Chapter Nine. Bottoms Up

Felicity's door is unlocked. Having knocked twice Amelia and Granny P slowly push the door open and enter the cottage. It is dark, empty and unnervingly quiet.
'Felicity,' calls Granny P 'are you there my darling?'
There is no reply, Amelia pulls a candle from her silver clutch bag and gently lights it. It spits, glows furiously before slowly settling to illuminate the room. Beneath their feet sits a gigantic pile of bubble wrap, distressed and worn. The room feels somehow sad. Granny P heads for the door leading to the stairs and living room. Amelia follows close behind, glad to be with Granny P and not Florence. Granny P pushes open the old slatted wooden door to the living room. Everything in the room looks as it has been untouched for years, a little like stepping into a museum for lost souls. The door creaks behind them. The old Grandfather clock in the corner ticks rhythmically in the corner, the deep rich sound seem to fill the otherwise silent room. Amelia shivers.
'Felicity' coos Granny P.
She turns back towards the door and begins to climb the steep and narrow staircase. The stairs creek with each step. Amelia follows behind holding the candle higher ensuring Granny P has enough light. Although Granny P may be old, she is most certainly not frail, far too busy and curious to be frail. At the top of the stairs there are two doors, one to the right another to the left. Granny P knocks lightly on both doors and again calls out to Felicity. Nothing. Slowly the two women venture into the rooms hoping to find Felicity curled up quite unawares of the concern she is causing, but the rooms are empty.
'Good Lord' Granny P looks positively perplexed, 'where on earth could she be? How was she when you last saw her Amelia dear?'
'Well when I think about it she did look rather dazed.'
'Dazed?'
'Well yes, sort of a bit dishevelled and vacant really. Oh and her hair was covered in tiny little plastic bubbles, I remember thinking she looked most odd, but, well...I didn't really think too much about it I was rather busy.'
'Mmm. Very strange, I mean Felicity isn't the most, well... balanced of people I know, always seems to have something on her mind that one. Well it doesn't look like she is here, lets go and give Phoebe a little knock shall we?' Granny P begins to descend the staircase.
'Don't you think its a little late for that? I mean its gone two in the morning we can't possibly be waking Phoebe now, you know how fragile she is.'
'Oh nonsense, you know perfectly well that Phoebe loves a drama as much as you my dear, now come on.'
Amelia blushes, heart pounding like a small child who has been found out and follows Granny P reluctantly through the kitchen and out of the cottage. The two women follow the footpath leading to Phoebe's cottage. the moon glows brightly above and there is a light scent of smoke in the air. Eerie sounds seem to fill the skies and and an odd sensation that they are being watched sends shivers down Amelia's spine. On the approach to Phoebe's cottage the two women are surprised to find it glowing in candle light. Phoebe answers the door so soon after the first knock that Amelia almost jumps right out of her skin.
'Hello,' say Phoebe brightly 'I thought you would come.'
'Did you!' Granny P yelps quite startled.
'Do come in I''ll put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea, would you like a muffin ladies?'
Amelia and Granny P look at one another in disbelief.
'But Phoebe it's two in the morning darling what the devil are you doing up anyway?'
'Ah ha! Well do I have a surprise for you?' Phoebe giggles, wanting to keep Granny P and Amelia in suspense for much longer, and if it was any other time of day she would, without question, be keeping hold of this little gem of a secret until she was begged to reveal all. Looking at the pleading and exhausted little faces before her, she weakens, and with a wry smile she signals for them to follow. The two women tentatively follow Phoebe through to her dimly lit living room and there, splayed on the sofa, sleeping soundly, lies Bob.
'Good Lord!' Whispers Granny P.
'How long has he been here?' Amelia cries a little to shrill for such an hour. She turns to Phoebe who is now simply glowing with delight, and Amelia can feel her jealousy rise within her and at that moment she loathes Phoebe Frost, from deep within her she is in loathing for the woman Bob turned to in his need.
'Oh well, let me see, it must have been about twenty minutes ago. I was just about to retire having spoken with a very disturbed Clive Crookshank, you see he had got wind of Bob's disappearance and, well, poor man, it brought all that abduction business back to him, anyway where was I, oh yes, I had just put the receiver down and pottering around clearing and sorting as you do, when the door went. 'Whoever is that' I thought. You can imagine my absolute delight when I saw dear Bob standing there can you not?' Amelia looked over at Granny P who did not appear irritated in the slightest by Phoebe's ramblings which engendered even more bad feelings within Amelia.
'So I bring him in,' Phoebe continues, undeterred by Amelia's bitter glare, ...'guide him to the sofa, have to guide him see, because, well, lets just say he was in a bit of a trance really, poor man, whatever happened to him must have really shaken up. So I put the kettle on and go to warm some muffins and when I go though to the lounge he's asleep! Can you believe it?' Phoebe is positively gloating, even Granny P is amusing in noticing this. Bob stirs quite oblivious to preying eyes upon him, gives a little snort and repositions himself.
'Well, doesn't look like we'll get much sense out of this one tonight!' chuckles Granny P. Amelia has heard quite enough. Her mouth puckers, eyes narrow and after a deep intake of breath informs the two women that she must be getting back, she has, after all, responsibilities, she then flounces dramatically towards the door banging it on her way out just enough to show her contempt at Phoebe Frost and her wicked ways. Granny P and Phoebe look at one another, both attempting to bite back their amusement before losing themselves in to a wave of hysteria.
'Oh that Amelia, always wanting to be centre stage does that one!' cries Phoebe through her tears.
'I should say!' Granny P now quite hysterical looks towards Bob on the sofa where he stirs as if on cue, repositioning himself a tad too vigorously he slowly slides from the sofa landing in the most precarious heap on the floor where he continues to sleep. The women shriek in naughty delight, it has been quite a wonderful ending to an otherwise dramatic day.
'Now all we need to do is to find Felicity, but first we must sleep. Would you mind awfully if I took to your armchair Phoebe darling, only I don't think I have the energy to get up let alone wander home?'
'Of course my dear.' Phoebe fetches two blankets, positions one over Granny P and one over Bob who looks rather endearing with his bottom high in the air and his head rested on his folded arms.
'Goodnight dearies.' whispers Phoebe to an already sleeping Granny P and a sculptured looking Bob. Gently snubbing out the candles she closes the door and slowly climbs the steep and creaky stairs making way for her long awaited bed.

Chapter Eight. Party Progress

Laurence, Jack and Felix quietly yet eagerly, follow the path toward the hut down by the lake. Nicholas and Edward, not quite sharing their fellow searcher's enthusiasm, tag along slowly behind. It feels good to be in the great outdoors albeit slightly risky. The moon is full yet every now and then the clouds obscure its view inducing an eerie darkness. A light mist gently hovers just above the surface of the lake making for a rather dramatic scene. Shadows lurk swaying with the direction of the wind, and the rustle of trees and bushes add to the tension. Nicholas catches sight of something ahead.
'Look!' he whispers, his voice tight with tension, but it turns out to be only shadows.
'What , where!' Felix stops in his tracks Laurence slams into him, followed by Jack and the three of them fall clumsily to the mud soaked ground. Nicholas and Edward stop before joining the human dominoes and Edward lets out a guffaw.
'Thank lord for the bubble wrap.' flusters Felix, clearly annoyed. They pick themselves up and look in the direction of the perceived shape.
'Can't see a damned thing.' whispers Felix, in a rather bothered way. They move on quietly making for the rickety bridge. The bridge is slippery wet and they must tread carefully. The men proceed to cross, the bridge creaking underfoot, but as Edward crosses, the bridge gives way, and he crashes into the stream with an almighty splash, a branch besides him cracks and pebbles spread with gravel like crunch beneath his almighty weight.
'Good God Edward man! Cries Felix.
'Blinkin' heck Ed, you alright?
Nicholas, Laurence and Jack quick into action attempt to pull Edward, arms stretched above his head, expression contort with shock and bewilderment. In any other setting, an afternoon picnic perhaps, this would be a highly amusing event, but Edward's falling has only heightens the potential hazards which lay before them. Laurence and Jack continue to pull Edward whilst Nicholas gets around the back end of him down by the side of the stream and vigorously pushes him up toward the bank. He is indeed a rather heavy man and it takes a lot of pulling and pushing before he is finally up safely on the bank.
'Good men,' says Felix humbly realising with shame that he did not act in the heroic way he would have imagined, instead he became rooted to the spot. Edward felt remarkably heavy. The bubbles which he had unwittingly popped earlier along the walk were now brimming with water. He was cold and hungry and in desperate need of more cake.
'Come on,' Jack clearly eager to continue with the search, looks at Edward 'Do you feel OK Edward?'
Edward nods in reply, but in truth he wants nothing more than to return back to his cottage, to his cakes and his king sized bed.

The men approach the footpath ahead, eyeing the thick dark brambles, they hesitate, anxious they may not get through. Felix gets out the map, 'Mmm this is definitely the way, anyone know of an alternative route to avoid these ghastly brambles?'
'We could take the path to the left but its a fair trek, and even then I'm not sure it will take us straight to the Orchard.' says Laurence.
'Come on,' say Nicholas 'if we get down low we should just about get through without too many problems, time isn't really on our side chaps.'
Without further ado they fall to their knees. A precarious sight seeing they are all wrapped like little cocoons in the bubble wrap. They begin to crawl along on their bellies, accompanied by a rhythm of pops as thorns stab the tiny bubbles.
'At last!' whispers Felix, a note of triumph in his voice. Nicholas huffing, puffing and popping behind makes his exit, followed by Jack.
'Help!'
'Oh dear God and Mother of Mary what on earth is up now man?' Felix bobs down, peering through the brambles he spots Edward who is well and truly stuck. Every bubble, it seems, has been pierced and now lodged with thorns.
'The man's too blinkin' large' cries Felix.
Laurence is behind Edward and he is trying with all his might to release Edward from the brambles.
'Come on Edward push for your life mate.'
'I'm bleedin' stuck! Can't move an inch!' Edward hisses.
'Well you're going to have to try Edward we can't stay here all night, you'll freeze your billy balls off and so will Bob if we don't find him, now come on, on a count of three I want you to use all the strength you can muster and get free, one, two, three.'
Edward heaves, pulling and struggling with the bubble wrap he manages to move a knee, an arm and his belly slides a fraction only to come to a sudden halt. An overhanging bramble has now become embedded in the bubble wrap.
'Its no bleedin' good, I'm completely and utterly stuck!'
Laurence manages to back out of the brambles. He is as nimble as they come. 'Right, Edward stay where you are, I'm going back to fetch some gardening tools, don't panic, we'll have you out of there for sure.'
'Stay right here? Stay right here? are you barkin', where the bleedin' heck do you think I'm going for God sakes!' Edward curses.
'Its alright Ed, Laurence will have you out in no time, I'll stay here, you two go on we'll catch up with you.' Nicholas looks towards Jack and Felix, and they reluctantly head off toward the footpath parallel to the orchard.



Laurence is fast and nimble on his feet, heading off toward the village. He runs with new sense of purpose busying himself with thoughts of what tools would be best suited to untangling poor Edward; but no sooner is he clambering over the remains of the rickety old bridge something brushes his arm, losing his footing he stumbles and falls into a dip below a large old Oak before stopping short of possibly the most exquisite sight he has ever seen. He gasps. His heart momentarily stops. Eyes wide, jaw loose and tongue slightly protruding, he is slumped in wonderment, drinking in the sheer beauty before him.

Jack and Felix stay close. There is an intensity now their party has reduced in numbers and the silence offers time for reflection. Felix thinks about Bob and what could have happened. He thinks about the Smashers and how when Clive Crookshank came home he didn't mutter a single word for months, not even to Felix his closest friend. It had shocked and saddened Felix to see how much Clive had changed. Clive had become a recluse for those few months, not answering the door to anyone. Only Granny P was allowed access to him and it was Granny P who was responsible for slowly integrating Clive back into the community. It was a slow process Clive would help dig the allotment at the back of Granny P's cottage. He would take walks with her as the sun came up and again just as the sun went down. If anyone tried to talk to him it was Granny P who would gently request that Clive be left in peace. Eventually Clive made contact with Felix and piece by piece he shared his story and Felix would listen for hours, not saying much, after all what could he have said. But as his story unfolded Clive came slowly out of the shell he had built around himself and today his spirit is almost restored. It is only his eyes that will tell you that something very precious was taken away from him ,as it is his eyes that will let one know that he is deeply appreciative of the wonders of each day, each moment. 'Clive is a stronger man for it' thinks Felix with a stirring of pride and humbleness. However, Felix, now trembling cannot remove the image that taunts him daily. The image of Clive bound to a large wooden post in the centre of the Orchard clearing. The image of his dear friend being fed beetles and worms each day for what seemed like a lifetime was almost too much to bare. Clive had spoken of a women Smasher named Augustine Agarthorpe, she was the only sect member to have shown him any decency and care, and it was Augustine Agarthorpe who had clambered up to Clive one morning before day broke and set him free. 'She was my saviour' Clive had told Felix and Felix was touched by his friends kind words, even if they were directed toward a Smasher.

As the foliage thins out it is possible to see glimmers of activity within the orchard. An orange glow caresses the spaces beneath the dark silhouettes of the apple trees. What sounds like chanting, echos around the two men. Jack begins to feel a calm aura surrounding the orchard. Felix, trapped in his own pessimism is edgy with uncertainty. He is contemplating using physical force if the need arises. Just then a rustling sound erupts and the branches to their right suddenly shake wildly before they they part reveiling the open sky, and before they can say or do anything the most remarkable thing happens. Jack and Felix are gently lifted just above the ground and then slowly higher and higher until they are in full view of the orchard and its new inhabitants. Apart from the sounds of their own hearts furiously beating, there is a silence. A soft, yet exhilarating silence.

Chapter Seven. Party Plans

Having listened to Daisy and Lucinda's garbled and dramatic story about the goings on at the orchard, Amelia at once sets to work on organising a search party. Amelia is secretly rather excited, her life has been somewhat dull during the past few months 'there's nothing quite like a good old drama to keep one balancing with thrill on the edge of life itself,' she thinks gleefully. During the 'Clive Crookshank abduction', or the CCA as Felix Goodhugh referred, Amelia was the scaffolding that kept the community from crumbling. 'What a fine woman that Amelia is!' Daisy would often hear them cry, but Daisy was not entirely without awareness, she knew how her mother thrived on the suffering of other's.
'She's a twisted old witch.' Daisy confessed to Lucinda one afternoon. Lucinda thought Daisy a shocker for saying such a dreadful thing, but of course she kept the thought very much to herself. However, as Lucinda's eyes follow Amelia's fussing and sorting, she notices the sparkle in her step and the glossiness of her aura and remembers Daisy's little outburst with an uncomfortable sensation that maybe, just maybe Daisy was right after all.
'Yes, yes get on to it right away....yes very well....fine...rightyho.......that will be most kind of you yes....cakes?...of course we shall dear Phoebe...ta ta for now then.' Amelia puts the receiver down with such force that it is apparent a rush of activity is to commence.
'Right everyone, listen up,' Amelia bellows at the top of her voice rendering everyone completely still and silenced.
'I have spoken to Phoebe who is enlisting a search party as we speak. Now we need a batch of cakes, plenty of bubble wrap, torches, compass and Daisy and Lucinda we will need a map from you girls indicating the exact spot where Bob was last seen. Felicity be a darling and fetch your wonderful fruit loaf recipe and Florence, Granny P has the torches would you mind going over to help her carry them across. Now remember we will not let them beat us we shall stand strong and united. Bob WILL be found, Bob will be FOUND.' Her voice trails off as if she were merely playing with the words. She always did like the sound of drama in her voice. It struck her as a strong and rather masterful sound.
Daisy rolls her eyes 'Did I really come from that womb?' she thinks eyeing her mother with a look of sheer exasperation.

Felicity, still in a state of shock and despair, slowly heads towards the door, but realises she has forgotten what has been asked of her. She turns toward Amelia hoping for a recap but Amelia has disappeared into the kitchen, pots and pans ringing with purpose. She stands for a few seconds gazing at the girls who are gathering up their pens and paper talking quickly, again with purpose. 'Where is my purpose?' she thinks and with that, body numb, mind empty she leaves the Dipple household.
'Won't be long my darling.' says Florence giving Lucinda a kiss on the top of her glistening head before she leaves for Granny P's cottage. Daisy thinks Florence rather pathetic.
'Won't be long my darling...' mimics Daisy, her face screwed into an annoyingly childlike ball of scorn.
'Don't be so nasty Daisy! She's upset, we all are,' Lucinda whispers to Daisy giving her a sideways scowl before getting back to the map. They are detailing the route to the orchard from Daisy's house and have every single colour felt tip pen scattered about them. Lucinda is methodical in her approach, detailing the twists and turns with as much accuracy as possible. Daisy follows Lucinda with her pen adding colour to the houses, trees, the old hut down by the lake, and to Lucinda's irritation she adds two Drakes to the lake, as she colours in the plumage Lucinda has a desire to stab the back of Daisy's hand with her pencil, but refrains telling herself that Daisy is merely jealous.

Over the next 2 hours the arrival of the volunteer search party begins with Felix Goodhugh
'Hello chaps!' he cries with a mixture of purpose and sheer joy to, once again, be involved in a mission of adventure and heroism.
'He's as bad as her,' Daisy whispers to Lucinda eyeing her mother still.
'Shh!'
'Oh don't be such a goody goody Luce, she is an embarrassment of all embarrassments, can't anyone see just how ridiculously excited she is by this, today of all days? My mother is a freak!'
'Yes maybe so, but you do want Bob back don't you Daisy? She's doing her best'
'Doing her best running a freak show you mean, she'll be getting everyone wearing name tags and luminous hats with crucifixes strapped to their backs next.' sighs Daisy with eyes screwed just enough to show contempt.
'BBB' cries Felix so spontaneously Lucinda lets out a shriek.
'What....'
'Bring Back Bob!' Felix is looking delighted with himself.
'Good God I've heard it all now.' Daisy looks totally aghast.
The door opens and in walks the upright Nicholas Saddleback clutching a pedometer, hip flask and a stash of bubble wrap. Daisy is momentarily delighted by his presence, quickly altering her expression to a more serious tone, not wanting to emulate her god forsaken mother.
'Ah Nicholas so kind of you to come,' soothes Amelia.
'Not at all, we will find him don't you worry' Nicholas looks around him searching for cakes that were usually prepared for such occasions. This was, after all, the reason Nicholas had agreed to join the party, Bob's so called abduction had secretly pleased Nicholas due to, well lets just say he didn't much like Bob, not really.
Finally Laurence and Jack the paramedics arrive accompanied by Edward Cloppit, who most certainly came for the cakes. Granny P and Florence, seconds behind, carry the torches and a bundle of bubble wrap. Everything is going according to plan except, that is, for the unknown whereabouts of Felicity and her fruit loaf recipe.
'Has anyone seen Felicity? She should be here now with her fruit load recipe, she's taken rather long time!' Amelia shouts from the kitchen.
'We need to get going soon.' Felix replies, I don't think fruit loaf will be all that missed, we have important business to attend to.'
'But....' Edward Cloppit cuts himself short, silently cursing Felix.
'Blinkin' old Fool!' he whispers under his breath.
'Girls, map?' Amelia calls.
'All ready Mrs Dipple.' Lucinda carries the map towards the kitchen. A feeling of importance takes hold and she blushes.
'Right it is now exactly 23 hours and 56 minutes. Men, we know what we are doing, we must stick together and remain united. Bob Bluffel must be found. Bubble wrap?'
'Check'
'Compass?'
'Check'
'Torches?'
'Check'
'Fluids?'
'Check'
'Map?'
'Yeah....I mean check' sighs Daisy who is rather sleepy now.
'Cakes?'
'Almost,' Amelia chuckles with pride 'another 3 minutes and they will be as golden as you like.'
'Right, men, any questions?'
'Err... do you think we should look at the map over a bit of cake maybe?' Nicholas keen to get his teeth into the soft hot sponge shrugs hopefully, shoulders remaining hunched for a touch too long.
'Ah, go on then,' preens Amelia carrying through the most delightful batch of fairy cakes still steaming tenderly. The party stands still, breathing in the sweet deep aroma looking lovingly all the while at Amelia who is simply glowing with pride.
'God she really is sick!' whispers Daisy, quite disgusted.

Chapter Six. Community Aghast.

Felicity has had a bad day. She has popped 146 square metres of bubble wrap in just under 3 hours and she continues to pop, although not quite so furiously now. Her motion has slowed and her eyes sleepy, worn out from angst. The sun begins to go down leaving Felicity in a dim mist, for she is now surrounded by metres of bubble wrap, 'nothing can break me now.' she thinks, barely believing, but holding on nevertheless, to this thought. It is when she is wrapped so snugly, so sheltered from the world that she feels safest. Her obsession with bubble wrap has got way out of control something that today's meeting has highlighted. For how is she going to be able to sustain such a habit, what with the rationing. She knows she must get help. Where will she go? Who can talk to?

Felicity is suddenly shocked out of her mind as hysterically high pitched screams can be heard within close proximity to her cottage. The screams take on a rather disturbing quality, so disturbing that Felicity's need for bubble wrap diminishes. Quickly grappling with it, rolling out of it, tangling this way and that she finally escapes the clutches of bubbles but the sounds start to subside leaving her once again in agonising silence. The porthole window just left of her kitchen sink offers the best view of the goings on around her cottage and uphill towards the church. Felicity staggers to the window just in time to see two little silhouettes running for their dear little lives toward Shiny Street. 'Strange', thinks Felicity and before she has time to think she scarpers out of the cottage running toward the frenzied activity not even stopping to lock her cottage. This is not like Felicity. Not like Felicity at all.

Daisy and Lucinda, quite breathless now, run towards Daisy's house, the night has closed in on the community and they are watching their steps. Amelia opens the door just as the girls approach.
'And just where the devil have you been!' Screams Amelia clearly quite distraught.
Daisy and Lucinda talk at once and it is obvious that something ghastly has taken place.
'Now girls slow down and try and tell me in a calm fashion what has happened.' Amelia trying so terribly hard to stay calm guides the girls toward the sofa where Lucinda's mother Florence's tear stained and trembling face perches in a rather precarious fashion upon her not quite so steady body.
'Lucinda!'Hollers Florence, launching herself at her poor dishevelled daughter.
'What on earth has happened my poppet?'
'Oh Mummy!' Lucinda whimpers and falls into the safety of her mothers breasts sobbing like a lost little beast.

The door suddenly swings wildly on its hinges and Felicity appears looking somewhat ludicrous with little bubbles attached to her wild and matted hair, and little smears around her face.
'Hello' she says with neurotic pitch quite oblivious to the curious attention she is receiving. 'Just wondering what all the fuss is about, heard some screaming, is everything alright?'
'It's Bob' Daisy begins, 'we have been investigating some strange goings on at the orchard and...well....I think its all happening again....and...and we left him just as he was descended upon by some weird flying demon....he...he needs our help.' Salty fat tears begin to trickle down Daisy's small vulnerable face. Tension mounts as they all wait, trembling, for Daisy and Lucinda to divulge the latest happenings.
'Bob!' Cries Felicity as reality whips her harshly into the present, 'Whatever has happened to Bob?'.

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.