by carl ashmore
‘Can’t wait,’ Joe said. ‘So tell us more about the Yetis.’
‘What would you like to know?’ Uncle Percy asked.
‘Dunno,’ Joe replied. ‘How big are they?’
‘I would say Gimbledok was around nine feet tall. His partner, Mirala, is a couple of feet shorter, and their son, Orff, is about three feet tall, but that’s to be expected, he’s barely a toddler, after all.’
Becky heart fluttered. ‘Their son?’
‘Yes,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Oh, he’s such a handsome boy. And really very intelligent. He’s picking up language much better than his father. Which reminds me, you’ll be needing these.’ He thrust his hand into his coat pocket and withdrew two pairs of what looked like drawing pins. He passed them over.
Becky recognised them at once as transvocalisors – the remarkable device used by time travellers for translating every language heard and spoken into English, and converting English into a language understood by the receiver.
Becky and Joe applied them as they had been shown in the summer, one behind the ear and one on the throat.
‘So you’re sure these Yetis won’t bite our heads off?’ Joe said, only half joking.
‘They could,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Believe me, they’re very strong and like any animal, can be ferocious when provoked. But I’ve never met a sweeter, kinder, gentler creature than the Yeti. I think it’s wonderful they’ve managed to avoid wider exposure. And they have such wonderful traditions. They can trace their families back thousands of years, and unlike humans treat their elderly with genuine respect. Yes, mankind really could learn a great deal from the humble Yeti.’
‘And we’re taking Betty?’ Joe asked.
‘Absolutely,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘She’s unquestionably the time machine of choice for this kind of trip.’
‘Why?’ Becky asked, detecting a curious tone to his voice.’
Uncle Percy smiled impishly. ‘Watch this.’ He leapt inside the car and pressed something on the dashboard that caused an amber light to blink.
Becky watched, fascinated, as a whirring sound rang out from Betty’s undercarriage. She looked down. Gradually, the Cadillac’s wheels were retracting into the car’s frame, whilst, at the same time, four silvery paddles lowered to the floor.
‘They’re skis!’ Becky panted, trading a stunned look with Joe.
Uncle Percy leaned out of the driver’s window. ‘Anyway, shall we get going? We’ve got to meet a Yeti, find a dead Nazi double agent, and hopefully locate a stone tablet that may lead us to an ancient relic from the Garden of Eden. Not bad for the second day of your Christmas Hols, eh?’
Not wishing to wait a second longer, Becky threw open the back door and leapt into the back seat, swiftly followed by Joe.
Uncle Percy typed a number of digits on to the front panel. ‘See you soon, Barbie.’
The little robot bowed. ‘Best of luck, sir. And, please, be careful…’
Uncle Percy’s response was drowned out by a roaring BOOOOOM, and before its echo had faded, they had gone.
*
A moment later, Becky was staring at a blanket of whiteness. The temperature in the car had plummeted and she was suddenly thankful she was wearing her own body weight in clothing. Glancing round, her heart swelled as the most breathtaking vista came into view. The periwinkle blue sky seemed so close she could reach out and touch it. Snow-capped crests of distant mountains surrounded them like castle turrets. Streams of icy air rushed in through the open driver’s window; it seemed cleaner, sweeter, and crisper than any she had tasted before. Her reverie, however, was interrupted by Joe, who was looking out of the back window, making a strange bleating noise that sounded rather like a goat. She turned and gulped loudly. A gigantic mountain filled her eyes, its peak veiled by a tendril of cloud.
‘That’s Mount Everest,’ Uncle Percy announced. ‘The highest mountain on earth.’
Joe could barely find the words. ‘A –awesome.’
‘Now can you see why Hillary and Tenzing were heroes of mine,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘Absolutely,’ Joe replied sincerely.
‘Now, Gimbledok lives a few miles away but I thought we’d have a pleasant drive through what I’m sure you’ll agree is some remarkable scenery. I mean, it doesn’t get more picturesque than this does it?’
Becky was about to agree when she heard an earsplitting crack!
“What was that? Joe said immediately.
Uncle Percy’s looked in the wing mirror. His face drained of colour. ‘Oh, crikey.’
Becky was panicking now. ‘What is it?’
‘Oh, crikey,’ Uncle Percy repeated, fumbling desperately with his car keys. ‘Crrikkkey…’
A tremor rocked the car, sending Becky rolling into Joe. ‘Uncle Percy, what is it?’ she yelled.
When Uncle Percy replied it was in a small, weak voice, ‘Avalanche...’
Horrified, Becky whipped her head to the rear. A gigantic wall of snow had split from the mountainside and was rushing towards them.
‘DRIVE!’ Becky screamed.
‘Why not.’ Uncle Percy’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel and he slammed his foot on the accelerator.
Betty sped off, skimming the snowy ground like a stone on water.
Becky’s heart thumped wildly. She glanced behind again. Like a tidal wave, the snow cloud was gaining on them, faster and faster. They were travelling at speed, but the avalanche’s momentum was escalating; it was unstoppable, relentless, unyielding. Within seconds, they would be flattened beneath a million tonnes of snow and ice.
Grim-faced, Uncle Percy reached down and flipped open the cap of the car’s gearstick to reveal a scarlet button.
Becky had seen that same button before: an ultra-booster!
‘Hold on to something!’ Uncle Percy growled through clenched teeth. He pressed the button.
The first flecks of the snow cloud fell over them, followed by a thick shower of whiteness, blocking any sunlight, sending the car into darkness. The roar of the avalanche pummelled Becky’s ears. Her hand reached for Joe’s, their fingers dovetailed when – whoosh – Betty rocketed off; her heart jumped into her throat.
The Cadillac shot out of the snow cloud at an astonishing speed.
Relief coursing through her, Becky glanced back. She could see the avalanche was thinning out now, coming to an end, settling into calm, leaving a giant shimmering mushroom cloud in its wake. An eerie silence was restored.
Uncle Percy gave a weighty sigh. ‘Well, that was bracing, wasn’t it?’ He forced a smile.
Becky was speechless.
‘What a rush!’ Joe panted, still struggling to catch his breath.
‘That’s one way of putting it, young man,’ Uncle Percy replied, trying desperately to restore conviction to his voice. ‘Well, so much for the picturesque views … and now you can see why time travellers don’t go everywhere by Portravella…’ He gave a weak chuckle.
Becky wasn’t amused. ‘That’s not going to happen again, is it?’ she said flatly.
‘Absolutely not,’ Uncle Percy replied, shaking his head.
Becky wasn’t entirely convinced.
A short while later, Uncle Percy brought Betty to a halt and pointed up to a cliff face. ‘The Yetis live up there...’
Still somewhat shell-shocked, Becky looked up at a succession of caves etched into the mass of grey and black rock, almost invisible to the naked eye.
Uncle Percy opened the driver’s door. ‘This is where we walk.’ He climbed out and inhaled a lungful of air.
Becky opened the door and stepped out. It was then the spine-wrenching cold assaulted her, penetrating the layers of clothing and numbing her entire body. She watched her breath freeze into clouds, almost solid enough to pluck from the air.
‘Flippin’ ‘eck, that’s brass monkey weather,’ Joe uttered, appearing at her shoulder and putting up his hood.
‘Now can you see why the extra layers are necessary?’ Uncle Per
cy said.
Just then, Becky spied movement in the distance. A large, barrel-chested figure, its sandy-brown woollen fur stark against the bleached white snow, was lumbering towards them. Suddenly, it stopped and tilted its head to one side as if studying them closely. She exhaled loudly. ‘I - it’s a Yeti.’
Uncle Percy looked up. A smile arched on his face. ‘It certainly is.’ He began to wave in broad strokes. ‘HELLO THERE, GIMBLEDOK,’ he shouted.
Anticipation surged through Becky. She saw the Yeti drop on all fours and begin to run like an oversize puppy scampering to its owner.
Joe laughed. ‘Well, Gimbledok must be excited to see you again.’
Becky smiled. She glanced up at Uncle Percy, but his expression had suddenly changed from joy to concern. ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked hurriedly, her eyes flicking back to the Yeti. It was then she felt a jolt of terror. Even from this distance, she could see the Yeti’s teeth were bared; thick globs of drool splashed the ground as its black eyes locked horrifyingly on them.
‘Back in the car,’ Uncle Percy yelled. ‘MOVE!’
‘What’s going on?’ Joe asked.
‘That’s not Gimbledok …’
Chapter 12
Orff’s Gift
Becky’s legs wouldn’t move quickly enough. She sprinted to the Cadillac, puffing madly, and threw open the door. She turned to spur Joe on, but to her horror saw he hadn’t moved at all. ‘Come on!’ she screamed in desperation.
Uncle Percy was already at the driver’s door when he heard Becky’s shout. ‘Joe. GET HERE NOW!’
Joe ignored them both. Instead, he reached coolly into his coat pocket and withdrew a tubular length of metal that resembled a small bicycle pump.
Becky recognised it at once: his Joe-Bow. Sensing he was about to do something incredibly stupid, she roared, ‘ARE YOU AN IDIOT?’
Joe squeezed the middle of the tube. It lengthened into a bow. He pulled free what looked like a pencil, which, extended into an arrow.
The Yeti powered towards him, its muscular arms and legs hammering the snow, its powerful head aimed at him like a train.
Becky had frozen. She knew in seconds Joe would be torn apart, limb from limb.
Joe took aim; his hand barely shaking, he fired. The arrow zipped from the bow – straight and true. It thumped into the Yeti’s shoulder, but it barely noticed, blinded by rage. Joe went to grab another arrow, but there wasn’t time.
The Yeti was almost upon him.
Becky screamed helplessly.
Then two things happened at the same time. As the Yeti leapt for the kill, Uncle Percy barrelled into Joe, pitching him out of harm’s way. At the same time, a second roar echoed all around. Another Yeti met the first in mid-air, wrapping its arms around its waist and sending him off course. They landed hard, rolling through the snow in a ferocious fit of snarls and howls.
‘Gimbledok!’ Uncle Percy breathed thankfully.
The first Yeti broke free and rounded on Gimbledok. With a stomach-turning growl, its long, jagged nails clawed at Gimbledok’s face. Gimbledok ducked and wheeled about. The first Yeti sprang again, hands angled at Gimbledok’s throat.
Gimbledok dodged the assault, sending his massive fist into the other Yeti’s chin, connecting with a revolting crunch. The first Yeti howled with pain and fell back. Recovering quickly, it hurled itself at Gimbledok with increased fury. Gimbledok sidestepped and grasped his opponent by the shoulders and waist. With astonishing strength, he heaved the Yeti high and hurled him powerfully to the ground.
The fight deserted the Yeti’s eyes. Clambering to its feet, it roared at full volume, but it was a roar of submission. The Yeti hung its head, and slowly turned away; casting a furious glance at Uncle Percy and Joe, it sank on to all fours and scurried away.
Gimbledok’s gaze followed the Yeti until it vanished on the misty horizon.
Becky’s heart was in her mouth. She raced over to Joe, who had picked up his Joe-Bow and got to his feet. ‘What’s the matter with you?’ she yelled, slamming her hands into his chest, pushing him backwards.
‘Gerrr off,’ Joe replied.
She shoved him again, harder this time, her face turning purple. ‘You could’ve been torn apart, you pillock!!’
‘But I wasn’t.’
‘Becky’s right, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said angrily. ‘You could’ve been killed. And the next time you think about doing something like that, will be the last time you come on a trip with me again.’ His voice rose in volume. ‘Am I making myself clear?’
Joe had never heard Uncle Percy talk to him like that before. ‘I’m sorry, but –’
‘No buts,’ Uncle Percy snapped back. ‘That was reckless. And I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you.’ His voice faltered. ‘It’s only because I care for you…. deeply.’
Joe’s head dropped. ‘I know. I’m sorry.’
‘Oh, come here,’ Uncle Percy said, seizing him in a powerful hug. After a few seconds, he released Joe, whose eyes were misting over. ‘And, Gimbledok, thank you so much for your timely rescue.’
It was only then it occurred to Becky they were standing beside a genuine Yeti. Up close, she was surprised to see Gimbledok had a strangely agreeable face – certainly not human, but not quite animal either; his wide, jutting forehead sheltered a pair of deep brown eyes that generated warmth and kindliness. His great oval head was covered with tawny brown whiskers, and his mouth revealed a twisted grin that shone with sincerity.
‘Perthee Ha’fax,’ Gimbledok said, his voice gravelly and deep. He leant down and raised Uncle Percy effortlessly into the air like a child with a doll, hugging him tightly.
‘Hello again, Gimbledok,’ Uncle Percy wheezed, red-faced.
‘See yu gud,’ Gimbledok replied, setting Uncle Percy back carefully on the ground.
‘And good to see you, too, my friend,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Allow me to introduce my niece and nephew, Becky and Joe.’
Gimbledok looked at them. ‘Hullo Bekky, hullo Jow.’
‘H-hey up,’ Joe said, sounding like he couldn’t comprehend he was actually talking to a Yeti.
‘Hi, Gimbledok,’ Becky replied nervously. ‘Thanks for helping us with …’ she pointed at the spot where the other Yeti had been.
‘He nam’d, Visigor. He bad Meh-Teh. Yu safe w’th Gimbledok.’ He pointed at Uncle Percy. ‘Gimbledok owe Perthee Ha’fax his life. His life debt is f’rever.’
‘If there ever was any kind of debt, you just repaid it, my friend.’
Gimbledok’s smile grew. ‘Come, Perthee Ha’fax, Mirala and Orff be happee see yu.’
‘And I’ll be very happy to see them.’
Gimbledok gave a satisfied snort. ‘Then yu will sta’ wih Gimbledok.’
‘I’m afraid we can’t stay,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Sadly, this isn’t a social call. Do you remember the hat you showed me when I was last here? The one you took from the dead soldier.’
Gimbledok grunted.
‘You said you laid the soldier to rest in one of your funerary caves. Well, I need to see him.’
Gimbledok’s brow rutted. ‘He dead meny moons.’
‘I know,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘But it’s possible he had something with him when he died. Something we need.’
‘Then Gimbledok take yu to him.’
‘Thank you,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘But I’m not going anywhere until I see that delightful wife and son of yours again.’
Gimbledok’s massive chest swelled. ‘No moon pass witho’t Orff talk of Perthee Ha’fax. Come … fullow me … owr clans be as one.’ And Gimbledok lumbered away toward the steep incline of rocks and boulders that formed the start of the cliff face. He began to climb with the speed and grace of a dancer.
Uncle Percy looked at a bewildered Becky and Joe, eyes twinkling. ‘He really is a smashing chap.’
Savage sunlight blinded Becky as she trailed Uncle Percy and Joe to the mountainside. Looking up, she saw Gimbledok disappearing into a cave
. Taking Uncle Percy’s lead, she pulled herself up onto the rocks and carefully began her ascent. Within ten minutes, she had reached the cave entrance to find Uncle Percy and Joe staring wide-eyed into the distance. She looked back and was dumbstruck by what she saw. The snow carpeted the horizon like a white ocean, merging into soft cloud, making it impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.
‘Welcome to the top of the world,’ Uncle Percy said humbly, before turning and slowly entering the cave.
Wordlessly, Becky and Joe followed him in.
Inside, Becky saw the cave was large and empty with frosted glassy walls fifteen foot high. Gimbledok was standing next to an opening in the opposite wall illuminated orange from the caves beyond. He stepped through it and gave a great, discordant wail that sounded like a foghorn, before vanishing into the gap.
‘I believe our arrival has been announced,’ Uncle Percy said with a smile.
Her pulse racing, Becky stepped cautiously through to find herself in a wide tunnel lit by burning torches that crackled and popped, sending rippling shadows onto the ceiling; fashioned into the walls were dozens more caves, many illuminated by fires from within.
Just then, Becky heard movement - shuffling, mumbling, grunting, snorting - as male and female Yetis of all sizes emerged from their caves; some were elderly with stooped shoulders, their silvery whiskers more disheveled than their younger counterparts, who stood taller, their powerful chests jutting out like sentries.
Gimbledok scanned them all. ‘Meh-Teh’s … our fren’, Perthee Ha’fax, has ret’n’d.’
The Yetis banged their giant feet repeatedly on the ground in a thunderous gesture of delight.
Uncle Percy extended his arms. ‘Thank you, my friends. I’m only here for the briefest of times but it’s wonderful to see you all again.’
All of a sudden, a high-pitched yelp echoed from the furthest cave. A small figure, covered head to toe in velvety brown fur, sprang into the passageway and raced towards them. With a powerful leap it soared into Uncle Percy’s open arms.
‘Ah, hello again, Orff,’ Uncle Percy said cheerfully.
