Read Online The Story Traveller by Judy Stubley - Free Book Online

give way at the top of the stairs and were in grave danger of being permanently joined at the hip, as their ribbons, bows and jewels caught on each other’s gowns. Cinderella had done her best with their hair, but they had so many gems, pearls and jewels attached, they jangled in the most alarming way, and looked in real danger of toppling over. Eventually, after the two girls had pushed and shoved each other repeatedly, all three got to the bottom of the stairs and into the coach. Lucy watched, as a very tired Cinderella waved them off and closed the front door. ‘Oh Ella!’ Lucy put her arms round the other girl. ‘You look so sad and so tired.’
    Cinders rested her head on Lucy’s shoulder for a moment and a single tear ran down her cheek.
    â€˜If I’m honest I’d loved to have gone to the ball – just to see the Prince.’
    Difficult as it was, with her friend so upset, Lucy never said a word. They went back into the kitchen, where Cinderella noticed all Lucy’s work.
    â€˜Oh thank you Lucy, you’re so kind.’
    â€˜I’ve brought some tissue paper from home,’ Lucy told her friend. ‘Do you have an iron? If so I’ll get the wax out of that dress while you have a rest.’
    â€˜There’s a flat iron on the hob,’ Cinders pointed. ‘But be careful, the handle is very hot.’
    â€˜OK – now you have a sit down, Ella.’
    â€˜I can’t Lucy. Each bedroom looks like a battlefield. I need to tidy them up, plus I have to feed Lulu, Leticia’s dog, but I’ll join you when I’ve finished.’ As Cinderella left, Lulu’s bowl clutched in her hand, Lucy looked round for an ironing board, but couldn’t find one, so she laid Cinders’ blanket on the kitchen table and proceeded to work on the dress, as her mother had instructed. To her joy it worked. In a very brief while Lucy had managed to remove nearly every trace of the candle wax. She was delighted.
    By then the sun had set and the kitchen was dark, except for the glow from the fire. Lucy lit some candles and waited for Cinderella to return. Soon the heat from the fire and the candles made her feel rather hot, so she removed her cloak and laid it on Cinderella’s bed. The Countess and the two sisters were now well on their way to the ball. She and Cinderella were alone. Lucy felt there was no need to be invisible.
    After what seemed ages and still Cinders hadn’t returned, Lucy decided to go and look for her. She climbed the kitchen steps and found herself in a large gloomy entrance hall, with doors all the way round. One door was slightly ajar and Lucy could see candlelight. Certain that Cinderella would be inside, she went in. The room was obviously a library: books covered all the walls. There was also a large mahogany desk placed near the French windows, which were still open.
    Lucy moved round the room and read out loud the names of the books. ‘
Tom Thumb
,
The Princess and the Pea, Sleeping Beauty
.’ There appeared to be every fairy story ever told, except for
Cinderella
. As she passed the desk, she saw some ornate cards with a Royal Crest propped up against the lamp. Out of curiosity she picked them up and saw they were the invitations to the Prince’s Ball: one for the Countess, one for Imogene and Leticia, and then, to her pleasant surprise, Lucy saw one made out to The Honourable Ella Carnac. Quickly, Lucy popped it into her apron pocket, then, as she did so, she heard steps.
    The door flung open and she found herself staring into the night black eyes of Cinderella’s stepmother.
    The Countess screamed: ‘Thief, thief! Stop thief!’ Lucy dropped the remaining invitations and turned and ran out of the French doors. By this time the Countess had alerted the footmen, and they tore full pelt round the corner, determined to catch the fleeing girl. So she ran as fast as she could. She ran and ran, aware of the sound