The third world 9/10

Mary and Dave spent the rest of the day looking round the Witches' Home. They heard the story of how Lurgin was killed and were given a splinter of wood from the original drawbridge as a souvenir. Tornak the Terrible heard that they were there looking for their daughter and came to pay his respects. Dave was most impressed to know that he was a real dragon who used to eat peasants. The landlord of the George and Dragons and some of the villagers came to the Gate to say how sorry they were to hear that she'd gone missing. Her parents were quite overcome to find out how popular Jennifer Jane was in this world.

At last they went back to their own world and sat on the Witches Home lawn having tea with Abigail and some of her friends. Everyone was saying nice things about their daughter, it was really becoming quite embarrassing, then a toot from a steam whistle made them look up. Coming up to his mooring was Barnacle Bill in his paddle steamer.

"Ahoy there Abigail, I hear Jennifer Jane's gone missing. Anything I can do to help? My vessel is at your disposal."

Abigail explained that Jennifer Jane was sailing on the Therdle in another world that had been entered by accident.

"Would it help if we took a trip aboard my steam vessel to the Therdle to see if we can find her?"

Abigail explained about the magic fog to Jennifer Jane's parents.

"I don't think it'll work because magic doesn't seem to be effective over there, but it's worth a try and it'll help pass the time until Monday."

Abigail stayed behind, "To keep an eye on things at this end", while Dave and Mary went aboard.

They were duly impressed as Barnacle Bill showed off his paddle steamer. They passed through the magic fog into the Therdle and then moored in his secret harbour on Attersea Island.

"Have to wait for the tide now," said Barnacle Bill, "ebb starts tomorrow about eight in the morning, we can go as far as the goblin boatyard and be back to the Witches' Home in time for supper."

It seemed strange to be on the same river as Jennifer Jane but know that she was really a whole world away. Barnacle Bill had steered over to the southern shore so that her parents could see their cottage, but of course there was no one there in this world. Then he showed them the creek leading to the goblin boatyard.

"I suppose that's where my rudder pintles were straightened," said Dave.

"Yes that’s the place,” said Barnacle Bill, “but I don't want to go up there on a falling tide." He turned the paddle steamer round and began the long trip back to the magic fog. There had been no sign of Jennifer Jane or indeed any yachts at all.

"Still a bit early in the season I suppose," said Dave

They steamed back up to the Witches' Home, mooring at the end of the lawn as usual.

"No luck?" asked Abigail as she came to meet them. "Didn't think you would," she continued as they all shook their heads. "Never mind we should be able to sort all this out tomorrow morning."