It’s worth a. Try

 Knocking on Fairie door Chapter 37

I quicken my step and head for the hostel, as I turn into the doors the stench in my nostrils fades.  Thank goodness for that. My tummy is so sensitive to the smell. 

The rest of the afternoon drags by, my mind is not on  after school activities at all, my only concern is to get back to the dormitory and retrieve my opalescent orb, to send the message about my discovery to Nanny and Mr Bowfinger. Tick tock tick tock.. 

At last!! The end of the afternoon activities, now just to wash up and head to the dining hall, have my dinner and get to the dormitory.

I am so anxious about the book of runes and needing to get the message home, I am concerned about what the Queen will say about my find. I can’t even begin to think what perils may befall me, if I’m made to retrieve the book from Mrs. Lawley’s office. Oh what dread... my stomach is in knots again.

Dinner was served, I ate, I can’t recall what I ate as I didn’t pay any heed. 

Great it’s time to go back to my dormitory, light is starting to fade, slowly. I bide my time, considering my next move. 

Knocking on Faerie Door Part 29

Sliding down the door, emotionally and physically exhausted, I look at the girls are looking directly back at me. How do I start? If I start at all? There are questions swimming in my head, so many questions.

How did that window break? Who broke it? How lucky was it that her glass of water was knocked over too, and from that distance? Something was afoot, something doesn't make sense. Oh it's all too much!! My head hurts.

"Come on then Winnie, what did Mrs Lawly ask you to do?" and "Winnie, why were you running?"
all these questions and more come at once. Tears begin streaming down my face, I am not even aware of them until I feel the splashing on my arm. My attention is suddenly back in the room, the girls are now closer and I feel their arms around my neck, words of comfort now falling around my shaking shoulders. Great now my sobs are uncontrollable!! Unable to stop myself from crying, and not responding to my friends, the tears stream for ages. My friends are clearly confused and thankfully concerned, they sit and wait for the tears to run their course.

Feeling better and holding back the last few sobs, I look imploringly at my friends as to ask them not to probe. I promise I will tell them later. This promise is enough for them to leave me with my thoughts, as they gather up their wash bags to prepare for bed. I wait in the dormitoory for a while before following them to the oblutions.

We all walked back to the dormitory together, it was pleasant. Discussions about the day and their travels and holidays echoed through the corridors, sounds of girls giggling and laughing and chattering. Happy sounds. It dawned on me that it'd been a long while since I last laughed and  felt carefree. It was a great feeling, one that I'd missed.

The bell sounded and the lights were promptly switched off,  it was sleep time, official. The sound of those heels click clacking down the corridor as each light in turn was switched off, sent shivers down my spine. The slight crunching sound of glass still very distinct with each foot fall.
It was her doing the rounds tonight. Great !!! That makes me feel so nervous. Just how will I get to sleep now. My mind still awash with all the thoughts from earlier, I become aware of the even breathing of my dormitory friends, they are all sound asleep. Turning over to try and get comfortable and turning my pillow over so that my head can rest on the cool side, something catches the corner of my eye.

Butterpetal Bloom!! What are you doing here? Her Gossamer wings are beating inches away from the window pane. Climbing out of my bed so quietly and carefully, I open the window and in flies BP. My heart skips a beat, so happy to see her yet petrified that the other girls will wake and see her.

"Oh BP!" I whisper as softly as possible."Why are you here?"

"I've come to help you a little"

"The window, that was you?"

"Indeed it was"

Wow! How great that I have some help and support. My heart is suddenly filled with hope and joy.

"BP do you know that the Lawly's are the new Housemaster and Housemistress?"

"That's why I came, the elves sent word"

"Ive been so worried, not knowing how I was going to do this on my own"

Knocking on Fairie Door Part 28

I retrieve the note from Mrs Lawly and with shoulders sagging and feet dragging I edge my way to my desk. The words upon the paper seem to jump up at me in a mocking way. Those dreaded words...

Faeries don't exist, so therefore they cannot make me late again.

My pen scratches on the paper line after line, word after word, sentence after miserable sentence the ink from my pen scratched across page after page, as if in protest.

"Winifred." My blood turns to ice once again. “Bring me your work." Unwilling legs move in slow motion in the direction of the instructor. Standing before her, my eyes downcast, my palms clammy and my nose filled with putrid fumes.

Her voice low and menacing, she says “Can you read that sentence to me Winifred?" the glee in her voice, like honey dripping from a comb. She was sure she could get me to deny that faeries exist.



Crash!!! The glass shards flying, the water splashing, her dress now soaked. What was that? What happened? Mrs Lawly is clearly furious, her nostrils are flaring as she walks in the direction that the projectile flew in from, the classroom window is shattered. The glass under her heels crunching, her demeanour is not inviting.

I think to myself that I'm fortunate that I'm not going to be blamed for that!

Mrs Lawly is enraged; she turns on her heel and stares down at me. I shrink back to avoid her glare, it doesn't help. Her voice now a bellow “Get out and go to your dormitory!!!"

I don't have to be told twice, I head to the door in double fast step, once the door is closed behind me I run as fast as I can, straight for the dormitory. Panting and trying to catch my breath I threw myself through the dormitory door and slammed it behind me. Still gasping I glance up at the five sets of eyes staring at me questioningly. Oh Dash it all.... they expect an answer.

 

 



 



 



 



Knocking on Faerie Door Part 26

 

Before long it was suitcases on the bed, clothes strewn about in an orderly way of course, long lists to tick off. You guessed it, packing for boarding school.

The list is long and boring, just knows this; it takes a good 2 hours to make sure I have everything, Nanny helps check and recheck. We cannot just pop back home if something is forgotten.

Feeling excited yet apprehensive on the morning of my departure, I bid Mother, Father, Nanny and Mr Bowfinger farewell. The train is full of young people struggling with their heavy bags. Parents waving on the platforms, some staff are standing back from the platform, some with teary eyes and heavy hearts too.

As the train leaves the station I settle into my seat after waving goodbye from the window.

Suddenly next to me appears my very good friend Bethany Beaulie, a beautiful girl with very fine features and green eyes that seemed a little too large for her face, but somehow made her even more beautiful. Beth had locks of hair that cascaded over her slim shoulders. Beth is not aware of her beauty, which makes her that more attractive.

“Good afternoon Winifred”

“Hello Beth, it’s lovely to see you again, did you have a good summer?”

“Yes thank you, Winnie”                            

At this stage I am hoping that Beth does not ask me what I’ve done this holiday, oh goodness, whatever am I going to tell everyone. They will all be exchanging tales of their most wonderful experiences when we are all together in the dormitory.  I can hardly say “I met faeries and have been tasked by their Queen to keep them alive.”

Whatever will they think? Whatever shall I say? Subconsciously I tap the velvet pouch that is tucked away under my winter coat. My heart is beating so loudly I’m sure Beth can hear it.

Beating her to the question I ask “What have you been doing this summer, anything interesting?”

Beth hardly misses a beat and goes on in rather too fine a detail about her holiday, telling me an almost day to day account (as if she’d been rehearsing her answer, in anticipation of the question)  of her very busy and exciting holiday.

Pleased at my keen interest on her doings over the holidays and keeping her chatter really animated, she drew in the other two students who joined us in our cabin. The newcomers to the cabin were also girls of similar age. The 1^st girl introduced herself as Patricia Harvey, she was very well spoken and from Dorset. She is slender athletic built girl with dark curly hair and beautiful brown eyes that were framed by ample lashes. Her mouth is full and generous, and she is easy to smile. The second girl is perhaps a year younger and doesn’t seem quite comfortable in her own skin yet. She introduces herself as Vanessa Townsend, she is pleasant. Her feet are larger than you’d expect from someone with such a small frame and her clothes seem slightly odd on her. Her mousey hair is tied up high on her head and appears slightly greasy, she has a few spots on her face and her shoes on those somewhat large feet are unpolished. She has grey-blue eyes, which are mostly downcast, and a shy smile. There is something about her I muse to myself.

Before we know it, we have arrived at the station and are transported to the schools boarding house. There has been rumour of a change of house mistress and house master over the summer break. I wonder what they may be like. I mostly hope they are kinder than the former disciplinarians who held those positions.

As I step down from the carriage, lugging my very heavy suitcase behind me, I happen to glance up. My heart turns to lead and drops.

NO!!! It’s impossible… It can’t be??? Can it??

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Knocking On Faerie Door Part 23

Taking the poem in my hand confidently, I clear my throat to gain everyone’s attention.

I start by saying “A Poem about Faeries” written by Grungy Grimm.

Fairies are supposed to fly

Make wishes come true

I don’t know why?

People believe in these creatures

Why should I?

Fairies make friends with animals

Who would do such a thing?

They have wands and make magic

I think believers are rather tragic

Do I believe in Faeries….?

Let me tell you true.

 

At this point I could see all the guests sitting upright, their full attention on me and hanging on my every word. They clearly thought that they were a short sentence away from victory. More fool them.

With a swish of the wand I cast my spell, so silently no one could tell.

Once my spell was cast, I jumped with glee, and clapped my hands 1, 2, 3!!

With a start the guests along with mother and father all fell into a rapture of applause as I beamed and said

Of Course I do!!!

The trolls were pleased as punch and for good reason too; my spell was made to erase their memories of what they’d wanted me to do.

I hastily bow and excuse myself from the room. Mother agrees that I may retire to my play room. Slowly making my way to the door and to freedom, the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I am so full of joy that if I’m not careful I may simply explode! Opening the huge door quietly my inside all a jingle, all I want to do is run and find Nanny to tell her how my idea had outsmarted those stinky old trolls.

With the door now closed behind me, I set off at pace to my play room. Admittedly it’d been much underused this school break as opposed to last year.

BOOM!! Teacups and saucers and silverware and a huge oval tray went hurting through the air and landed with a headache inducing thud! Oh dear!! I’ve run straight into Mr Bowfinger who was carrying the tea through to the drawing room, where all the guests were due after their meal.

“I’m so dreadfully sorry, Mr Bowfinger!” I said, my excitement now completely quelled, “I was in a hurry to tell Nanny my news”

Mr  Bowfinger simply winked at me and without a word his magic began to work, the splintered Chinaware the polished silverware the hot liquid and even the honey all started pulling themselves together and melding as if nothing had happened!! Right before my eyes Mr Bowfinger was indeed magical, how did he manage that?? He never even moved his lips. As I stood there gawping and rubbing my eyes in disbelief, Mr Bowfinger bent over and whispered to me, “run along then and tell Nanny your news”

 

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 20

Creeping down the passage on tip toes, and placing myself with my back against the wall at the top of the stairs, I strained my ears to hear what was being said.

There were the gruffer tones of the gentlemen entwined with the more melodic tones from the ladies, more than one conversation was being had. I couldn’t decipher one from the other. This annoyed me, as I desperately wanted to know what was being said and if anything was being said about me!

I despise these trolls and there is nothing ever in the whole wide world that could make me like them, my mind made up that they were the worst of worst creatures that ever could exist.

They were mean, they were deceitful, and they were horrid, stinky, foul and just plain old deplorable! I will not be caught out, for if I utter those terrible words (I’m not even going to mention them now) the whole mission would be off, and the consequences dire. I couldn’t even bear to think about it.

Silly me! How could I say those words when I truly know that faeries do in fact exist?

This thought has put my mind as ease, for now.  Edging closer to the staircase my back still firm against the wall, my attention is once again on the conversation from the dining hall. Oh curse the size of that room; it all seems rather pointless sitting up here so far away from the action. Plan in mind I tiptoe quietly to the dining hall, managing to remain undetected as the adults enjoy their animated chatter, I hide behind the big oak wood door.

It comes to me clear as a bell “Winifred simply must be told that Faeries are for silly girls and not one of her standing and intelligence and it would be seen as simply disgraceful for her to admit in proper company that the fanciful creatures are real.”

Mothers voice was polite in return; “Why thank you for your words of advice, it would be simply awful for Winifred to return to her boarding school with such tales, especially as the subject is in proper circles considered preposterous, I will make sure she is aware not to mention faeries to any of her school friends, as I’m sure she’d be embarrassed in front of them.”

“That’s very good, Florence” responded the troll woman Mrs Lawly. As if she’d imparted some very important topic to be avoided in polite company information to my poor mother who was clearly feeling “out of touch” now.

My cheeks grew ever hotter as I stood behind the door and heard how the trolls each subtly took turns in trying to persuade mother and then father as to the very difficult position they would find themselves in socially, if I were to speak to anyone about faeries.

How dare they do this? They are so manipulative!!! I was furious as I heard each one of those sneaky, despicable creatures try and work their persuasions onto my unwitting parents with such sheer ease and impact.

“Faeries... no! never mention faeries; they are indeed made up in the minds of lunatics. You wouldn’t want people to think she’s lost her mind and for her to be put in an asylum? Would you?”

And “Socially it’d be suicide, folk would think your daughter is an uneducated fool.” And “Not to worry, as long as Winifred never mentions faeries, life will continue to be good both in business and socially, as no self-respecting business man would consider dealing with the father of a lunatic, as they would not want the social stigma of being associated with one who has such delusions.” Then Father agreed and laughter followed. I was really mad now!

Well they most certainly are crafty underhanded and (did I mention smelly?) creatures I have ever set my eyes upon in my entire 11 years on this earth!!

I have a plan, I will simply never utter the word “Faeries” in front of my parents, then they will never have to ask me if I believed and they wouldn’t insist on me never mentioning faeries to anyone. I snuck back to my room with one very happy thought;

Problem solved!!!

Or so I thought………

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Knocking on Faerie Door Part 18

The dinner bell rings, hastily I make my way to the dining hall. It’s such a grand room especially when it’s dressed to impress. Today we have really pulled out all the stops. The linen table cloths and napkins are bright white. Silverware is laid out and shining proudly on the tablecloth. When the silver domed cloches come out they will be perfectly complimented. The centrepiece on the table was a silver filigreed candelabra, which spreads light really well across the long highly polished walnut table. There are bouquets of flowers set on tables in the corners of the room.

Nervously yet hurriedly I enter the room, my orb clasped firmly in my down-turned fist.  After been introduced around to the trolls and humans I took my place, to the right of mother. Mother and father made a truly handsome couple in their finery. Mother wore her diamonds. I do so long to own diamonds myself one day.

To the right of father sat Mr and Mrs Gruntly who appeared as perfectly respectful and dignified guests however, I knew their secret! The overpowering perfume emitting from Mrs Gruntly bears witness to the fact that she was covering her own hideous odour. Of this I am convinced. To the right of them was the human couple Mr & Mrs Steele, Americans whose drawl was rather difficult to understand. Mr Steele was in construction the irony of which did not fail me. The couple sat to their right were Mr & Mrs Agnostica, a name which I thought sounded very exotic, perhaps even Italian. Mother was at the other head of the table on the side farthest from the door through which Nanny and Mr Bowfinger would come to serve the food. I was sat next to mother as I’ve mentioned and to my right yet more trolls. Yes Mr & Mrs Oldhorn; and from what I saw through the orb it describes his crooked bent back and twisted fingers and gnarled looking face perfectly. The last couple who sat to the right of them and the left of my father were introduced as Mr & Mrs Lawly, he was a solicitor. I remind myself to ask nanny what that means, his wife was very proud to be an educated lady and a teacher in the local school.

Conversation begins to flow, all about things that are of little or no consequence to me. Nanny appears through the door and is closely followed by Mr Bowfinger, both are carrying trays filled with breads and meats. Nanny’s eyes dart from guest to guest as she puts down dish after dish, Mr bowfinger follows suit.

Before my eyes Nanny seems to grow ever paler. Bob Bowfinger appears to be getting slower and slower. The next course of food and all the subsequent courses are brought through by some of the kitchen staff. Mother looks dismayed, but says nothing of her confusion as to why Nanny & Mr Bowfinger have not reappeared. The cloches are looking magnificent and as they are lifted the platters of game meats and fowl are revealed. Many an ooh and and an aah is heard around the table as the wonderful smell fills the air.

Mother seems to have forgotten her confusion regards the disappearance of Nanny & Mr Bowfinger, I however have not. My ears prick up, the conversation has turned from politics of the day to FAERIES!!! Yes these distinguished “people” are discussing Faeries!!

Mrs Lawly states “ It’s simply preposterous to think that these little flying creatures are miniature people”  “they are mere fantasy and all children who believe in such nonsense should be disciplined” “ It’s taking the children away from learning real life”

Mr Lawly interjects “Indeed, it’s all codswallop”

“Surely it’s harmless fun?” says the kindly Mrs Steele

“Oh No Mrs Steele, once these children believe in faerie folk; all reality seems to be dismissed” retorts Mr Gruntly

Listening intently and not wanting to give away anything I slide a little lower down in my chair, hoping that none of the guests would choose this time to ask me anything.

Then as I’d wriggled down and thought myself safe, the worst imaginable thing happened….

“Winifred” said Mrs Agnostica ,“ What do you think of faeries?” “Do you believe in Faeries?”

My face pales I can feel the blood draining from head……

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Knocking at Faerie Door Part 16

With my resolve firmly set in my mind, I go and wash ready for dinner. Nanny has said that mother and father want to see me tonight at dinner, as they have guests joining them. I devise a plan immediately. I need to find the whereabouts of my orb and then, it shall accompany me to the dinner. Hopefully I will be able to try it out on all these important people.

It will be grand to have dinner with mother and father again, I know Nanny will be serving in her stark white, freshly starched pinafore. I love seeing Nanny in charge with the silverware shining (I always find my reflection in the cloches very funny) and the crystal glasses sparkling under the silver candle lit chandeliers

Emerging from my bathtub, all pink again, I realise that I must’ve been deep in thought as I had not noticed that Nanny had been in and laid out my clothes for the dinner party. I know how privileged I am to have the fabulous dresses I have. Father has really spoilt me this time around. The dress is lilac, my very favourite colour!  It is a sweetheart neckline with short puff sleeves, and a bask waist, the hem is at calf length and fringed with pretty handmade lace. Oh the feel of satin against my skin, it’s just divine. As soon as the dress is over my head, I hear the familiar footsteps of Nanny. My head is now through and I see Nanny sitting on the edge of my bed, her hands are folded over a white box. Curios I ask “Nanny what is in that box?”

Nanny says with a sly smile “It’s a surprise young lady”  

“Please tell me Nanny!”  I just love surprises and Nanny knows this. She teases me further by stroking the box them drumming her fingers on it and rolling her eyes skyward.

“Nanny” “Don’t tease me! Please, please tell me now” my voice has a whine to it. Nanny doesn’t like whining I know this.

Patting the bed Nanny motions me to sit beside her, I immediately do so, and my stomach is turning summersaults; I need to breathe. What could possibly top my lilac dress?  

Nanny was slowly lifting the lid of the box and peeking inside, then dropping it down again, and shrugging her shoulders at me.

“Please, please, please!” Nanny I begged with a mock smile and clasped hands. I was bouncing up and down with what was a mixture of pure delight at the prospect of what lay within the box and absolute anguish at not being able to get at its contents.

Finally Nanny slid the lid off the box one agonizing centimetre after one agonizing centimetre. There in that cold white box I saw tissue paper, there was a hint of something peeking out beneath. What can it be? Nanny opens the tissue paper and nestled in it lay the most wonderful pair of shoes I had ever been privileged enough to set my eyes on.

White patent leather!!! Sooooo excited.  Nanny says “that’s not all!” “Not all?” I am so overwhelmed by the gifts of the dress and the shoes that my eyes are welling up. Surely there can’t be any more. Nanny puts her hands in her pinafore pocket. And slips out a little packet she opens it for me, out of her hands roll a pair of hose!

“Mummy and Daddy have decided that you are now old enough for your first pair of hose” Nanny informs me. Tears stream down my face; I am so blessed to have all this luxury given to me. “Dry your tears sweet girl” and get your silk gloves from the drawer, Let me show you how to put these on without putting ladders in them.”

Nanny with gloved hand pushed he fingers to the tip of the hose, and then pushed the hose down her arm, and holding onto the roll that this formed Nanny instructed me to put one foot after the other in, her gloved hands then unfurled the hose up my legs and around my bottom and snapped it against my waist. They feel so smooth against my legs. I feel all grown up. Nanny ties my hair up in a pretty ribbon before leaving my room.

Momentarily I had forgotten my plan, but before I leave it dawns on me.

Quietly I stand in the centre of my room and think “Orb, I need you.” And within seconds there is a weight in my hand; instinctively I know my orb has arrived.

I skip off down the corridor towards the staircase, orb in hand and plan afoot. This should be so much fun.

Knocking on Faerie Door Part 15

“Winifred, Winifred!!” I hear Nanny’s voice; slowly I begin to focus on my surrounding. My mind rushes back to Goblins and Trolls oh my word! At the same time I chastise myself for always fainting when my mind goes into overdrive.

“Yes Nanny” answering timidly, not sure what else I’m about to hear, and seriously beginning to curse my inquisitive nature.

“There, there dear, I know that it’s all overwhelming” “Let me tell you all about it” Nanny continues. “You see many years ago there was peace and harmony among the fairies, goblins and trolls. Until the Goblins and Trolls started to take advantage of us fairies” “It all started with little things like us helping them with their laundry and looking after their babies and helping with all sorts of things really” “Then they started expecting us to do it for them, and started treating us badly” “Our Queen, whom I believe you’ve met, began taking umbrage to the way her subjects were being treated, and when our queen made her feeling known the trolls and the goblins became very angry and said that they’d put out all our lights if we didn’t continue working for them!” “Our queen tried to explain that we’d only been doing them a favour and that it wasn’t our job to work for them, they however would hear nothing of it. They are very lazy and very unkempt you see, and they knew that if we stopped looking after them they would be in their caves surrounded by garbage and smelling the same.”

“They then set about infiltrating the humans’ homes and school rooms and started spreading nasty rumours that fairies don’t exist. They know that as long as children believe in us, our lights will shine and we can live our naturally long lives.”

“So that is why you must be very careful, they are deceitful and sly. They will stop at nothing to get their revenge on us, even though all we ever did was helping them and being kind to them.”

“Nanny” I replied “I’m sure that I will easily be able to recognise a goblin or a troll”

“Don’t be so sure, they are masters of trickery and disguise, they shape shift to look just like humans!”

“How then Nanny, am I supposed to recognise them?”

“Use your orb, my sweet” “All you do is look through the crystal orb and the person’s true identity will be revealed”  “Thus driving the message home”

Another piece of the puzzle falls into place, my quest ever clearer. My resolve to help the fairies is concrete.

“Thank you Nanny, I will do my best” I replied to Nanny; incensed by the audacity of those goblins and trolls. “I will make them sorry and help the fairies lights glow brightly once more”