The Story Traveller Read Online Free PDF Page B

and dance with hoards of pushy princesses.’
    â€˜Perhaps you’ll find a princess who’s not pushy, Sire.’
    â€˜Ma chère Mademoiselle, the life of a prince is not a happy one, but your horse would make it more bearable. Please let me buy him from you.’
    Lucy laughed and turned to leave.
    â€˜I’m sorry Sire, the answer is still no. Princes
can
live happily ever after, you know. You may too. I must say bon nuit; it’s getting late.’
    â€˜So, where are you off to at this time of night, Mademoiselle?’ the Prince asked. ‘Home, Sire – and I
must
be on my way.’ Lucy gave a quick wave and Speed raced off. Soon the castle was left behind. When Lucy looked back it was just a beautiful pearl coloured glow against the horizon.
    â€˜Lucy, my pet,’ Speed said, which made Lucy smile, ‘we’re about to pass through the Happy Ever After gate: you may feel a bit wobbly.’
    Lucy saw in front of them a shimmering gateway, which reminded her of a huge plate of jelly, and, as they passed through, she did feel a slight wobble and was sure she smelt and tasted raspberries.
    So Lucy’s first magical journey continued. With the star-studded sky and the full moon, everything she passed was crystal clear. Cottages, small houses, chateaux, all came and went, and still Lucy had no idea where she was or what time in history she was travelling through.
    â€˜Why are we leaving Storyland?’ she asked.
    â€˜Witches and warlocks never come into your world, while a horse and rider travelling through the night will attract no undue attention.’
    â€˜But they would in my world!’ Lucy thought, so she asked, ‘Speed what year is it?’ She was curious about the lack of lights in the homes and on the roads.
    â€˜1710. About the time the story of Cinderella was first printed in France. Just sit and enjoy.’ So Lucy did.
    Speed carried Lucy through 18 th Century France: past small homesteads, mostly in the dark, but here and there a light shone from some poor home, as the family worked through the night. The odd poacher was overtaken, caught unawares by the speed and silence of their approach, and several urgently galloping messengers were left behind. They all gaped open-mouthed, as they were out-ridden by the white horse with a small girl on its back. They were, after all, the fastest riders in France! Lucy and Speed rode on through hamlets, villages and towns, past massive chateaux and opulent hunting lodges and, as they zigzagged across France, Speed pointed out the various landmarks.
    So fast was the last part of the journey Lucy took little in. As she leant her head on Speed’s mane her thoughts drifted.
    â€˜Well, Lucy Chase,’ she told herself. ‘You’ve had quite an adventure. That more than makes up for all those nasty comments from the tedious triad. But don’t waste this magical moment thinking about
them’,
she scolded herself. ‘They aren’t worth it.’
    Lucy then looked forward to her next meeting with Cinderella, but realised she would have to approach her mother over the wax, without arousing any suspicion. While her mind was on that tricky subject Speed stopped. They were on the edge of a pebbly shore.
    â€˜My pet, would you dismount?’ Lucy jumped down and looked at Speed, curious to find out what was going to happen next. ‘We’re about to cross the English Channel,’ he went on.
    â€˜Are we going by boat?’ Lucy asked, as she looked round for sight of a ship.
    â€˜Goodness no!’ Speed snorted. ‘We’ll fly, of course.’ As he said that, he unfolded a beautiful pair of silver wings.
    â€˜Oh, you’re so clever Speed!’ Lucy ran her fingers gently down one wing.
    â€˜Don’t do that, it tickles!’ Speed made the nearest sound to a snigger a horse could. ‘Now listen carefully – your life depends upon it.’ Lucy was