Saturdays were always chaotic in the home, especially today as there would be an outing for everyone. They would be going up to the moors and then on to the coast with fish and chips for tea. Sarah was looking forward to it.

 

She hurried to take first shot at the bathroom, otherwise who knew when she’d be ready. Afterwards she looked downstairs for Robbie. Robbie was three years younger than she was. At seven years old he needed someone to look out for him. Anyway Sarah knew it was what her mum would have wanted.

 

He was eating breakfast with some of the others. After the meal they went to collect their coats, bags and whatever else they considered necessary. Charlene and Tracey were having an argument over a headband. Miss Martin soon calmed that down and in no time at all they were on the coach.

 

The bus stopped at a place high up on the moors for the children to use the toilets and to buy sweets or drinks. “Ten minutes” said Miss Martin “and you MUST be back on the bus”.

 

Sarah got off the bus with Robbie. “Look over there!” he said “there’s a lake!” “It’s a reservoir.” said Sarah but went over with him to look. Robbie ran on ahead towards the trees. “Wait!” cried Sarah but he carried on into the edge of the wood. She ran after him feeling anxious as he disappeared from view. “Robbie!” she called and she could hear him calling back. She moved towards the sound of his voice, where the trees seemed to grow closer together, and the atmosphere became heavy and oppressive. Just as she was beginning to panic she emerged into the bright sunlight.

 

She could see Robbie in the clearing and he was looking away from her. As she caught up with him she could see he was looking into a valley at the bottom of which nestled a  picture postcard village with a river, a church tower and thatched cottages. There was also a signpost next to the path leading there saying ‘Welcome to Pendlebury’ and beneath it in large letters ‘Strangers MUST report to the castle before entering the village!’

“Come on,” said Robbie, “Lets go!” He started towards the road down to the village, but Sarah ran after him and took hold of his arm. “No!” she cried “We’ll be in real trouble if we’re late for the bus! We’ll have to go back”. Robbie complained loudly but went along with her back into the woods. They looked for the path back to the reservoir but it all seemed different. Sarah thought they should try to go straight ahead thinking that they must come to the edge of the trees sooner or later, but it just got darker and the trees seemed closer together.

 

After a few minutes they stopped and tried to think carefully. “I know!” Sarah said “Over there seems a little lighter, and I’m sure that was the direction we came from.” They followed the brightness, and gradually the trees thinned out. Eventually they emerged from the woods, only to find they were back overlooking the valley and the village, and confronted again with the same signpost.

 

“I’m tried” grumbled Robbie. “We’ll just have to go down to the village and ask for help”. “I don’t know” sighed Sarah. “It just doesn’t sound like a very friendly place does it?” They were just about to go down the path when they heard whistling. Along the edge of the wood came a boy – the strangest boy either of them had ever seen. He was wearing a long grey tunic belted in at the waist with a leather strap. He had loose baggy blue trousers on and soft grey leather boots on his feet. Strangest of all, he had a blue hat with a feather stuck in it on his head. He looked to be a bit older than Robbie.

 

The boy saw them and stopped, looking as surprised as they felt. “Who are you?” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” Sarah was a bit concerned about talking to such an odd looking person, but Robbie blurted out the story of their difficulties. The boy thought for a moment and the said “Don’t go down to the village – that might not be a good idea. We’ll go and find Aeldred – he’ll know what to do. Come on. Oh and by the way my name’s Toddy – what’s your’s?”

They followed Toddy along a winding track that ran at right angles to the path in the village. Robbie ran forwards and chatted to him as they went along, telling him their names, and how they came to have arrived at Pendlebury whilst Sarah did her best to keep up. They continued along this route until they came to a turning on the left that led through brushes and scrubland. They wandered along this for a few minutes until the entered a clearing and saw the strangest of houses.

Once upon a time it must have been just a low lying cottage farmhouse with a thatched roof and stone walls. During the years owners seemed to have made additions to the main house, creating towers at each end, turrets, and another long, low building with a large chimney at the rear. Toddy led them to the big wooden front door, banged on it with a large iron doorknocker and went straight inside. “Come on” he said “Quickly!”

Robbie and Sarah followed him through the doorway and found themselves  in a stone flagged room with a large fireplace, scrubbed table and chairs, and a big, old fashioned range cooker. A plump, dark haired woman in a long dark dress and a white apron turned from work at the stove to greet them. “Good gracious me Toddy!” She cried. “Who are your new friends?” Toddy quickly explained and she said “You just go and fetch Aeldred straight away my dear. We’ll have to decide what to do about this!”

Toddy hurried off out of one of the other doors and they were left behind. “Now don’t worry my dears” said the woman “Aeldred will know exactly what to do. I’m Eida by the way. You both look hungry. Let’s get you something to eat. That’ll soon make you feel better.”

She went back to the oven and took out a tray of cakes. They smelt delicious! Sarah’s mouth watered. “We’ll just let these cool for a bit” said Eida “Would you like a glass of milk?” “Er – have you any coke?” asked Robbie. “What on earth’s that?” asked Eida. “Cola – you know?” said Robbie. “I’m afraid not my darling” said Eida “But I do have some apple juice we pressed in our own press.” Robbie had apple juice which he pronounced to be ‘Ace’ and Sarah had milk. The cakes were still warm, but absolutely delicious.

Sarah glanced round the room and saw a shallow basket on the floor. She looked more closely and saw a tabby cat and four furry little kittens. “Look Robbie!” she said. “Look at the kittens!” Robbie was entranced by them. He went and crouched close to the basket. “Can I touch them?” He asked Eida. “Not yet my love!” said Eida. “Willow is still nursing them and she’s very protective.”