With a strangled cry, Lord Aldor jerked the rocket’s controls violently and it jerked upwards. The crowd’s final vision of Lord Aldor was of an old man with his mouth hanging slightly open, his eyes crazed with the knowledge of impending defeat and his body slumped as if every vestige of energy had left him. Even at his weakest moment Lord Aldor had never looked like this.
The rocket darted behind some clouds pursued by a flying column of blue. When the rocket came into view again it was swaddled in blue light. The light grew brighter and swirled around the rocket at such a speed that soon the light and rocket merged into a single blur. A spectacular explosion followed which saw the rocket catapulted through the sky in chunks. All that remained of its inhabitant was a rain of ash that floated softly down to earth.
Moments later the Blue Fairy was standing calmly by Von Gobstopper’s side. The crowd saw but could not hear the words they exchanged before the Blue Fairy herself vanished from sight. For some time after she had left them the trees remained tinged with blue and the air seemed to resonate with a stirring power.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Best-kept Secret
An affectionate reunion between parents and children followed, with much squeezing of cheeks and ruffling of hair. It went on for some time, until Milli climbed onto the stage and called for everybody’s attention. The crowd looked up at her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
‘Don’t celebrate yet!’ she said into the microphone. ‘There are still lots of toys trapped in the arcade. Lord Aldor may be gone, but he’s left a lot of problems behind. Mr Von Gobstopper and his nephew need our help.’
‘And whose fault is it that Lord Aldor came back?’ called out one parent, gripping her son’s shoulder tightly.
‘It was you he wanted, but instead he went after our children,’ yelled another.
This unleashed a volley of accusations, which flew through the air like arrows. Milli flinched involuntarily.
Ernest scrambled up to join her, looking indignant. ‘How can you all be so STUPID?’ he demanded. ‘Milli and I have only ever tried to protect this town. Would you rather we had done nothing and let Aldor carry out his vicious plan?’
There was silence for a moment as everyone considered this.
‘Lord Aldor returned the first time to seek revenge on us because we rescued the shadows of Drabville and foiled his plan,’ Ernest went on. ‘Or have you forgotten that? Milli and I could have stayed living in luxury and left you all to live as robots, which would have been much easier—but we didn’t. Not that it makes any difference to you lot. You still hold us responsible.’
‘He’s right,’ piped up a small voice. It belonged to Pippa Squidge, one of the younger children who had been taken to Battalion Minor. It was only due to Milli’s encouragement that she had survived. ‘How can you be so blind?’ she demanded. ‘If it wasn’t for Milli and Ernest, Lord Aldor would have sold us all at the market in the Conjurors’ Realm, and who knows where we’d be now. You should be giving them a big reward, not getting cross with them.’ She folded her arms and wrinkled her nose as she’d seen adults do when something displeased them. ‘I am very disappointed in you all.’
Hearing these truths from one so small took the townsfolk by surprise and they were speechless for some time as they contemplated what had been said. The adults were used to using such words themselves in order to keep the children in check and did not like this sudden role-reversal. They felt quite ashamed of themselves. Then the most unexpected person stepped forward to speak. Usually it was such adults as Mrs Klompet, Mr Mulberry or Mr Percival Bow who took on the public speaking challenges, or at least someone who was a member of the Custodians of Concord. Nobody expected to hear from the person who now came forward.
‘The child is right, for heaven’s sake!’ exclaimed Mr Perriclof. ‘It’ll do no good standing about like stunned rabbits. If there are toys in distress, then let us rescue them—we can’t simply leave them there. Let us go now before any further damage is caused. I do believe the children have suffered enough!’
Whether it was the quality of Mr Perriclof’s speech or the shock of actually hearing him speak, I’m not sure, but his words spurred the townsfolk into action. They took no weapons with them, just headed towards the arcade as a large group.
As Milli expected, the doctors, assistants and administrators had packed up their belongings and gone. They had not, however, had time to empty the laboratories.
The children were made to stay on the ground floor whilst the adults gently removed the toys from their hospital beds and transported them to the new temp orary Toy Hospital, which the Custodians of Concord opened on the spot in the Town Hall. Lots of volunteers wrote their names on a large sheet of paper, all eager to tend to the wounded toys. There would be plenty of jobs for everyone, Rosie Klompet assured the anxious townsfolk. They would need nurses and craftsmen and people to find the toys loving homes once they had fully recovered.
Nothing mobilises a town like a worthy cause, and this was the most sensible and worthwhile Drabville had been involved in for a long time.
Together, Milli, Ernest, Fritz and Von Gobstopper went to find Theo and the others, who were still in their underground hideaway.
‘Don’t tell us!’ cried a distressed Pascal. ‘Don’t tell us what he has done!’
‘It’s okay!’ Ernest said. ‘We have good news. It’s over.’
When they finished describing what had happened, and Pascal saw that Fritz’s usually stern face was flooded with relief and the rigidity in his shoulders had dissolved, she spun into a delighted pirouette.
Milli leaned against Fritz’s shoulder. ‘The arcade is yours again!’ she said. ‘I don’t expect Lord Aldor will be resurfacing any time soon.’
Ernest turned to Von Gobstopper. ‘I can’t believe the magic you implanted in your toys was strong enough to defy the powers of someone as powerful as Lord Aldor,’ he said. ‘Which means…you truly are the best toymaker in all the world!’
Gustav Von Gobstopper smiled and squeezed the children’s hands in his. He beckoned Fritz to his side.
‘Who knows how things might have gone without your help,’ said the toymaker. ‘You are, without a doubt, the bravest children I have ever encountered. I think, Fritz, some new toys will have to be created in their honour.’
‘My uncle and I cannot thank you enough,’ said Fritz solemnly. ‘Your kindness will not be forgotten.’
‘What will you do now?’ asked Milli.
‘I am looking forward to doing very little,’ smiled Von Gobstopper. ‘Fritz here is more than capable of continuing the family business. It’s time for Fritz to show the world what he can do.’
Milli and Ernest were eager to get back to their families, but the toys felt they couldn’t let this momentous occasion pass without saying a few words. Theo went first, blushing slightly under his fur.
‘You children have certainly proved yourselves worthy on more than one occasion,’ he said. ‘I feel very honoured to have met you both.’
He untied the black bandana that he wore around his head and handed it to Milli. He untied another from around his neck for Ernest.
‘You’ve earned this.’ Next, Pascal trotted forward, her tutu quivering with excitement. She tugged on Ernest’s trouser leg and demanded to be picked up. Standing on her tippy-toes on his palm, she reached up and kissed him on the cheek, then did the same to Milli.
‘I knew we could rely on you,’ she said. ‘How frightening it must have been out there! Oh thank you, thank you! Who knows where we would all be now if it hadn’t been for the two of you. Can I come and live with you, Milli? I could be your special doll. Don’t take offence, Ernest, it’s just that I know you have brothers and little boys tend to pull my hair.’ She lowered her voice. ‘A friend of mine had all her hair cut off by a bored child with a pair of scissors. I should feel much safer in a household where the majority of occupants are women.’ And she gave an almighty twirl that lasted s
everal minutes.
Then it was Captain Pluck’s turn to come forward. ‘You have done well, young master,’ he said to Ernest, nodding his wooden head emphatically. He drew his little sword from its sheath and coughed to indicate that he would like to be lifted up level with Ernest’s face. Ernest obliged and Captain Pluck solemnly tapped him on each shoulder, stretching a little in order to reach. ‘Wear this golden tassel with pride; we are honoured to have you in our ranks. For your contribution so far, I thank you humbly. You have the heart of a lion inside the body of a rabbit.’
Ernest’s face fell a little at this. He knew he wasn’t a solidly built boy, like Horace Rugknuckle, but he was almost certain that rabbit was a slight exaggeration. He chose to ignore it, however, and accepted Pluck’s offering graciously.
The toy soldier then bowed deeply to Milli.
‘Little Miss Klompet, you have proved to us all that not only are you fair of face but as gallant as the most daring of soldiers. You looked evil in the eye and did not swoon or scream or run away. I doubted you and for that I am deeply sorry. Can you ever forgive me?’
‘Of course I can, Captain,’ Milli said with a smile. ‘You needn’t even ask.’ She couldn’t help chuckling to herself as she looked at the soldier’s worried little face. ‘You are the silliest soldier I’ve ever met in my life,’ she said and hugged him affectionately.
‘We are very grateful for all you’ve done,’ said Theo. ‘You’ve saved us all and we won’t ever forget it.’
‘Not quite all,’ said Milli softly, her thoughts returning to the prison and a pair of puddle-brown eyes.
‘Yes, he was the best sort of toy, one of a kind,’ said Theo quietly. ‘And he will never be forgotten.’ He placed a paw on Milli’s hand. ‘Try to think of him as he would want to be remembered. Think of all the wise things he said, and how he loved Pascal. Remember the trust you placed in him and how he never let you down. Remember how his saddle shone, for he was proud of that.’
Milli felt a tear roll down her cheek and plop onto the floor. She saw that Fritz’s eyes were bright with tears as well.
‘We won’t forget you, Loyal,’ she whispered, so quietly that nobody heard her. ‘I won’t ever forget you—just as you didn’t forget about us.’
She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘Come on, everyone, let’s introduce you to our town.’
Rosie was very pleased to meet Fritz and Gustav Von Gobstopper. The poor inventor was quite overwhelmed with the attention he was receiving. Everybody wanted to talk to him or shake his hand or ask him how he felt about all that had happened. In the end, Rosie was forced to put an arm around his shoulder and steer him out of the path of eager townsfolk.
‘Let the man rest for a while,’ she said. ‘He has been through an ordeal.’ It was settled that Von Gobstopper and his nephew would stay at the Klompet household for the time being until alternative accommodation was arranged for them.
‘You are too kind to us,’ said Fritz, as his uncle was too stunned to utter a word. ‘We don’t wish to impose.’ Rosie soon dismissed any such talk with a lecture about the importance of fresh food and an early night.
‘Your uncle is in no state to look after you and you are far too young to be living alone,’ she said.
‘I’m almost eighteen,’ Fritz replied, standing very tall.
‘Nonsense,’ Rosie replied, straightening his collar. ‘Come along now.’
As they gathered outside to walk home together through the snow, Pascal sat propped on Ernest’s shoulder whilst Milli walked between Captain Pluck and Theo, holding the teddy bear’s hand in her own.
Milli saw her mother and urged the others along to catch up with her. ‘Mum, I’d like you to meet some special people,’ she said. ‘This is Theo, Pascal and Captain Pluck—they looked after us in the arcade.’
Rosie looked from the toys to her daughter and smiled. ‘That’s lovely, sweetheart,’ she said.
‘How do you do, Mrs Klompet,’ said Theo, speaking slowly in order to make a good impression. When Rosie made no reply, a perplexed Theo tried again. Again, there was no response.
‘Don’t be rude, Mum!’ Milli scolded. ‘Theo’s talking to you.’
Rosie smiled at her daughter indulgently, glad that her imagination hadn’t been diminished despite the horrors she’d recently witnessed.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t hear him,’ she said. ‘What was it he said?’
Rosie made a pretence of listening intently, but was distracted by a group of other parents asking her a question.
Milli tugged on her mother’s sleeve impatiently. ‘Theo’s waiting for an answer!’
Rosie frowned for a moment, then leaned towards the bear. Theo repeated his greeting, more forcefully this time, and directed it at all the adults. In fact, he repeated it many times before the truth became apparent. As hard as the adults listened, they couldn’t hear a thing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing Von Gobstopper’s Arcade, the last book in the series, has been a different experience not only because it has required a superhuman juggling of time between study and writing, but also because I am bidding farewell to Milli and Ernest, who have been my faithful companions over the last few years.
I would like to extend my thanks to all the young readers who have taken the time to write to me expressing their enthusiasm for the series. Your letters have provided the inspiration to keep writing even in difficult times.
Thanks to bffls—Miffy, Liva and Nat for supporting me all the way. Your friendship is invaluable. Particular thanks to Jenny Church for being there to remind me that I am an author and therefore must act like one.
As always, thanks must go to the committed team at Harper Collins for their encouragement and understanding and a special thanks to Lisa Berryman for her wisdom, level-headedness and for always giving the impression that she has all the time in the world to chat.
Thanks to all my teachers for being so accommodating and for those extensions of deadlines. Much appreciated!
Lastly, a huge thank you must go to my mother whose patience and love never seems to run out.
About the Author
Alexandra Emily Adornetto lives in Melbourne and is an only child.
She has loved stories for as long as she can remember. Her family includes a three-legged cat called Rosie-Mittens, and a spaniel, Muffy-Boo.
The Shadow Thief, the first book in The Strangest Adventures series, was written when she was thirteen years old and inspired by J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan.
Alexandra is currently completing Year 12 at school where she is focusing on subjects such as Literature, History and Religion and Society. She is also a keen debater and performer. Whatever career Alexandra pursues in the future, she hopes to continue writing books for children.
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Praise for The Shadow Thief
‘Clearly [Adornetto] is already an Australian literary phenomenon…to read The Shadow Thief is to be thrust into a fast-moving plot full of menace and thrills, amply seeded with a magnificently precocious vocabulary.’
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‘…an impressive debut…a wonderful fantasy story, full of adventure and scary, dark shadows.’
The Australian Women’s Weekly
‘…a fantastic achievement…’
The Sunday Age
‘…a comic fantasy full of magic.’
The Sydney Morning Herald
‘You will be hooked by Alex’s sparkling dialogue and witty perceptive insights…’
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Praise for The Lampo Circus
‘Adornetto’s time message is packaged in an entertaining and enthralling story.’
Good Reading magazine
‘The Lampo Circus has great charm. It works because the author…assumes the reader has a similar love of words and inventiveness as herself.’
The Age
‘You have to be impressed by this book: the style is clever and the narrative is pure untamed imagination. Nine to 12 year olds will adore it.’
Out & About with Kids
‘…wonderfully bonkers tale for young readers. In a word: imaginative.’
Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin
‘…the storyline is absolutely exquisite…would be enjoyed by anyone who has their mind wide open to childhood fantasies and adventure’
Gold Coast Bulletin
Copyright
Angus & Robertson
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, Australia
First published in Australia in 2009
This edition published in 2010
by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Ltd
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Copyright © Alexandra Adornetto 2009
The right of Alexandra Adornetto to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
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Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copies scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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