranged for her two stepsisters to be married to nobles from the court.

‘Both nobles are younger sons and come from large and happy families,' she told Lucy, ‘and I'm sure that once Imogene and Leticia are away from their mother they'll find love and happiness.'

‘What's to happen to your stepmother?' Lucy asked, hoping she too wasn't going to be rewarded for her cruelty to Cinderella.

‘Poor stepmother doesn't fare so well,' Cinderella replied. ‘Father is to live with us in the Palace and he's told my stepmother she can have the house and lands. I think she'll be very lonely.'

So, Cinderella still thought kindly of those who tormented her Lucy mused. Just then the Prince came up to claim his new bride and take her off on their honeymoon.

Lucy went to join Twinkle and they both stood at the bottom of the staircase, near the golden coach and watched the Royal couple descend.

‘Don't they make a perfect pair?' Lucy said.

‘They certainly do and they'll live happily ever after. Now say a quick goodbye, as we must get you off to China.'

Lucy stepped forward to throw some confetti (little people of course) and to call out her goodbyes, but the radiant couple stopped in front of her.

‘Mademoiselle Chase, we meet for the third time and in such happy circumstances. Thank you for befriending my wife and for being our flower girl.' The Prince took Lucy's hand and kissed it. She turned a very delicate shade of pink.

‘Bless you Lucy!' Cinderella threw her arms round her friend. ‘I hope your troubles are over soon, like mine.'

‘Be happy, Ella.' But Lucy knew that in the real world, her world, problems weren't so easily solved.

‘Here Lucy, I have a memento for you.' Cinderella handed her a little silver bag. Inside she found a lovely silver chain necklace with a tiny crystal slipper attached.

‘Oh it's beautiful. I'll treasure this always.' Both girls knew they might never meet again, but Cinderella was in love and happy and Lucy had lots of other people to see and places to visit, so neither felt sad.

The Royal Prince and his Princess entered the coach and to a great fanfare of trumpets and huge cheers from the crowd, they started their married life together.

Twinkle put her arms round Lucy's shoulders and drew the young girl away from the celebrating masses.

‘Now sweetie, it's time for you to go and visit Yeh-Shen. You'll find her quite special.'

‘Do I get to keep this dress?' Lucy asked rather hopefully.

‘I'm afraid not!' said Twinkle. ‘In fact you'll have to travel as a boy. Your feet are far too big to belong to a Chinese girl.'

‘My feet aren't big!' Lucy said indignantly, as she looked down at her feet in their pretty lilac shoes.

‘But Yeh-Shen and all Chinese ladies have had their feet bound since they were about five or six. To the Chinese men small feet are a great sign of beauty. To the women they are a pain. But that is why the Chinese Cinderella was one of the first stories told: the tale of a girl with beautiful small feet – lily feet.'

‘So what am I going to wear then?' said Lucy, rather worried she would look very odd.

‘Well, the Chinese use a lot of silk and I'm sure we can keep the lilac colour. Your hair will have to be put in a pigtail though.'

Lucy liked the idea of lilac silk, but was sorry she couldn't keep her dress. Her fingers went to the chain, which was now round her neck, and she gently touched the tiny shoe.

‘Can I at least keep this on?'

‘I don't see why not, as long as you keep it under your clothes,' Twinkle said and then in a more business like tone went on ‘Right! Let's get you properly kitted out.

Magic wand make Lucy male,

And tie her hair in a fine pigtail.

Lilac silk would give her joy

And compensate for becoming a boy!'

Sparks flew energetically from Twinkle's parasol and her little helpers all flew around Lucy, who found herself standing in what to her looked like a pair of lilac silk pyjamas. She put her hand up to her head and touched the tiny pigtail that stood out from the back of her head. She giggled.

‘Will Yeh-Shen know I'm a girl?' Lucy asked, certain she would not fool anyone for long.

‘Yes, and she knows you'll come dressed as a boy. She'll be as interested in you as you'll be in her. Your worlds are so different, but again Yeh-Shen knows what it's like to be bullied.'

Speed suddenly appeared and trotted up to his mistress.

‘We've a very long journey Lucy,' he told her, ‘so I suggest you get well wrapped up in your cloak and have a rest. I'll wake you when we reach the Chinese border.'

Twinkle handed Lucy her cloak.

‘Now remember, you must keep that close to you all the time you're in China. If you think our witches and wizards are scary, you wouldn't want to meet some of the Chinese ghouls. Only when you are with the Wise Ones can you let go of it. Your pink magic is back in your cloak. I've got all the information I need and while you're in China I'll try to work something out. I must say it's a brilliant idea and could save me, and my little helpers, hours of unnecessary flights.'

Lucy carefully put the cloak round her and got on Speed's back.

‘Good, you are now quite invisible,' Twinkle told her. ‘Speed will fly you to China. You have to cross many different countries, so stay well hidden. Speed,' Twinkle told the impatient horse, ‘I suggest you wake Lucy at the Nepal Tibet border and take her to Mount Qomolangma.' The horse whinnied his agreement. ‘Then when you get to the Yangtze River, our good friend Baiji will take Lucy to the Wise One, who will show her the way to Yeh-Shen. Now, off with you sweetheart and have a good time.'

Speed didn't waste a second and they were soon in the air. After all the excitement, Lucy was, however, fast asleep before they passed through the Happy Ever After Gate.

***

‘Lucy, Lucy, wake up,' Speed was urging Lucy to open her eyes. ‘I've something very special to show you.'

Lucy stirred and glanced out of her hood. Speed had landed on a wild and rocky ridge. Everywhere was covered in snow and incredibly beautiful. It was also extremely high.

‘I thought you might like to visit the highest point in your world,' Speed told Lucy.

‘Mount Everest! I'm on top of Mount Everest!' Lucy couldn't believe it.

‘Well, we call it Mount Qomolangma, but I'm sure it's one and the same.'

‘It certainly is a beautiful sight, Speed,' Lucy replied. ‘I believe it can be seen from space, as can the Great Wall of China. Will we fly over the Great Wall of China as well?'

‘Not on this occasion. We won't be travelling that far north.'

‘So what year are we in now, Speed?'

‘748AD – the Tang Dynasty. You'll find China is a vast country with many wonderful things to see. But now I must get you to the Yangtze River to meet Baiji.'

Speed rose up into the air and soon Mount Everest was just a picture postcard in the distance. By the time Speed landed again, the sun was beginning to rise. Lucy slid off and began to pull her cloak around her.