Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children) (18 page)

‘
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 as 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.

‘
Do you know, I keep having to pinch myself to check that all this is real?’ Sarah admitted.

‘
Snap!’ said Alice. ‘I wouldn’t change it now, though.’

‘
Don’t you dare!’

They closed their eyes for a moment before there was a knock on the side of the conker. It was Theo.

‘
I hope you don’t mind me disturbing you,’ he began, ‘only I’d like to introduce you to my grandson.’

‘
Good evening, ladies!’ said a cheeky, familiar face that popped up in front of the swing.

‘
No way!’

‘
Seb? You can’t be!’

‘
And why not?’ asked Seb indignantly.

‘
You’re not a Finwip!
Are
you?’ demanded Alice.

‘
No.
I’m
not, but Mum and Grandad are. I told you my mum had the same symptoms as you but you obviously didn’t believe me.’

‘
Anna is your mum?’ asked Sarah in disbelief.

‘
Yep. She’s not as brainy as you though, Alice. She can’t help me with maths homework.’

‘
I can, if you like,’ Alice offered. Seb nodded vigorously.

‘
I think you three have some catching up to do!’ laughed Theo. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’

The girls jumped down from the swing and they all made their way to a bench near the fire. Seb fetched drinks for them.

‘
Well, here we are!’ he grinned.

‘
I still don’t get it,’ protested Alice. ‘Why haven’t we seen you in the village before?’

‘
Mum became very protective when Grandad went missing. He was taken just as he arrived at the great oak, you see. She wouldn’t let me near the village or the castle, she said she wasn’t prepared to lose anyone else. Not that I’d be any use to the Rowbottom empire!’

‘
Well, I’ve never seen your mum outside school,’ said Sarah, having thought about it.

‘
She’s always working late. She has a cake-making business.’

‘
WOW! Really?’ gasped Alice. ‘I didn’t know that!’

‘
Yes, they make cakes for special occasions. Ice sculptures too. In fact, you might have seen the one they made for the Rowbottoms’ Christmas do.’