Chapter Seventeen

Dotty and Nobody, the Explanation

As soon as Ralphy and Timbo left, the friends all turned to Dotty and Nobody with an expectant look.

Nobody started "well now you know why I have not been seen or heard from for many, many years".

"I met Dotty a long time ago and we have been best friends ever since".  "I used to come over to Easterdale from my home in Westerdale to visit Dotty every day", Nobody went on.   "I was spending a lot of time traveling here and back and even though I found a shortcut it was wearing me down, so it made sense to find somewhere to live here".

Dotty said "we found this waterfall we are in and with the bridge above, it was perfect for us both to live together".   "Yes, I live under the bridge above while Dotty lives down here, just next to each other" said Nobody.

"We have been living together like this for many years" said Dotty, "but we would rather keep it the secret it is".  "So we like you to say nothing about what you have found out" said Nobody, "and we will say nothing about the losing of The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets".  As for Ralphy and Timbo it was part of their TASBO to say nothing, or it was straight to the magistrate for them.

"Agreed" they all said together.

"Now I really must be getting back" said Nicky, "it is late and it is a long way back to Westerdale".   "I think i can help you there" said Nobody "remember I said I found a shortcut, well its a magical shortcut and you can be back in Westerdale in half an hour". "Only you must keep the shortcut a secret as well" he went on.

Soon the seven were all ready to leave, all suitably refreshed with tea (Dork had a bowl of chocolate milk).  Norman had the The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets on his back, it didn't weigh as much as when Ralphy and Timbo carried it, after all they couldn't open it to read the magic that made it lighter.

Nobody led the way and it was only a short walk across a field, to what looked like a small wood.  It was in fact a small wood, the magic was that this small wood, was in Easterdale and Westerdale at the same time. All you needed to know was how to find the path that went all the way through.

Nobody looked along the edge of the wood until he found a tree that was two trees twisted together. Nobody instructed them to enter the wood to the left of the twisted trees then follow the winding path to the next twisted trees where the exit from the wood was on the their right.

As they were leaving Nobody said to Terry "please look after The Friendly Troll Book of Secrets", "you too" Terry replied and they both laughed out loud.

Chapter eighteen