Better still go to the website where you can see
all the illustrations as well.
Chapter three of A Special Day in the Shire.
Back At The Castle
Onions make us cry, poor Kristine
Cathy Fern had changed her pinny twice already so
had Buttercup and Felicity; they hadnt stopped
since Tommy had come round singing his message. As
soon as Barnaby had arrived back with the food it
was non- stop cutting, peeling and crying.
Kristine had volunteered to peel and chop the
onions; she had stood at the table crying for over
an hour, with Daniel bringing in cold flannels to
put on her eyes.
Buttercup must have squeezed a hundred oranges and
lemons. Then she had to cut up all the peel and put
it in the huge cauldron with the juice and sugar.
If you had your black coat and a pointed hat on
Buttercup. Daniel saidButtercup Looked like a
witch making a magic brew laughing, You could be
mistaken for a witch.
Buttercup smiled at Daniel and carried on stirring
the pot to make sure all the sugar was dissolved.
Then it was left to simmer for an hour, with
Buttercup stirring it every twenty minutes.
Cathy also reckoned she looked like one of the
witches in a fairy tale book but didnt say anything.
Queen Pepper had arrived back with Barnaby and
immediately vanished into the conservatory to make
her candyfloss. Not only was it rainbow coloured
candyfloss made up of the seven colors of the
rainbow; each colour had its own special flavor.
Queen Pepper's special CandyflossThe green was
mint, the red tasted of wild strawberries, whilst
the orange and lemon tasted just like the real
fruit. But it was the violet, blue and indigo that
made people wonder if she had a magic spell. The
indigo tasted of iced elderberry wine, the violet
was like a succulent sherbet fountain and the blue,
well you name your own favourite fruit and that's
what it tasted of.
If you loved pomegranates then it tasted like
pomegranates or if your fancy was for a knicker-
bocker glory, then that is what you felt as the
floss melted in your mouth.
King Pepper said the queen had the recipe handed
down to her from her grandmother, and he reckoned
his grandfather always referred to her as an old
witch, so maybe that was why it was so magic.
Kayleigh Willowherb had asked her father to drop
her off at the castle as he passed by on his way to
the stadium to deliver the sand. She had really
come to call for the Princess, but had ended up
helping out in the kitchen.
Cathy had given her all the bread rolls and baps to
cut and butter, then she had to put them all back
in the trays that Mr. Barleycorn had left. She
could never remember seeing so much bread in
herFelicity was covered in Tomato Ketchup life before.
Cathy had been busy making bread as well, only two
long rolls, but no one was allowed to know what
they were for.
She had also made two big pots of stew or
something, put lids on them and put them on the
range. These wont need any looking after.
She said and that was that, there they sat bubbling
away all morning.
Felicity had the boring task of pouring bottles of
tomato sauce into large plastic dishes and putting
lids on them when they were full up.Martha was
getting covered in toffee
"It will be a lot easier to use a spoon than end up
with tomato sauce on everything. Buttercup said
after she had shook a bottle and ended up with most
of it in her hair.
Minnie and Martha were having great fun, Cathy had
made some really sticky toffee and as Minnie stuck
the sticks in the apples so
Martha was dipping them in the toffee it seemed
like there was more toffee on the twins than on the
apples.
Minnie started off with green apples You two are
going to need a good scrub before you get to the
stadium this afternoon, just look at the state of
your shirts. Cathy said shaking her head.
Buttercup had just finished slicing the last of the
tomatoes as Queen Pepper arrived back from making
her candyfloss.
Time for those bacon butties I think, she said
pinching a slice of tomato off the plate.
Everyone looked up at the clock. Goodness me its
half past twelve already. Cathy said wiping her
hands on her apron. Ill just get Daniel and
Barnaby to take some of these trays through to the
parlour and then Ill put the bacon on.Cathy was
always cooking
Did I hear the word bacon? King Pepper said as
he came through the kitchen door. How are you all
getting on, nearly finished.
Yes its almost done, just a few finishing touches
here and there and well be ready to take it all to
the stadium. Cathy said turning the bacon over as
she talked. In no time at all they were all sat
round the table tucking into their dinner.
I never realised I was so hungry, King Pepper
said as he finished off the last bacon sandwich.
Queen Pepper was making the bread and
butterPrincess Cornflower and Ann could smell the
bacon cooking as they cycled up towards the castle.
They had met up with Jody and Heledd as they were
leaving the stadium.
All four girls jumped off their bikes and left them
outside the stables before going inside. Cornflower
just heard her fathers last words as they walked
into the kitchen.
I hope that wasnt the very last bacon butty,
father dear, the princess said walking over to her
fathers side.
Oops, I knew wed forgotten someone. King Pepper
said smiling, he still had bacon grease on his chin
and the Queen wiped it away with her napkin. I can
easily make you some more, mySo many doughnuts
darlings. Cathy said getting up from the table.
No its alright Cathy. Cornflower said giving
her a hug. We stopped at Mrs. Barleycorn's as we
came past and she gave us all the doughnuts that
had come out without holes in them, honest Mum Ive
never seen so many doughnuts in my life, she will
need a tent just for her and the doughnuts. The
girls helped sample some more of Buttercups squash,
it was delicious.
Are you coming back to the stadium with us now,
Kayleigh? Cornflower winked at Kayleigh. Or do
they still need you for slave labour?
Oh as if I would. Cathy said going a pretty
pink, You offered to help, didnt you pet?
Yes, of course I did. Kayleigh laughed at the
cook. Shes only pulling your leg. " She took a
glass of lemonade off Cathy, "and I wouldn't miss a
glass of your lemonade anyway, it would win all the
competitions it was entered into."
sash And talking of the competition Daddy, where
is the list of competitors?
King Pepper spluttered into his cup of tea. Oh
darn it, I knew Id forgotten something.
Oh well that's it then, well have to call the
whole thing off. Queen Pepper frowned, shaking her
head in Peppers direction.
Not a chance, Cornflower said laughing, we
knew youd forget, you always forget at least one
important detail, she kissed her father on the
forehead.
But we have it all under control. Heledd added.
We thought it best just to have twosash teams.
King Pepper can lead the purple team who will wear
the purple sashes and your team can wear the green
sashes which we wore for the dance marathon last
month. she said to Queen Pepper.
Well, said Pepper quite taken aback by the way
the girls had arranged everything. You seem to
know what your doing, so I think the best thing to
do is to let you get on with it, and well see you
at the stadium at three o'clock."