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    The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14)
    The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14)
    The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14)
    Ebook163 pages1 hour

    The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14)

    By Dr E J Yeaman

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Someone snatched a boy who was supposed to carry a parcel along a moorland path in The Hound of the Baskervilles. That meant a job for me. I’m Jam Rodger, and I’m a Guardian: it’s my job to stop people from spoiling stories. I was sent to carry the parcel to a group of ruined huts – where I found an old guy, tied up, and overheard two men plotting to take people from Nicholas Nickleby to The Wizard of Oz. Trying to stop them, I faced a lot of perils – including a kiss from the Infant Phenomenon.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDr E J Yeaman
    Release dateFeb 5, 2015
    ISBN9781310581083
    The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14)
    Author

    Dr E J Yeaman

    I retired (early) and started a new career as a writer. I wrote short stories and articles. Some were published; some won prizes; some sank without trace.Having heard my stories, two friends suggested I should write for children. I’d never thought of that, although I’d spent my first career communicating with young people – as a Chemistry teacher, and running clubs for badminton, chess, table tennis and hillwalking.I tried writing for young people – and I loved it. It became my main occupation. I sent samples to publishers. One asked to see a complete story. In excitement, I sent it off. Then nothing. After four months, I rang, and was told the manuscript was being considered: I would be notified. Then more nothing. Now, after eight years, I no longer rush to the door when the letter box rattles.But I kept writing the stories because I enjoyed it so much. Until, in late 2013, I learned I could publish my stories and games as e-books. Since then, I’ve been polishing and issuing some of them. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.Check out the series:C: Charades – party game – a new twist to the traditional game.D: Diagags – party game – gags written as plays for two people.M: My Story – novels – classical stories, told by the heroes.O: One-Offs – party game – guess the titles, not quite the classical ones.P: Pop Tales – short stories – inspired by 60s and 70s hit songs.Q: Quote-Outs – word games – can you deduce the missing words?S: Inside Story – novels – a boy’s adventures inside classical stories.T: Troubleshooters – novels – space adventures for young people.

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      Book preview

      The Wizard of Willow Park (Inside Story 14) - Dr E J Yeaman

      I’ve met Sherlock Holmes. Yeah. I’m a boy in the twenty-first century. He’s a detective in stories written more than a hundred years ago. But I have an incorporator. It looks like a small e-book reader, and it can take me into any (old) story. I can actually meet the people and explore the places.

      But I’m not supposed to do that without permission. Because visiting stories can spoil them. Like if you went to Oliver Twist and broke Oliver’s leg. Some people don’t care. They take trips to stories anyway. Others go to stories, trying to ruin them. We call them Wreckers.

      ‘We’ are the Guardians. We try to save stories by stopping the Wreckers. Sherlock Holmes is the Chief Guardian. That’s how I met him.

      But I didn’t say we were mates….

      2

      Sherlock Holmes frowned at the bushes around us. This is an unpleasant place.

      It’s my secret den in the Willow Park, I said. You ordered me not to tell Dad and Mum about the incorporator, so you can’t come to my room. Why can’t we meet at your place?

      No, James, he said. I dare not tell you how to find me. No doubt you would go there and cause mischief.

      I wouldn’t! But I might want to see you urgently. Seeing his frown, I went on quickly, Have you got a job for me?

      Yes. He stared at me for a few seconds, then went on, "I would not ask you if I could find anyone else for this task, but…. The problem is in one of my own stories – The Hound of the Baskervilles. It is vital that Dr Watson and another character should see a boy carrying a bundle along a moorland path. Someone has kidnapped the boy. The story can be saved if you take his place. It is a simple task. One that even you cannot spoil – I hope."

      If you’re not sure I can do it, maybe I shouldn’t try. That was a sarky comment because he was bugging me.

      He hesitated, making me wish I hadn’t said it. But he said, I have no choice. The matter is urgent. Give me your incorporator.

      I handed it over.

      He set it and gave it back. The screen now showed:

      Title: The Hound of the Baskervilles

      Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

      Edition: 1902

      Page: 137.

      He said, Now listen carefully, James. You will go to that place. Beside the path, you will find a cloth bundle with a note tucked into it.

      A note?

      You know what a note is. A scrap of paper with writing on it. You will carry the note and the bundle along the path.

      Where will I meet Dr Watson?

      You will not meet Dr Watson. He and the other character will observe you by means of a telescope. You will continue along the path until you reach a circle of ancient stone huts, now in ruins. You will leave the note and the bundle on the stone slab in the hut in the middle of that circle. Is that clear?

      Yeah. D’you want me to look for the missing boy?

      No! You will do only what I tell you. No more and no less. Now away with you! I told you – this is an urgent mission.

      I felt like making another comment, but he might’ve stopped me going. So I just scowled at him as I pressed Go on the incorporator.

      3

      No flash. No bang. But, in an instant, I was at that place in that story. I was wearing a ragged brown jacket and trousers, and heavy black shoes.

      The bundle, about the size of a small backpack, was sitting on a rock beside the path. The rough cloth, almost white, was knotted at the top. It contained two lumpy things and two that felt like tins of soup. The note was tucked under the knot. I would’ve liked to read it, but Dr Watson might see me.

      I put the incorporator in my pocket, picked up the bundle, and headed along the path. It wound among rocks, with ferns and brambles between them. The leaves were dying: it was probably autumn.

      I followed the faint path between low hills, to a hollow with the stone huts. They were round, and bigger than I expected. Only the one in the middle had any roof left.

      As I ducked through the low doorway into it, I thought, Dr Watson won’t see me here. I can read that note. I might even have a look in the bundle. I could easily undo and retie that knot.

      Somebody was living in that hut. A circle of blackened stones surrounded the ashes of a fire. A pile of empty cans lay beside a metal bucket, half full of water. A roll of blankets sat at one end of a big stone slab, maybe where the ancient inhabitant had slept.

      Today, there was somebody on that slab – a body, bound and gagged.

      4

      The missing boy! I dumped the bundle, and knelt beside him.

      It wasn’t the boy. It was an old guy with a bald head and a wrinkled face. At first, I didn’t want to touch him because I thought he was dead. Then I realised he was breathing. He was asleep, knocked out, or drugged. He must be part of Sherlock Holmes’s story.

      Should I read the note? If the guy wakened and saw me, that might cause trouble in the story – and, if he told Sherlock Holmes, it would definitely cause trouble for me. No. I might….

      Ah! There you are. A man’s voice boomed outside. I froze in tense silence.

      Another man’s voice answered – deeper but whining. Yes. Why must we meet here? It is a bleak place.

      And lonely. That is why I chose it. The only character here was a boy whom I have removed. Are you ready for your orders?

      If you are ready with the payment.

      Wreckers! These must the ones who were targeting this story.

      The booming voice laughed. You shall have your payment, never fear.

      Four hundred pounds for every character I move.

      That is our agreement.

      Where do you wish me to take them?

      "I have written it on this sheet. The Wizard of Oz, L Frank Baum, 1900. Those are the title, author and edition of the book. The numbers underneath are the pages where the characters will cause the greatest confusion."

      Do you wish me to take them to the pages in the order given? 35 first?

      Y…yes. But that is not vital. Do you know how to move a character?

      You informed me that it was simple.

      "To move a character, you must have your arms around him as you press the Go button on the incorporator."

      That is not as simple as you suggested.

      Do you expect to be paid for nothing? You can put your arms round them from behind, or tie and blindfold them.

      Y…yes. I may employ others to do that.

      "If you tie them, beware. During the move, their bonds and blindfold will be left behind. If you do not wish them to see you, you must be ready to use the device quickly to return to your own story. Do you intend to take any characters from The Wizard of Oz to your own story?"

      I have not yet decided. It may be too risky.

      The decision is yours, but remember – you will receive the same payment for any character you move in the other direction.

      "You tempt me, sir. If I see the chance of doing so safely, I may seize it. When do

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