Chapter Five. The Adventure Begins.

Following a lengthy discussion relating to the sightings down by the orchard, Bob, Daisy and Lucinda decide they should take a closer look. Firstly they must ensure they have plenty of bubble wrap for they must keep safe. Bob has given strict instructions to both Daisy and Lucinda to be on their absolute finest behaviour, and they have insisted that he won't know they are there. 'Mmmm,' Bob wonders if this is to be believed, after all we are talking about Daisy Dipple 'the girl with the lipple'.

On leaving the hut they follow the narrow muddy path alongside the stream. The fear shared between them is almost tangible. Daisy breaks wind. One of those little squeaky high pitched wind breaks which, under normal circumstances, would engender immense delight and amusement. However, this is not the time for such frolics and no one appears to notice apart from Daisy who has reached new heights of mortification. This, mixed with her terror is making her feel somewhat faint, but they have important issues to be dealing with so she must remain strong. They approach the small rickety bridge obscured by the undergrowth and large billowing trees which sway with oblivion. 'I want to go home.' whimpers Lucinda. 'This is simply ghastly.'
'Ssh.' Bob hisses, and then becoming aware of his authority attempts to restore some reassurance. Not an easy task. As they cross the bridge the stream widens, water calmly bubbles below them. The path divides and in so doing offers a little glimpse of the orchard still some way in the distance.

'Right,' says Bob 'we will need some protection.'
They unfold their bubble wrap. Carefully they each wrap a sufficient amount of the material around their bodies ensuring they are completely covered. Lucinda helps Daisy to tie a small section of bubble wrap at the back to secure it. Once done Daisy performs the same task to Lucinda's bubble wrap. Bob has managed to do his own. Once satisfied they are all secure they head toward the brambles which over hang the footpath ahead. The brambles become denser with each step.
'Careful.' whispers Bob to the girls. Daisy, known for her talkative nature remains quiet much to Bob's relief. Thorns stab at their bubble wrap creating a sound so melodious they seem to forget, albeit for a very short time, the impending doom which they fear awaits them. The sound begins to provoke anxiety in Bob. 'what if they are discovered' he thinks 'what will become of them!......stay calm.' he sharply reminds himself. Finally they manage to weave their way through until they reach the gate leading to the footpath running parallel to the orchard. The sky is beginning to darken, it must be almost tea time and Daisy and Lucinda's parents will begin to worry if they are not back home soon. They climb the gate slowly and quietly. Bob slips on a little mud but quickly regains his balance, the girls momentarily hold their breath. They look up to Bob and feel his protection. He always has been a trooper, something shared by the glass people, except that is for Sebastian Sebbings who always considered Bob a bit of a goody two shoes. As they approach a small opening the wind begins to rise creating a slightly eerie quality. The orchard is hidden within a murky mist trailing between the hundreds of apple trees making the darkening evening all the more intense. Suddenly they hear a noise, although it seems impossible to decipher its nature. They stand very still. Through the gaps in the trees and undergrowth surrounding the east side of the orchard they notice glimmers of light. It becomes clear a large fire has been lit in the centre of a small opening surrounded by apple trees. Something swoops up above and suddenly Bob feels a light brushing sensation past the back of his head. He quickly spins around. There is nothing to be seen. It is at this point that Bob realises he is alone. Daisy and Lucinda are nowhere to be seen. Bob gasps. Another swoop this time brushing him fiercely but not painfully along his left arm. The noise seems to diminish and then quite abruptly everything goes black.

Chapter Four. Bob's Thoughts Interupted.

It is mid afternoon and Bob wanders down towards the orchard. He is looking very snazzy today, it is important that he makes a good impression. He has decided to make an informal visit to the new sect, after all the fuss about the bubble wrap supply he feels he needs to talk face to face with them. His concerns are mounting. The 'Smashers' had been a ghastly sect and poor Clive Crookshank had been held for days. His release was on condition that the Smashers receive 5 million square metres of bubble wrap from the community. The sacrifice had been immense and there had been 8 fatalities and many cracks within the glass people during this dreadful time. Then 7 days after the bubble wrap exchange the 'Smashers' vanished. Gone. As simple as that. Of course there were many questions as paranoia swept the community. Rumours started to spread and Glossy's newsagents had a different sandwich board each day headlining all manner of outlandish stories. The most shocking read 'SMASHER MORPHS INTO VINEGAR APPLIED BY WOMAN 29!' The woman in question remained in shock for 4 weeks until finally succumbing to the Good Lord's wishes by taking up missionary work and abstaining from bubble wrap until this very day.

It has been 2 years and 3 months and 19 days since the 'Smasher's' disappearance. Of course there were celebrations within the community albeit surface joy, for there had been much devastation caused by the 'Smashers'. Yet Bob had been the only community member that had secretly felt much sorrow. You see Bob had an illicit love affair with a 'Smasher' named Augustine Agarthorpe. Of course none of the community was aware of the affair which he had intended to make public. However, Augustine had vanished along with the other smashers. There was something else, something that had plagued him ever since. Augustine was with child, his child. Bob had once read in an ancient manuscript something about it being better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all. He had pondered upon these words countless times wondering if they were true for him; after all he had missed Augustine greatly, and the loss of his forthcoming child had left a hole of pure pain within his heart. He had never talked to another of his terrible loss knowing he would be ostracised by the community. God forbid should anyone ever find out.

'Should I then ask Felicity for her hand in marriage' Bob thinks to himself, 'before I am doomed to a life of aging and loneliness'. Bob's thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a loud screeching sound coming from the hut down by the lake.

'Mr Bluffle, Mr Bluffle, HELP!' It is Daisy Dipple, what on earth is going on Bob thinks running as fast as his little legs (he is rather short) can carry him. Following the cries, heart thumping, Bob finally reaches the hut, pushes open the door to find Daisy Dipple hunched over Lucinda Leffing's limp little body.

'What ever in the name of god is going on here!' he gushes.

'Its Lucinda, she's fainted and we saw an apparitious in the orchard, they had fire and were flying and ....'

'Daisy, Daisy, slow down my dear,' Bob is trying to sound calmer than he feels.

'You saw a what?'

'An apparitious!'

'Don't you mean an apparition Daisy?

'Errrrr...err..oooh.' Lucinda is gaining consciousness and is clearly very confused.

'Luce!' Daisy drops to her knees, now eyeball to eyeball with Lucinda.

'AHHHhhhh!' Lucinda is now looking terrified, Daisy has a rather nasty shiny red spot on the end of her nose and another 3 around her forhead, she is also smeary and must look a scary sight to poor Lucinda.

Bob interviens, 'Lucinda,' he kneels down and gently puts his hand under her head, 'its going to be alright my dear.'

'Here have a sip of condensed milk Luce.' Daisy reaches for the can, opens it and slowly lifts it to Lucinda's lips.

Bob and Daisy can see the effects at once as Lucinda slowly sits up and they both begin to divulge to Bob all they had seen over at the orchard.

Chapter Three. Felicity's Anguish.

The meeting has come to its end and people are beginning to leave. It is a little past midday and Felicity notices the sun as it streams through the window. She is feeling terribly weak and in desperate need of comfort. Suddenly she glimpses Campaigning Bob making his way towards her.

'Ah Felicity,' he says. She notices how kindly he says her name and wonders if anyone else has ever had such ability to make her feel so safe, so special, so....loved. Suddenly a rush of anxiety runs through her and feeling the biggest of all frauds she stammers a somewhat ridiculous reply,

'Bob, exactly how many pens did you get through writing all those letters? And all for the sake of securing our supply of bubble wrap.'

Felicity felt her reflection grow an almost unbearable shade of deep purple, and the sun shining upon her did little to comfort this growing surge of embarrassment.

'Oh Felicity, how wonderfully curious you are. How are you feeling my dear? You appeared a Little distressed earlier, anything the matter?'

Felicity's answer echos her neurotic tone 'No, nothing at all, am fine. Fine, fine, absolutely fine.'

And with that said she makes a speedy exit much to the confusion of Bob who was about to invite her to lunch at Granny P's cottage. 'Always was a evasive young lady that one' Bob thinks to himself.

Felicity runs through the door of the community centre, past 'The Goblets' Public House, up the hill towards Glossy's newsagents, across to the old vineyard and down past Granny P's until she reaches her little cottage. Once in she makes for her dresser. Pulling the doors open wide she grabs arm fulls of bubble wrap and wraps herself snugly inside, leaving enough space for her to breath. She lets out a deep sigh, and the popping begins.

Chapter Two. A Sect For Sore Eyes.

Meanwhile Daisy Dipple is skipping joyously having heard the adults discussing a new sect down by the old orchard. Daisy is fun loving and free, some would say she is a free spirit, others would say she was a naughty rebel of a girl. Barely 15, all that really grabs her attention these days are boys, much to the disappointment of her mother Amelia who worries endlessly about Daisy's education. However, the fears and concerns of her mother only fuel Daisy's little antics further. Today Daisy is to meet her friend Lucinda Leffing. Lucinda has a small collection of binoculars, armed with a pair each they will go down to the lake where they will have a perfect view of the settlement belonging to the new sect.

Lucinda is 5 minutes late in arriving, Daisy knows this is probably due to Lucinda having to make up a few little white lies to her overprotective mother Florence. Florence happens to dislike Daisy and the influence she has over Lucinda, and so Lucinda has become rather nifty at lying, something that Daisy admires in her friend.

'What did you tell her today Luce?' Daisy gushes.

'I told her I am off to form a 'Ways to save our bubble wrap group'.' replies Lucinda

'Whatever! Did you bring your binoculars then?' Daisy asks.

'Too right I did.' Lucinda produces a pair of binoculars, flask of hot chocolate, a tin of condensed milk, paper, pens, a handful of elastic bands and a scrap of bubble wrap.

The two girls carefully make their way along the clearing towards the lake, it is imperative they are not seen. They finally stop at the little makeshift hut built by the local 'Watcher of Birds and Other Interesting Wild Creatures Who Roam the Vicinity Association' (WBOIWCWRVA, Felix Goodhugh always was a little long winded) and without further ado place the binoculars to their hungry little eyes, not realising for a second that the sight that was to confront them would send shivers down their spines.

'Dear God!' They cried in unison.

No. Not this. Not again!

Chapter One. The Meeting

The day is to begin with a meeting at the local community centre. Felicity, as usual, is feeling trepidation as to what the agenda contains. She knows there are to be talks and she is aware of a possible new sect nearby. She has only heard snippets of information yet her imagination has taken a turn for the worse. Is her community in danger? Is this new sect as threatening as the 'Smashers'?

Trembling, Felicity goes to her dresser. 'No not today,' she thinks, she needs to prove she can do this. She goes instead to the mirror, applying a small amount of vinegar to her face, she notices a misty quality to her this morning. She did not sleep too well last night.

The community Centre is buzzing with inquisitive activity. Already a small group has congregated around Bob Bluffle. Bob is a warrior and is affectionately known as 'Campaigning Bob', he likes to get things done. Felicity has such admiration for Bob that she can feel the mist lifting from her, yes she is positively glowing. 'Stop it' she thinks, 'now is not the time'.
'Calm down please' Bob cries, breaking Felicity's fantasy. Oh how she dreams of nights alone with Bob in the clearing beneath the large Oak tree by the edge of the lake. It is clear that the level of anxiety is increasing in the hall, hundreds are gathering, and there is no doubt about it something is terribly wrong.
'Please wait for everyone to arrive, then I will make your being asked here today clear to you.'
'It wasn't that long ago since Clive Crookshank was abducted by the Smashers, we can't let it happen again.' Shouted someone from the back.
'Like I say all will be revealed, please try and be patient.' Bob feeling a little unsettled himself tries to muster a reassuring tone to his voice.

Twenty minutes later Bob is ready to begin.
'It would appear that another sect has began to inhabit the old orchard recently vacated by the Smashers.' The tension rises and Phoebe Frost drops to her knees, they all heard the slight crack but knew that Bob needed to continue. Laurence and Jack the paramedics tended to Phoebe quietly.
'It does not seem that the sect present any threat to us. However, 'Bubbles Are Us' have informed me that there will be an extra demand for bubble wrap. Therefore it has been suggested that we, from this day forth, ration our supplies.'
'No!' shouted Felicity. 'Please NO, this can't happen.' This was the very last thing Felicity had expected, and by far the worst.
Heads turned, shocked. This kind of response from Felicity had never been witnessed by any of the glass people before and there was now a buzz of confusion.
Thankfully Laurence, still tending to Phoebe, bellowed from the sidelines buffering Felicity's outburst, 'Absolutely not. Think of the casualties, we are already under resourced and the impact of no longer having an endless supply of this material could destroy us.'
The community held their breath, this was just too much to take in.
'Yes,' Bob went on 'The implications are very worrying but it is imperative that we pull together and think of ways to be resourceful, after all we are not losing all of our supply, it is merely being cut down.'
'To how much?' shouted Edward Cloppit, by far the largest of the glass people.
'Well this isn't yet clear but I estimate it to be around 50,000 square meters per month. '
'What!' Jack now intervened and was clearly furious 'But that's half of our current supply, this is simply outrageous.'
'I am aware of this but that is the situation and I have written over 3,000 letters and attended several meetings on the matter and I am afraid to inform you that there is nothing more I can do.'
The hall went deathly silent and Felicity began feeling terribly faint. After further discussion it was clear to all that there was no more that could be done. It was a very gloomy day for the Glass People, a very gloomy day indeed.

Sometimes when they are frolicking one of them breaks, and so for this very reason they require an endless supply of bubble wrap. They are fortunate that their supply is endless for they enjoy many days out. However, Felicity has a secret she isn't yet prepared to reveal, and wonders if she ever will be. The revelation of her secret could be catastrophic and she knows it could jeopardise her friendships.