Chapter Four

Planning the search

Back at the Home, Terry was just about to start to explain to Nicky about the theft, when the twins Geewhizz and Neenee arrived curious to know what was wrong and immediately started pouring six cups of tea. Moments later Norman and Weed arrived, rather worried about what they would find, they all sat around the table and sipped their tea in anticipation.

Terry told them exactly what had happened since he had last seen them, about the missing book, about the clues and about his suspicions. They all agreed that it was Waterfall Trolls that had stolen The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets, all except for Nicky, who didn’t know what a Waterfall Troll was and had never heard of The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets.

After it was all explained to Nicky, she too agreed it was the most likely explanation for the missing book. She walk to the bookcase and tried to take out a book but she couldn’t, only those allowed to by Terry can take books from the shelves. If The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets had been put back where it belonged, in its proper place on the shelf, it would not and could not have been stolen, well not easily without some strong magic.

Even though it was Terry’s fault, they all agreed it wasn’t and they started to make plans to get The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets back. They knew that the thieves couldn’t open the book but there was not time to waste. It was still early in the morning as Terry suggested making a plan and a list of things to do.

Terry then took out his magical pocket watch and looked at the lucky pointer, it was pointing to GO, Terry took this as a meaning they should not waste any time, so Geewhizz and Neenee made some tea and then they continued with the list. Nicky sat at the table, took small notebook from her satchel and wrote what was said (Nicky usually used this notebook to sketch interesting objects she found on her walks).

List;

1. Head for Easterdale, as this was the most likely place to find Waterfall Trolls and Easterdale was far enough away for the magical pocket watch not to detect the book.
2. Take waterproof coats, wellington boots, hats and umbrellas, no need to get damp.
3. Take something to eat
4. Take something to drink

Nicky suggested sandwiches and a flask of tea and she looked up from the list to find five trolls looking quizzically at her. She asked what was wrong, had she said something silly.  "What are sandwiches and a flask" they asked. Trolls didn't make sandwiches, they had bread of course but just eat it with meals and had never thought of putting food in the bread and as for sliced bread, that was just too much to take in. Nicky then rummaged in her satchel again and produced a large flask, opened it and poured hot tea into her cup, five trolls stood in amazement, portable tea, this could change the whole troll world.

While the others went to collect waterproofs, Nicky made cheese sandwiches, filled the flask with fresh tea and then packed it all in her satchel. Nicky and Terry then set off to meet up with the others at the twins bridge, which was handily, on the way to the next Dale.

Chapter Five