The full grown oak 2/9

Just in case there were problems later on, Jennifer Jane told Abigail what she planned to do, then set off on her scooter.

She thought she’d ask first at the George and Dragons, after all most people turned up there sooner or later. She was rather surprised to see an unusual amount of activity as she flew in.

“George is coming here tonight to tell us some more stories about your world,” said the landlord in answer to her question. “He’s let me know that he’s going to talk about flying to the moon and so many people say they’re going to come, that they won’t all fit indoors. I’m putting these chairs and tables outside so that everyone can hear what he has to say. It should be an even better laugh than usual. Going to the moon, I ask you!”

“Well I don’t want to spoil your fun, but it really is true, several people have been there using huge rockets.”

The landlord looked at her in amazement, then went back into the pub with a very thoughtful expression on his face.

Jennifer Jane helped arrange the furniture outside the pub and took the opportunity to ask everyone she met if they’d seen any sign of Eroin’s dad, or any other elf for that matter.

Nobody had noticed any one out of the ordinary, so she soon stopped asking and decided to stay on for the evening and enjoy the villager’s reactions to George’s tales about space.

Just after lunchtime Sir George rode up on his charger. “Here we go again, even dafter than usual, how on earth are this lot going to understand rocket flight. Most of them believe the world ends just beyond the next village!”

“Quiet now,” George said to his horse, “you’re making far too much noise even if they can’t understand you. Hello Jennifer Jane,” they both said at the same time. George laughed and the horse made strange snorting sounds, which after he’d quietened down a bit, he assured her were his way of laughing.

The locals started turning up, soon after George’s arrival. First going into the bar to fetch their drinks, then rushing outside again to get a good seat near the front. Even some of the witches from the Home came to hear what George had to say, while there were a lot of strange faces joining in, what had by now, become the largest crowd George had ever spoken to.

Jennifer Jane asked some of the locals if they knew who the strangers were. It turned out that they were mostly sailors from ships unloading at Timber Creek. It seemed that nearly the whole population of the area was interested in hearing the story of men flying to the moon.

The landlord of the George and Dragons had hired extra staff to help him serve all the drinks. He was looking very pleased with himself indeed. Finding out that Jennifer Jane said tonight’s story was true, was the best thing he’d done for ages. He’d told as many people as possible that George was going to tell the most incredible story ever and his efforts really seemed to be paying off.

At last everybody settled down and the landlord came outside and called for quiet. “Tonight Sir George is going to tell us even more unbelievable stories about the alternate world. Jennifer Jane says this one is absolutely true and I for one can’t wait to hear it.”

George came out of the pub doorway amid thunderous cheers and faced his audience. He could hardly believe his ears, it seemed that they actually wanted to hear what he was going to say and wonder of wonders, they might even believe him for a change.

Jennifer Jane could just hear the horse neighing above the noise. “Come on Sir, they’re all going to take this story seriously. But probably not for very long,” he added under his breath.”