Free That Would Be a Fairy Tale by Amanda Grange Page B

collection,’ said Alex, walking amongst the machines and looking them over.
    ‘It did,’ said Cicely. ‘He began collecting them at an early age.’
    ‘Do they work?’ Alex stopped beside an odd-looking contraption.
    ‘Oh, yes. My father rode them regularly.’
    ‘How on earth do you ride this one?’ he asked, regarding a huge ball-like wheel, some six feet in diameter, that was stored at the back of the barn. It was made of two halves which were joined round the circumference but ballooned out in the centre to provide room for a seat in between.
    ‘I’ll show you,’ said Cicely. ‘If you’ll help me take it outside?’
    Alex readily lent his assistance, and between them he and Cicely wheeled the strange contraption out of the old stables and into the yard.
    ‘It’s not easy with a long skirt,’ said Cicely, thinking that if she had known they were likely to look at the bicycles she would have worn her divided cycling skirt, ‘but I think I can show you what has to be done.’
    She opened the cage-like machine at one side and climbed in, settling herself on the narrow seat. ‘If you can close the wheel,’ she said.
    ‘Are you sure you’re going to be all right in there?’
    ‘Yes, but you will need to keep out of the way. This type of machine is difficult to steer and I won’t answer for the consequences if you get in its path.’
    ‘Then I’d better look lively.’
    He closed the cage and stepped quickly aside as Cicely began to pedal. The huge wheel began to turn, with her inside it, the clever construction of the seat keeping her still and upright whilst the wheel rolled along in a straight line. She steered it with levers inside the machine, and felt all the exhilaration of the wind in her hair as she rode to the end of the yard.
    Stopping it was a precarious task but she managed it with skill, and before the wheel could topple she felt Mr Evington catching hold of it, steadying it as she climbed out.
    ‘That looks like fun,’ he remarked.
    ‘It is.’
    ‘I think I might have a go.’
    ‘It takes some getting used to,’ she warned him.
    ‘I’ll take my chances,’ he said.
    He climbed into the machine and Cicely closed it round him, then he began pedalling and soon he too was bowling along. When it came to stopping the machine, however, he wobbled precariously and only just managed to save himself from disaster.
    ‘I think I’ll try something a little more conventional this time,’ he said, going back into the stables and wheeling out a cycle with two wheels of almost the same size. He climbed on and began riding round the yard.
    ‘Be careful,’ called Cicely warningly as he began to build up speed, suddenly remembering that that particular bone-shaker had not been in a good state of repair. ‘The brakes don’t -’
    But her warning came too late. Heading for the horse trough he lost control of the steering, and tried to apply the brakes. They did not work, and a minute later he was thrown into the water.
    Cicely doubled up with mirth.
    He sat up, leaning back on his arms, with his knees pulled up in front of him. His jacket and trousers were drenched. Water dripped from his hair, which was black and sleek, revealing the contours of his head. ‘It isn’t funny,’ he said, annoyed, as he pushed himself out of the trough, dripping wet.
    ‘Oh, but it is!’ gasped Cicely as she clutched her sides. ‘Turnabout’s fair play!’
    But then her expression changed as he began walking towards her with the most determined air and a wicked smile on his face, just ready to shake the water all over her.
    ‘Oh!’ she let out a startled gasp, as she saw him stretch out his dripping wet hands in front of him. ‘Oh, no!’ she exclaimed, still laughing, and then turned and ran back into the stables.
    She glanced back over her shoulder, hoping he had given up the pursuit, but on the contrary he was now running after her, and he was gaining on her!
    She sprinted into the stables, but it was