Emajen
Page 19
Destiny’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Will we see you again?’
‘Of cour …’ But Saddler’s answer was whipped away from her by the wind, as the Natorqua sprang forwards and sped swiftly across the meadow. They lightly leapt the stream and the countryside disappeared beneath them in a breath-taking blur.
The distance it had taken them so many days to travel was eaten up with careless ease. In no time at all, the familiar sight of Saddler’s picturesque cottage swept into view. The two Natorqua glided smoothly to a standstill and the children and Boff slid to the ground.
Mrs Saddler appeared at the door to the cottage with a frying pan in her hand and a determined expression on her face. Seeing the children and Boff, she dropped the pan and flung her arms out wide. She bustled towards them exclaiming and questioning far too fast for them to give any response.
At last Anthony extracted himself from her relieved embrace for long enough to explain the bare bones of what had happened. He decided not to mention that Saddler had gone missing for a period of time. After all, they didn’t know the full import of that story and it was enough for her to know that Saddler was all right and that he would soon return.
Mrs Saddler was rather over-awed by the Natorqua, but a gentle huff from the Alpha-female was enough to send her fussing to fetch water and apples and to have her exclaiming over their majesty and beauty.
Amazing, powerful creatures though they were, it wasn’t lost on Anthony and Destiny that the Natorqua were just as susceptible to a bit of fuss and adoration as any animal back home.
Mindful that time was not on their side Anthony asked Mrs Saddler if they could have the box and the key. He explained about the egg timer, which Boff dutifully produced from his pocket. The last grain of sand chose that precise moment to slip quietly into the heap at the bottom. The timer glowed once and then disintegrated, the sand trickling away through Boff’s fingers.
‘Oh my word!’ exclaimed Mrs Saddler. ‘What was I thinking, chattering on? Your poor mother, she’ll be ‘orrified if she finds out you’ve gone!’ She hurried off to fetch the box.
Destiny stroked the Natorqua gently.
‘Thank you!’ she said softly.
The Alpha-female rested her head lightly on Destiny’s shoulder for a moment and a soft purr rumbled up from somewhere deep inside. Then, with a flick of their tails the Natorqua were gone.
Destiny turned to Boff who was shaking hands with Anthony. Her throat was too full for her to say anything. She just hugged him tight and gave him a watery smile.
Mrs Saddler appeared again with the box and key. Resting it carefully on the low wall, Anthony looked at the key in the palm of his hand.
‘Isn’t it about time you were going?’ it said grumpily.
‘At least some things don’t change!’ laughed Anthony. ‘Take good care of Mrs Saddler until Saddler gets back, Boff!’
He placed the key in the lock and the bright light obliterated all around them, closely followed by the black inkblot. He grabbed Destiny by the hand and pulled her through.
Glancing back, the last thing Destiny saw was Boff’s cheeky triangle grin as he called after her, ‘Hey, Destiny, thanks for my tartan shorts!’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing these has to be almost as hard as writing the book itself; there are so many people along the way who offer help, guidance and support with such a project.
Firstly, a huge thank you to Professor Ian Parker, world renowned psychologist, editor and author but much more importantly (from my point of view) ever supportive big brother. Without him, Emajen simply wouldn’t be published. My husband Tony deserves a medal for his unfailingly positive belief in my ability to write Emajen and to become a published author and for putting up with my terminal lack of self-assurance. Thank you also to my daughter Emma for her unwavering confidence in me. You are so much more street-wise than I will ever be. Thank you to my parents, M and Hugh for always supporting me through life’s adventures this far. I hope I can finally make you proud. Thank you too, to my lovely sister Andrea for her endless patience and positive attitude and to brother-in-law Jamie for his superlative contract reading skills. My thanks must also go to Ian’s partner, Professor Erica Burman, for being an inspiration to me and, I believe, women everywhere. To all my family and friends; thank you now and always for your unconditional love and support. Last, but by no means least, an immense thank you to John Hunt Publishing for giving me this opportunity and for all their help and support along the way. Invariably, acknowledgements end up as a list, whether you write them vertically or horizontally, which gives a false impression that some people are more important than others. The list can’t be avoided; however, I am grateful in equal measure to everyone who has lent their support in any way.
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