Free The Story Traveller by Judy Stubley Page B

Twinkle anxiously. She feared they’d decided to sack her after all.
    â€˜We’ve been very impressed, young lady, first with your kindness and help to Cinderella, and secondly and more importantly, with the way you got yourself out of danger.’ Lucy began to relax. ‘Of course, you should never have left your cloak behind, but you showed remarkable courage, fortitude and commonsense and certainly proved you can work on your own initiative.’ By now Lucy was beaming. ‘So as a well done and thank you, we’re sending you to meet some other Cinderellas, for just one visit each. There are many Cinderella stories from all over the world, but we want you to pick just three out.’
    â€˜Wow, Twinkle – please thank the FGMU for me. But I don’t suppose I could be sent to meet Harry Potter or Alex Rider instead?’ Lucy asked hopefully. Twinkle threw back her head and laughed. ‘Sorry poppet, but Harry and Alex don’t live in Storyland, so it’s not in our power to send you to them.’ ‘Where do they live then?’
    â€˜In due course they’ll come to Storyland, but right now they’re on Royalty Island. You would have to ask permission of the authors to visit them, which means you would break your vow never to tell anyone: so you see Lucy it’s a no win situation.’
    â€˜Well, I’ll just have to wait till they move,’ Lucy said, wondering how long that would be. Again Twinkle laughed.
    â€˜Sweetie pie, by the time Harry and Alex come to live here you’ll be so old you’ll not be interested in young school boys. Never mind, I think you’ll find our gift to you very worthwhile. Every Cinderella’s had to deal with being bullied, and each one has dealt with it in a different way. You’ll find meeting them very helpful.’
    â€˜Of course I will, Twinkle.’ Lucy realised she’d sounded a little ungrateful. ‘But how shall I choose?’
    â€˜Read some of the other Cinderella stories, and then decide who you would like to visit. I’m sending one of my little helpers with you. She’ll bring back your decision.’
    Twinkle extended a finger to her basket and a wee fairy jumped on it. To Lucy’s amazement she then gently deposited the little helper in Lucy’s cloak pocket.
    â€˜Before you go to school tomorrow, perhaps you could find a nice home for her and then, when you’re ready to send her back, please find a big dandelion clock so she can have some help on her return journey home.’ ‘I’m really taking one home with me?’ Lucy couldn’t believe it.
    â€˜Yes, you really are!’ Twinkle replied with a laugh. ‘Make sure you look after her. She doesn’t need much in the way of food; just a drop of water and a tiny bit of honey will do fine. Now Lucy,’ Twinkle went on in a more business like manner. ‘How are you dealing with Anna Ibsen and co?’
    Lucy was so amazed by the news that she was to take a little helper home she didn’t respond straight away.
    â€˜Lucy, come on now, pay attention. How are you dealing with Anna and her cronies?’ Twinkle smiled. She realised the young girl’s head was spinning with the thought of taking a fairy back with her.
    â€˜How do you know Anna is the bully?’ Lucy looked at the smiling fairy godmother.
    â€˜We know everything about you and everybody connected with you, Lucy. We had to do a background check before we offered you the job. So how are things? Better?’
    â€˜Well,’ Lucy considered her answer carefully, ‘walking tall certainly threw them, but only for a while. They’ve gone one step further now and are telling everyone I’m a thief and I stole at my last school.’
    â€˜I’m afraid that’s what bullies do.’ Twinkle gave the girl a hug. ‘You need to tell your parents and your teacher about this.’
    â€˜I’ve told my