Prologue

Donna and Olive told Olivia all about how Professor Thunder had locked them in the little shed and about how he had wanted that necklace. Luckily, Olivia had managed to escape and rescue them. After all the chatter, Olive came back with a hairy blanket and chucked it over them all. “Sorry. It’s the best I could do!” she muttered, staring at the ground. They had managed to escape from the shed, but still questions buzzed around in Donna’s head. Where was Donna’s dad? Would they get the necklace back? She didn’t know. 

Chapter 4

Donna dreamed. She was sprinting down a winding corridor. She had heard a voice. Every time she thought she was there, the voice drifted away. “Mother!” she called, “Is that you?” It was her mother’s voice, she was certain. Six draining long years had passed and all she could remember was a soft, gentle voice and a tall shadow. Donna was worried that she would never be able to remember her mother again.

Suddenly, she awoke. Morning had arrived and strong sunlight shimmered through the shelter they had slept in that night. Olive was snoring loudly, but Olivia was nuzzling her head in her fur. Olivia’s head tilted up as she noticed Donna put the key through the door. A few moments later, she yawned and whined. “It’s about time we get your necklace back.”

“Fine. I was all cosy and snugly until you two started chatting!” muttered Olive.

A little while later, the three jumped over the wooden bars to where the Butterfly Hot Air Balloon rested. The fuel was filling the balloon so fast. They watched as Professor Thunder carried something and chucked it on board. He ran back to FencePort Castle and Olivia whispered, “Let’s rock and roar my friends!”

They ran along the pathway. The children dawdled behind her. Luckily, the mcguffin was there among all of the paperwork.

“You little thieves!” screamed Professor Thunder, breaking into a run towards them. Before she could blink again, Donna jumped onto the hot air balloon and they set off into the sky.

Seconds later, Professor Thunder shouted at them, but they were too high up to hear him.

They could only hear a faint whimpering sound.

A croaky voice shouted below decks. There they found Donna’s dad. Donna rushed to give her dad a hug. “Hurry up.” he whispered, “we will do something about that old mean person. Trust me.” 

Donna and Olive gazed down at the world below them. Olive smiled at Donna as she looked down at her shoes. The wind brushed onto their faces. Donna was back with her dad again. It was beginning to feel like Christmas again.