Jennifer Jane and the Crown Jewels 3/6

The play went splendidly. The crown was thrown to the floor two nights running with a very satisfactory thud. All the actors admired it and the man who was playing the part of the king said that somehow it made him feel really royal.

Jennifer Jane looked at the crown very carefully when it was returned. She was a bit worried about it being thrown onto the floor in the play but there was no damage. A man had taken some photographs of the actors and Jennifer Jane asked her Dad if she could have copies to give to the person who'd lent her the crown.

"What a nice idea," he said, "I've been wondering how we could say thank you."

"Well, I wonder if he could also have a photocopy of the drawing I found in the museum," asked Jennifer Jane, "I know he's interested in history."

"No trouble at all," replied Dave, "I'll put all the pictures in an envelope and write him a thank you letter to go with it. You can give them all to him on Saturday when you return the crown."

Jennifer Jane set off for the woods on Saturday morning with her parcel under her arm. When she arrived at the magic clearing, she asked for the Wish Warehouse. A tremendous gust of wind lifted her off her feet and tumbled her head over heels through the air. She was so surprised that she only just managed to hold onto the parcel. She landed outside the Wish Warehouse with a bump, stood up and dusted herself down and then looked up rather crossly at a fairy standing nearby.

The fairy looked a bit flustered and before Jennifer Jane could complain about her rough ride, she turned over a sheet of paper on the clipboard she was holding. "Are you Jennifer er," then she looked at the paper again, "Jane."

"Of course I am," said Jennifer Jane.

The strange fairy ticked her sheet of paper. "What can I do for you, Jennifer er, oh dear my memory, Jane,” she exclaimed triumphantly, as she had another quick glance at the clipboard.

"I want to go and visit Clarence, the dragon, please," said Jennifer Jane, not at all sure that the fairy would know who Clarence was without looking at her pad. Sure enough, she started to turn over sheets of paper.

"Dragons, dragons. Ah, here we are, dragons. Yes, I see, Barnacle Bill, witches or clouds. Well, it’ll have to be a witch today er, my dear," she said with a happy smile. Jennifer Jane was sure she'd forgotten her name already.

"There just happens to be one here right now, having her broom er," another glance at the pad, "er, repainted."

She beckoned to a witch who was just coming out of the Wish Warehouse, carrying a broom newly painted with the magic glitter which made it fly.

"This, er, young lady wants to visit a dragon," she said.

"Clarence," said Jennifer Jane.

The witch put her hand behind her ear. "Visit a what?" she asked.

"A dragon," shouted the fairy. "Poor old thing's a bit deaf, you know," she said quietly to Jennifer Jane.

'Oh dear, things do seem to be in a muddle today,' thought Jennifer Jane, 'what with fairies who can't remember my name and witches who can't hear what's said to them.'

"You must be Jennifer Jane," said the witch, "I remember young Abigail telling us about you. Didn't she build a cliff across a road for you? Now then, dragons it is. Hop on and hold on tight."

"I want to see Clarence, please," shouted Jennifer Jane as loudly as she could, as she sat on the broom just behind the witch.

"Yes dear, I can use magic of course but I think you'd feel better if you took aspirin. It's very effective, you know."

Jennifer Jane gave up. The witch obviously hadn't understood a word she'd said.

The broom took off with a jerk, which started the witch muttering about "new paint jobs" and was soon flying above the clouds. Jennifer Jane had a feeling that she wasn't flying as fast as Abigail or Frosty would have taken her. She was quite right. It wasn't long before two swans overtook the broom, swerving near to them to see what strange manner of bird it could be.

"Maniacs," screamed the witch, "they'll take any risks to overtake, you know. No idea of safe flying or the convenience of others and always showing off just because they have wings and we don't."

'Well, as Dad says when he's driving, it takes all sorts,' thought Jennifer Jane 'but I do wish she'd go a bit quicker. It's going to take an awfully long time to reach the cave.

But at last the broom dived down through the clouds and came slowly to rest outside a cave in the mountainside. Jennifer Jane hurried over, calling out, "Hello, Clarence, I've brought back the crown and some pictures for you to look at."