Von Gobstopper's Arcade by Alexandra Adornetto

thinking about morning tea to slip away unnoticed.
    Outside, they flattened themselves against the wall where they thought the opening to the secret passage was. ‘Peppered Pancakes,’ Milli whispered as loudly as she dared. Several moments passed and they thought they’d got the wrong spot, but then several stone blocks shifted and slid inwards to reveal the passageway. They crawled through on hands and knees, and found Theo waiting for them with a lantern swinging from one paw. They could tell from the expression in his clear brown eyes that he was relieved to see them.
    ‘Wasn’t sure you’d come,’ he said hurriedly, ‘but very glad you did. We can now think of you as friends of the Resistance.’
    When their eyes had adjusted to the darkness the children saw that a train made up of open carriages had come to collect them. Each was the size of a small wheelbarrow. They were glad that they wouldn’t have to walk the whole way doubled over. Their necks still hadn’t quite recovered from last time. A plastic conductor in a bright blue uniform shouted ‘All aboard’ and they climbed into a carriage each, the children sitting cross-legged to fit. The train moved off down the narrow tunnel.
    ‘The others will be pleased to see you,’ Theo told them. ‘They’ve not stopped talking about you.’
    When Milli and Ernest scrambled out of the train into the subterranean hideout, Pascal’s tiny face lit up and she pirouetted for a full thirty seconds in delight. Captain Pluck stepped forward smartly and clicked his heels in greeting.
    ‘There’s someone else we’d like you to meet,’ Theo said, looking around. From the shadows emerged an elegant rocking horse the colour ofcrème brûlée. He was obviously an antique and the finest materials had been used in his construction. He had a leather harness and a mane of real horsehair. His bridle was red and his saddle made of calfskin. He had a broad back and sturdy haunches, and his rockers were glossy and black.
    ‘This is Loyal,’ the bear went on as the horse rocked his way forward. He stopped in front of the children and inclined his head graciously.
    ‘Pleased to meet you,’ he said in a low and gentle voice. His eyes were large and warm.
    ‘Loyal is our contact above ground,’ explained Theo. ‘He has been around a long time and is considered very valuable by collectors. He was originally created for a well-to-do Victorian family to help their young son who was afflicted with rickets.’
    Milli’s face crinkled and Ernest could see she was on the verge of asking what ‘crickets’ was so he jumped in.
    ‘Rickets was a common disease in Victorian times, caused by inadequate diet and resulting in poor bone development.’
    ‘Exactly right, young Ernest,’ said the horse.‘Riding me allowed the young master to develop some strength and mobility in his legs.’
    ‘Who was the boy?’ Milli asked.
    ‘Sebastian Von Gobstopper, Gustav’s grandfather,’ said the rocking horse with an affection that had not diminished with time.
    The children instinctively put out their hands to stroke him. His muzzle was smooth and warm and his coat well brushed. He had been carefully preserved and didn’t appear to have a scratch on him. His honey eyes twinkled at their touch and the children couldn’t help but like him immediately. He reminded them of an old tree—strong, protective and not easily shifted.
    ‘Loyal is to be your transport should you need him,’ put in the soldier. ‘He can be surprisingly fast when the occasion calls for it.’
    ‘Transport?’ echoed Ernest.
    ‘Yes,’ said Theo with a very earnest look. ‘We have a favour to ask.’
    ‘What is it?’ Milli said.
    ‘We need you to venture into the basement. We’ve never tried as it’s too dangerous for us—if we were caught, there wouldn’t be much we could do. But you can get in there easily.’
    ‘What if we’re caught?’ Ernest asked.
    ‘You would be seen as two errant children