Chapter 12
Bump…bump…bump. I landed…then P landed…then Zack landed, on something gray and hard. I came to my senses and looked down. It was concrete. As I glanced around to take in my surroundings and figure out where we were, I saw a small patch of bright green grass right next to where we landed. Why do we never land on something soft? Zack and P started to get up. They were also looking around the area.
We had landed on a sidewalk that ran alongside a busy two lane street on one side, and was bordered by a narrow stretch of grass on the other. Cars whizzed past us and we could hear the high pitched beeps of horns in the background. People scurried past quickly. No one stopped to see if we were okay. In fact, no one even noticed that we were there.
One man walked past P and almost knocked him down. “Wow, Emma, where are we? It’s so busy here!”
“I’m not sure P. It looks like a busy city.” I looked up at the tall building across the street to our right. I could see our reflections in the shiny mirrored windows. Men and women dressed in gray or black suits walked in and out through the revolving door at the center of the high rise. A quieter one way street ran along the other side of the grassy area.
On the other side of the one way street sat smaller older buildings. Many appeared to be shops with colorful awnings over their single doors. One shop had block letters painted over the brick wall above its light blue awning. “Cobbler.” Another building had fancy script letters painted along the top of its wide window. “Bakery.” These shops seemed so quaint and quiet compared to the bustling structure across the street.
Zack spoke as I was thinking about the shops. “Hey, guys, look! See there.” He pointed to the top of a building in front of us. “See that tower rising from behind the building. It looks like it has a small pyramid for its roof, and I can barely make out a clock face beneath it. I think that’s Big Ben. I think we’re in London!”
“Oh yes, and look over there.” I pointed to a bus stop down the street ahead of us as a large, red bus pulled up to the curb. “There’s a double decker bus! I think you’re right.”
P chimed in. “I remember reading about this place in school. Wow! Maybe we’ll meet the Queen!”
“I don’t know, P,” responded Zack, “Maybe we will.” He smiled and raised his eyebrows. “I’m sure we’ll meet somebody here, but there are so many people walking around, I can’t believe that no one saw us land.”
“I did!” a squeaky young voice drifted out from the grassy area behind us.
We all turned abruptly and saw a young girl, about eight or nine years old, sitting on a metal bench at the far end of the patch of grass. She was swinging her feet, covered in black patent leather Mary Janes, back and forth underneath the bench. She wore a green and blue plaid jumper with white socks that almost touched her knees. Her light brown hair was parted in the middle of her head and hung in thick braids on either side. Each braid was secured with a neatly tied blue bow.
She sat on the bench and calmly smiled at us as her gray blue eyes twinkled. “I saw you, um, land. I was watching the people go in and out of the door across the street and, all of a sudden, you were on the sidewalk. It was like there was a hole in the air and the three of you fell out of it.”
Zack, P and I stood there stunned. No one had ever seen us arrive before and we had never had to explain ourselves. Would she believe us? Would she call the police?
P must have felt comfortable with the little girl since she was close to his age and he spoke first. “Um, hi, I’m P, and this is my sister Emma and our friend Zack. We’re from Ohio, in the United States. Are we really in London?”
“Yes you are,” she replied. “My name is Olivia. My mum owns that bakery over there.” She pointed across the street to the building with the red awning. “She’s pretty busy right now, making some special cakes for a very important person. I was trying to help, but first I spilled the flour on the floor, next I knocked over some food coloring and stained the counter pink, then I accidently brushed the eggs onto the floor. That was a sticky yellow mess. My mum was trying not to get angry. I came out here to sit because I kept getting in the way. And then I saw you three suddenly roll onto the sidewalk.” She smiled at us. “So where did you come from?”
Zack had decided to tell the little girl the truth. She seemed innocent enough and besides that, he could not think of a good tall tale to tell. Just as he started to open his mouth to try to explain our story, a thin woman in a suit brushed past me so hard that we both bounced off each other and landed on the ground. The woman had her hair parted in the middle and secured at the back of her head in a tight bun. When she got up strands of hair fell out of place and she stuck out her bottom lip to blow them out of her line of vision. Then she squatted down on the ground again and frantically started to grab at the books and papers that she no longer had in her hands. The four of us also crouched down to help her gather her things. After she had piled her papers in her arms again, she apologized for running into me, thanked us for our help and quickly walked off.
“Okay…so where did you come from and how did you get here?” The persistent little girl asked again after the commotion had died down.
We turned our attention to Olivia again. “Well,” said Zack, “It’s a long story, but the main gist is that we found this magic book and it takes us through time, and we’re just trying to get back home now.”
“Wow, that’s so cool!” sang out Olivia. “Can I see the book?”
Zack turned toward me.
“I guess so.” I replied and reached up to my shoulder to grab the strap of the bag that carried the precious book.
I pulled the bag to the ground, but it was empty. Oh no, not again. My heart sank. I had lost the book again.
P saw the expression on my face. “Oh, Emma, I see it. There it is!” he pointed to the edge of the grass then ran over to grab the book.
He brought it back and handed it to me. I was relieved, until I read the words on the cover. “Economics.” Ugh. It wasn’t our book. Where did ours go?
Olivia saw the confused look on my face and spoke up, “Oh my goodness. I bet that lady that bumped into you has your book. Everything went flying and I bet she accidentally picked up yours instead of hers. Uh oh!”
We have to get it!” Zach said excitedly. “Or we’ll never get home!”
“Did you see which way the lady went?” I asked to everyone. “We’ll have to follow her!”
Olivia responded, “I think that’s her getting on the bus down the street.”
We all watched a thin woman with a bun, dressed in a gray suit, standing amidst a group of people at the nearest bus stop. As we watched, we heard the “screeeech” of the red double decker bus as it came to a stop on the side of the street. The business woman was at the back of the line.
“Come on!” yelled Zack. He grabbed my hand and started running.
I grabbed P’s hand and he in turn grabbed Olivia’s hand, and the four of us ran down the sidewalk to the bus. As we neared the bus, the woman was stepping up onto the last step.
“Wait!” I yelled, but it was too late.
The bus doors closed behind the woman with a loud creak and the bus pulled away from the curb with a loud “rrrrrrr”. Zack let go of my hand, stopped abruptly and placed his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. I was running with too much momentum and slammed into him with so much force that he fell over onto the sidewalk. P and Olivia came tumbling after me and landed on top of the pile.
It took us a few minutes to recover, then Zack spoke first. “What are we going to do now? We can’t catch up to the bus. It’s going way too fast and we’re already worn out.”
Olivia looked dejected. “I’m sorry guys. It’s my fault you lost your book. If I hadn’t been talking to you, Emma wouldn’t have been run into by that woman.”
“It’s okay,” I replied. “We’ve been in worse situations. I’m sure there’s a solution to our problem.” I gave her a hug.
“Olivia,??
? interrupted P. “Do you know where that bus goes? Where is the next stop?”
“It stops again about three blocks over.” She replied.
Zack interjected, “When is the next bus?”
Olivia racked her brain. “I think another bus comes shortly after this one. It goes the same way until Mulberry Avenue. Then it veers in another direction.”
“Let’s see…” replied Zack. “I wonder if we have a chance of seeing the lady after she gets off the bus. Maybe we can scan the streets to see if we pass her by.”
“It’s worth a try.” I said. “I don’t really know what else to do.”
“Hopefully she’ll get off the bus at a stop before the next one changes course.” P added.
We all nodded and began to wait for the next bus. P and Olivia sat on a small wooden bench while Zack and I stood behind them patiently waiting. The next bus approached about ten minutes later. As it came to a screeching stop, I instinctively held tightly to the bag over my shoulder, then I remembered that the prized contents were no longer in the bag. I sighed as I followed Zack, P and Olivia up a short set of stairs through a door at the rear of the bus.
Olivia yanked on Zack’s shirt as she climbed the stairs. “Let’s go to the top level. We’ll probably be able to see better from up there.”
We followed her up another set of stairs that curved ninety degrees at the last three steps and directed us to the upper level. I had been on busses when my family lived in the city but I had never ridden on anything like this. We had always entered the bus at the front, to the side of the driver, and our busses never had a second level. It was a strange feeling to be up so high. We could see the tops of the cars that passed by. Surely we would be able to see the lady, that accidentally took the book, from up so high. Hopefully she would still be out walking on the sidewalk.
We shuffled toward the seats. Olivia and P shared a seat on the left, and Zack and I veered to the right. We scanned the sidewalks as we rode by. There were so many people walking back and forth across the cement. Men and women poured out of shops with packages in their hands. We passed a few cafes with tables and chairs placed in small courtyards, just outside the entrance doors. Most chairs were filled with people gabbing and enjoying tea and pastries.
“Zack,” I whispered in his ear. “What time is it?”
“Almost four o’clock, why?” he retorted.
I nodded to him but did not answer his question, and I wondered out loud, “Olivia, why are there so many people out eating at this time? It seems awfully early for dinner.”
“Oh, why it’s tea time. That must be why my belly is growling. Mum usually makes me a cup of tea with milk and sugar and lets me choose a yummy pasty from the bakery shelf. I usually chose a scone. Oh, they’re my favorite.”
“That’s why there are so many people out right now. It makes it harder to look for the lady and the book.” And I frowned and wrinkled my nose.
We continued to scan the sidewalks. I had lost track of all the turns the bus had made, but it didn’t really matter since I didn’t know where we were anyway. The bus had slowed in heavier traffic and I was beginning to think our efforts were fruitless.
Suddenly, P yelled out, “I see her. There she is!”
Zack and I ran to P’s side of the bus and leaned over the two small children as we looked through the window. We saw the young woman sitting at an outdoor café, sipping tea while she perused a book in her lap. She had brushed her fly-away hair tightly back up into the bun to appear more presentable, but she had taken off her high heeled pumps and folded her legs underneath her, in Indian style, to be more comfortable. She looked younger than I had thought when she had run into me. She didn’t appear to be more than a few years older than me and Zack.
We waited as patiently as we could until the bus came to a complete stop about a block away. Once it stopped, the four of us raced through the aisle and clamored down the stairs. We were a good ways away from the café at this point.
Zack grabbed my hand as soon as we landed on the sidewalk. “Come on! We need to run! We need to catch up to her before she leaves the café.”
I grabbed P and P grabbed Olivia’s hand, and we dodged oncoming pedestrians as we sped down the sidewalk. I looked for the red and black awning above the café’s doorway that we had seen from the bus. Finally it came into view. As we came closer I could make out a table with a pile of books on top and a chair pulled out from underneath it.
“She’s not there!” shouted P and he stopped behind the chair.
Olivia reached P and panted from running, “Is that your book? The one with the really thick spine and rounded edges?”
We could all see the heavy book sticking out from under the pile of newer more modern books.
P turned to me, “Em, give me the economics book and I will make a trade. I’ll have her book back on the pile and our book back in the bag before she gets back!”
He grabbed the book from my hand and scooted closer to the table. He slowly pulled our magic book out from underneath the pile, then gently placed the lady’s book on top. He turned around with a big triumphant smile on his face just as a policeman rounded the corner in front of us.
“Stop thief!” the policeman yelled as he raced toward us.
P was stunned and stopped dead in his tracks.
“Arms up where I can see them, now!” the policeman yelled. Instead of a gun, he raised a black wooden baton over his head as he came toward us.
P dropped the book onto the ground and put his arms up over his head. The four of us stood there in shock.
The policeman bent down to pick up the book. “I saw you steal this book. I’m taking you down to the station!”
He grabbed P’s hand tightly and yanked him forward as he began walking down the sidewalk.
“Wait!” I yelled. “He wasn’t stealing. This is our book.”
“Do you expect me to believe that this little boy is reading this big book? I saw him take it with my own eyes.”
“You don’t understand sir,” I interjected. “We were giving this,” I paused and pointed to the Economics book. “Back to its rightful owner. She accidentally picked up our book, and I, accidentally, picked up hers.”
“Then why didn’t you wait until she came back to the table?” He scowled. “I don’t think I believe you. I’m taking you down to the station!”
“Wait! Noooo!” I stammered. “You can’t take him…er…um…I’m his sister.”
“Well then, you’re coming with me too!” and the policeman grabbed my arm and pulled me along with them.
I looked over my shoulder as I was dragged, “Zack, find the lady who took the book! She’s our only hope. She’s the only one he’ll believe.”
I watched Zack and Olivia get smaller and smaller as the police officer pulled us toward his car down the street. When we got there, he opened the door of a boxy car painted a blue-green color with white doors that had Police printed on them in black. It was quite different from our black and white police cars back home. He then gently asked us to sit in the back seat. I had been waiting to be tossed into the seat like they do on all those cop shows, and I was surprised, but thankful, that the man was not harsh.
He muttered to himself, “I don’t know why all these kids have gone wrong. I’ve seen way to many ones turn bad so young.” He shook his head back and forth, then turned to us in the backseat. “Kids, I’m Officer Durham. I’m taking you down to the station. I’m turning you over to Sergeant Newcastle when we get there, because I have to get back on my beat. I’m going to let him decide whether we’re going to keep you or just call your parents.”
He continued to shake his head sadly as P and I looked at each other. We road silently to the station, afraid that if we said something we would get into more trouble. When we reached the station, Officer Durham got out of the right side of the police car, where the steering wheel was, then opened the back door for us. P got out first and I crawled across the seat behind him. T
he officer gently grabbed both our shoulders and guided us up a set of stairs and through a single glass door into a rather dingy room.
“Here, you two. Sit on these chairs and Sergeant Newcastle will be with you shortly.” Officer Durham pointed to two hard wooden chairs in front of a small wooden desk, piled high with folders and papers. He smiled at us under a thick black mustache that extended all the way to his laugh lines. “Thanks for being so cooperative kids. Please think about what you are doing!” He turned on his heels to step over to the sergeant’s office and I heard him mutter under his breath, “Maybe I’ve saved them before they really get into trouble.”
While he was gone, we looked around the station. There were about ten desks. Half had people sitting at them and the others were empty. Most had piles of papers on them like Officer Durham’s. As I looked around the room something appeared to be missing. I had seen a police station when I was younger. P had gotten lost when we lived in the city. Luckily he didn’t get far before a policeman found him and brought him to the nearest station. My mom had to bring me along when she picked me up. I remember a lot of hugging and tears, and a little bit of scolding for P running off.
As I sat and thought about my surroundings to try to figure out what was different, P spoke up. “Hey Emma, there are no computers here. Wow! This isn’t anything like the police stations on T.V. Look, there are lots of filing drawers over there on the wall, and men keep going over there to pull out folders. The men have awfully shaggy hair, too, and everyone seems to have a mustache.” P moved his upper lip as if he was moving his own mustache.
Some men were wearing neatly buttoned blue uniforms with really wide lapels. Others wore white dress shirts with huge collars. Their clothing reminded me of some clothes I found in the back of my dad’s closet, once. He had told me they were from a long time ago, when he was young.
P was right. Not a single desk had a computer on it, but each one had a small square phone with a round dial on it. The numbers one through nine, and then zero, showed through each of ten holes on the rotary dial. An ear piece shaped like a banana with two half lemons attached to each end sat atop each square phone. Each was attached to the base via a long cord that resembled a very thin slinky.
I turned to P and shook my head, “I’m not sure what time we’re in, but I think we still have a few decades before we get home.”
Just as P began to frown, the sergeant strode out to see us. He was tall with a big belly that hung over his belt and obstructed the belt buckle. His chin and cheeks were covered with a thick bushy beard. “Ahh, kids. Getting into trouble today? I’ll make a deal with you. Tell me where your parents live and I’ll have Officer Durham drop you off on his way back to the beat.”
P spoke up quickly. “Oh that’s easy. We live at 204 Oak Tree Lane in Ohio!” He was so proud of himself for remembering his new address.
“You’re from where? Ohio? That’s clear across the Atlantic Ocean son. Are you a tourist? Where are your parents? Ugh, why don’t those American blokes watch their own children?” He turned to me. “Okay, Miss, you’re the older child. I hope you can tell me where your parents are.”
The wheels started turning in my head. What could I tell the sergeant that would make sense, and that he would believe? Luckily, just as I opened my mouth to speak, Zack and Olivia pushed open the glass door and entered into the station. They were followed by the lady we saw at the café. Sergeant Newcastle looked up as they entered. The three of them ran over to us as soon as they spotted us by the desk at the center of the room.
The lady spoke first. “Excuse me sir, my name is Eleanor Hartley. Here’s my card.” She held out a business card.
The sergeant took the card in his hand. I strained to read it from behind his elbow. It read, Eleanor Hartley…..Professional Nanny.
“These are my wards, sir.” She shook her head, “I’m sorry if they caused you any problems.”
She reached into a leather satchel and pulled out an Economics book, then our special book.
“Are you missing this?” she asked P and me.
“Oh thank you.” We both replied at the same time.
“I’m sorry about the misunderstanding. These kids had accidentally picked up my economics book, while I had inadvertently picked up theirs. This little man was just trying to return my book, not stealing it.” She turned and smiled sweetly at the policeman.
”It really is just a misunderstanding, sir.”
The large man seemed to growl under his breath, “I don’t have time for this nonsense. Please Miss, get these kids out of my hair!” He turned toward Officer Durham with a scowl on his face. “William! In my office now!” And he walked off.
Zack and Olivia came up and hugged us.
“Phew,” I said. “We were making him so mad, he might have changed his mind and made us spend the night in jail!”
“I’m just glad you guys are all right!” Zack hugged me tighter.
“Okay dears,” Eleanor interjected. “We need to get out of here before he changes his mind again!”
The five of us walked out of the station into the evening air, and Zack and Eleanor started to explain.
Zack spoke first. “So, just after you guys disappeared around the corner, Eleanor came out of the café to sit back at her table, and we talked to her. I think we scared her a little bit because we were waiting for her.”
“Yes,” Eleanor began to speak. “I am so glad you kids found me. I needed that Economics book badly. I have a test tomorrow. I am studying finance at Mitterby College. Mostly night classes now. I was lucky enough to get an internship with a firm in town and they will probably offer me a job when I’m done with school. But….I have to make good grades on all my tests. My boss was nice enough to let me have the afternoon off to study.”
“But your card said you were a nanny.” I interrupted.
“Oh, I was a nanny before I went to college. I took care of lots of children. Boy, did they keep me busy. I loved it though. I would still be doing it if I could, but my mum really wanted me to go to school. I think I’m the only one of her five kids that she expected to make something of herself. She sent me to the city to live with my Aunt Ellie, who I’m named after, so I would be closer to the college.”
“Well thank you for helping us out.” I added.
“Yeah, thanks a bunch!” added P. “I thought we were going to jail. Boy that would have been an interesting story to tell.”
As we stood there talking, we didn’t realize how late it had gotten. The sun was beginning to set and a faint orange glow had developed over the cityscape in the distance.
Olivia looked up at the sky. “Oh no! It’s almost supper time. My mom will be worried sick if I’m not back soon. She’s been so busy lately. A friend of hers is getting married tomorrow and she has been making pastries for the event. She wasn’t allowed to make the cake, though. The groom’s family has some royal baker doing that.”
Zack and I looked at each other. I whispered, “A royal baker? Interesting. You don’t hear about things like that back in Ohio.”
Olivia pulled at my sleeve. “Hurry guys, we need to get to the nearest bus stop!”
We said our goodbyes to Eleanor and started to follow Olivia down the street. Then Eleanor waved us back.
“Hold on kids. I have a better idea. I can borrow my Aunt’s car and drive you home. It will be quicker if you don’t have to sit through all those bus stops. Then you won’t be late.”
“What a marvelous idea!” replied Olivia. “Thank you very much!”
“My Aunt’s flat is about a block down the street. Oh dear…” she paused and her nanny instinct kicked in. “You kids know that you should never go off with strangers. I want to help you but I don’t want to teach you bad things... it’s your decision.” And she chewed at her lower lip in frustration.
Olivia and P looked at us pleadingly. Zack turned at me then pulled me towards him so my back would be toward Eleanor. He spoke in a low voice. ??
?She’s right, but honestly Em, what do we have to lose. We’re stuck in the past. We don’t know when we’re going home. I think different rules apply here, and we need her help. The book wants us to learn something or help someone. What if Olivia doesn’t get home and the book keeps us here longer…or even forever?”
I shivered at the thought of being stuck in time forever. “You’re right, we need her help. I think we’ll be all right if we stick together! Let’s follow her.”
Zack spoke to Eleanor, “Okay, we need to get Olivia home, so we’ll go back to your house with you.”
We followed Eleanor down past the next two streets. We cut over through a short cross street, then zigzagged back in front of a group of shops and soon came to a long, narrow, two story building with a row of red doors. Eleanor stopped at the second red door and pushed a button to the right of the doorknob. Bzzzz.
She then spoke into a black metal box on the wall by the doorframe. “Aunt Ellie. It’s me Eleanor. Can you buzz me in? I forgot my key this morning.”
“Oh dear, said a sweet voice through the black box on the wall. “Of course I will sweetie. I’m looking forward to hearing how work went today.”
The black box made another buzzing sound then went silent. We heard a click, then Eleanor turned the knob and gently pushed the door open. We followed her up a flight of wooden stairs to a lone white door. As soon as we reached the top, an older lady poked her head out from behind the door and peered through the opening.
As soon as she saw Eleanor her eyes twinkled, then she pulled the door open all the way and smiled kindly at all of us. “Hello dear, who have you brought to visit us tonight?”
Aunt Ellie looked to be in her early 60’s. She wore her shiny straight gray hair in a bob that angled towards her chin and accented her rouged cheekbones. She was about 5 foot 4 inches tall and had a slim figure, but carried herself proudly, as if she were 5 foot 10. She wore a long double strand of pearls around her neck and a thick row of gold bracelets around her right wrist. She reminded me of a flapper from the 1920’s.
Eleanor introduced the four of us and explained our situation as we crowded the threshold to the small apartment. As she spoke, Aunt Ellie listened attentively, nodding her head as she grew to understand our circumstances. Eleanor ended her story with “and that is why I need to borrow your car so we can get Olivia back home in time for supper!”
“I see dear. Of course you can borrow my car, Eleanor.” Then Aunt Ellie looked at us. I know you kids have to go but at least take a treat before you do!” She ushered us inside towards a coffee table and lifted up a rectangular box. She lifted the lid to reveal small chocolates positioned in ruffled paper cups. Each chocolate piece was topped with a curlicue S. “Ahh, Sutherly’s Chocolates are my favorites!”
We each took a piece. It was wonderfully sweet, creamy milk chocolate, and I felt revived. It was just what I needed.
Eleanor finished her piece of candy then looked at her watch. “Okay kids, we don’t have any more time to waste. We need to go so Olivia can get home in time. Follow me, the car is out back in the alley behind the flat.”
She rushed out of the back door of the apartment, and the four of us followed her like little ducklings following their mother. We ran down a rickety metal staircase attached to the back of the building and saw Aunt Ellie’s car. It was a small shiny yellow Volkswagen Beetle, with a rounded top and rounded fenders that stuck slightly outward over the car’s wheels. I knew what it was because my grandmother drove one when she was younger and I had seen photos. The car looked like a bug just about to crawl across the floor, no wonder they named it a Beetle.
Eleanor opened the passenger door for us. P, Olivia and I crawled into the cramped back seat, and Zack sat in the front passenger seat. Eleanor slipped into the driver’s seat and put her seatbelt on. I saw P looking around the backseat frantically. I was able to look him straight in the eye as he was sitting on the hump created by the edges of the two backseats and appeared taller.
I realized what he was doing. “Oh P, I don’t think there is a seatbelt in the middle there.” I whispered, “I think this car was made before they started putting seatbelts in the middle of the back seat. In fact, you’re not even sitting on a real seat. Here, switch places with me and use this seatbelt.” I was impressed that P wanted to wear a seatbelt. He had actually listened to mom and dad.
We were tired after our day’s adventures and rode in silence as Eleanor drove us around the city back to Olivia’s mother’s bakery. I watched the fast moving scenery as the car rounded bends and turned corners. It was funny how old brick buildings were mixed with new shiny windowed structures. There was still a lot of history in this city. I thought it would have been so interesting to visit on a vacation, but I was not enjoying it as much as I could, now, considering our circumstances.
The trip soon came to an end and Eleanor pulled the car close to the curb in front of Olivia’s mother’s shop. “Okay kids. We’re here. Have a great supper!”
She stepped out of the car and folded the driver’s seat down so the three of us in the back could crawl out. Zack stepped out carefully from the passenger side. Olivia and P ran over to Eleanor and gave her a hug.
“Thank you!” Zack and I said simultaneously.
Eleanor gave us all a sweet smile as she hopped back into the car. She waved and called out through the window, “Good luck with the rest of your adventures!” I saw her wink and then she was off.
“Come on guys!” Olivia beckoned us to follow her.
We trailed behind her into the bakery just as her mother was cleaning up the counters. “Why, hallo dear. I was just about to go upstairs and start supper.” She looked at each of us inquisitively, “And will these chaps be joining us?”
Olivia’s “mum” untied her apron and placed it on a hook behind the counter, then we all followed her upstairs to a little apartment that sat above the bakery. In the kitchen she pulled out pots and placed them on the stove. Water began to bubble under the closed lids and the stove became a stage for a kitchen orchestra, as lids bounced and clanged creating clever music. She then pulled a baking sheet covered with tiny half-moon shaped pies out of the refrigerator. She placed it in the oven, closed the door then reached up to twist a small timer on the back of the stove. It began to make a ticking sound. There was nothing digital in this kitchen.
Olivia’s mum turned around. “Supper will be ready in a few minutes. You can snack on the crackers and cheese that I left on the table.”
We snacked on the cheese and crackers and soon supper was ready. Olivia’s mum brought bowls of wonderful smelling foods to the table, and I realized how hungry I had become. She turned her back to us to retrieve the tray from the oven and then placed golden brown meat pies in front of us. We dug into steaming potatoes, Brussels sprouts cooked with salty bacon and enough creamy gravy to top all of it. The food was delicious and we were all very full by the time we were done.
Olivia’s mum added, as she turned to walk away from the table, “Okay kids, now that you’re done with your supper, it’s time for dessert!”
I gave Zack a funny look and patted my stomach. “I don’t think I could eat another bite.”
P giggled. “I always have room for desert!”
Olivia added, “Oh, everyone should have room for my mum’s desserts! She makes the best biscuits.”
P’s eyes grew wide as Olivia’s mother returned with a plate full of cookies. We all took one despite the filling dinner we just enjoyed. I bit into a buttery shortbread cookie that filled my mouth with sweetness. It was probably one of the most delicious cookies I had ever tasted. I could see why Olivia’s mother had her own bakery.
After we had all finished eating, Zack spoke up, “Well I guess we should be going. Thank you for the wonderful meal.”
P and Olivia began to whisper to each other, then Olivia spoke aloud, “Mum, can my friends stay the night?”
“Oh dear, well… only if everyone stays quiet. I
have to get up early tomorrow to finish an order. We can let them sleep in the extra room. There are only two single beds. P is it okay if you sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor?”
“Sure!” P replied. ‘”It will be like camping.”
P, Zack and I piled into the extra room. I was exhausted and felt like I hadn’t slept in weeks. P was tucked into a soft sleeping bag in the center of the room, between the two narrow beds that Zack and I had crawled into.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard a quiet knock at the door. The door creaked at it swung forward into the room and Olivia poked her head inside.
“Hallo, are you asleep?”
“Not yet!” P sat up quickly.
I rubbed my eyes and tried to wake up. Zack arose from his sleeping position. We all looked at Olivia.
“So, I was thinking. Can I see that magic book that you were so worried about losing? Do you think it will work now?”
I looked at Zack. We were so used to being in danger when we tried the book that I forgot to even attempt it. “Well, we did accomplish something today. We saved P from being arrested.”
Zack laughed and nodded. “I know. It wouldn’t hurt to try.”
I grabbed the bag from the foot of the bed and drew out the magic book. I took a deep breath then placed it onto the floor. The four of us sat there and stared. Nothing. The book just sat there, like a regular book.
Olivia was disappointed. “I’m sorry guys. I thought, maybe, I could see it work. I’ll let you guys sleep then. Goodnight. See you in the morning.” With that she returned to her own room.
I must have gotten my hopes up that we were getting closer to home, and I was disappointed, too. I felt my eyes get a little wet with tears and decided that I just needed sleep. I crawled back into bed then slept soundly without dreaming.