Jennifer Jane takes to the air 4/4

Jennifer Jane went across and got on board the steamer. The Captain came with her.

"I know we've given you a bit of a rough time in the past but on behalf of the Davy Jones Shipping Company, I'd like to thank you very much for giving us a tow. Three cheers for Barnacle Bill. Hip, hip, hip" All the goblin sailors and boatyard workers cheered and waved their caps in the air.

Barnacle Bill went bright red with embarrassment. "Oh, that's quite all right; I'm only too pleased to help. Come on, Jennifer Jane, let's get you home."

Barnacle Bill was in such a hurry to get away from the crowd that he didn't even give himself any orders. Soon they were out on the open river and passing the coastguard station on the northern shore.

Jennifer Jane told Barnacle Bill how she'd found Abigail's old broom and gone for a ride.

"Well, I'm jolly pleased you did," said Barnacle Bill, "do you know, that's the first time anyone in the Davy Jones family has ever called me Barnacle Bill."

"I'm afraid I've used all my wishes for the day," said Jennifer Jane, "would you be able to take me back to the giant's pool?"

"Of course I can," said Barnacle Bill proudly, "I was fully fuelled before I left on my rescue mission. No trouble at all."

Jennifer Jane settled down to enjoy her steamboat ride but all too soon they were in the magic fog of the giant's stream. The fog seemed to be rather thicker than usual, indeed the steamer and Barnacle Bill quite disappeared. Then suddenly, she found herself outside the Wish Warehouse with a very upset Lieutenant Moonshine standing in front of her with her hands on her hips.

"Now then young Jennifer Jane, your use of that broomstick was a very serious offence. The fairy who granted your wish to learn how to fly has been severely reprimanded and put on star polishing for a whole month. You were very lucky that you didn't crash over land, because then we would all have been in serious trouble. If you want to move about by magic, you rely on the professionals in future, or we may have to withdraw your permit to wish and turn you into a grown-up."

Jennifer Jane didn’t have time to apologise. Before she could say anything, she found herself back with Barnacle Bill just as the steamer paddled into the giant's pool.

"Gosh, that was thick back there," said Barnacle Bill, "visibility must have been absolutely zero, you seemed to disappear altogether for a couple of minutes."

Jennifer Jane didn't say anything; she was only too pleased to be back safely. She left Barnacle Bill and the giant having a chat together and went quietly back home.

‘I do hope I haven't upset Lieutenant Moonshine too much,’ she thought ‘but anyway I won't be able to fly again, because I've lost the broom.’

"Hello, Jennifer Jane," said her parents, as she went indoors, "you're just in time for tea. Did you have a nice day?"

"Yes, thank you," said Jennifer Jane, "I was a bit bored at first but I soon found something to do."

"You look a bit tired," said Mother. "I expect you've been running about far too long. You just tuck into your tea and then you can have a nice rest."

Jennifer Jane smiled to herself. She'd flown a witch's broom, been rescued at sea by one of Davy Jones' sailing ships, been in a shipwreck and had a ride in a paddle steamer. Of course, she couldn't tell anyone what she'd been doing, so she just agreed with Mum, ate her tea and then went to bed for an early night.