Are you exhausted of constantly staring at a screen when you are bored? Do you hate waking up in the morning to an ordinary room with ordinary things in it? Do you wish your life could change just by a dust of magic? If so, then why not visit The Emporium of Forgetfulness and be mind blown by the extraordinary experience of a lifetime. Just bring bring your imagination and be prepared to watch your wildest dreams become a reality.

Marvellous, Magical Mysteries riddle their way through the Emporium. Everything you could ever want or need lies in the forbidden shelves: fossils from beaches the other side of the world, antiques from the wars that have past and rooms piled with breath taking curiosities and wonders.

Don’t be the only one to miss out on this incredible, free trip. Everyone deserves to treat themselves so why not, “pop to our shop” and “stop saving and start spending”. Just think about owning some incredible artefacts: ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, letters from the children who had to evacuate and even your own dreams and hopes. You will not regret this life changing experience.

“An incredible trip that nobody would want to miss!” said Miss R R Hood.

If you are not fond of your visit at the Emporium rest assure you will be given a small but worthy artefact anyway. We are open weekdays from 8:30 to 7:45 and you can find us off the M15 on Court Country Road Z23 B411. Contact us at Experiences@forever.Emporium.co.uk. We are waiting for your email.

The brain-teaser is a bewildering but brilliant form of insect that has only recently been discovered in the depths of the Amazon Rainforest. Its fascinating abilities has made it very renowned amongst all entomologists. Could you recognise a brain-teaser if you saw one and is there any crucial information you must know about these possible life stealing creatures?

The brain-teaser has nearly all the features that other bugs have: six stick-like legs, two plumose antennae and a thorax. However, it has several new features that all other bugs do not have. The majority of these creatures have 4 shield-like wings that are a deep navy blue colour. Although a minority have been seen with 8 wings that are a bright turquoise, which is due the the weather condition they were living in. Their compound eyes are a fiery red and their antennae are thick with black fur. Surprisingly, these creatures are the size of a shield bug and they have a small round neck that can move in all directions.

The brain-teaser’s body is ebony black which is covered in thin white scales. According to scientists, all of these bugs are able use their cunning trickery to persuade people to do the worlds most peculiar things that would usually be almost impossible to achieve. Rumour has it, that the brain-teaser can steal thoughts from peoples mind, rearrange their jobs and lists they have to do and come up with completely new things for them to do. Moreover, they are able to do it without the human knowing. Generally, the brain-teaser can do this to a person without giving them an illness or even kill them. However, there is always one unlucky person. So please beware.

Kara’s face turned blank as she noticed the whole in the wall was filled with beautiful black bricks and there was no easy way out. Trying not to squint, Kara looked up only to find and immense group of Silver Birch trees huddled together like school children stuck on a maths equation. Leaves clung to the trees and huge finger-like branches towered over Kara. She could just picture something in the tallest Silver Birch there was: something that looked a lot like a door.

Luckily, she had plenty of great experience of climbing trees as last summer she had saved several cats from some of the highest branches in her garden. Her dad had told her that she should start a club and that she “knew no fear”. Securing her foot into place, Kara grasped onto a branch and heaved her body up. She knew she could do it as long as she didn’t look down or misplace her feet. With out looking back, she clenched her fists around another branch and began to ascend.

Up. Up. Up she went. Sweat trickled down her cheek but she knew she couldn’t stop; not now she had come this far. Her heart punched her chest. Desperately, she held a emaciated hand out, quickly grabbing another branch. The door was in sight and almost in reach. Finally, Kara placed her hand onto the door handle and heaved her body weight up. With a thud, she fell into the Emporium’s forbidden corridors, lantern light filling her vision. She felt as if nothing had happened as her finger nails were completely clean and her clothes didn’t even have a smudge of bark on. Her head was like a wasps nest swarming and busy. What had happened?

Guiltily, Kara crept back into the Emporium’s centre, her heart like an African drum. Mr Sander glared at her, his face rich with betrayal.
“Look, Mr Sander,” Kara stuttered but she was interrupted.
“It’s ok. Allow me to talk first. I believe you drew a room in my book. Am I correct?”
Kara fiddled with her nails but didn’t say anything.

“The thing is, my Emporium is full of incredible rooms and magic but the past cannot be undone. When things are over, they are over. Now surely you should be getting home but assure me that you will return another day,” Mr Sander bellowed, beaming down at Kara.

Forgetting what the normal world looked like, Kara tripped over the front step. The feeling of leaving this mysterious place beckoned in Kara’s mind like a woodpecker on a branch. Turning around, she went to grab for the gold handle but it was gone; the whole Emporium had completely vanished. Shaking the last sprinkle of magic away, Kara began the short journey home.

Maybe tomorrow, she thought to herself. Maybe tomorrow.

Rays of sunlight seeped through the albino clouds and the gentle breeze washed away the shells as if it was a squirrel picking out the bad nuts. Elegantly, the waves inhaled, the sand swiftly swirled in the smooth wind and the palm tree leaves stilled. Kara’s nose twitched at the constant changing smells: freshly cooked fish covered in an oily batter; melting ice cream drowning in chocolate sauce and sprinkles; and fruity sorbets glowing in the sun. The gentle sound of silence whistled its way over the beach and through the sea. Kara, who was smiling from ear to ear, stared into the distance.

“Hello?” called Kara, wondering if anyone was around. But she was greeted by a deafening silence. Without thinking, Kara skipped over to a small, navy hut which was covered in peeling paint work and Wisteria. A large, cotton rug lay across the wooden floor boards, accompanied by a open fire and patches of pillows. Amber cups and plate sets were scattered across the coffee table. Beside it, two scones lay covered in fresh cream and raspberry jam.

At that moment, a small screak echoed, making the whole hut vibrate. Quickly, Kara ran over to the cracked window trembling with fear. However, her vision was filled by calm sea and the smooth sand. Shrugging, Kara stepped back into the kitchen this time noticing something she hadn’t seen before something she hadn’t laid eyes on before this moment. Flicking the vision away, she ran and dived onto the velvet sofa.

The screak echoed again this time louder and more powerful. Kara had to leave this once amazing world and she knew it. Footsteps thudded behind her and a deep voice whispered, “Come back. Don’t leave me”. The wind began to pull Kara in, but she kept on going. Kept on trudging towards the door.

Finally, Kara arrived back to the hole in the wall, but still the voice behind her whimpered.

******** with excitement, Kira eagerly followed the Emporium owner.
“Excuse me sir -,” but before she could finish she was interrupted by the man.
“Please call me Mr Sander, Mr V Sander and also I realise that my Book of Memories is tempting but please assure me that I will not see it lying in your palms again.”
“I promise,” Kira nodded, chewing her finger nails to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling of being told off.
Mr Sander gave a fleeting smile and then vanished behind the red, velvet curtains.

Despite being warned, the urge to touch the book and see what was hidden in its pages was almost breaking Kira. She stared at the Emporium’s centre, noticing something she had never noticed before. The kingfisher statue was moving. She questioned whether it was alive but not long after she was once again drawn back to the little leather bound-book. It was calling out her name desperately screaming to be open; to be read. She crept over to the book.

Quietly, Kira placed her hands onto the Book of Memories, dipped a feather into some ink and began writing. Her Imagination was flooding onto the powerful pages everything that had been playing on her mind was now into the book.

At that moment, a small shudder vibrated the shop and then a door stood in front of Kira. Without any hesitation, she hauled it open noticing everything she had written in the Book of Memories was lead in front of her: palm trees were grouped together like children at school; waves were silently inhaling and exhaling and golden stars were twinkling in the moonlight. Immediately, she leapt in allowing the warm sand to seep through her fingers and the moon to guide her with its light.

Take the soothing smile ​of the sea and the seeping sands warmth in your palms.

Melt in the smooth, clear wax from a candle whilst grinding down the burning wick in your fingers.

Peel the petals from a primrose and watch
one million colours bloom.

Mix in the shadow of a basset hounds tail constantly wagging in the breeze like an eternal windmill.

Grate in the smoothness of dairy milk chocolate and inhale the comforting smell.

Serve with a sprinkling of stars and a generous pinch of glitter.

Go through the ash door.
Maybe you’ll taste the fresh scent of an unsolved fire.

Go through the sapphire door.
Maybe you’ll hear the soothing sigh of the sea.

Go through the magenta door.
Maybe you’ll see a pool of dripping ink, a hot cheek and a sad smile.

Go through the mocha door.
Maybe you’ll feel the fragile face of an eternal grandfather clock.

Go through the emerald door.
Maybe you’ll taste the cool droplets of the rain.

Go through the shadow door.
Maybe you’ll here long lost voices that you wish you’d forgotten.

In the room of joy, a trickle of sweat slipped down my cheek.

In the room anger, ​shards of glass lay dead on the ground.

In the room of confusion, I placed a stamp on the bottom corner of an envelope, mistook a candle for a lighter and put my hand on the top of the open fire.

In the room of love,
candles light flickered, cutlery bashed together and a heart shaped note tore into two.​

In the room of worry, the thought of the noise next door made the hairs on my arms prickle like soldiers.​

In the room of determination, the frown on my face turned into a fleeting smile.​

In the room of happiness, chairs began to dance, ​tables began to clutter and pillows began to jump.

Finally, in the room of thunder, my face struck ashen grey.​

Several hours later, the crew had all returned safely and the balloon had been patched; finally in the air again. The tiny lion cub, who was now named Amber, lay on the deck, the emergency blanket wrapped around her. All the crew sat on the deck, their stomachs full and their throats moist.

Kara stood alone gazing into the distance. She thought she would never tire of the incredible views and the gentle breezes. Quietly, Leo tip-toed over to her, thinking of the old times they used to scare each other. Placing his hands on Kara’s hip he realised he was still too short to get her.

Just moments later, they saw an outline beneath the star stepper.

“Stop the ship!” Leo yelled but nobody listened or even worried.
“It’s the shadow of the ship, from the moonlight. Now go into your bunks so you don’t imagine anymore nonreal creatures.”

Ten minutes later, they were both fast asleep dreaming of more adventures and challenges they would face in the future. Amber star fished on the floor she was now the star stepper pet. The ship drifted of into the morning sky.