The Story Traveller by Judy Stubley Page A

the Prince was away checking on the plans for their journey. She told Lucy that the Prince had kindly arranged for her two stepsisters to be married to nobles from the court.
    â€˜Both nobles are younger sons and come from large and happy families,’ she told Lucy, ‘and I’m sure that once Imogene and Leticia are away from their mother they’ll find love and happiness.’
    â€˜What’s to happen to your stepmother?’ Lucy asked, hoping she too wasn’t going to be rewarded for her cruelty to Cinderella.
    â€˜Poor stepmother doesn’t fare so well,’ Cinderella replied. ‘Father is to live with us in the Palace and he’s told my stepmother she can have the house and lands. I think she’ll be very lonely.’
    So, Cinderella still thought kindly of those who tormented her Lucy mused. Just then the Prince came up to claim his new bride and take her off on their honeymoon.
    Lucy went to join Twinkle and they both stood at the bottom of the staircase, near the golden coach and watched the Royal couple descend.
    â€˜Don’t they make a perfect pair?’ Lucy said.
    â€˜They certainly do and they’ll live happily ever after. Now say a quick goodbye, as we must get you off to China.’
    Lucy stepped forward to throw some confetti (little people of course) and to call out her goodbyes, but the radiant couple stopped in front of her.
    â€˜Mademoiselle Chase, we meet for the third time and in such happy circumstances. Thank you for befriending my wife and for being our flower girl.’ The Prince took Lucy’s hand and kissed it. She turned a very delicate shade of pink.
    â€˜Bless you Lucy!’ Cinderella threw her arms round her friend. ‘I hope your troubles are over soon, like mine.’
    â€˜Be happy, Ella.’ But Lucy knew that in the real world, her world, problems weren’t so easily solved.
    â€˜Here Lucy, I have a memento for you.’ Cinderella handed her a little silver bag. Inside she found a lovely silver chain necklace with a tiny crystal slipper attached.
    â€˜Oh it’s beautiful. I’ll treasure this always.’ Both girls knew they might never meet again, but Cinderella was in love and happy and Lucy had lots of other people to see and places to visit, so neither felt sad.
    The Royal Prince and his Princess entered the coach and to a great fanfare of trumpets and huge cheers from the crowd, they started their married life together.
    Twinkle put her arms round Lucy’s shoulders and drew the young girl away from the celebrating masses.
    â€˜Now sweetie, it’s time for you to go and visit Yeh-Shen. You’ll find her quite special.’
    â€˜Do I get to keep this dress?’ Lucy asked rather hopefully.
    â€˜I’m afraid not!’ said Twinkle. ‘In fact you’ll have to travel as a boy. Your feet are far too big to belong to a Chinese girl.’
    â€˜My feet aren’t big!’ Lucy said indignantly, as she looked down at her feet in their pretty lilac shoes.
    â€˜But Yeh-Shen and all Chinese ladies have had their feet bound since they were about five or six. To the Chinese men small feet are a great sign of beauty. To the women they are a pain. But that is why the Chinese Cinderella was one of the first stories told: the tale of a girl with beautiful small feet – lily feet.’
    â€˜So what am I going to wear then?’ said Lucy, rather worried she would look very odd.
    â€˜Well, the Chinese use a lot of silk and I’m sure we can keep the lilac colour. Your hair will have to be put in a pigtail though.’
    Lucy liked the idea of lilac silk, but was sorry she couldn’t keep her dress. Her fingers went to the chain, which was now round her neck, and she gently touched the tiny shoe.
    â€˜Can I at least keep this on?’
    â€˜I don’t see why not, as long as you keep it under your clothes,’ Twinkle said and then in a more business like tone