Polly Pippin and The Tunnel of Death

by Sarah Godwin Winter

  'That went well,' said Ape.

  'She'll settle down,' said Mrs Hart. 'I'll make her favourite desert.'

  'Really,' said Hamish. 'And will there be enough for two handsome lads?' He put his arms around her and gave her a hard squeeze. 'After all we do love you.'

  'Let go of me, you little devil,' Mrs Hart said, enjoying the attention. 'Any more of your cheek and only Algernon will be fed.'

  Ape gave her a big, wet kiss on the cheek and quickly danced away, only just avoiding a slap. And Mrs Hart walked into the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves.

  Ape said, 'Right, fun and games over, Captain Pippin. This is worse than I thought, so down to business Hamish, we need to talk.'

  The garden cottage

  'I'm going to run away,' Polly said as she plonked down on her bed. 'I'm not allowed to do anything! Sod Hamish.'

  'It's only because he cares about you Polly.' Alison tried to settle her down.

  'No. It's only because he cares about himself,' Polly replied. 'Oh and his Air Force mate Ape, who's strange.'

  'I like him,' Alison said. 'In fact, I think he's cute.'

  'You think all boys are cute.' Polly was in a bad mood so was being nasty.

  'I do not,' Alison retorted. She wasn't about to take any of Polly's cheek.

  'Anyway, I thought you liked Miles.'

  'I do, and I don't want to go out with Hamish's friend. I just think he's cute.'

  'Polly, Alison!' Mrs Hart's voice came up from the foot of the stairs. 'Lunch is ready.'

  'Come with me Ali. Let's run away to Hollywood,' Polly challenged.

  'I thought you wanted Brad C. to make a movie here with you as a star. You could get round Hamish.'

  'Polly, Alison!' Mrs Hart became more demanding. 'Get down here at once.'

  'Look out Mrs H. is on the warpath. We'd better hurry, or Hamish will eat everything that doesn't move.' Alison tried to pull Polly up.

  'I'm not a child. I'm going out,' Polly said defiantly.

  'Come on Polly. We have to get ready to go out with Piers and Miles. They said they would call at seven.'

  'We can ring them,' Polly said, as she grabbed her hat and coat. 'Coming Ali,' she added.

  'Only to keep you out of trouble,' Alison answered, but Polly had already gone.

  Polly decided not to go past the kitchen but out via the crypt, it was the only way out that would not alert Mrs Hart. She crept down the stairs, followed by Alison. Polly put her finger to her lips as they crept along the hall and under the stairs to the Crypt. She put the key in the door, and much to the girl's delight, the door opened. They walked into the darkest part of the crypt that led to the garden. It was very dusty, and cobwebs hung in long swathes. Polly had the only key, it was large, rusty, and looked very old. She had found it hanging on a nail in a dark alcove in the sunshine room when she'd been a child. She'd tried every door in the house, but it fitted none. Eventually, she'd tried the door to the Crypt, and the old key opened it. Excitedly, she'd rushed down the stairs to explore the room, hoping to find some treasure. But that was not the end of it, in the Crypt, they'd discovered another door that led to the back garden. The key fitted again, but the door only opened a fraction, as over the years, vines and tree roots had grown over the door. She'd called to Alison, and push as they might, the door would not budge, so they'd given up, deciding to try later. But like all little children, they'd forgotten about it, and when they'd remembered, the key had mysteriously gone missing.

  ~

  Much later, when they'd moved back into the house, the key suddenly appeared on the kitchen table. Alison saw it, and thinking Polly must have put it there, took it up to her bedroom and threw it onto Polly’s bed. Polly saw it later and absently put it in a draw in her dressing table.

  'Do you remember when we were kids, and we couldn't open this door?' Polly said as she put the key in the lock of the old disused door that led to the garden. The door opened a little, and she pushed hard. 'Give me a hand, Ali. Come on, help me push.'

  They pushed and kicked at the door, and the gap slowly widened before the overgrowth suddenly gave way, and the girls fell out.

  'We did it,' said Alison. 'Hurrah.'

  They sat up and looked round. The garden seemed to go on forever, a high wall covered in ivy and other climbing plants surrounded it. The trees stretched up to the sky and created a canopy that was laden with fruits and blossoms. The sun peeked through at intervals, throwing down tiny shafts of light, lighting up an unruly, overgrown garden.

  Then Polly saw the cottage. 'Look! How cute. I had no idea the garden was so big or that there was a cottage in it. How come we've never been out here before?'

  'We couldn't open the door if you remember,' Alison retorted

  'We were only kids then, and we did try if you remember, idiot.'

  It seemed they'd disturbed the tranquility of the garden. Hundreds of tiny, brightly coloured dragonflies appeared and danced just above their heads, luring them further down the path that led to the little cottage.

  As they got to the door, Polly said, 'I wonder if that witch that eats little children is in there.'

  Before Alison could tell her how stupid she was being, Polly had opened the door and peeped in.

  Knightly and Winsor film studio

  'Brad Capriole is making the film he asked us about in Brown Sugar,' Piers said. 'I've a letter of confirmation from the producer, Steve Smith, wanting to use studio one.'

  'What are they filming?'

  'It's about a haunted house. They want to film some sequences in the girls' house, but the brother's not at all keen,' Piers answered. 'I don't blame him either. I don't like Mr Capriole one bit.'

  'I'm not too keen on him either,' Miles agreed, 'I don't like the way he leers at the girls.'

  'That reminds me, what time are we supposed to be meeting the girls?' Piers looked at his watch. 'If I remember correctly, we said about seven.'

  'We did. And that doesn't leave us much time. I have to go home and have a shower.' Miles had already grabbed his coat and was heading for the door.

  'I'll be with you in a sec,' Piers called. 'I'll just answer this letter from Steve what's-his-name. We'll say yes and charge them double our standard rate.'

  Byzantine Crescent

  Thinking the girls were sulking in their bedrooms, Hamish and Algernon ate one of Mrs Hart's delicious meals and were waiting impatiently for dessert.

  'I'd better go up and see what those two girls are up to,' Hamish said, as he rose from the table. 'It's unlike them to miss dinner, and if Polly does throw a tush, Alison usually brings her round.' He got to the door and turned round. 'And don't eat my share of the dessert, Ape, or you're a dead man.'

  Hamish ran up the stairs and called the girls. He looked in both bedrooms - no sign of them. He went up to the sunshine room - again empty. How could they have gone out without being seen? He walked back to the dining room and sat down.

  'There’s no sign of them. Well, they're not upstairs anyway. What's the time?'

  'Just on seven,' Algernon said, and as he did, the doorbell rang.

  Mrs Hart opened the door to two young men. 'Yes?' she said.

  'Hello,' Piers said. 'We're here to see Polly and Alison.'

  'Well, you had better come in,' said Mrs Hart, thinking what beautiful boys, as she waved them in. Hamish came out of the dining room. 'Hi Piers, Miles. Come on in. How are you? We're just having dessert. I'm sure you would love it, it's a Mrs Hart special.'

  'Actually, we've called to take the girls out to dinner. Thanks anyway.'

  'Well, you may have a wait. The girls have gone out… or rather, they are not in their rooms.'

  'That's okay, we can come back later,' Piers said and started to back out. Hamish jumped to his feet and saw Piers and Miles to the door.

  'Are you sure you don't want to wait?' Hamish asked.

  'No, I'll go and get some petrol and be back,' Piers answered and waved goodbye.

  Hamish walked back in
to the lounge. 'I like those blokes,' he said.

  'Yeah,' answered Ape. 'So do I, you can tell they're a decent pair.'

  Suddenly, a loud noise, followed by a scream, brought the two men to their feet.

  'What was that?' Hamish said, and he started towards the door. Another scream exploded in Hamish's head. 'That came from the Crypt,' he said and followed by Ape, he ran into the hall, down the stairs and into the Crypt.

  'Well, they're not here,' said Ape. 'There's absolutely nowhere they can hide.'

  'The screams definitely came from here,' Hamish said as he continued to look round. 'I think we should call the police.'

  'The police? They won't be interested. "So you heard a scream?" they will say…'

  'I still think -'

  Ape cut in. 'No Hamish, not the police. It's time we went into action.'

  Brad makes his plans

  Brad Capriole was basking in his own glory as he sat in his luxurious penthouse overlooking the Thames, a glass of the best champagne in his hand. The view was spectacular and was made even better as the sun was about to set. He was deep in thought as to what his next move should be. After the Rebels had conquered Earth, he wanted to be king or dictator of the world. Either or call it what you will, he wanted total control. Let's face it, he thought. Once the Rebels get to the First Universe, the Earth will be of no use to them. But to him, he could only imagine what it would be like: the adoration of millions, money to burn and he had the ace card, Polly Pippin… the star, in her own mind, he thought spitefully. She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. But he would play along with her. I'll promise her anything, it's my way into Byzantine Crescent. He would do it for the Rebels.

  ~

  The first step was to capture Polly and give her to the Rebels. It would be easy - a cinch. She was already besotted with him, so he was over halfway there. The plan of making a movie in her house was brilliant. Steve had thought of it first, but Brad had made it his own. It was his idea to tell her she would be the star, and all was going well till her nuisance of a brother got in the way. Then the Rebel Zack thought about pretending Polly won the trip overseas, and that was a great idea till Hamish stopped that as well. I have to get him and his stupid friend Algernon out of the way. No time like the present, he thought and picked up the phone.

  Chapter 3

  Piers and Miles

  The day started out badly and finished worse. Steve Smith agreed to the outrageous quote the boys had given him to make the movie they did not want to work on.

  'I can't believe it. No one in their right mind would accept that ridiculous quote,' Piers said. 'I don't know why, but I feel very uneasy and very suspicious. They must have an ulterior motive.'

  'Well, I think Brad and his daft director are after the girls… and not to star in the movie. Anyway, what would your dad say?'

  'Well, you know Dad. He'd say go for it but keep an eye on them. Did you ring to make an appointment with big bad Brad?'

  'Yeah,' Miles said, and he looked at his watch. 'We're meeting him and his staff in about half an hour, so we'd better get a move on.'

  'Right, let's get started.

  The meeting went exceptionally well, which didn't please the boys. There was the problem of getting Hamish to agree to film in Byzantine Crescent. Piers told Brad he would organise that, and with no cost restriction, they would hire the best negotiators. The meeting went on and on, and by the time Piers and Miles shook hands on the deal, it was six. They rushed home, had a quick shower, and changed. It had been a mad rush to get to the girls on time, but they made it, so when Hamish told them the girls were not at home, they were angry. Then when they did not come home at all that evening, the boys were upset and then worried. According to Hamish, it was not like the girls, so where had they got to?

  The Dark Universe

  The exuberance that had filled the hall earlier in Egregious, the biggest orb in the Dark Universe and home to the Rebels, had turned sour. Commander Rekrap angrily paced up and down, stamping his feet and waving his arms around wildly.

  'For some unknown reason, or so you say, coloured rain fell, and although we outnumbered the Freeflyers five to one, we lost the fight. I wanted to take over King Arthur's castle, and what did we do? We ran away, didn't we? Well, I stayed to the very last, of course.' He looked round, daring a denial. Commander Rekrap loved being the hero, even though he wasn't, actually he was the first one to run away. He continued, and we did not capture any Freeflyers from the orb Zenithal, which included Commander Rhettnor and his two henchmen, Sreip and Selim.'

  'Sir, please,' Zack interrupted.

  'Don't "please sir" me.' Commander Rekrap was red in the face. 'Don't "please sir" me,' he repeated. 'I want Byzantine Crescent. Now!' He hit the desk with his open hand so hard that half the Rebels in the hall jumped out of their skins.

  'You were in there! You had Polly and Alison in the palm of your hand. Then what did you do? Thanks to Harry the Hand, the bloody fool, you Zack, ended up with Lily, who owns the Brown Sugar Café. And what was the outcome of that? You had an earth feeling - they call it love - and she had twins. Well, thank the devil's tail we erased her memory of you and the rest of it. And the babies are in a time hold so will never get any older. And Louise will never see those babies, do you want to know why she will never see them, Zack? Well, when the time is right, I will destroy them.'

  'It's Lily, sir.'

  'I know that, boy. As I was saying, Laura will be heartbroken.'

  'Her name is Lily sir. And where are the babies sir?' Zack said.

  Commander Rekrap was so angry that he felt like stabbing Zack in the eye with his paper knife. 'Get out,' he said between clenched teeth. 'Get out and get me Byzantine Crescent, Polly, Alison, Laura, Liza, Louise… oh whatever her name is. Oh and that twin of hers, Lucy. In that order!'

  'Yes Sir, I will, sir, and I'm sorry.'

  'You're sorry. Well, that makes everything alright, doesn't it? NOT!' he ended up screaming.

  Zack looked so devastated Commander Rekrap relented but only slightly. Well, all is not lost, he thought. We found out Zack and Knox are twins. What a turn up for the books. Rhettnor will be heartbroken… ha ha.' He rubbed his hands together and went into convulsive laughter. He then started coughing till he nearly choked. He finally caught his breath, lashing out at the Rebels to stop slapping him so hard cause it had knocked him to his knees.

  'Get off me!' he shouted. As he got up and saw the two famous Rebels were still there. 'You still here? Get out, get out!'

  'Yes sir.' Zack and Knox saluted, and as they were leaving the hall, Commander Rekrap called. 'And make it quick! My Egron oath. I have no intention of giving up till I have control of Byzantine Crescent.' He scowled. 'And until we find out what the invisible secret is.'

  Brad shows his hand

  When Polly entered the little cottage in the garden, the last thing she expected to see was the two Liddles curled up on the sofa.

  'Ali, come and see what's in here.' As Alison followed her in, Polly dropped to her knees and picked up Minx. Manx ran to Alison and wound round her legs.

  'Can you believe it? How did you get in here, you little devils?' Polly said to the little creatures. 'Ali, I think we should move into the cottage. It's so cute. I love it here.'

  'I have no intention of sleeping in the cottage, Polly,' Alison said defiantly.

  'Why not?' replied Polly.

  'I don't have to give a reason. I just don't want to. I like my bedroom in the house.'

  'But the animals obviously love it here,' Polly countered. She was about to continue, but Ali's face said it all: "Do not say another word".

  'Okay, just think about. Let's take the animals with us to Lily's and come home late. It'll frighten Hamish out of his mind.'

  'What about Piers and Miles?' Alison was looking forward to the night out with the boys.

  'Oh, we can make it up to them. Besides which, it will make them all the keener. Come on, grab Manx, and let's go. We can
get a pizza on the way.'

  ~

  The girls walked out into the night, looking forward to a bit of fun with Lily. And with the pizzas, their pets and a big smile, they stood on Lily's doorstep and rang the bell.

  As she answered the door, Lily turned back and spoke to someone sitting in the lounge. 'How did you know?' She turned back. 'I can't believe it. Come in.' Polly handed her the pizzas, and they walked in. Polly could not believe her eyes. Brad Capriole was sitting in the lounge, sipping a glass of wine.

  'He said you'd be coming over,' Lily said. 'I told him nothing was arranged, but he insisted, so I let him in.'

  'But we didn't know we were coming over till half an hour ago, so he couldn't possibly have known.'

  Brad cut Polly short. 'Who can question love, Polly? We obviously have some telepathic connection.' As if, he thought, I could fall in love with a nobody. If it weren't for those ugly little animals communicating with the Rebels and then me, how the hell would I know you were coming here, stupid? But he smiled, Polly would now be in the palm of his hand.

  Lily was thrilled to bits, Brad Capriole was in her house. 'Help me cut up the pizzas Polly. Alison, you grab some drinks, oh and recharge Brad's glass please.' When they were in the kitchen, Lily said. 'I'm so excited! Brad Capriole in my house! I can't believe it.'

  Polly wasn't quite sure why he was there, but sod it, she was determined to impress him. She sat as close to him as she dared and helped him to a slice of pizza. But Brad was very smart and did not mention the movie. He talked about his life, and how he was ready to marry and settle down. All the time he was talking, he was looking at Polly, knowing he was sucking her right in. They finished the pizza and drank a glass of wine each. Then Polly, feeling very brave, brought up the question of the movie. 'So Brad.' She felt very daring when she called him Brad. 'How are you going with the movie?'

  'Oh okay. We've signed up with Piers and Miles to make it in their studio. They have the best film studio in London, you know. It's outrageously expensive, but if you want the best, you have to pay for the best.'