The Story Traveller Read Online Free PDF

you get back to school never look as if you’re expecting trouble. Don’t look down on the ground, but be purposeful. Walk, as you have just seen me do, with your head high and your eyes looking straight ahead. You may not feel very confident inside, you may even be scared, but you’ll certainly look confident and bullies don’t like that.’
    â€˜Thanks for everything, Twinkle.’ Lucy reached up on her toes and kissed Twinkle’s cheek. ‘I suppose it’s time for me to go home now.’
    Twinkle touched her cheek with her hand and gave a little smile.
    â€˜Yes dear. You’re about to have your first Storyland journey. Well, to be accurate, your second, but because you hadn’t been officially appointed you don’t remember that trip. Your return home will be much more exciting.’
    Lucy wondered how anything could be more exciting than the time she had just spent with Cinderella.
    â€˜Here’s your means of transport,’ Twinkle said. A beautiful white horse, with a silver saddle, suddenly trotted up to Lucy.
    â€˜Oh cool!’ Lucy was almost lost for words. ‘So cool! He’s wonderful! What’s his name?’
    â€˜He’s yours to name Lucy, and whenever you travel to and from Storyland he’ll be there for you.’
    â€˜I’ll call him Speed.’ Lucy’s hand stroked the soft muzzle.
    â€˜A good choice. For a treat, as this is your first ride, Speed will take you home by the scenic route and point out a few famous landmarks.’
    â€˜You mean Speed can talk?’ Lucy looked stunned.
    â€˜Of course I can!’ a deep bass voice replied, slightly irritated.
    Lucy put both her arms round Speed’s neck and gave him a big kiss.
    â€˜Steady now!’ said a somewhat embarrassed Speed.
    Fairy Godmother laughed and patted Lucy on the head.
    â€˜Now on you get and don’t forget to take care of your cloak.’
    Lucy climbed onto a fallen tree trunk and from there onto Speed’s back. Although she had never ridden before, the saddle seemed to fit like a second skin. She blew Twinkle a kiss.
    â€˜See you tomorrow, Twinkle. See you tomorrow little helpers.’ Lucy’s last sight of Twinkle was of her standing there waving, with her little helpers circling round her in all the colours of the rainbow. It was magical.
    â€˜Take me home, Speed,’ she whispered in the horse’s ear. ‘By the scenic route, of course!’

CHAPTER THREE –
Witches, Warlocks and Weirdos

    Speed, true to his name, carried Lucy along Storyland so fast his hooves hardly touched the ground. Cinderella’s gloomy house had just disappeared from view, when Lucy noticed they weren’t far from the castle.
    â€˜Oh please, Speed!’ she begged. ‘Can I just have a quick visit to Prince Charming’s home?’ Speed snorted, which to Lucy sounded like a laugh, and turned towards the castle.
    The night was still and there was a full moon, which gave a silver hue to the Prince’s home. To Lucy it was the most beautiful castle she’d ever seen. Made of an iridescent stone, the moon caught shards of silver, which gave the impression that hundreds of shooting stars had reached for the sky. As they rode up to the main entrance Lucy saw the grand sweeping staircase that Cinderella would soon climb, and soon run down, leaving her glass slipper behind.
    Suddenly a voice above her said:
    â€˜Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Chase. We meet again, but this time
you
are on horseback.’ Lucy looked up to see Prince Charming smiling down at her. ‘He is a magnificent beast,’ he went on. ‘Is he for sale? I would dearly like to buy him.’
    Lucy put her arms round Speed’s neck and gave him a hug.
    â€˜He’s priceless, Sire! I would never part with him.’ Lucy could feel Speed swell with pride.
    â€˜Quel dommage! I would much prefer to ride off on your wonderful steed than have to meet