The Cherry Pie Princess

by Vivian French

  She crept to the front and looked down. Her father was sitting immediately below her so she could see the top of his head, and her sisters and mother were beside him, facing the crowds of guests.

  There’s no sign of the fog yet, Peony thought, but when Father sees people falling asleep all over the place he’ll know something’s wrong.

  The baby’s cradle was placed in the centre of the hall, and as Peony stifled yet another sneeze the three Fairy Godmothers wafted their way forward to stand beside it. Miss Beef drew back the lace coverlet so little Prince Vicenzo could be seen. His red hair flamed on the pillow, and his cheeks were very pink as he gazed at the fairies with round blue eyes.

  Up above, Peony smiled. “Darling baby,” she breathed.

  “Your Majesties! We thank you for your hospitality,” Fairy Geraldine announced, and she sank into a deep curtsy.

  King Thoroughgood stood up. “We welcome you, and look forward to your gifts.”

  Fairy Jacqueline raised her eyebrows at Fairy Geraldine. “Gifts? Did we mention gifts?”

  The king sat down again.

  “Shh, Jacqueline dear,” Fairy Josephine said. “Your Majesty, we are delighted to celebrate the birth of your son. I fear our skills are a little rusty, due to lack of use—” She fixed the king with a meaningful gaze— “but we have done our best. I had hoped to bring the gift of endless gold, but alas! It was beyond me. Instead I have brought the gift of laughter.” She waved a hand over the cradle and the baby began to gurgle happily. Peony was unable to see her father’s reaction, but Fairy Josephine’s face made her suspect he was not grateful.

  Poor fairy, Peony thought, and she glanced over the heads of the guests to the double doors at the back of the hall. At first she wondered if she was imagining the wisps of mist floating through, but when the guests at the furthest table began to yawn she knew the magic had begun to work. She tiptoed over to the window and peered out. Horrington was standing firm, the end of the rope in his hands.

  “And what, pray, is the meaning of this?”

  Peony swung round. The king was angry – very angry – but he was not looking at her. Raised up above the queen and his daughters, he was staring down at the tables crammed with guests … guests who were drooping over their plates or leaning back in their chairs with their eyes closed. Queen Dilys had collapsed on her throne and Peony’s six sisters had their heads in their hands, and the baby had stopped gurgling and was fast asleep. Miss Beef had sunk down on the floor in a mound of black velvet and was snoring loudly. The front row was yawning dreadfully, and so were the three Fairy Godmothers; Fairy Jacqueline and Fairy Josephine were propped up by a pillar, and Fairy Geraldine was supporting herself on a spindly chair. Moments later they too were snoring.

  “Oh no!” Peony had never expected the magic to move so fast. She grabbed her end of the rope, scrambled over the edge of the gallery and took a deep breath. Mustn’t breathe in any mist, she told herself as she slid down.

  Her father opened and closed his mouth like an enormous goldfish. His throne lifted him a little way above the fog so the magic had not had its full effect; of all the many people in the hall, he was the only one not asleep.

  She tucked the baby under one arm, seized the rope, and began to climb. Once she had managed to struggle over the gallery rail, holding the baby tightly, she let out her breath with a huge phew.

  “I’m so sorry, Father,” she called, “But I’ve absolutely got to save Vicenzo from the Hag. I’ll come back and get you as soon as he’s safe.” Then, running to the window, she leant out. “Mr Wells! Mr Wells! Could you look after the baby? The Hag’s coming!”

  There was no time for Horrington to object; Peony was already lowering the little prince. Vicenzo opened his eyes and chuckled as he settled himself comfortably in Horrington’s arms. “Urgle urgle!”

  “There!” Peony said. “He likes you! I’ll be back just as soon as I know Father and Mother haven’t been turned into frogs or bats.”

  “Princess!” It was Lionel Longbeard, running to Horrington’s side. “Princess – we’ve undone one bundle of sleeping twine, but we need more time for the second. The knots are very tight. The cat is at work right now and we can do it – but we must have another few minutes.”

  Peony nodded. “I’ll do what I can. Promise.”

  As Peony hurried back, she could almost have believed the banqueting hall was empty. Except for the sounds of snoring, and the occasional snort, the silence was unbroken. Moving to the side of the gallery she caught sight of her father. Slumped on his throne, his eyes looked up at her and she saw that for the first time in his life he was asking for help.

  “Oh, Father—” Peony began, but she was interrupted by a loud bang as the double doors crashed open and the Hag burst in, cackling gleefully. “HA! HA HA HA HA HA! Here I am, my royal friends! Me – the Hag of Scrabster’s Hump! The one you forgot to ask to your party!”

  Chapter Eighteen

  STORMING UP TO THE KING, the Hag snapped her bony fingers under his nose. “You can hear me and see me, can’t you, Thoroughgood – and if ever a king had a foolish name, it’s you! I’m here to make you sorry – oh, so very, very sorry!”

  Dancing up and down, she stuck out her tongue at the three sleeping Fairy Godmothers. “Look! They can’t help you – they’re much too old and feeble. Yah! Bah! Silly old bags. And guess what I’m going to do with your little bubsy wubsy?” The Hag let out a screech of delight as the king began to tremble, and Peony leant forward, holding her breath. “I’m going to take your precious little son, and you’ll never, ever, ever see him again!” And she moved towards the cradle.

  “No! She mustn’t see it’s empty – she’ll go mad.” Peony searched frantically in her pockets and brought out a handful of cherry stones. “YES!” Balancing one on the gallery rail, she flicked it at the Hag. It hit the fairy right on the end of her nose; she jumped and swore violently before twisting to see where it had come from. Peony ducked down and crawled to the other side of the gallery. The Hag, seeing nothing, swore again. As soon as her back was turned, Peony flicked another cherry stone. It hit a wine glass with a loud ping! and the glass shattered.

  “Who did that?” the Hag snapped, and she peered angrily at the queen and Peony’s sisters. “Was it one of you?” She swung round to the guests, collapsed among the plates and silver and flowers. Not one of them was moving, and she gave a suspicious grunt. “Something strange is going on.” She paused, and her beady little eyes gleamed. “Aha! Of course.” She swept up to the Fairy Godmothers, and stopped with her face inches away from Fairy Geraldine’s. “Well, well, well … so it’s not you after all. You’re snoring too loudly.”

  Peony fired another cherry stone. It hit the prime minister on the ear and he stirred a little. “Go ’way,” he mumbled. “Nasty fly…”

  The Hag went purple. “NO! Someone spoke! Is my magic fading? It’s not possible!” She pulled out her wand and waved it wildly above her head. “Sleeping twine, sleeping twine… Go to sleep. That baby’s MINE!” and she rushed at the cradle.

  “STOP!” Peony jumped to her feet. “Stop! The baby’s gone. I took him away. You can’t have him!”

  “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!” The Hag’s scream echoed round and round the banqueting hall. She glared up at Peony, her face twitching with fury. “I don’t know who you are,” she hissed, “but I’m going to make sure you never cross me again, you horrid little worm … because I’m going to turn you into a FROG!” Swelling with anger and frustration she pointed her wand. Green and purple sparks flew into the air as she began to chant—

  And it was at that precise moment that Lionel Longbeard and Basil the cat, frantically working in the midst of the rosebushes, undid the final knot on the second bundle of twine. The green fog vanished … and the Hag’s snakeskin dress split from top to bottom, revealing a grubby yellow vest and patched spotty knickers.

  “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!” Her scream was even more piercing than before. She
dropped her wand and ran for the doors, still screaming, and fought her way out – straight into the arms of the guards. “AAAAAAAAAAGH!” Her legs kicking wildly, she was carried away to the dungeons.

  Behind her there was a rustling and a creaking, a murmuring and a stretching as the guests sat up and rubbed their bleary eyes.

  “Oh! The spell’s wearing off.” Peony clapped her hands in delight. Queen Dilys shook herself and looked up. She caught sight of Peony, dusty, scratched, smeared with cherry juice and wearing something so torn and dirty it was unrecognisable.

  “Peony? Peony! You NAUGHTY girl. What do you think you’re doing?” She looked over at the cradle. “Oh me! Oh my! The BABY – someone’s stolen my baby! Call the guards! Call the guards – Thoroughgood! DO something!” And she dissolved into floods of hysterical tears.

  The guests, aware that something very extraordinary was happening, stared as the king slowly rose to his feet. He took no notice of his wife’s demands. Instead he turned and faced Peony.

  “Peony,” he said, “I believe I saw you save your brother. Where is he now?”

  Peony was very pale, but she managed to smile. “Vicenzo’s outside, Father. You can stop crying, Mother. He’s quite safe.”

  “But Peony … Peony! Whatever have you been doing?” her mother wailed.

  Miss Beef, yawning hugely, heaved herself up from the floor and came bustling forward.

  “Let me take care of this, Your Majesties. Princess Peony’s shocking behaviour will be punished most severely—”

  “No,” said the king. “No. There will be no punishment.”

  “Oh yes there will.” Miss Beef shook her finger at the musicians’ gallery. “This is yet another example of Peony’s rebellious nature! I INSIST that she receives the punishment she deserves!”

  “And I,” said King Thoroughgood, “insist that you, Miss Beef, leave my employment right now this minute.”

  The governess gawped at him and the six princesses froze in their seats.

  “Did you hear me, Miss Beef?” The king’s eyes flashed. “You’re dismissed. Now go!”

  Speechless with indignation, the governess stalked away between the tables. Her face was scarlet, but she held her head high and as she left she slammed the doors behind her with a mighty crash.

  King Thoroughgood looked up at Peony. “Peony, my child – today you have done something extraordinarily brave. You saved your brother, Prince Vicenzo. Won’t you come down?”

  “I can’t,” Peony said, and her voice was trembling. “The Hag’s magic worked. I … I’ve got frog’s feet.” She stumbled her way to the small spiral staircase linking the musicians’ gallery to the hall and stood there shivering … and there was a universal gasp.

  Her feet were webbed and green.

  Chapter Nineteen

  EVERYONE IN THE BANQUETING hall had something to say, and Queen Dilys started crying even louder than before.

  “Silence!” King Thoroughgood held up his hand. “Silence!” As the noise died away, he took off his crown. “It seems to me that I have – erm.” An expression of acute self-consciousness crossed his face and he coughed. “Ahem. This is difficult for me to say … but it must be said. I have made mistakes. Ahem. And because of my … erm … mistakes, my precious daughter is the victim of an evil spell … and she needs help. So, I apologise. And if anyone – anyone!” His voice shook, but he pulled himself together and went on, “If anyone can help her, I will be eternally grateful.”

  “Well, well, well.” It was Fairy Jacqueline, and her eyes were sparkling. “I never thought this day would come. A request from the King of Grating? But of course we’ll help! We’re your Fairy Godmothers! We only needed to be asked, you know. Geraldine, dear, and Josephine – three wands are always better than one. Are you ready? Good. One … two … three … go!”

  This time the sparks were gold and silver, and for several seconds the banqueting hall was filled with the sound of singing birds and tinkling bells. Rose petals floated over the floor, multicoloured ribbons streamed from the walls and thousands of tiny stars twinkled on the ceiling.

  “A little over-the-top, my dears,” Fairy Jacqueline remarked as she put down her wand. “Still – we do appear to have had the desired effect. The frog feet have gone.”

  She was right. A delighted Peony was hurrying down the spiral staircase – but she was only halfway down when the double doors opened and the fascinated guests saw the strange figures of Lionel Longbeard and Horrington Wells framed in the doorway. Horrington was holding Prince Vicenzo in his arms; Lionel was looking exceedingly nervous.

  Peony’s eyes shone. “Come in! Come in!”

  As they hesitated she ran to meet them, and led them towards her father and mother. “Father, Mother – Mr Wells and Mr Longbeard helped me save Vicenzo. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

  The queen, forgetting all royal etiquette, snatched the baby from Horrington’s arms. “If you helped save my baby, you’re a truly wonderful man,” she said as she covered Vicenzo’s face with kisses.

  “He is wonderful,” Peony said, “and so is Mr Longbeard.”

  Horrington bowed very low. “We saw the Hag being taken away, Your Majesties, so we thought we should return the little princeling.” He bowed again. “Pray excuse our intrusion.”

  “Intrusion?” Peony shook her head. “How could it be an intrusion? Father, Father … can I ask you something?”

  The king didn’t answer immediately. He was looking puzzled. “Peony, do I know Mr Wells and Mr Longbeard? I seem to recognise them…”

  “Of course you do!” Peony put her hand on her father’s sleeve. “You put them in the dungeon! But do you know what, Father? Mr Longbeard knew all about magic, because he’s read about it in his library – and so he knew just what to do! And I could never have escaped without Mr Wells – and please, please, PLEASE, dearest Father – please will you say they’re free for ever?”

  There was a long pause, and then the king picked up his crown and looked at Peony. “I think I have learnt a great deal today,” he said. “And it seems I have much more to learn.”

  Peony leant towards him. “Me too, Father. I really, REALLY need to widen my mind, and if you’ll let me go to the library I’m sure I can do it … and I’ll tell you something. That giant has to go. He isn’t looking after the books properly. Mr Longbeard has to come back, and I think Mr Wells might like to help him and Miss Denzil. So can they both be free? PLEASE?”

  The king placed the crown on his head and sat down on his throne. “I, Thoroughgood, King of Grating, wish to express my profound thanks to Mr Wells and his companion, Mr Longbeard. And in recognition of their services to myself and my family, I hereby grant them the freedom of the kingdom, for ever and for always.”

  Horrington Wells stepped forward and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  Lionel Longbeard coughed. “Indeed. That is to say … I agree.”

  “And they can go back to the library?” Peony insisted.

  “They may, of course, return to the library.” The king paused. “I shall visit it myself.”

  Peony beamed. “We’ll go together, Father. And we’ll take Vicenzo. Miss Denzil will find him loads of lovely storybooks, won’t she, Mr Longbeard?”

  The dwarf nodded. “Miss Denzil will be delighted to help. As will I. And if my friend Horrington is willing to join us—”

  “Which I am,” Horrington put in.

  “—then I can assure all here of the warmest of welcomes.” Lionel took off his spectacles and waved them in the air.

  “HIP HIP HOORAY!” Peony led the cheering, but stopped halfway through. “Now I come to think of it, Father, there’s one more thing. There’s a man in the dungeons who stole a cheese—”

  Fairy Jacqueline bent to whisper in her ear. “Peony, dear … enough. Let your father consider these things in his own time. He will.”

  “Oh…” Peony blushed. “I see what you mean. I’m not being tactful, am I?” She lo
oked hopefully at the fairy. “Will you be staying?” She turned to the king. “Wouldn’t that be a good idea, Father? If the Fairy Godmothers stayed here?”

  Her father looked appalled, then took a deep breath. “Ahem. I don’t think that will be necessary, although I’m truly grateful to all the Fairy Godmothers for their help today. And I’ll most certainly call if…” He stopped to correct himself. “I mean, when I need them.”

  Fairy Jacqueline gave him her most gracious smile. “I look forward to that moment, Your Majesty.”

  Fairy Josephine dropped a deep curtsy. “We all do.” Peony’s sisters were staring at her in astonishment, and the fairy looked at them thoughtfully. “There are so many things we could help you with…”

  “Josephine!” Fairy Jacqueline whisked her hastily away as the king stepped forward, smiling at the assembled guests.

  “Friends! Dear friends, and my very dear family – what a day this has been! And now it’s time for us to celebrate. We’ll celebrate the bravery of my daughter Peony and the return of my son … and we must not forget that we have a wonderful christening party to enjoy!”

  As the cheers rang out, Fairy Geraldine tiptoed up to Peony. “What’s your favourite colour?” she whispered.

  Peony needed no time to think. “Cherry red!”

  Fairy Geraldine waved her wand … and Peony was wearing the prettiest dress she had ever seen, let alone owned. “Goodness,” she said. “Thank you so, SO much!” Then she saw her sisters’ faces. “Oh…” And she whispered in Fairy Geraldine’s ear.

  “Done!” said the fairy, and Peony’s six sisters were wearing dresses in blues and greens and yellows, with a scattering of daisies round the hems. Nobody was rude enough to suggest the flowers looked just a little wilted.

  “One more thing,” Fairy Josephine said, and she swept down to where the Hag’s wand lay abandoned on the floor. Picking it up, she snapped it in half. “There! Without her wand, she won’t have any magic powers. In a year or so, when she’s had time to consider, we’ll visit her.”