Chapter 4

Bernadette dreamed. A familiar voice called her and she was running down a long, darkened corridor towards the familiar voice. As soon as she got closer the voice faded away, the voice shifted further away. It was her best friend’s voice. She was certain. Bernadette could remember all the memories that she had shared with her friend, the warmth and that voice something soft, something comforting but always entertaining. It was as if she felt forever lost.

She woke suddenly with a start. Morning sunlight filled through the metal slats of the barn. Robert slept longer but Hunter was up and cleaning his fur. He paused mid yawn and stared at Bernadette like a staring contest. Bernadette crawled over and began to wind the silver key hidden on his soft grey back. “That feels better. By all that satisfaction, it’s time to get back what is rightfully your friends. I saw Miss Trunchbull only fifteen minutes ago and the scoundrel is preparing her plan for the time turner! Up you get sleepy head. We’ve got work to do!”

“Oi, I was having a good sleep,” moaned Robert. Yawning, he stretched and rubbed is tired eyes.

A moment later, the group of three unlikely musketeers clambered back over the fence towards were the table of plans was tethered. The golden flames shone as bright as the sun and warm air was blowing in the opposite direction. They watched Trunchbull carrying a wooden box and the time turner roung her ugly neck. As she made her way back to Kelvin cottage, Hunter hissed, “Heave  ho my hearties, here we go.”

Hunter was scampering across the field, and bounded up the three steps. The children were just behind Hunter and it was Robert who picked at the wooden box lock. To their relief, the macguffin was there with Bernadette’s friend’s designs.

“Thieves, bounders, scoundrels, rapscallions, cut-throats, pocket pinchers ram-raiders, box unlocks,” roared Trunchbull, rushing towards the planning table at a speed that was impressive for a girl of her size.

Immediately, the airship rose off the ground, into the crisp morning air. The three companions watched as Miss Trunchbull stamped her foot and bellowed insults at them, shaking her fist and spluttering but already she they were flying to high to be able to hear was she was saying.

A muffled shout from below decks had them scurrying and there they found Bernadette’s best friend, tucked up like a cold ice cube trying to melt. Bernadette and Robert severed Bernadette’s friend’s bindings. Her best friend hugged close…but only for a moment, for already was at the dangerously high. “Come on” she said, clambering away from behind the deck and taking control of the plan. “We’ll soon put some plans between ourselves and finish up with that villain, to finish up the plan.

Bernadette and Robert stood on deck watching to world slip by below while the airship flew higher above the towns and villages. Tiny houses were scattered round the edges of the fields that now looked  like a quilt of many shades of green and roads ran like ribbons threading the countryside together. Robert grinned at Bernadette as she cuddled her best friend one more time. A few frail snowflakes of snow began to fall and winter kissed Bernadette’s cheek delicately. It would soon be Christmas round the corner and at least she is back with her beloved friend.

Hunter curled up beside Bernadette and snoozed.