‘Dad!’ Guinevere’s rider called out.
‘It’s Anna!’ shouted Theo. ‘You can land here love, but only briefly.’
‘Four minutes until these fireworks go off!’ Alice informed her, as Guinevere swooped down onto the roof.
‘Take the girls first,’ Theo ordered.
‘No,’ insisted Alice. ‘I’ve got a second option, you said that yourself.’
‘You’ve never tried flying!’ cried Sarah.
‘Now might be a good time.’
Anna pulled Sarah up onto Guinevere’s back. Her father followed.
‘You’re a brave girl, Alice,’ Theo told her. ‘Thank you.’
They took off and Alice watched nervously as her friends were delivered safely to the river bank. She saw a tiny light moving towards them and guessed it must be someone from the boats running to meet them.
When Guinevere soared back up to the top of the tower, Alice was waiting, leaning over the wall. ‘No time to land!’ she called to Anna over the sound of beating wings, ‘only seconds left before the fireworks start.’
Guinevere hovered as close as she could. ‘Jump!’ screamed Anna. As Alice balanced on the wall, her heart in her mouth, the first fireworks went off, wailing as their golden tails darted through the snow-filled sky. She jumped.
Amazingly, she landed on Guinevere’s back, but her velvet gown slipped on her glossy coat and she hurtled backwards. She managed to grab her long tail and began to flap her wings in an attempt to counterbalance her weight. Terrified, she flapped her wings as fast as she could. Anna turned and stretched out her arm, but couldn’t reach her.
‘I’m OK,’ Alice shouted. Indeed she was. She was actually flying, but daren’t let go of Guinevere’s tail. She could have burst with happiness. Her enormous wings were more than adequate to keep her airborne. Unfortunately, her landing wasn’t as graceful. She had to break free as they neared the ground and in spite of flapping her wings, she landed with a thud in a clump of reeds.
‘Alice!’ yelled Thomas, running towards her. ‘I was worried sick!’
She was half dragged, half carried to the remaining boat and Ethan started rowing as soon as they were seated. Alice sprayed her wings using the blue bottle – there was no way she’d fit in the van with those. As their boat moved away, she watched Anna spray Guinevere’s, and once they had retracted, she galloped down the bank alongside them.
When they reached the car park, Ethan hid his boat with the first one, beneath some bushes on the river bank. Alice was amused to see Imogen waiting for them in a large Coffee Cauldron van driven by Fay. Along with Thomas and Ethan, she clambered into the back where she was reunited with Sarah, Theo, Grandad and Jake. Amidst laughter and congratulations, Alice waved goodbye to Anna and promised to meet her back at the village. Only when Thomas slammed the doors behind them did she breathe a sigh of relief.
As the van sped off, Anna had to laugh when she read the slogan on the back of it. ‘The Coffee Cauldron – magical brews, magical experiences.’
Chapter 13
Surprises and Suspicions
‘Let the dust settle,’ Grandad had advised her late on Saturday night. ‘Things will sort themselves out.’
She certainly hoped so. After Sarah went home on Sunday morning, Alice hadn’t mentioned the events of the party to anyone, apart from her parents, who had to be told about the fire as an excuse for being so late home. They saw it in the local paper on Monday morning anyway. Alice had been worrying about Hugh Rowbottom. What if he knew it was her and Sarah who were in the tower? Then there was the CCTV. Even wearing their masks, they might still be recognised by Lucinda. Thomas told her not to be so silly. Whatever Brian Rowbottom or his nephew knew, they wouldn’t let on. They couldn’t admit to kidnapping Theo and holding him captive, could they? Furthermore, Brian should be smart enough to realise that if he compromised Finwip society any more, his own secret identity would be at risk.
Even though she couldn’t erase that hideous beak mask from her mind, Alice turned her attention to the celebrations planned in the village this evening. She wasn’t sure she could face another party so soon, but didn’t want to miss it either.
‘Another one?’ her mother had queried. ‘You’re popular, all of a sudden!’
‘Perhaps her friends have realised what a good-looking brother she’s got. I’m going as well,’ said Thomas.
‘Where’s this one being held?’ their mother asked.
‘Oh, just down the road,’ explained Thomas. ‘We won’t be late this time, it starts at 6 o’clock.’
‘As long as you’re at home tomorrow night,’ she said. ‘You know I like us all to have dinner together on Christmas Eve.’
*
Soon after Sarah had arrived for the village party, the Parkers’ doorbell rang again.
‘Alice, you’ve got a visitor,’ shouted Thomas.
She rushed down the stairs, but hesitated when she saw who was standing in the hall.
‘Lucinda!’ she exclaimed, trying to sound pleased. ‘Sarah, Lucinda’s here,’ she called, hoping for back-up to ease her awkwardness.
‘Oh, I’m sorry if you’re busy,’ Lucinda began. ‘Only, I wanted to apologise for the chaos at the end of the night on Saturday. I didn’t see you again and I wanted to make sure you were OK.’
‘We were absolutely fine, thank you,’ said Sarah with a reassuring smile as she joined them. ‘Actually, we slipped away early. Alice wasn’t feeling well again, so we had to dash after the first dance.’
Alice nodded, relieved at Sarah’s swift response.
‘Oh, that explains it,’ said Lucinda. ‘Oliver and Damian were looking for you as well. I think they liked you!’
‘Er, well, they seemed nice,’ said Alice, blushing.
‘Mind you,’ said Lucinda, suddenly looking glum, ‘I’m not sure I’d get involved with a Rowbottom. My dad has been in the most awful mood since the party. And it can’t be because of the fire. That tower wasn’t used anyway.’
Alice and Sarah exchanged worried glances.
‘Perhaps he feels the fire ruined the evening,’ suggested Alice.
‘Maybe. But there’s something else.’ She wiped away a tear with a pink tissue. ‘Listen, don’t tell anyone, will you? But I heard him on the phone and he said he might lose the castle because his ‘financial circumstances’ have changed. Whatever that means. Do you think we’ll lose our house?’ she asked, blowing her nose loudly.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry!’ blurted out Alice.
‘We’re both sorry to hear that,’ said Sarah, frowning at Alice. ‘But I’m sure it won’t come to that, whatever happens. Your dad is a very clever and successful man, isn’t he?’
Lucinda nodded.
‘Would you like to sit down and have a drink?’ asked Alice, feeling silly after her initial reaction.
‘No, thanks. I should go, my mum’s waiting in the car. I brought this with me, it’s very good.’
She handed Alice a large brown envelope. She pulled out the photograph of her and Sarah in front of the Christmas tree at the ball.
‘That is good!’ said Alice with a grin. ‘Thank you. We’ll never forget the party, I promise you.’
‘I’m glad,’ sniffed Lucinda. ‘Bye then.’
‘I hope you still have a good Christmas,’ said Alice quietly as she opened the door. The girls waved as Lucinda walked down the path.
Once she had gone, Alice sank down on the bottom stair, looking at the photograph.
‘How bad do I feel now?’ she moaned.
‘Not half as bad as you look,’ said Thomas, putting on his coat. ‘Come on, we’ll be late.’
Sarah helped Alice to her feet.
‘Poor Lucinda,’ Alice said softly on the way to the oak tree. ‘It’s not her fault, poor thing.’
‘Blimey! Are you feeling alright? You’re not trying to be nice are you?’ Thomas asked. ‘Please don’t worry about it tonight. It will be all right, I’m sure. I hate to say it, but
Brian always lands on his feet.’
*
Down in the village they went straight to the changing rooms to put on their Finwip robes.
‘I’m desperate to let my wings out. They could do with a stretch!’ said Thomas.
‘Hold on,’ ordered Alice, ‘I still don’t know how to make my wings come out. Imogen wouldn’t let me have one of those red bottles.’
‘I’m not surprised! That’s potent stuff. Mmm, it’s not easy to explain, but I’ll have a go. You know how our wings respond to negative emotions, when you’re angry or afraid? Well, they respond to positive ones in the same way. You need to concentrate on how much you want them to appear. Relax, clear your mind, then try to focus on something that makes you really happy.’
Alice pulled a face.
‘I’ll save you some food, you’ll probably miss the buffet,’ said Sarah. Thomas sniggered.
‘I don’t know why I put up with you two,’ declared Alice, trying to hide her smile as she entered the changing rooms.
When she found her dress and closed the curtain behind her, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was ashamed to admit to herself that Sarah was right. This could take a while. What did make her really happy these days? She sat down on an old wooden stool and racked her brain. Oh dear. Maybe...maybe the happiest she had felt for a while was on Saturday night, when she was flying. It had only been for a few seconds, but it was wonderful. It felt so normal, if that were possible. Like a natural progression in her life. Landing needed some practice, though.
She changed into her robes, brushed her hair and then sat back down on the stool. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Concentrating on that brief experience of flying, she tried to remember exactly how she had felt. It had been both terrifying and exhilarating. The fear of falling was pushed aside by the realisation that this was who she really was. A Finwip who could fly. A thirteen year-old who had the potential to achieve anything, if she put her mind to it. Of course, this had always been true – Alice just hadn’t been aware of it. She smiled to herself at the thought of those oversized wings carrying her down from the tower and soon began to feel movement under the skin on her back. It was working!
‘That’s it! Come on!’ she encouraged them, as if they could hear her.
‘Alice? Are you alright in there?’ Sarah banged on the partition wall then went out and opened the curtain of Alice’s cubicle. Thwack. She staggered backwards having been smacked across the face by the tip of a very large wing.
‘Oh! I’m so sorry,’ said Alice, trying not to laugh.
‘It’s alright. I see you managed it, then. Well done you,’ Sarah congratulated her, rubbing her stinging left cheek.
Alice was very pleased with herself. That had been easier than she thought, and the dress performed brilliantly again, allowing her wings to emerge through the purposely-designed gaps.
Sarah, now that she had her own robes, looked like the cat that got the cream.
‘Your purple cloak really suits you,’ remarked Alice. ‘Even without wings. A pointed hat would just finish it off, though. And a broomstick.’
‘Cheeky cow. I love it!’ beamed Sarah. ‘Come on, I’m starving.’
They hurried along the corridor, admiring bunches of berry-laden holly and clusters of golden bells which were hanging beneath the torches. They could hear music and laughter coming from the dining hall and when they pushed the door open, what a sight they were met with.
Hovering around tables piled high with superb dishes were more wings and pointed ears than the girls had seen before. It was like stepping into a scene from a fairytale, as fifty or so Finwips dressed in a rainbow of colours laughed and joked whilst tucking in to a veritable feast. The fire was burning beneath the huge central cauldron, from which Fay was ladling mulled apple juice into mugs. There was one curved table for savoury dishes and one for sweet. Sarah had seen a chocolate fountain before, but not a butterscotch fountain. Next to it were fruit kebabs displayed in half a giant watermelon, looking like a porcupine that had rolled in fruit. There were raspberry and redcurrant jellies, and green mint mousse in goblets with a candy cane hooked on the side. There were normal things, like Christmas pudding, mince pies and brandy sauce, but also a tower of chocolate profiteroles filled with banana cream. A striking blue spruce Christmas tree was smothered in edible decorations – strings of dried fruit, nuts, popcorn and fruit leather ribbons were winding around gingerbread shapes and sparkling sweets. Alice was overjoyed to find stained-glass window biscuits, which she hadn’t seen since she was small.
‘They’re here!’ Thomas shouted. Everyone put down their plates and cups and began to clap. There were whistles and cheers as Imogen, Theo and Anna came over to welcome them. The girls felt very embarrassed.
‘I’m sure I speak for us all when I say we owe you a huge thank you,’ said Imogen.
‘More than we can put into words!’ added Anna, giving her dad a hug. Theo nodded and smiled.
‘This year’s Christmas party is a special one,’ Imogen continued. ‘We are celebrating the safe return of Theo, we officially welcome you, Alice and Sarah, to our village and we thank you for what you have already done for us!’
More clapping and whistling followed. The girls looked at each other, feeling more awkward by the minute.
‘To show our appreciation, we would like to present you with a gift. These gifts are usually reserved for those who have been a valued member of Finwip society for many years and who have shown dedication to preserving it.’
Alice saw Thomas helping their grandad to the front of the crowd with his camera and tripod.
‘However,’ said Imogen, ‘you two have shown selflessness and generosity to your subterranean friends when you have known us for barely a fortnight. The aim of Finwip communities is to revive the age-old trait which used to distinguish us from our contemporaries above ground. That is superiority in vision and understanding. We feel that you have achieved this already, which is remarkable.’
‘Hear, hear,’ said Theo as he stepped forward with two small boxes. He took Alice’s right arm and fastened a heavy silver bracelet around her wrist. A smooth and perfectly oval agate stone in the centre was flanked by intricately engraved wings. An identical bracelet was placed on Sarah’s wrist. Next, Anna presented them with a bouquet of flowers each and some chocolates - from The Coffee Cauldron, of course. The girls were overwhelmed as everyone applauded again and the camera flashed.
‘Oh no,’ whispered Alice, squirming at being centre of attention. ‘We didn’t want all this.’
‘Speak for yourself!’ replied Sarah, posing for another photo.
When the noise died down and the crowd dispersed, Alice turned to Anna.
‘We didn’t do that much,’ she said. ‘You had to rescue us all, in the end.’
‘It wouldn’t have been possible without you,’ Anna maintained. ‘Anyway, it was Guinevere really. I can’t fly. I will always be in your debt. If there’s ever anything I can help you with, please let me know.’ She gave the girls a hug.
‘We will. Thank you,’ said Alice.
The girls finally made their way to the food, hardly able to take their eyes off their bracelets.
‘What an honour,’ said Sarah. ‘And I’m not even a Finwip!’
‘You are now!’ replied Alice, loading her plate with a selection of desserts. She hadn’t even looked at the savouries. They joined Thomas and her grandparents, who were sitting in one of the alcoves. There were kisses and congratulations all round.
‘We’re so proud of you both,’ said her grandma.
‘Chip off the old block!’ affirmed Grandad.
‘Will you come and sit by me again?’ Grandma asked Sarah. ‘Their wings take up so much room in here!’
‘Gladly!’ she replied.
They were the last group to finish eating, by the time Grandma had insisted that they try each of the desserts she had made.
‘Where is everyone?’ asked Alice a
s she stood up from the table and looked outside the alcove.
‘In the forest I expect,’ said Thomas.
‘Forest? Which forest? What for?’
‘Oh, I forgot, you haven’t been there yet, have you?’ realised Thomas. ‘Grandad, I think you should lead the way!’
Rubbing his hands, Grandad led the group into the kitchen and held open a door next to the larder.
‘Step this way!’ he insisted, pointing inside.
‘Not another lift,’ moaned Alice. ‘Even if it is a large one.’
The five of them could squeeze in. Seconds later, Grandad opened the door and ushered Alice outside. They were, quite literally, outside. She stepped out from the trunk of an enormous pine to find herself in the clearing of a wood.
Sarah jumped up and down clapping her hands. ‘It just gets better!’ she laughed.
In the middle of the clearing towered an immense fir tree, glowing with coloured lights from top to bottom. Some Finwips were dancing round it, others were sitting on benches carved from logs, enjoying a drink around the fire. The trees on the edge of the clearing were dotted with glass lanterns made from coloured jars and bottles, and a group of musicians with pointed ears wandered around playing their guitar, violin and flute. There were cocoon-like wooden swings hanging from some of the trees, which one or two people could sit in. They reminded Alice of giant conkers which had been hollowed out.
‘Good enough?’ Thomas asked his sister, prodding her in the ribs.
‘It’s...magical!’ whispered Alice. ‘Where exactly are we?’
‘This wood belongs to the farm where the unicorns have their paddock. In fact, their stable is just beyond those trees,’ he explained, pointing into the distance.
‘I take it the farmer is one of us, then?’
‘Of course! Now, go and explore. We’ve got an hour or so before Mum will throw a fit.’
‘Enjoy yourselves!’ ordered Grandma and Grandad.
The girls ran to one of the conker swings and climbed in on to the soft cushions. They lay back and looked out at the stars. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
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