Next day Lucy thought she’d woke Lawrence up early, knowing today would be their last chance to escape the spell and return to their own time. Unfortunately, as both were unusually tired after yesterday’s excitement they overslept, so it was well past midday before they left Jack’s home. Lawrence could hardly keep up as Lucy flew to the castle walls. Drat! Two massive guards were lounging around outside, complaining to each other about their low pay. Only a few metres behind them the sewer pipe swirled dirty water into a small stream. Lawrence saw he had to scrape a grate from the wall for Lucy to enter. Those two certainly wouldn’t have allowed that. So the two friends sat out of sight, anxiously waiting for the guards to leave. One long hour passed. Lucy’s tail twitched nervously. How long had they got left? Lawrence felt awfully worried too. That nagging pain had started again in his stomach that couldn’t be ignored. He ran round in a big circle and charged back down the hill shouting loudly. “Quick, people are fighting in the market!” The guards knew they’d be in big trouble if they didn’t help, so rushed off up the hill.
Within seconds Lawrence had opened the grate using a rough flat stone. Lucy did her duty well. Ignoring insults from fat, smelly rats living in the filth, she finally made it to the main bed chamber. Sure enough, there a magical staff sat glinting in the sun, floating on top a magnificent, shimmering dresser. Luckily it turned out to be the size of a small silver ornament. Wasting no time Lucy grabbed it and made for the exit. An interesting smell she recognised floated over, stopping her for a second, then two dainty feet blocked her escape.
A very pretty and well dressed lady stood peering down at her very curiously indeed. Lucy dropped the staff and sat down, politely meowing out her points. Amongst them was the truth she didn’t normally steal things, it wasn’t her way.
Maybe the lady didn’t have the slightest clue what she said. However, the way Lucy presented herself must have made quite an impression. The lady stroked her chin, smiled, picked up the staff and placed it carefully beneath Lucy’s collar, making sure it wouldn’t slip. “Concentrate!” she commanded, making sure the cat understood her. Lucy thanked her as best she could and rushed off.
A few minutes later Lucy burst out the sewer pipe to the surprise of Lawrence who hugged her tightly. Not many people were lucky enough to have a cat as clever as her. He was so happy he ignored the terrible smell. Lawrence took off down the steep hill. Lucy glanced back up towards the castle, seeing the woman’s smile light up the window.
At Jack’s house Lawrence was happy to see the big man had returned. Jack smiled at their good news. Knowing they may not return from Gretchen’s lair, Lawrence quickly told him as much as he could remember about future events around his village. Jack couldn’t write, none of his family could, but he had an excellent memory and a good friend called Jof who would mark it all down for him. Jof lived a long ways up country in Northumberland, but always visited once a year in high summer despite the long journey.
Lawrence told Jack of important dates in history, places to stay away from because of floods, battles, diseases and such, and most of all which people in power to trust. He also concentrated on telling the kind man how to look after his animals better. Jack was especially grateful hearing some animals’ infections could be cured by feeding them mouldy bread.
Lawrence knew it would have been easy for his family to march them off to the castle and collect a reward. Because they hadn’t done, that proved they were good and loyal people. Therefore they deserved some help in enjoying a long, happy life.
Clanking of metal drifted down the field outside. Jack thrust his head out the door, finding darkness falling early today. Not too far away four soldiers stood up on the hill. One pressed something shiny into a villager’s hand.
“Traitor!” Jack bellowed, watching the cowardly fellow speed off across the fields.
“Quick lad, follow the smallest stream, it’ll take you right there,” Jack said, “I’ll play dumb here.” By the time soldiers got into Jack’s home, Lawrence and Lucy were far away.