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The Magic Library
Book 5 - Mermaids
The Magic Library
Myra and Kassy Cooper have moved into Lavender Hall with their parents to look after Gran. Myra and Kassy have discovered that the library inside Lavender Hall is magic. An evil witch is taking characters out of the books. She tricks them into entering tall stone towers. Once inside the towers, the characters forget who they are. The words from their books disappear and the world forgets about them.
Myra and Kassy have to save the characters and their stories before the magic library is lost forever.
Chapter 1
Myra Cooper struggled up the beach, a heavy bucket of seawater in each hand. She stopped in front of her twin sister, Kassy, and placed the buckets on the sand. Myra said, “That must be enough by now. There’s plenty of water to fill the moat. Did you have to make your sandcastle so big?”
Kassy patted the top of her sandcastle with pride. “There’s no point making a teeny-weeny castle that no one can see. I think this is the best sandcastle I’ve ever made.”
Myra nodded. “I agree. Well, you’ve certainly had plenty of time. We’ve been out here for hours. I wish Mum and Dad would hurry up. We can’t go for a swim until they’re here to keep an eye on us.”
Kassy placed a small flag on the top of her sandcastle. “They’ll be down when they’ve finished the painting the kitchen walls. There’s so much work to do in Gran’s house, I bet they never finish it.” She grinned at Myra. “And we’ll be waiting on this beach for them for all eternity. Getting more wrinkly and grey, and still wearing our swimming costumes.”
Myra smiled. “I wish Gran would come out and sit with us. She hasn’t been out of the house since we moved in months ago. I know Mum said Gran’s getting stronger every day, and that we have to leave her alone but ... I just wish she would get out more. It’s such a lovely day. She could sit in a deckchair and watch us swimming in the sea.”
“Give her time. She still misses Granddad. We all do.” Kassy’s eyes shone with unshed tears and she turned her attention back to her sandcastle.
Myra strained her neck to look along the path that led back to Gran’s house. “Do you think I should go and check the library again? I can see if any books need our help.”
Kassy sighed. “How many times have you checked the library this morning?”
Myra shrugged.
“I’ll tell you how many. Every time you’ve gone to check on the library, I’ve put a pebble on my sandcastle.” Kassy made a quick count of the pebbles. “There are twelve! I think you’ve made enough checks.”
Myra gave Kassy an embarrassed smile and sat next to her on the sand. “Sorry. I just want to be ready if a book needs our help.”
“You should know by now that a book always gets our attention when it needs our help. Stop worrying so much.” Kassy studied her creation. “I think I might make it bigger.”
A shriek made them both jump.
Myra looked up. “That was loud. It sounded like a seagull. Where is it?” Something swooped down to her and flew around her head. Myra jumped to her feet and waved her hands around. “Get off! Leave me alone!”
Kassy started laughing, until the flying thing came near her. She jumped up. “Go away! Get away from my castle, you silly seagull.” She ran away from the castle, flapping her hands wildly.
“Kassy! It’s not a seagull. It’s a book. It’s flapping its pages like a bird. Keep still!” Myra ran over to Kassy.
Kassy froze and looked at the thing that was flapping directly in front of her. She opened her mouth slightly and hissed, “What do I do? Shall I grab it?”
“Yes!”
Kassy’s hands shot out towards the book. It screeched and flapped away.
“Follow it!” Myra cried out.
The two girls chased after the book.
The book screamed and shrieked as it flapped through the air.
It finally landed and the girls caught up with it.
They looked down at the book.
Kassy’s voice wobbled as she said, “It’s inside Granddad’s boat. We haven’t been near this since ...” She gulped and didn’t finish her sentence.
Myra put her hand on Kassy’s arm. “Granddad was the last one to use it. He’s the one who tied the boat up on the sand.” She sighed and reached out towards the book. “I can’t reach it. I’ll have to climb in.”
Myra climbed over the side of the small boat. She touched the book but it flapped away to the other side of the boat. “Silly book, come here. Kassy, get in and help me. This book’s playing games with us.”
Kassy jumped into the boat and lurched forward, trying to catch the book. It shot forward and landed in Myra’s hands.
The rope that tied Granddad’s boat to a post suddenly unravelled on its own. The boat rocked from side to side and the girls fell down.
“What’s happening?” Kassy yelled. “Is this boat alive?”
The boat rushed over the sand and towards the sea.
Myra looked over the side. “It’s going too fast for us to jump out! Hold on tight.”
The boat launched itself into the sea. The oars jumped into position and began to row the boat forward, all on their own.
Myra and Kassy watched helplessly as they were taken further and further out to sea.
Kassy raised a shaking finger at Myra. “What kind of book is that?”
Chapter 2
Myra examined the book in her hands. “It feels weird, it’s not like a normal book. I think it’s made out of some sort of plastic. Do you remember those bath books that Mum used to give to us?”
Kassy nodded. “Those waterproof ones you could read in the bath? Yeah, I remember those.”
Myra held the book up. “That’s what this book reminds me of. It feels waterproof.”
Kassy squinted as she looked at the front cover. “Mermaids. That book is about mermaids.” She pulled a face. “I can feel a theme going on here. We’re stuck in the middle of the sea, with a waterproof book about mermaids. What do you know about mermaids?”
Myra opened the first page. “It says here that they help people who are in distress at sea. That’s nice.” She turned the page. “Oh. Some mermaids aren’t so nice. They trick people into sailing along dangerous waters. The mermaids make the boats crash on to rocks and ...” She closed the book and gave Kassy a tight-lipped smile. “You don’t want to know the rest.”
Kassy peeped over the side of the boat. “I wonder what kind of mermaids need our help? If The Witch Of A Thousand Towers has put a spell on them, even the friendliest mermaids could turn nasty. It’s a good job we’re strong swimmers. And we’ve got our swimming costumes on.”
Myra placed the book on her knee. “Speaking of the witch, have you got your lavender brooch with you?” She tapped the strap of her swimming costume. “I’ve got mine pinned on the other side of this strap.”
A look of horror crossed over Kassy’s face. “No! I forgot it. It’s in my bedroom.” Her hands flew to the side of her head and she wailed, “Oh poor me, the witch is going to find me and I’ll be put in a tower forever! And you won’t be a twin any more. Poor Myra.”
Myra threw the book at her sister. “Stop messing about. Have you got your brooch or not?”
Kassy caught the book. She laughed and patted her own swimming costume strap. “I’ve got it in exactly the same place as you. So the evil witch won’t be able to see us. But, Myra, will the witch be able to hear us?”
Myra frowned. “I don’t know. We should have asked Gran that. Hey! Stop rocking the boat.”
“I’m not rocking the boat. I thought it was you.”
The girls stared at each other as the boat rocked from side to side. Myra’s breath caught in her throat as a small, pale hand appeared over the side of the boat.
Another pale hand appeared. Kassy scuttled across the boat and sat next to Myra. She thrust the book into Myra’s hands. “You can have this.”
Myra couldn’t take her attention away from the hands that were clinging to the side of the boat. A head began to appear between the hands.
Kassy hissed, “If it’s an evil mermaid, then I’m going to dive out and swim back to shore. And you’re going to follow me.”
Myra stared at the head that came into view.
A young girl, of about their age, smiled over at them. Her eyes were blue, and so was her long hair that tumbled down her back.
The young girl spoke, “Hi there. Are you lost? Do you need my help?”
Myra blinked a few times and tried to speak.
Kassy beat her to it. “Are you a mermaid? A real mermaid? Are you evil or good?”
The young mermaid laughed and pulled herself further up so that she could lean over the boat. “I’m a good mermaid, of course! I help people who are in trouble at sea. Are you in trouble? Do you need help to get back home?”
Myra finally spoke, “Hi. I’m Myra, and this is my sister, Kassy. We live at that house back there with our family. We don’t need any help, thank you.”
The mermaid frowned. “Then why have I felt drawn to this boat? Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
Myra held up the mermaid book. “I think it’s you who might need our help. Have you heard of The Witch Of A Thousand Towers?”
The mermaid shook her head. “Never. Should I have?”
Kassy leaned forward. “She’s an evil, evil witch. She gets characters out of books and traps them in towers. They stay there forever and ever. And the world forgets all about them!”
The mermaid shivered. “I don’t like the sound of her. Why are you asking me about her?”
Myra explained, “When a character from a book needs our help, the book gets our attention somehow.” She waved the book in the air. “And this book got our attention and made us come out here. I think the witch is after mermaids.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound good. Myra, Kassy, could you come with me and explain this to my mother and father, please? They’ll know what to do.” She gave them a shy smile. “My name is Nerissa. I don’t usually give people my name, but I feel like I can trust you two.”
Myra returned Nerissa’s smile. “That’s a lovely name. Where are your parents? We can tell them everything.”
Nerissa indicated her head towards the sea. “They’re down there, of course. They’re at work but I know they won’t mind being disturbed. Can you swim?”
“Yes. But how far down do we have to go?” Myra asked.
“To the bottom of the sea.”
Kassy shook her head. “We can’t do that. We can’t swim all the way down there. We’re not fish.”
Nerissa smiled. “I know. You’ll need some help to breathe underwater.” She took one hand off the boat and put it in the water. She waved her hand around in the water and then brought it back out. She held up pieces of seaweed.
“Yuk! What do you want us to do with that?” Kassy folded her arms. “I’m not eating it.”
Nerissa laughed. “You are funny. You’re going to wear it. Watch.” She held the seaweed up and blew gently on it. The pieces of seaweed changed into two pearl necklaces. Nerissa held them out to the girls. “Put these on and you’ll be like real mermaids.”
Kassy gave Nerissa a suspicious look. “Will my legs grow into a tail? I don’t want a tail. I like my legs.”
“No, you won’t grow a tail. Put the necklaces on.”
Kassy took the necklace and hissed under her breath to Myra, “What if it’s a trap? I don’t think we should put them on.”
Myra hissed back, “We can trust her.” She put the pearl necklace on, and then added, “I think.” She tucked the mermaid book down the front of her swimming costume.
Kassy tutted and put her necklace on.
Nerissa turned away from the boat and disappeared into the water.
The girls stood up, held hands, and then jumped into the sea.
Chapter 3
Myra closed her eyes as she sank beneath the waves. She felt Kassy squeezing her hand tightly. Then she heard Kassy talk. She sounded normal, and not as if she was underwater.
“Myra, open your eyes! It’s amazing!” Kassy declared.
Myra did so.
Kassy squeezed her hand again. “And stop holding your breath! Your face is going purple.”
Myra let out the breath she was holding. She half expected water to come gushing into her mouth and nose. But it didn’t. She smiled at Kassy. “We’re swimming underwater! Just like mermaids!”
“I know. Nerissa has gone that way. We’d better follow her.”
Still holding hands, the girls swam after the blue-haired mermaid. Schools of brightly coloured fish swam above and below them.
Myra laughed. “I didn’t know there were so many different kinds of fish.”
Kassy pulled her to one side as a jellyfish shot up nearby. “Watch out, Myra! I hope we don’t see any sharks. Are there sharks around here?”
Beams of sunlight shot through the rippling water as the girls swam along. Still following Nerissa, they started to head downwards.
“I think we’re going to the bottom of the sea. The water should be getting darker. Why isn’t it?” Myra asked.
Kassy pointed ahead. “Look at those fish! They look as if their noses are torches. That’s where the light is coming from. Oh! Look over there. There’s a sunken palace. A real sunken palace.”
“Nerissa is heading towards the palace.” Myra tugged on Kassy’s hand. “I can see other mermaids. They’re staring at us. Do you think that’s a happy stare, or an evil we’re-going-to-get-you stare?”
Kassy let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t know. Nerissa’s talking to some of them.”
They slowed down as they watched Nerissa talking to a merman and a mermaid near the palace. The mermaid had long blue hair, the same colour as Nerissa’s. The merman looked over at Myra and Kassy with the same blue eyes as Nerissa’s.
“They must be her mum and dad,” Myra said. “They don’t look happy. Have you noticed what they’re wearing on their heads?”
Kassy nodded. “The crowns?”
Nerissa quickly swam over to their side. “Mother and Father would like to talk to you. Don’t look so worried!”
Myra said, “Have you something to tell us about your mother and father?”
Nerissa frowned.
Kassy tapped the top of her own head. “Something to do with the big sparkling crowns that they’re wearing?”
“Oh that!” Nerissa waved a hand. “Didn’t I tell you my mother and father are Queen and King Of The Sea? Or that I’m a princess? Sorry.”
Kassy and Myra shared a look. Kassy voiced Myra’s thoughts, “The witch is going after a king and queen now? Doesn’t she have any limits?”
“There’s no need to worry about that witch. Come on over, Mother and Father will explain.”
Myra and Kassy swam over to the stern-looking couple. They came to a stop in front of them and finally let go of each other’s hands.
The queen spoke first, “Please tell me all you know about The Witch Of A Thousand Towers. And then I’ll tell you what we know. Would you like to come into our palace? It looks like a ruin but it’s perfectly safe. It’s thousands of years old and used to be on the land where you two have come from. There used to be a civilisation of people there but their kingdom was washed away. All that’s left is this lovely marble ruin.”
Myra and Kassy followed Nerissa and her parents into the palace and along a corridor which didn’t have a roof. They came to a big hall and stopped before a large table. The table was covered in maps.
The king said, “Please tell us everything. Leave nothing out.”
Myra began to talk. She told them all about the magic library in Gran’s house, and the characters they had saved. Kassy joined in at various points. Myra finished by handing over the mermaid book to the king.
The king flipped through the pages. “The writing is still here so it seems that we are safe.”
“For now,” the queen said. “We can’t ignore this, Edward. The things these girls have told us are true.” She turned her head in the girl’s direction. “We know about the witch. We never thought she’d have the nerve to come after us.” She looked from one girl to the other as if deciding whether to tell them something. “The Witch Of A Thousand Towers has tried to come after our kind before.”
“Has she?” Nerissa asked. “When?”
The queen smiled gently at her daughter. “She went after Kevin.”
“Who’s Kevin?” Kassy asked.
The queen shook her head sadly. “Let me tell you about Kevin. It’s a sad story.”
Chapter 4
The queen said, “Kevin is a sea serpent. He was the most terrifying sea serpent that swam the seven seas. Just the mention of his name would send sharks swimming away in fear. Everything about him was terrifying, from his sharp fangs to the pointy fins on his tail.”
Nerissa interrupted, “That’s not the Kevin I know. He’s nothing like that.”
“He used to be,” the queen went on. “He always left the mermaid people alone. He got on with his job, and we got on with ours.”
Myra said, “What was his job exactly?”
“Scaring people, particularly pirates and sailors. He’d wrap himself around a ship and then tip it over.” The queen chuckled. “I saw him do it once. You should have heard the screams coming from the men as they were tipped overboard. We mermaids had a lot of work to do that day, we had to guide them to safety.”
Kassy said, “Did Kevin eat anyone?”
“No, he never physically hurt anyone. He liked scaring people, that’s all. He was very good at it until The Witch Of A Thousand Towers went after him. She changed him. We didn’t know Kevin had been captured by her. We only noticed something was wrong when we hadn’t seen him for a while.”
The king said, “We sent out search parties around the world. But no one saw fang nor tail of Kevin. Then we heard a rumour that some wicked witch had been walking along the beach where Kevin was last seen.” He gave a small smile. “Kevin didn’t just live in the water. He liked to lie on the beach and bask in the sun. We kept telling him it was dangerous, but he wouldn’t listen. He said no one would ever be brave enough to attack him.”
“I don’t think the witch is scared of anyone,” Myra said. “What happened to Kevin?”
The queen glanced over her shoulder and then back at the girls. “He came back to us a while later. But he was different. He was smaller, his fangs had shrunk and his fins had dropped off. He wouldn’t talk about what had happened, he only told us a witch had cast a spell on him and kept him a prisoner in a tower. He did say that someone had rescued him, an older couple. But he wouldn’t tell us anything else.”
Myra shared a look with Kassy. Were the older couple Gran and Granddad?
The queen frowned. “We couldn’t get much more out of him. He lives in the shadows in the deepest part of the sea now. He only comes out now and again for special occasions.”
Nerissa said, “I didn’t know all this about Kevin. I always thought he was just a sad sea serpent. I didn’t know he used to be scary.”
“He was magnificent, he changed so much,” the queen said with a small smile. She focused her attention on Myra. “So, we do know about the witch. We’ll have to call a special council so we can decide what action to take. We need to be prepared. Would you mind lending me that book for a while?”
Myra pulled the book closer. “I’m not sure. I have to keep an eye on the words.”
The queen nodded. “I understand. It would only be for a short time, I would give you it back. The council will be more likely to believe me if I showed them the book. And I could give you it back once you’ve returned from helping Nerissa out on a job.”
“A job? What kind of job?” Myra asked.
The queen waved her hand over a map on the table. “This map shows the area above us. It will light up in certain places when people are in trouble.” She pointed to a spot on the map. “See this flickering light? This means a small vessel is in trouble. They’re too close to the lighthouse. Nerissa will have to go and help them. Would you like to go with her? You could be trainee mermaids.”
“I like the sound of that!” Kassy shot out. “Which way do we go?”
Myra looked down at the map. It would be fun to be a mermaid, even a trainee mermaid. When would she get the chance to do that again? She looked over at the queen. Could she trust her with the book?
The light on the map shone brighter. Nerissa said, “Myra, I have to go now. The people in that boat are in trouble and the situation is getting worse for them.”
Kassy grabbed Myra’s arm. “Come on! We get to be mermaids!”
Myra made a decision. She handed the book over to the queen.
The queen smiled and said, “I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”
Kassy pulled Myra away from the king and queen and out of the palace.
Nerissa swam ahead of them. “This way. The boat’s heading towards the lighthouse near your gran’s house.”
They all swam away from the sunken palace. Myra looked over her shoulder. Was she making a big mistake by leaving the mermaid book behind?
Chapter 5
Myra and Kassy followed Nerissa up through the water.
As they broke through the surface, Myra quickly looked around. She spotted the boat that was in trouble. It was a small fishing boat and it was heading towards the dangerous rocks that surrounded the lighthouse.
Kassy had seen the boat too. She called out, “Why isn’t it stopping? It’s heading straight for the rocks!”
Nerissa replied, “There’s something wrong with the person who’s sailing it. Follow me.” She shot through the water and over to the boat. The girls followed her at a slower pace.
When they reached the boat, they saw Nerissa hanging over the side of it. She was pointing towards something. The girls pulled themselves up on the side of the boat and saw what had got her attention.
“What’s wrong with him?” Kassy asked as she looked at the man lying on the floor of the boat. “Is he injured?”
Nerissa shook her head. “He’s asleep. He doesn’t realise he’s in danger.”
“Hey, mister! Wake up!” Kassy yelled.
“That won’t work. He’s too deep into his sleep. I’ll have to sing to him,” Nerissa said.
“Sing? That won’t work,” Kassy said. “I’ll climb in the boat and prod him.”
Nerissa began to sing. It was a sweet, calm song and Myra and Kassy immediately relaxed against the side of the boat. The boat stopped moving and the sea became still.
Myra said, “That’s a lovely song.”
Nerissa broke off from her singing and said, “It’s a magical song, only mermaids can sing this. You can sing it too because you’re wearing magic pearl necklaces. Join in, I think we need more voices to help this sleepy sailor.” She started to sing again.
Myra and Kassy did their best to join in.
The man in the boat began to stir. He yawned, stretched and opened his eyes. His glance landed on the three faces looking at him. He jumped to his feet and yelled, “Where am I? Am I still dreaming? Who are you lot?”
Nerissa stopped singing. “Your boat was getting too close to the rocks. We’re here to help you.”
The man looked left and right. “Oh! I didn’t know! I must have fallen asleep. I’ve been up all night with my crew looking for fish.” He moved to the front of his boat and peered over the side. “Why is my boat still in one piece? There are sharp rocks right underneath me.” He looked back at the girls. “Did you do this? Did you save me and my boat?”
Nerissa smiled at him. “We had to do something.”
The man stared at them for a moment and then moved closer. He gulped and said, “Are you mermaids? Real mermaids?”
Nerissa nodded. “We’ll help you turn your boat around now.”
The man collapsed to the floor. He ran a hand over his forehead. “Mermaids. Real mermaids. No one is ever going to believe me.”
Myra whispered to Nerissa, “Should we tell him Myra and me aren’t real mermaids?”
“No. Let him think you are. He’ll never tell anyone about us anyway. We’ll have to go under his boat now and turn it around. Let’s get him far away from these rocks. I don’t think he’s quite ready to sail his boat yet, he looks in shock.”
Nerissa bobbed under the water. The girls followed her. Between them, they managed to turn the boat around and push it further out to sea. Myra suspected that Nerissa was doing most of the work, but she tried her best anyway.
When the boat was far enough away, the girls came back to the surface and said goodbye to the man. He got to his feet and gave them a shaky wave. “Thank you, kind mermaids. I will never forget you.” He moved to the front of his boat and took control of the steering wheel.
The girls bobbed in the water as they watched him sail away.
Kassy said to Nerissa, “Is that what you do all day? Help people like him?”
“We help people in many ways. I’m still training. Mother and Father do the bigger jobs.” She frowned. “Do you really think that witch wants to get rid of us? Why would she do that?”
“She’s evil, and nasty, and mean,” Kassy said. “She doesn’t need a reason.”
Myra felt a sense of unease. “Can we go back to your parents now? Do you think they’ve spoken to the council yet?”
“I should think so. The council will have sorted everything out by now. Let’s go back.” Nerissa disappeared under the water.
They swam back to the palace.
It was empty.
There was no sign of the king or queen anywhere.
The mermaid book was on top of the table, next to the maps.
Myra picked the book up and looked at the first page.
The writing had disappeared.
Chapter 6
Nerissa swam in and out of the sunken palace, calling out for her mother and father. There was no reply.
She swam back to Myra and Kassy, her face creased with worry. “Where can they be? They would never go away and not leave me a note.”
Myra showed Nerissa the empty page of the book. “The witch’s magic has started to work. She must have tricked your parents into going somewhere. She’ll try and get them inside one of those towers I was telling you about.”
Kassy opened her arms. “Where could they be? Is there a tower around here somewhere? It’ll take us years to look search the whole of the seven seas.”
Myra tried to put a brave smile on her face. “I’m sure something will lead us to Nerissa’s parents. Let’s look around for clues.”
A piece of marble fluttered down in front of Myra’s face. She looked over at Nerissa and said, “Was that part of the palace? Is it falling down?”
Nerissa frowned. “It’ll never fall down.” Her eyes widened as a larger piece of marble came down and gently bumped her on the nose. She gave a nervous laugh and added, “I don’t think it will fall down. Something’s causing it to move. There’s a disturbance in the water, can you feel it?”
Myra and Kassy were moved backwards in the water.
“What’s happening?” Myra asked.
“There’s only one creature who can make this happen. It’s Kevin. He’s coming towards us.”
“Kevin? As in, the big scary sea serpent?” Kassy asked.
Nerissa smiled. “Don’t worry, he’s not scary any more. We can ask him if he’s seen Mother and Father. You’ll like Kevin.”
Out of the shadows came a huge serpent. It slithered through the water towards them.
“Erm, is that Kevin?” Myra asked. “I thought you said he wasn’t scary. He looks quite scary to me.”
“And me.” Kassy came to Myra’s side and hid behind her. “Look how big he is! And look at his evil eyes, he’s staring right at us.”
Nerissa waved to the serpent. “Kevin! Hi! I want you to meet my new friends.”
Kevin came closer. He hissed, “I know who these two are. They’ve brought that evil witch with them! I can feel her evil presence in the water. Why? Why did you bring her back?” He curled his tail around Myra and Kassy and squeezed them.
Nerissa called out, “Kevin! Let them go! You’re hurting them.” She swam over to the girls and pulled on Kevin’s tail.
Kevin gave her a nasty look. “You’re in on it too! I always knew you weren’t really my friend. You want to get rid of me, and you’ve brought these two here to help you.”
“No! Kevin, that isn’t true. I don’t want to get rid of you! Please, let them go.” Nerissa pulled and pulled on his tail.
Myra struggled to get out of Kevin’s strong hold. She shouted, “Kevin, this is the witch’s spell working. We’re trying to save the mermaids. Please let us go.”
“No!” Kevin hissed. His tail whipped out and grabbed Nerissa too. “I’m going to get rid of you all. I want you far, far away from me.”
He pulled the girls tighter and shot up through the water. He skimmed across the surface of the water and towards a deserted beach. As they came closer to the sand, he flung the girls in the air and towards the beach.
The girls landed safely on the sand. Kevin glowered at them. “Don’t ever come back to the sea!” He turned away and vanished beneath the surface.
“Kevin! Come back!” Nerissa called out.
Myra got to her feet, the mermaid book still clutched tightly in her hands. “He’s definitely under the witch’s spell.”
“Or maybe he’s just worried that she’s going to catch him again,” Kassy pointed out as she stood up. She put her hands on her hips and looked around. “I don’t recognise where we are. There are some rocks over there. We could climb over them and see what’s on the other side.”
Myra shook her head slightly. “Kassy, I think you’re forgetting something. Nerissa doesn’t have any legs. She can’t climb anything. And I don’t want to leave her here on her own in case Kevin comes back.”
“Oh, yeah,” Kassy said. “Why don’t I climb up and have a little look?”
Nerissa suddenly screamed with pain. “My tail! Something’s happening to my tail! It hurts.”
Myra and Kassy crouched at Nerissa’s side. Myra said, “What can we do? Shall we rub it better?”
Nerissa winced and shook her head. “The pain is going now. I’ve never had pain like that before. Maybe Kevin squeezed me too hard.”
“Erm ...” Kassy said.
Myra looked over at her. “What? Was there something you wanted to say?”
“Erm ...” Kassy said again. She pointed towards Nerissa’s tail and wiggled her eyebrows.
Myra turned her head and looked at Nerissa’s tail too. “Oh. OH!”
Nerissa looked down. She screamed. “Where has my tail gone? And where did those legs come from? What’s happening to me?” She burst into tears.
Chapter 7
Myra put her arm around Nerissa’s shoulders. “I’m sure it’s only a temporary thing. Your tail will come back when the witch’s spell goes away.”
Kassy added, “Look on the bright side, at least you’ll be able to climb those rocks now.”
Nerissa wailed, “I don’t want to climb the rocks. I want to swim in the sea!”
Myra hugged her tighter. “Everything will be alright. We’ve helped characters in books before and I know we can help you.” Myra hoped she sounded confident.
Nerissa sniffed. “Do you think so?”
“Yes. We’ll try and find your parents first. Kassy’s right about the rocks, we’ll go over them and see what’s on the other side. Do you think you can stand up?”
Kassy hissed through her teeth. “Myra, do you remember that film we watched about a mermaid who grew legs? And what happened when she stood up?”
Myra forced out a laugh. “I’m sure Nerissa doesn’t need to know about that. Let’s help her stand up.”
Nerissa looked over at Kassy. “What happened to that mermaid?”
Kassy ignored the stern look that Myra was giving her. She said, “The mermaid cried out in pain and said it felt like she was walking on the edge of sharp knives. Or was it broken glass? It was one or the other. Come on, get to your feet.”
Nerissa didn’t move. “I’ll stay here. You two can go for help.”
“We’re not leaving you,” Myra told her. “Try and stand up. If it hurts at all, then we’ll just have to carry you. Won’t we, Kassy?”
Kassy nodded and held out her hand to Nerissa.
Myra held out her hand too and Nerissa grabbed the twins’ hands tightly. She carefully bent her knees and moved her legs closer to her chest.
“Oh! It tickles!” Nerissa declared. With the girls’ help, she carefully got to her feet. “Ha! It really tickles.” She moved gently from one foot to the other. She giggled. “That feels good. I like having legs. You can let go of my hands now.”
Myra and Kassy did so. They watched as Nerissa jogged around the sand, laughing happily to herself.
Kassy folded her arms. “How long do we have to stand here and watch dancing girl?”
Myra said, “I don’t like this, Kassy. I think I’d prefer it if Nerissa was in pain.”
“Why?”
“Then she’d want her mermaid tail back. Look how happy she is about having legs. I think this is all part of the witch’s plan. She’s probably given Nerissa legs that feel good so that she won’t want her mermaid tail back. I wonder if she’s done that to the other mermaids?”
Nerissa skipped over to them, a huge smile on her face. “I love having legs! I don’t think I’ll ever go in the sea again. This is so much fun. Watch me dance.” She jigged about on the sand.
Myra reached out and caught Nerissa’s arm. “You can dance later. We can’t stay on this beach forever. We’re going over to the rocks now.”
“Okay. I’ll dance there,” Nerissa declared. She twirled around and skipped over to the rocks.
Myra and Kassy followed her.
Nerissa had stopped dancing by the time they caught up with her. Her head was cocked to one side as if she was listening to something. She said, “Can you hear that? I think it’s a mermaid song. And it’s coming from the other side of these rocks. Come on!”
Nerissa leapt on to the first rock and was soon scrabbling up the rocks as if she was a mountain goat. She laughed loudly as she went.
Kassy huffed as they followed her. “I wish my legs thought this was funny. They’re already exhausted from all that swimming we’ve been doing. Can’t she slow down?”
Myra climbed at Kassy’s side. “I think I can hear the singing too but it doesn’t sound like the song Nerissa was singing earlier.”
Nerissa stood at the top of the rocks and looked out. “There they are! I can see Mother and Father, and all the other mermaids. Ha! They’ve all got legs. They’re all dancing and singing. What fun! I’m going to join them.”
“Wait! Nerissa, it could be a trap,” Myra warned.
Nerissa waved back at the girls. “Hurry up you two, you’re going to miss all the fun.”
“No!” Myra shouted.
“She’s gone down the other side,” Kassy said. “Why do they always do that? You always tell them there could be a witch’s trap ahead, and they always ignore you. I think you need to shout louder.”
The girls scrabbled to the top of the rocks and came to a stop. They looked at the scene below them.
Kassy tutted and put her hands on her hips. “It was a trap, after all. Nerissa should have listened to you.”
Chapter 8
On the beach below Myra and Kassy was a huge marble palace. It looked just like the one at the bottom of the sea, but this one wasn’t in ruins. It looked completely new and had all its doors and windows. Mermaids and mermen were dancing in front of the palace. Myra and Kassy could hear the joyful laughter from the top of the rocks. They saw Nerissa as she skipped across the sand towards her dancing parents.
“We’d better get down there before something terrible happens to them,” Myra said.
“Even more terrible than losing their tails?” Kassy said as she followed Myra down the rocks.
“I don’t think the witch has finished with them yet.” Myra scrambled down the rocks as quickly as she dared.
When she got to the bottom, she raced across the sand towards the twirling merpeople. “Hey! I need to talk to you!”
A flash of lightning shot through the sky and landed on the palace door. The door swung open. The merpeople cheered.
Nerissa’s mother called out, “At last! We can go inside.” She turned towards the door and danced towards it. The other mermaids and mermen followed her.
Myra yelled, “No! It’s a trap!” She seemed to be always shouting those words.
Kassy caught up with her and started yelling too. The merpeople ignored them. The last mermaid danced into the palace and the door slammed shut behind them.
There was a rumble of thunder and another flash of lightning. The marble palace was immediately replaced with a tall stone tower. Another crack of lightning sounded out and the tower disappeared.
“Not again!” Myra threw herself on to the sand and beat her fists into it. “Why don’t they ever listen to me?”
“Because they have no sense.” Kassy helped Myra to her feet. “Don’t fall to pieces on me, Myra. We’re going to save those mermaids, somehow. Have a look at your book and see if any more pages have gone blank.”
Myra flicked through the pages and sighed. “All the writing has gone but there’s still a picture on the front.” She waved the book angrily at the space where the palace had been. “Why don’t they just listen to me?”
Kassy took her sister in her arms and gave her a quick hug. She released her and said, “Stop being so dramatic. You’re the sensible one. Have a look around. Shouldn’t there be a green door somewhere? The one that leads us to that massive room full of towers?”
Myra took her glasses off and was about to clean them with the corner of her T-shirt. Then she remembered she was wearing her swimming costume. She frowned and put her glasses back on. She blinked as she looked around them.
“Kassy, I think I recognise this place. When we used to go out on the boat with Granddad, he would sail past this beach. It’s not far from Gran’s house. I think that if we head that way, we might come to Gran’s beach. Shall we try walking that way?”
“Yes. I knew you’d start thinking sensibly again.” Kassy grinned at her.
The sisters set off walking along the beach. They rounded a bend and stopped.
Myra smiled. “We have come to Gran’s beach.” Her smile dropped. “I can see Granddad’s boat. It’s tied up again. How did that get back there? And who tied it up?” Her face screwed up in anger. “If that nasty witch has touched my granddad’s boat I’ll ... I’ll ...”
Kassy said, “Calm down! You’re going all red in the face. Let’s go and have a look at the boat. There might be a clue inside, or something.”
The girls ran over to the boat. Myra hesitated when they got there. “Gran’s house is just over there. Shouldn’t we go in and ask her for help?”
“No. She’ll be asleep. She’s always asleep.” Kassy was peering into the boat.
“What about Mum and Dad? Shouldn’t we ask them for help?”
Kassy gave her a direct look. “Are you mad? Do you really want to explain to Mum and Dad about a magic library? Mum would lock us up and then call for a doctor. We’ve helped other characters, and we can help these merpeople. Stop worrying and help me look for that green door.”
Myra gave her sister a smile and pointed down at the sand. “You’re standing on the door. It’s under the boat.”
Kassy looked down. “What’s it doing down there?” She shook her head. “Never mind. Help me shove Granddad’s boat out of the way.”
The girls moved Granddad’s boat.
Myra looked down at the door. “It looks like a cellar door now.”
Kassy took a step back. “Don’t just stand there looking at it. Open it.”
Myra did so. She pulled the door all the way up and back so that it rested on the sand. A set of stone stairs led down. Myra took a step down. She looked back at Kassy, grinned and said, “Don’t just stand there.”
Myra and Kassy walked down the steps. They came to a familiar-looking corridor at the bottom. It was the same corridor they’d been in before. At the end was a wooden door. The girls went through the door and found themselves in the same huge hall that housed the witch’s towers.
Kassy tapped Myra on the shoulder and mouthed something at her.
Myra frowned. “What are you going on about? Have you lost your voice?”
Kassy whispered, “I don’t want the witch to hear us. She can’t see us but she might be able to hear us. I was asking you which way we should go?”
Myra nodded and then looked at the floor. She saw something and walked towards it. Kassy followed her.
Myra picked the item up and waved it in Kassy’s face.
“Get off!” Kassy cried out. “What is it?”
“Seaweed. And shh!” Myra followed bits of seaweed that had been scattered across the floor. They led to a grey tower that had an empty picture frame on the outside of its wall.
Myra pressed the mermaid book into the frame. It was a perfect fit. A grating noise made them both jump. The stones in the tower opened into a doorway.
Kassy tapped Myra on the shoulder. She mimed what possibilities they might find in the room at the top of the tower. Would the merpeople be friendly? Or would they have turned evil and want to gobble them up?
“Since when did mermaids start eating people?” Myra said with a tut. She walked through the doorway and towards a set of spiral stairs. She paused at the first step.
What would they find in the room at the top?
Chapter 9
They reached the top step and stared at each other.
Kassy said, “What’s that noise? It sounds like moaning and groaning. Are we in the right tower?”
“We must be, the mermaid book made a doorway for this tower.” Myra took a step towards the closed door in front of them. She slowly opened it and looked inside. She looked back at Kassy and said, “This is the right tower, the mermaids and mermen are inside. You’d better have a look at this.” She walked into the room.
Kassy followed her. “What’s wrong with them all? I thought they’d all be dancing but they’re sitting down.”
“They seem to be in pain. They’re rubbing their legs. Let’s find Nerissa and see what’s going on.”
They located Nerissa and ran over to her. She was rubbing her hands up and down her legs. She grimaced when Myra asked her what was wrong. Nerissa explained, “It happened as soon as we ran into that palace. We went straight into this room and then our legs started to hurt. It feels like tingling up and down my legs, but it’s not a nice tingle. It’s like tiny jellyfish stinging me. And it’s getting worse. Do you think my tail is growing back?”
“I don’t know but we have to get you all out of this tower. Let me rub your legs for you.” Myra moved closer and put her hands on Nerissa’s legs. Myra flicked her hair out of the way so that she could see better. Tiny drops of sea water dropped on to Nerissa’s legs. “Oops. Sorry about that.” Myra tried to rub the water away but it had been absorbed into Nerissa’s legs.
“Oh! Myra, the pain has gone. What did you do?” Nerissa jiggled her legs.
“It must have been the seawater.” Myra took hold of her hair, held it over Nerissa’s legs, and squeezed some water out.
Nerissa laughed. “My legs are tickling again. I want to dance.” She leapt up and twirled around.
Myra stopped her. “We haven’t got time for this. We have to get out before whatever magic in that seawater goes away. Kassy, see if you can squeeze some water out of your hair. Try and put some on the other merpeople’s legs.”
Kassy pulled a face. “I don’t think I’ve got that much water in my hair.”
“We have to try.” Myra ran over to Nerissa’s mother and father and told them what she was going to do.
Kassy was right about there not being enough seawater in their hair. They only managed to rub water on to the legs of a few of the mermaids. The rest still moaned and rubbed their legs.
“We have to get everyone back to the sea,” Myra told Nerissa.
Kassy yelled, “Hey! You lot! We have to get out of here!”
The merpeople ignored her. The ones that weren’t dancing around were grumbling about their legs.
Myra looked to Nerissa for help but the young mermaid was now twirling around the room on her tiptoes.
An idea came to Myra. She started to sing the mermaid song that Nerissa had sung earlier to the sleeping sailor. Kassy joined in with her.
One by one, the merpeople stopped what they were doing.
Myra and Kassy carried on singing as they headed backwards to the door. The mermaids and mermen followed them.
Still singing, the twins led them down the steps and out of the tower.
An alarm sounded out and red lights flashed. The merpeople seemed unaware of the noise and sounds around them. They seemed hypnotised by the song coming from the twins.
Kassy hissed, “We haven’t got much time! The witch knows the merpeople are out of the tower.”
Myra nodded but kept on singing.
The merpeople were led along the corridor and up the stone steps towards the open green door.
Myra’s voice was cracking but she kept on singing. It was only when the last mermaid had walked out on to the sand that she stopped. She rubbed her aching throat and said to Kassy, “We just have to get them into the sea now.”
“Erm ...” Kassy began. She was staring over Myra’s shoulder.
Myra turned around. Her shoulders sagged and all hope drained from her body.
The sea had completely disappeared.
Chapter 10
Myra let out a huge sigh. “Well, this is just great.”
“What are we going to do now?” Kassy asked. “The merpeople are falling to the sand and rubbing their legs again.”
Myra studied the front of the mermaid book. “There’s some ink left. All is not lost. Do you remember when we got the trolls to walk into their book? We didn’t have to be in the magic library for the magic to work. We could ask Nerissa to walk into the book here. That might work.”
“Let’s try that. Where is Nerissa?”
They found Nerissa sitting next to her mother and father. She was crying. “My legs hurt so much. I don’t think I can ever stand up again. Myra, how are you going to stop the witch? Look at what she’s done to our beautiful sea.”
Nerissa’s mother gave the girls a quizzical look. “Who are you two? And what are we doing here on the sand.” She looked over at the king. “And who are you?”
Myra took Kassy to one side. “They’re starting to forget who they are. We can’t ask Nerissa to walk into the book now. It’ll be too painful for her.” She ran her hand through her hair. “I haven’t got any water left. Have you?”
Kassy’s face lit up. “My sandcastle!”
“We haven’t got time for your sandcastle. Kassy, concentrate on this problem.”
“You brought me two buckets of water for my sandcastle,” Kassy said. “I’ll go and have a look for them.” She jogged away.
“Don’t spill them!” Myra called out. Her sister was the clumsiest person that she’d ever met. She often tripped over fresh air.
Kassy returned a minute later, holding a bucket in each hand. Water sloshed over the side of each bucket. Myra ran over to her and took one of the buckets. Kassy gave her a satisfied nod and said, “I’m a genius.” She walked towards them, tripped, and some water splashed out. Kassy handed the bucket to Myra. “You’d better have both of them.”
Myra passed the mermaid book to Kassy and then took the other bucket. She went around to each moaning mermaid and merman and rubbed seawater on their legs.
It wasn’t long before the merpeople were up and dancing.
Kassy held the book up. “Myra, the picture has almost gone from the front cover.”
Myra put the empty buckets down and looked for Nerissa. She saw her holding hands with her father as they danced from side to side. Myra ran over and grabbed Nerissa’s hand. She danced with her along the sand and towards Gran’s house.
“Where are we going? And who are you?” Nerissa said with a laugh.
Myra didn’t answer. She smiled and kept moving Nerissa in the direction of Gran’s house and the magic library.
Kassy took hold of Nerissa’s other hand and danced along too.
They went along the path that led to the library doors.
Kassy glanced at the book. “The ink has almost gone! We don’t have much time left.”
Myra said, “We’re almost there. A few more steps and we’ll be in the library.”
“Stop right there!” Something hissed behind them.
The girls stopped dancing and turned to face the creature who had hissed.
It was Kevin. He slithered in front of the library doors. “You brought the witch to our home and look what’s happened to the sea. You’ll pay for this.”
He slid closer to the terrified girls.
Chapter 11
Kassy said, “Shall I throw the book at him? Or I can leap on his head and cause a distraction while you take Nerissa into the library.”
Myra shook her head. She let go of Nerissa’s hand and faced Kevin straight on. His huge face was inches away from her own but Myra didn’t flinch.
With a small tremble in her voice, Myra said, “Kevin, we didn’t bring the witch here. You’ve met her before, you know what she’s like.”
“Don’t try and make excuses! You brought her here, I know you did.”
“We didn’t.” Myra raised her head. “The witch tricked you before, is that right?”
Kevin looked to the side. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“She put you in a tower, didn’t she? And a couple of people rescued you. Is that right?”
Kevin kept his head turned. “I’m not telling you anything. It’s none of your business.”
“I think the couple who helped you were my gran and granddad. I have eyes like my granddad. Look at me and you’ll see.”
Kevin sniffed. “I don’t want to.”
Myra’s hands shot out. She took hold of the sea serpent’s big head and turned him to face her. Kevin tried to struggle but Myra kept a firm grip on him.
Kevin had no choice but to look into her eyes. His own eyes widened. “You do have the same eyes! Just like that lovely man who got me out of that horrible tower. I would still be there if it wasn’t for him. Is he really your granddad?”
Myra nodded. “He’s not with us any more but we’re helping characters now, ones like you who’ve been tricked by the witch. We’re trying to help merpeople but we don’t have much time left. Could you move out of the way, please?”
“Of course!” Kevin smiled and slithered away from the library doors.
The library doors flung themselves open as if they’d been waiting for Myra.
Myra and Kassy danced Nerissa into the library.
Kassy put the open mermaid book on the floor. Myra steered Nerissa towards it but Nerissa had other ideas and danced Myra around the library.
Kassy picked up the book, chased after them, and then flung herself in front of the dancing mermaid. Myra released Nerissa and jumped back.
Nerissa twirled around on the spot. Kassy kicked the book closer to her twirling feet. Nerissa jumped on to the book. She grew smaller and smaller until she couldn’t be seen any more. There was a noise of splashing water and the book clapped shut.
Myra picked the book up and flicked through it. She let out a sigh of relief. “Phew! The mermaids are back in the book.” The book lifted from her hands and flew over to a bookshelf. It parked itself into an empty space.
Myra collapsed to the floor. “What an adventure that was!” The ground began to tremble. Myra frowned and looked down at it. “What’s going on now?”
Kassy ran to the glass library doors. “It’s the sea! It’s coming back. It’s like a huge tidal wave. I’ve got to see this.” She ran out of the library doors.
“No! Kassy, it’s not safe.” Myra jumped to her feet and ran towards the library doors. They slammed shut in her face. Myra pulled on the handles but the doors wouldn’t open. She watched in horror as Kassy ran down the beach path and towards the wall of water that was rushing up the beach.
Chapter 12
Myra screamed as she saw the massive wave of water race up the beach path. Kassy saw it too. She spun around and dashed back up the path.
The wave was quicker. It washed over Kassy. Myra screamed from inside the library and frantically pulled at the library doors. They still wouldn’t open.
Myra jumped back as the water crashed against the glass doors. She expected the doors to break but they held firm.
The water retreated and washed back down the path and to the beach, taking Kassy with it.
Myra pulled at the doors again and cried out, “Open! Please open!”
The doors did so.
Myra raced through the doors, down the path and on to the beach. Everything looked normal. The sea was where it should have been and it looked calm, as if nothing had just happened.
“Kassy! Where are you?” Myra screamed out. Tears ran down her face. She couldn’t lose Kassy, she just couldn’t! She called out Kassy’s name again.
“Oi! Stop shouting. I’m right behind you.”
Myra whirled around. Kassy was lying a few feet away from her on the sand. She was drenched. Myra ran over to her and threw herself down. She flung her arms around her sister and hugged her tightly. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Kassy laughed and pushed her away. “Alright. Let me breathe.” She sat up and pushed her wet hair to one side. Her eyes shone. “Myra, did you see me? That massive wave picked me up and took me down here. It was like a roller coaster ride. It was awesome! You should have come with me.”
“Are you hurt?” Myra looked her sister over.
“Not at all. It was fun.” Kassy laughed. “I’m wet through, again. Oh, look. My pearl necklace has gone. I can’t be a mermaid any more.”
Myra looked down at her own necklace. “Mine’s turned back to seaweed. I’m not going to be a mermaid any more either.” She pulled the seaweed from her neck and placed it on the sand. “It was fun being a mermaid. I’m so glad we saved them.” She smiled at Kassy. Her smile died. “Kassy? What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to cry.”
Kassy put her hand on the strap of her swimming costume. A tear rolled down her cheek. In a quiet voice, she said, “The lavender brooch. I’ve lost the lavender brooch. It must have come off when that wave picked me up. What am I going to tell Gran?”
Myra patted her hand. “Let’s have a look for it. It might be on the sand somewhere.”
The two girls wandered up and down the beach. They didn’t see the brooch anywhere.
Kassy said, “I can’t face Gran. I’ll have to run away. I’ll get a job somewhere. I’ll be alright.”
Myra said, “You’re not going anywhere. The brooch might be in the sea. Let’s have a look. I wish I was still a mermaid, then I could swim to the bottom and have a good look.” Myra’s face lit up. “Hang on, I’ve got an idea.”
Myra ran to the sea and waded into it. Kassy ran over to her and said, “Don’t go in. I don’t trust this sea.”
“I’m not going any further. We need help. I hope she remembers us.” Myra started to sing the magic mermaid song.
After a minute of singing, a blue-haired mermaid popped out of the water. She waved to the girls and swam closer.
Myra waded out a little bit more. “Hi Nerissa. Do you remember us? Can you help us please?”
Nerissa laughed. “Of course I remember you. I think I know what you’re going to say. Have you lost something?” She held up the silver lavender brooch. “I saw this in the water and I remembered you telling Mother and Father about it. Catch.” She threw it towards Myra.
Myra caught it and said, “Thank you so much. Is everything alright in mermaid land? Is Kevin okay?”
Nerissa smiled. “Everyone is okay, even Kevin. We can’t thank you enough for what you did. If you ever need our help again, just sing that song, and we’ll be at your side. Goodbye, Myra and Kassy.” She gave them a final wave and then disappeared beneath the waves.
Myra came back to Kassy and pinned the lavender brooch to her strap.
Kassy gave her a shaky smile. “I don’t think I should keep it. I’m sure I’ll only lose it again.”
Myra linked her arm through Kassy’s and said, “If you do, then I’ll help you find it again. Let’s go back to the beach. You can build another sandcastle.”
Someone was waiting for them on the beach.
“Gran! You’re out of bed,” Kassy said and ran over to her.
“Cheeky pup. I don’t spend all my time in bed.” Gran held up a basket. “I’ve brought you a picnic. I thought we could eat it whilst you tell me all about your latest adventure.” She looked from one girl to the other. “Have you been helping mermaids?”
“Yes! How do you know?” Kassy asked.
Gran tapped the side of her nose. “My secret. But I did see you talking to one in the water just now. Let’s sit down and get this picnic started.”
Gran put a blanket on the sand. The girls helped her unpack the food.
Myra sat down and picked up a cheese sandwich. “Gran, you look much better today.”
Gran picked up a pork pie. “I feel much better. And it’s thanks to you two. Every time you help someone, my memory gets stronger. And so do I.” She bit into the pie. “Tell me everything.”
Myra said, “Before we do, did you and Granddad ever help a sea serpent?”
“Kevin? Yes, we did. We nearly didn’t get to him in time. Oh! You should have seen how your granddad rescued him! Would you like to hear all about it?”
Myra bit into the sandwich and nodded.
Kassy said through a mouthful of food, “Yes, please.”
Myra moved a bit closer to Gran and carried on eating. She was glad that Gran was getting stronger every day. Perhaps Gran could go on an adventure with her and Kassy soon. Myra sighed happily. That would be wonderful.
A note from the author
I’ve had the idea for these books for a long, long time. I’m so glad I finally got around to writing them because I’ve had so much fun with them. I’ve always thought libraries were magical places and I still love visiting them now. We have many wonderful libraries in Leeds.
If you enjoyed this story, would you have time to post a quick review? Thank you, I really appreciate it.
This book has been checked for errors but if you do spot anything that we’ve missed, I’d appreciate it if you could email me to let me know - thank you.
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Gillian