~Prologue~ 

Even though, the diamonds in the shop window glistened in the ecstatic sun. Even though, the latest toy sits on display of the toy shop. Even though, the whole shop smelled like lavender flowers. Even though, rainbow umbrellas come in handy.

No one had dared to enter the Emporium – until Evelyn. 

~Chapter One~

Evelyn had always been a curious one and her mother often warned her that it would get her into some type of trouble or danger. One windy Saturday, she was walking down Kingston Road when she noticed something odd about the Emporium. For once she’d seen the door open, without thinking about it she slowly stepped inside.

Everything Evelyn laid her eyes on she wanted to touch. The whole shop was filled with the sound of 90’s classic music. Several hand sculpted cuckoo clocks were ticking every second, on the counter there were some vintage necklaces for 99p. There was a display crowded with military toy soldiers, nesting dolls and stuffed animals. Coloured umbrellas swung from the ceiling hook. To one side stood a rack of children’s rain jackets. They were covered with rainbows, different animals and monster trucks. A group of goldfish swam in a fish tank as their gold scale glistened in the sunlight. But what Evelyn loved the most was an old leather-bound book she found. As her curious self turned each page over the letters sprung to life and formed little pictures of what the page said. 

“I see you’ve found my favourite book,” a voice whispered quietly. Evelyn stepped back in fear, and dropped the book. She looked up at the owner of the book. She was an old woman whose face was all wrinkly and sagging. On her shoulder was a macaw. It shook its head disapprovingly.