The third world 8/10

Back at the Witches' Home, Abigail was discussing plans for tomorrow with Jennifer Jane's Mum and Dad. She described the park with the swings and boating pond.

"I know that park," said Dave, "it's about two miles from home, quite a long way to walk."

"Never mind the walk," said Mary, "if we start early enough we'll have plenty of time and I want to find our daughter and get her back home as quickly as possible."

"Don't worry about the walking," smiled Abigail, "I'll magic up three bicycles. We can search much more effectively if we've got wheels."

Next morning Abigail took Dave down to the basement of the Witches' Home.

"This is where we keep all our reference books and spell making equipment. We each have our own room where we can brew up whatever the days' requirements may be."

"I thought you'd just twiddle your fingers," said Dave.

"Well yes I will, but bicycles are a bit outside our usual run of things and I need to look up the spell."

Abigail made a copy of the fingering required and they both went back upstairs and out onto the lawn. A few moments later they were the proud owners of three shiny new, but very old fashioned 'sit up and beg' bikes.

"Never mind they'll be a lot quicker than walking," she said, "obviously the spell hasn't been updated for years."

They pushed the bikes through the Home and out over the drawbridge to the door. Esmerelda, Dulcibella and some of the witches from the Home were waiting there with Mary. Abigail signed to reactivate the door and went through. Dave passed her the bikes one after the other, being very careful not to bump the doorframe, then he and Mary followed Abigail into the next world.

They set off towards the model yacht pond. Abigail was wobbling rather a lot.

"I'm more used to broomsticks," she said with a laugh, "but I'll soon get the hang of it."

It didn't take too long before they turned into the road where Jennifer Jane's parents lived.

"I'd better go on my own from here," said Abigail, "it might cause problems if you met yourselves coming the other way."

She rode off and soon turned into the driveway of Jennifer Jane's house. The next door neighbour was working in his front garden and called to her as she cycled up to the front door.

"They're not at home I'm afraid Nurse, they've all gone down to the cottage on the Therdle to sail their new yacht. Won't be back 'till Monday. Had a new friend for Jenny" he added "didn't half look like her, you could mistake them for twins."

Abigail thanked him and rode back to Mary and Dave.

"Jennifer Jane has gone sailing with her 'parents' and we can't possibly cycle to Essex. We'll just have to go back to the Witches' Home and wait until Monday."

Jennifer Jane's real parents had to agree and they all cycled back to the recreation ground.

The small boy was sailing his wing sail yacht as they got off their bikes and walked through the park gate.

"I've never seen a boat like that before," said Dave.

"You're the third in two days, it's a model of the last America's Cup winner. Hello Miss," he added as he recognised Abigail, "did you find your friend?"

"No she's gone sailing on the River Therdle until Monday."

"Lucky beast," said the boy, "wasted on a girl though, she obviously didn't know much about boats."

"Come along you two," said Abigail, "I want to go back to the Home and have a cup of tea."

They rode off towards the middle of the field. The boy watched with a puzzled look.