The Party 4/5

Some of the sailors came into the circle and Barnacle Bill started playing a hornpipe. While the sailors danced, everyone else clapped in time to the music.

Dad came over to Jennifer Jane. "I'd no idea your friends were so talented," he said, "they really are very good."

"Mum won't mind them not playing her party games, will she?" asked Jennifer Jane anxiously.

"Of course not dear, we're pleased to see everyone enjoying themselves. I must admit I didn't think it would be this easy.
Now I must go and light the barbecues, otherwise there won't be any hot food."

Abigail and Lieutenant Moonshine stepped into the circle after the dancing and sang a duet. Barnacle Bill put his accordion away and one of the other sailors played a fiddle as accompaniment. The whole party went very quiet. Jennifer Jane couldn't understand a single word but the song sounded lovely and made her think of quiet sunny summer days and the scent of flowers. When they finished, everyone sat still for a moment and then applauded very gently. Mary was staring at them open-mouthed, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Thank you," she said, "that was simply beautiful. I've never heard such a moving tune in all my life. Whatever was the language?"

"It is a very old language called Elvish, which we learn at school," said Lieutenant Moonshine. "It's very expressive for describing the beauty of the countryside. It's what we call an elemental language."

Mary walked towards the barbecue dabbing her eyes on a hanky. "Elvish, I'm sure she said Elvish. She'll be telling me she's a real fairy next! Oh well. Now then Dave, what's the trouble?"

"I can't get the charcoal to burn," said Dave "and now I've run out firelighters."

"Allow me, old chap." Jennifer Jane's parents turned round. Mary gave a little squeak and clung to Dave's arm. Clarence and Megan were standing right behind them.

To Dave's amazement, Clarence moved forward and breathed flame gently on one of the barbecues. Megan went to the others and lit them.

"Crumbs," exclaimed Dave, "that's a neat trick. You could make a fortune in pantomime. I suppose most of it's done with electronics these days but you really do look like I imagine real dragons should." He started to put the food on the now glowing barbecues.

"Glad to be of assistance we are," said Megan in a very Welsh accent.

"Da iawn, diolch," said Dave rather surprisingly. Jennifer Jane didn't know he could speak Welsh.

"There's nice," Megan said to Clarence as they walked off to talk to the Giant, "there's not many have the Welsh these days."

"While we're waiting for the food to cook, perhaps you'll allow me to show you some magic," said Abigail.

"Oh good, I love conjuring," said Dave "but will you be able to make it work without a stage and with people all round you?"

"No problem," said Abigail and she began picking up all the pieces of paper and string from the pass the parcel game. When she'd collected it all, she opened it out and showed that she now had one large piece of paper and a continuous length of string.

Dave and Mary started clapping. "Jolly well done. Why, the sheet of paper even matches all the patterns that were used in making up the parcel!"

"I haven't finished yet," said Abigail with a smile, "now then, Jennifer Jane, come and stand here, while I wrap you up in the paper and tie the string round you to make a big parcel."

Jennifer Jane did as she was told. Abigail tied her up in the paper so that no one could see her at all. "Don't be frightened," she whispered, "I'm just going to send you a little way into the woods. As soon as you can, just run back here and join us."

Abigail finished making the last knot, stood back and threw her arms wide with a theatrical flourish, then she swept both arms forward, pointing at the parcel.

"ESGO OTHO DOWT," she declaimed dramatically and wiggled her fingers. The parcel flew up into the air and disappeared.