The Secret of the Ginger Mice by Song of the Winns

Author:Song of the Winns
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780762445134
Publisher: Running Press Kids

12

The Waterfall

Alistair woke from a dream in which two columns of red-coated mice were advancing on him as he lay in a blue-striped tent with his arms pinned to the ground by giant boulders. With an enormous sigh of relief he recognized the green fronds of the willow tree.

He turned his head to see Tibby Rose lying on her back a few meters away, fast asleep.

It was when he lifted his arm to lever himself up that Alistair realized why he had been dreaming about having enormous weights on his arms; they were so stiff he could barely move them.

He lay still, contemplating a life without the use of his arms, until he heard a snuffling snore and then: “I’d get up,” Tibby Rose said, “but I can’t actually lift my arms.”

“I know,” said Alistair ruefully. “That’ll teach us to behave like Olympic paddlers.”

“Please tell me we don’t have to go on the raft again today.”

“I wish I could,” said Alistair, “but . . .”

“Couldn’t we walk?”

“Too slow.”

Tibby sighed. “At least tell me we don’t have to eat blackberries for breakfast. Given the way we look I’d feel like a cannibal.”

“Ah, I’ve got some good news on that front.” With a groan Alistair put a hand to the ground and pushed himself upright, then reached for the cloth bag Mags had handed him the night before. “We’ve got bread, cheese, strawberries and—what’s this? Mmm . . . two pieces of apple pie.”

“That sounds lovely . . . But could you feed me, please? I don’t think I’ll be able to lift my hand to my mouth.”

Alistair extended a hand and, moaning, Tibby let him pull her up. “You’ll feel better once you’re moving,” he promised. “Our muscles just need warming up. Now what do you want for breakfast?”

“Apple pie,” said Tibby Rose promptly. When Alistair raised his eyebrows she shrugged. “I can’t say that Great-Aunt Harriet would approve, but so what? Great-Aunt Harriet isn’t here. She’s stuck at home covered in purple spots.” Tibby chewed the piece of apple pie Alistair had handed her. “I wonder how she’ll explain her miracle cure after so many years.”

As his friend ate, Alistair recalled the words of Timmy the Winns the night before: Do you know why you’re traveling . . . Have you thought of those you leave behind? Alistair had immediately thought of his own family, but what about Tibby’s? With a sudden pang he remembered kindly Grandpa Nelson and fierce Great-Aunt Harriet, so determined to protect Tibby Rose that they wouldn’t let her leave the house, and were seemingly prepared to give up their own freedom. And now she was gone. How must they be feeling?

“Tibby,” he said, “Timmy the Winns asked me the strangest questions last night. He asked me if I knew why I was traveling, and if I had thought about those I left behind. At first I thought of Shetlock and my family—that I was traveling to them because I had left them behind. But . .

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