Georgina Adam and Eve 10/12

Lucy and her policeman husband were on a walking holiday in the countryside. They both worked in Smallport and were only too glad to get away from all the noise and bustle once a year. Today was the last day of their holiday, so they were taking one of their favourite short walks in the countryside, before going back to their rented cottage to pack up for the journey home.

“That cottage wasn’t there last year,” said John, as they strolled past, “in fact I’m surprised they were ever allowed to build it in that spot.”

“The garden looks well established though, somebody is very lucky to be able to live there!”

They took no more notice of the place and continued on their way. Lucy was still thinking of the wonderful view that the owners had, overlooking the valley and the winding river below. After all the rain that had fallen recently, the waterfalls were glinting in the sun, while the sound they were making could be heard even from up here. It was all very restful.

For his part, John was wondering how any one had got permission to build in that spot and if they could, then it might be worthwhile trying to have a cottage built for himself and his wife. They both loved the district and it would be lovely if they could come here for a weekend any time they wished.

They sat on a favourite tree stump and ate their sandwiches, then sadly tidied all the paper bags away into their rucksacks for the last time that year and headed back along the way that they’d come.

“That’s very strange, “said John, “that cottage has disappeared!”

“Don’t be silly, it can’t just disappear, it has to be round the next bend.”

“Well whatever’s happened to it, there’s a little girl crying her eyes out for some reason. We’d better go and see if she’s lost or hurt!”

Angelina looked up hopefully as two strange grown ups approached. Her auntie Marge had rented a cottage in this area and then told her to go out and play in the fresh air. She thought she’d surprise her aunt and had picked her a lovely big bunch of wild flowers, but when she turned round to go back, the cottage had disappeared.

She’d run along the path for a hundred yards or so in each direction but there was no sign of it anywhere. She had no idea where her aunt was, she was obviously lost and there was nobody about to help her, so she did what most children in her situation would have done and had burst into tears.

Lucy suddenly stopped and grabbed John’s arm. “I can’t believe my eyes, it’s that Jennifer Jane kid who was abandoned here by that nasty piece of work Malcolm, just before we got married!”

She ran the last few yards and put her arms round Jennifer Jane and gave her a big cuddle.

“It’s all right now Jennifer Jane dear, I’m sure you remember us both. I’m Lucy your hairdresser friend and this is John who was the policeman who helped you last time you were here. Whatever has happened to you this time?”

Angelina looked at them both in amazement for a moment and then burst out crying even louder than before.

“My name is Angelina, I don’t know either of you,” she sobbed, “I don’t know where I am and I’ve never been here before in my life. I want my auntie Marge!”

Lucy looked at John for a moment. “I think you’d better come with us and we’ll help you find your auntie, after all she can’t be too far away can she!”

They all walked off together with Lucy comforting Angelina as best she could. She was quite sure that John would agree with her that the best thing to do would be to take the poor child down to the docks tomorrow and try to find a sailing ship going to the place called Timber Creek. That was where the witch had taken them last time when she’d come for Malcolm and she was certain that any witch she could find would soon be able to restore Jennifer Jane’s memory.