The Rescue Princess

by Janey Louise Jones

  Just as she turned on the radio to listen to the latest weather report, the phone rang. It was Granny Bumble.

  “Oh, hello, dear.”

  “Hello,” Mum replied. “How’s everything at the teashop?”

  “It’s very busy. All the people who are helping clear the snow are popping in for hot drinks and snacks. I’ve just seen your James – absolutely frozen, he was. I gave him a cup of tea and a toasted teacake with butter and raspberry jam – that warmed him up. He asked me to let you know that he got the girls home safely and that he’s going to be a bit longer than expected,” explained Granny Bumble. “Is everything all right with you?”

  “Well, the girls are having a lovely time playing in the snow, the twins are asleep and Dad is snoozing by the fire, so yes, all’s fine, except for this blasted weather. I want spring to come!” replied Mum.

  “I’ve just heard the weather forecast and it looks like the snow is here to stay, for a few days at least,” said Granny Bumble. “The only thing I’m a bit worried about is supplies. Aunt Marigold just rang from the General Store and she’s nearly run out of bread, fruit and cheese. Everyone’s panic buying because the newsreader on the morning programme told people to stock up. If Marigold’s delivery van can’t get to the village today, there’ll be no more food for the rest of us. Same goes for my supplies. I can only bake if I’ve got the ingredients, and the road to Barley Farm seems to be blocked. It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get anything today. I’m nearly out of eggs too. But let’s think positively, dear – it can’t go on for too long and I’ve certainly survived a lot worse than this in the past!”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right,” agreed Mum. “It’s really frustrating though. Usually I just nip down the High Street for everything I need, but I can’t push the buggy in this snow. Imagine living in this sort of climate all the time!”

  “Exactly! We only get this once in a blue moon. I’ll ask Marigold if she can put aside some milk and bits and pieces for you at the store, dear.”

  “Oh, thank you!” said Mum, beginning to feel slightly concerned. “Bye for now.”

  An hour and a half later a very cold Dad arrived at the front door. When Poppy and Honey saw him come home, they decided it was about time they went in too. The snow was great fun, but it was also very, very cold. When they’d taken off their boots, they ran into the sitting room to warm themselves up and found Dad walking around like a robot, with rigid arms and legs, pretending that he was frozen solid. The girls thought this was very funny indeed.

  “I’d be even colder if it wasn’t for this fabulous hat!” he said as he pulled off his Scrooge cap.

  “I’m sorry we laughed at you this morning,” said Mum, giving him a hug. “You were right, this snow is serious.”

  “Actually, I’m getting quite excited by it now,” said Dad cheerfully. “It’s an adventure!”

  “What’s going on in the village, James?” Grandpa asked, lowering his newspaper. “Nothing to worry about, I bet!”

  “Well, yes and no, Grandpa,” began Dad.

  He went on to tell them all about the hungry birds who couldn’t get worms from the frozen, snow-covered earth.

  Then he explained that many people, especially the elderly, were starting to feel the cold very badly. Like the Cottons, lots of families had been expecting log deliveries that day, but because of the snow the log-man couldn’t reach them. Dad confirmed what Granny Bumble had said about the panic-buying. The shops were almost empty and there were no fresh supplies anywhere. He also told tales of frozen pipes and nasty accidents on slippery paths.

  Everyone looked at each other, suddenly realizing that Dad hadn’t been over-reacting and that the snowstorm wasn’t all fun and games.

  “Perhaps we should go down to Delphi and Daniel’s in Camomile Cove,” suggested Mum. “They never get such bad snow there.”

  “The roads are all blocked, darling,” said Dad. “We’re totally snowed in.”

  Chapter Five

  JUST THEN THE phone rang again. It was Aunt Marigold.

  “Hello, Lavender. I’ve put by a bag of groceries for you but there wasn’t much left, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh, thank you. You’re a life saver!” replied Mum. “They’re not going to last long though – my lot are a hungry bunch. I don’t know what we’re going to do if this weather lasts.”

  “Well, actually, I’ve had an idea,” said Aunt Marigold. “If everyone in the village shares out their food and logs, everything would go a lot further. We could make huge pots of soup and stew. We could play games to keep warm, pool our resources and generally keep spirits up.”

  “That’s a brilliant idea,” said Mum, suddenly feeling like a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders. “But where on earth is big enough for us all to gather in round here?”

  “Cornsilk Castle?” suggested Aunt Marigold.

  “Yes, I suppose so, but it’s always so cold in there. Draughty too,” said Mum. “None of the windows quite fit.”

  “Well, how about the Village Hall, or the Lavender Lake Dance School?” said Aunt Marigold.

  “Hang on a minute,” said Mum. She held her hand over the receiver and spoke to everyone in the room:

  “We’re trying to think of a place where everyone in the village could get together to share food and keep warm – any ideas?”

  Grandpa drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair while he thought. “What about the Hedgerows Hotel?” he said. “It’s always warm in there and they must have lots of supplies in their kitchens. They’ve got a generator too, which will be handy if the electricity lines go down. We could all pay our way in due course. The Woodchesters are very community spirited – I’m sure they won’t mind.”

  Mum passed the suggestion on to Aunt Marigold.

  “What a brainwave!” she declared. “I’ll call them right away! Bye for now.”

  Mum and Dad decided to pack a couple of suitcases with clothes and provisions for the whole family just in case Aunt Marigold’s plan came off. Then they listened to the weather report on the radio, which said that the whole region was snowed in and that basic supplies were in danger of running out.

  Poppy and Honey sat in front of the fire chatting.

  “Isn’t it exciting?” said Poppy.

  “Well, kind of, but what if we do run out of food or freeze to death?” asked Honey.

  “Don’t be silly. It’s an adventure, just like Dad said. Anyway, Mum always has loads of food in the house – which reminds me, I’m starving. Mum, what’s for lunch?” called Poppy.

  “I’ve made some sandwiches, darling,” Mum replied.

  Poppy rolled her eyes. She liked their big cooked lunch on Saturdays: it was a tradition. Sandwiches were strictly for packed lunches and picnics – at least that’s what Poppy thought.

  As the Cottons, Honey and Grandpa munched on sandwiches, a phone call came through from Ted to say that everyone was indeed to meet at the Hedgerows Hotel at four o’clock.

  “I’ve always wanted to stay overnight in Mimosa’s hotel,” exclaimed Poppy, delighted at the way things were panning out. “It’ll be like another sleepover!”

  After lunch Mum, Dad, Grandpa, Poppy, Honey and the twins finished packing their things, including all the food they could find in the house, loaded as much as possible onto a sledge, locked up and set off for the Hedgerows Hotel. Progress was painfully slow. The twins were whimpering and the adults were struggling with all the things they had to carry. This was made worse when they ventured out into the deep snow, fighting against the biting wind and driving blizzard. Then, just as they neared the Post Office, Honey tripped over something and fell awkwardly into a huge snowdrift, dropping all her bags as she fell.

  “Ouch! My ankle!”

  Chapter Six

  GRANDPA OFFERED TO take Archie while Dad examined Honey’s ankle. He realized immediately that there was no way she was going to be able to walk to the Hedgerows Hotel. He would have to carry her. He picked her
up gently, being careful not to knock her ankle, and carried her like a baby.

  “We’ll have to load these cases and Honey’s bags onto the sledge,” said Dad, fearful of falling over while carrying her. “Poppy, Grandpa, do you think you can manage with the extra weight?”

  “I think so, Dad,” replied Poppy bravely.

  “We’ll pull the sledge together, Princess Poppy,” said Grandpa, smiling.

  It seemed that nearly everybody in the village was making their way to the hotel, carrying bags and holdalls, plus boxes, crates and logs. And even though no one could travel quickly because they were so laden, there was a bit of a race to reach the hotel – everyone seemed to think there would be no provisions left for them if they didn’t get there first! But it was impossible for Poppy and her family to rush.

  After what seemed like an eternity they arrived at the Hedgerows Hotel, to be met with the warmest of welcomes. A huge open fire roared and crackled in the hallway and a big tray of hot drinks and shortbread had been placed on a table next to it. Hotel staff were serving the villagers and smiling warmly as they went about their work. Even Mimosa was helping to serve, very proud that her family had come to everyone’s rescue.

  Mimosa’s mum, Mrs Woodchester, was explaining to everyone what to do next.

  “When you’ve had a hot drink and a snack, please take one of these forms, fill it in and take it with you to the Grand Ballroom,” she said. “There, you will be allocated a bedroom and a job for the next few days.”

  “Thank you!” said Mum.

  “Before we do anything, we need to attend to Honey,” explained Dad. “She fell and hurt her ankle on the way. It may even be broken. Is Dr Latimer here yet?”

  Honey had been completely silent for some time now and was being very brave, but at the mention of the word ‘broken’ she started whimpering. She didn’t think any part of her had ever actually been broken before and it sounded very serious. Poppy squeezed her friend’s hand.

  “Yes, he’s in the ballroom already. You’ll find there’s already a queue but Honey must go to the front,” said Mrs Woodchester kindly.

  Mimosa looked very concerned about her friend and gave Honey a special goody bag full of Hedgerows Hotel postcards, pens and key-rings to cheer her up. Honey tried to smile, grateful for her friend’s sympathy, but she was in too much pain.

  Mum quickly filled in the form and then caught up with Dad, Grandpa, Poppy, Honey and the twins as they made their way down the long corridor that led to the ballroom.

  “Will Granny be there?” asked Honey, through her discomfort.

  “We’ll find her soon,” said Mum confidently. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

  Mum was concerned about Honey but at least she didn’t have to worry about keeping everyone warm and fed any more. The Woodchesters and their staff were managing everything beautifully and all the villagers were rallying together.

  Poppy couldn’t believe her eyes when she entered the ballroom. Almost everyone she knew in the whole village was there, including all her sleepover buddies. What fun! Just then she noticed Granny Bumble coming swiftly towards them looking very worried indeed.

  “Honey, love, what’s happened?” she asked.

  “I . . . fell . . . over on . . . the way . . . here,” explained Honey in between sobs. “It might even be . . . broken and it really, really hurts.”

  “You poor darling,” said Granny Bumble as she stroked her granddaughter’s head. “We’d better let Dr Latimer take a look. Poppy, be a dear and go and get him, will you?”

  All around the ballroom there were babies sleeping and playing, grannies and grandpas nattering, mums and dads catching up with friends, and children making up games and races. All the different generations were playing together and helping each other out. Lily Ann Peach had set up her beauty things on a table and was offering manicures and head massages for free! Madame Angelwing was instructing some girls – and boys – in ballet positions, and Saffron was repairing a split seam on a pair of trousers while her husband David had a look at a pet hamster that one of the village boys had brought with him to the hotel. Meanwhile someone else was setting up a microphone on the stage. Poppy was excited to find herself sharing this amazing adventure with so many of the other villagers.

  When she returned with Dr Latimer, Honey was lying on a dining table with her foot all ready to be examined. Although Poppy was worried about her friend, she was dying to speak to Saffron and David so she left Honey, Granny Bumble and Dr Latimer to it.

  “Our telephone and electricity lines were brought down by the heavy snow so we couldn’t communicate with anyone,” explained Saffron as she stitched away. “We just decided to get on the tractor and head up to the main village to get some supplies and see what was going on. Sally Meadowsweet came with us. But her mum and dad, Farmer and Mrs Meadowsweet, wouldn’t come, poor old souls. They wanted to sit it out in their own house – they didn’t want to leave the animals all alone. So, anyway, when we finally reached the General Store, Aunt Marigold told us about her brilliant idea to meet here!”

  “Actually, it was Grandpa’s idea!” boasted Poppy, looking over at her grandfather, who was sitting in an armchair with a sleeping Angel on his lap, chatting to his old friend, Captain Forster. “Anyway, I must see if Honey is OK. She fell over on the way here and she can’t even walk,” she explained, enjoying the drama a little too much.

  Honey was given a bandage, some pink pain-killing medicine and the Hedgerows Hotel wheelchair to get around in. Even though she now seemed much happier, Dr Latimer was keen to get her to the General Hospital at Camomile Cove as soon as possible as he suspected that she had a hairline fracture.

  Chapter Seven

  WHEN ALL THE villagers had gathered in the ballroom, Saffron’s husband, David, helped Aunt Marigold onto the stage and then clambered up after her. He tapped the microphone and coughed to get everyone’s attention.

  “Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls! Welcome to the Hedgerows Hotel, where Mr and Mrs Woodchester have so kindly allowed us to seek refuge until the storm is over, the snow has thawed and we’re back in contact with the rest of the world. A huge thank you to the Woodchesters!”

  David paused and everybody roared and cheered to show their appreciation.

  “Aunt Marigold and Sally Meadowsweet have looked through all the forms you’ve filled in and have decided on the following procedures:

  “Since there are not quite enough rooms to have one per family, grandparents and extended family will have to join them in the one room. Please see the list on the notice board over there to find out which room you will be in. We will be serving three meals a day on a relay basis. Babies will be given milk priority. Please don’t store secret food in your rooms – we can only make this work if we all share everything. We will send out working parties each day to clear the streets and collect logs and other provisions. We’ll pick up all stock from the Blossom Bakehouse and all vegetables stored in sheds and so on. If the snow lets up at all, we might venture to the coast on my tractor for supplies. But the forecast is grim. Please refer to the sheet pinned on the board to find out which job you’ve been assigned and report for duty after breakfast tomorrow. Many thanks for your co-operation. Feel free to go up to your rooms and settle in whenever you’re ready.”

  It all seemed very well organized. Poppy thought that David was a real hero, running the whole rescue project, it seemed. Saffron looked very proud of him too.

  When they checked the room list, they saw that Grandpa and the Cottons, plus Granny Bumble and Honey, would all share a large family room with its own bathroom and sitting room. They gathered their things together and made their way to the room. Poppy pushed Honey in the wheelchair.

  “Wow!” exclaimed Poppy when she saw their rooms. “I’ve never slept in a hotel like this before. This is so cool. Look at the cute little soap bars and shampoo bottles. And the tea-making set. Bliss!”

  When she had arranged all her things neatly by t
he bed that she was going to share with Honey, they decided to go exploring.

  “This is like being on holiday.” Poppy smiled. “Let’s hope that the snow keeps on falling and the temperature stays below freezing. I want this adventure to last for ever – I wish you hadn’t hurt your ankle though.”

  “Me too,” agreed Honey, “but I really like my pink medicine and I wouldn’t have had that if I hadn’t fallen over!”

  As they passed one of the rooms, they both noticed a huge box brimming over with fresh fruit, loaves of bread, boxes of cereals, chocolate bars and cans of food. Poppy’s jaw dropped.

  “Secret food!” she whispered to Honey. “That’s against the rules.”

  “I know,” agreed Honey. “That is really mean and selfish. Whose room is it?”

  Poppy tiptoed closer, peered in and saw Mr and Mrs Crowther, who ran the paddle steamer to Camomile Cove. Mr Crowther was munching on a banana and there was an empty chocolate wrapper on the bed next to him.

  “It’s the Crowthers – I thought they were really nice!” said Poppy. “I think we should tell Mimosa’s mum and dad about this.”

  But as they were trying to decide what to do, they heard a loud gong. It was supper time already!

  “Yippee! I bet this is just what it’s like at boarding school,” said Poppy, and she pushed Honey at great speed along the corridor and into the dining room.