Magical Chaos at Beechhorn Cove

By J. A. Folkers

The Techno Festival that had come to Hopplescotch Realm is now over, and Muriel returns home to Beechhorn Cove. But things have been happening while she was away, and more trouble is brewing for her and the other intriguing characters from the author's earlier stories.

In their new adventures they meet a living statue and try to solve the mystery of the Puppet Meister. Some strange people seem to be controlling the affairs of the village, and Muriel and the children must find out who they are and stop them before it is too late.

Magical Chaos at Beechhorn Cove is the third tale in Julie Folkers' exciting and very popular adventure series, which began with Abby and the Hopplescotch Realm and continued with Anika and the Techno Pirates.

A magical read for children aged 8 to 16.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. A. Folkers
• Release date: Sep 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465708267

J. A. Folkers

Julie was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she is now residing again after living on the rugged West Coast of the South Island for nine years. She has worked and served overseas with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including a three- year posting to Bangkok, Thailand. After completing a Diploma for Professional Writer of Children’s Stories, she wrote her popular first fantasy novel for children, Abby and the Hopplescotch Realm. This was written as the first in her series of stories about the adventures of a group of children and other characters in different realms. the Realms series has grown to 4 books in total, it is extremely popular. Read her and enjoy her books.Julie also holds Diplomas in Diamonds and Gems, she worked in the jewellery trade for a number of years..Julie lives with her daughter and her dog, Mr Arthur, an English Mastiff. Julie was Chairperson of the New Zealand Society of Authors for Canterbury in 2012.Julie writes under the non-de-plume of Anne Dover for her adult books.The Keeper of Secrets series.Scribblings of a WriterScribblings of a Scammer.The Keeper of SecretsJulie started Ooky Spooky publications and she has been publishing other Authors' work for them. Julie is a Reiki Master and a Bodytalker. She's explored alternative medicine. Julie keeps fit and is in good health. Julie has been following her dreams! Julie started a fundraising scheme for schools in 2023. She produced about 350 notebooks to be used for fundraising events. She also started the Ooky Spooky Bookclub!The Fairytale seriesFor 6-9-year-olds, have a book read to you and enjoy the illustrations or read along with Mum or Dad. Or learn new and harder words with the use of the glossary of terms in the back of the books. Never skip a word again!Danger Dweeb and the Turd of Hurtles has been illustrated and released with UK publishing house - Austin Macauley in 2021Mr Arthur, Miss Echo and the Grumpy Toad is in the process of being illustrated and will be released in 2024.Discover other titles by Julie FolkersThe Realms SeriesAbby and the Hopplescotch RealmAnika and the Techno PiratesMagical Chaos at Beechhorn CoveTime Bandits and the Fountain of YouthThe Fairytale SeriesThe Pimperknickels and the Tooth FairyBarnaby the Christmas ElfRazzle Dazzle the Missing ReindeerDanger Dweeb and the Turd of HurtlesBertie Bumpkin and the FrosticalsPicasso Dook and the Rainbow BunnyMr Dudley and the Shadow BeastsA novel for older readersThe Compendium of the Fairytale SeriesThe Dreamland SeriesMr Dudley and the Time VampiresMr Dudley and the Beetle FartsMr Dudley and Mrs McFuddleA novel for older readersThe Compendium of the Dreamland SeriesThe Mr Arthur SeriesMr Arthur, Miss Echo and the Grumpy ToadRastas the Rat and the Hounds of Broomstick WayMrs Bottomley's BotanicalsThe Guddyfunk Stone and the Witch who tried to steal ChristmasA novel for older readersThe Chronicles of Mr Arthur and FriendsThe Snaky Snooks SeriesSnaky Snooks and the Peculiar FartsMrs Stingy and the AcornsSnaky Snooks and the Secrets of the DogsSnaky Snooks and the Fossil of ReasonSnaky Snooks and Shabby the Terrible BreederA novel for older readersCompendium of Snaky SnooksWrite My Own Book SeriesThere are various covers available for you to write your own book into it.My Notebook Series100-page notebook with various covers. Write a diary or make it a recipe book with your favourite recipes. Or use it as a gardening diary.Whatever you do - it's your notebook!My Drawing Book Series100-page drawing book with various covers, for you to draw or paint your own pictureshttp://jafolkers.ampbk.comis where you will find my latest illustrated book - U.K. release

Book preview

3

Magical Chaos at Beechhorn Cove

By

Julie Folkers

First published in New Zealand in 2009 by

National Pacific Press

PO Box 57-202

Mana 5247

Porirua, New Zealand

Ph 64 4 233 8204

E-mail: [e-mail]

Published by Julie Folkers 2011

Copyright © Julie Folkers, 2009 and 2011

Cover Copyright 2011 by Julie Folkers

Ooky Spooky Publications

The Author has asserted her moral and legal right to be recognised as the Author of this work.

This book is copyright under New Zealand law and the Berne convention. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the Author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organisations or persons is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the Author or publisher.

All rights reserved.

Discover other titles by Julie Folkers, visit the Authors webpage. www.juliefolkers.com

Title 1 Abby and the Hopplescotch Realm

Title 2 Anika and the Techno Pirates

Title 4 Time Bandits and the Fountain of Youth

This book is also available in a print edition at most online retailers

The Author has asserted her moral and legal right to be recognised as the Author of this work.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the Author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organisations or persons is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the Author. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

Dedication

To Jaggie, my dear wee black cat, you are the only real character I have ever put in a book. May you rest in peace and shine brightly as a star in the heavens above. R.I.P. 29/08/09, you are greatly missed.

Many thanks to Sam Nicholls, Graphic Designer who helped me with the cover.

Contents

1 - What’s Afoot?

2 - Ghosts Galore!

3 - A Living Statue, No Less!

4 - A Puppet Meister, Who’s He?

5 - Help Arrives!

6 - Nosy, Nosy, Nosy

7 - A Goldfish Bowl!

8 - A Fence Fixation!

9 - Brmm… Let's Go See!

10 - What Quirky People!

11 - Mayhem, Revenge And Boredom!

12 - Who Is Pulling Whose Strings?

13 - A Word In Your Ear!

14 - Moon-Walking And Treasure!

15 - Dwarves, By Jolly!

16 - What Now?

17 - Dabbling With The Unseen.

Acknowledgements

To my daughters who mean the world to me, thanks for putting up with my creative conversations.

Chapter One

What’s Afoot?

Thwack!

‘Ahh!’ Muriel cried, as she was jolted out of a deep sleep. Her eyes blazed like gas burners as they shot open and her body leapt off the bed by a couple of centimetres. She glared down at the cat that had landed on her stomach with so much force to wind her momentarily. Aghast, she thrust him off and rubbed furiously as her muscles bounced back from the impact.

‘Ouch! What on earth possessed you to do that?’ she gasped as she recovered from the shock, glad she was as fit as she was and that there had been some cushioning from the bedcovers. Not a good way to wake up from a deep sleep, dreaming of a day of fun at the beach.

‘Thought you had better know what’s developing at home,’ said Rastis, as his bright blue eyes glinted at her with mischief and his brow furrowed. He was a beautiful sleek Siamese cat, light and dark brown blending to a deep chocolate on his forehead.

‘What now?’ asked Muriel as she regained her bearings and thoughts began forming. Agnes was minding the gateway, what could have made him think anything was so important for him to come to Hopplescotch Realm.

It was the day after all the events at the Atrium with the Techno Festival, and the last thing she needed right now was more trouble.

Bang!

Raggel had zapped in and landed on top of a crystal ball which had crashed to the floor with the impact.

Muriel slid out of bed, revealing her pink pyjamas that had cats splashed all over them, and Rastis disappeared instantly beneath the thrown-back covers. She scurried for the ball before it rolled under the wardrobe in the corner. Her left hand shot out and deftly scooped up the dragon stand that had come to rest midway across the room. Once both were rescued, she placed them back on the duchess. Luckily, nothing was broken!

Raggel had slunk under the bed, embarrassed that his sudden appearance had been such a disaster.

‘Don’t tell me, Jaggie is next as well? He’s even more atrocious at zapping than you,’ she said to Raggel as she knelt down and lifted the valance that surrounded the bottom of the bed and spied him trying to hide behind one of the legs.

‘Nope, he’s staying at home, just us on our mercy mission,’ replied Raggel. He had decided there was no point in hiding, so he sauntered out from under the bed and jumped on top.

Muriel popped her head up and smiled at him as he joined Rastis, who was now peering out from under the covers sheepishly. They were virtually identical except that Raggel’s head was black, which was an oddity for a Siamese, considering he was a pure breed.

‘Jaggie’s watching and listening to all the developments,’ announced Raggel as he twitched his nose.

Jaggie was Muriel’s pure black cat, which had adopted her as a kitten. A neighbour had been given him and immediately neglected him, locking him outside in torrential rain. He had headed for Muriel’s place and meowed constantly on her backdoor until she gave in and let him in on about the fifth day of his campaign.

Muriel had tried everything to keep him away; she had even plonked him back through the neighbour’s cat door, but the lady who owned him had not bought any kitty litter and she continually plopped him outside when she headed off for work.

Once inside Muriel’s, Jaggie took over.

The neighbour had slowly come to realise the cat would never return to her, no matter what she did. Cats are notorious for changing homes if they are not happy with where they are – they just up and move!

‘Oh, is that wise? We all know what Jaggie’s like!’ said Muriel. An imaginary turtle in her stomach did a flip, letting her know that she should be worried.

‘It was our only choice, he’s more cunning than us and streetwise, so it’s his mission to follow through and get to the bottom of it all,’ replied Rastis, as he belly-crawled out from under the covers, sat and started to preen himself.

‘Why? What on earth is going on at home? I’ve only been gone a week or so, nothing could have developed in that time,’ replied Muriel, standing with her hands on her hips.

‘Jaggie reckons we have Black Toe Gypsies in our midst,’ said Raggel as he stretched out on the bed and hooked his claws into the duvet, one paw at a time.

It fascinated Muriel when a cat did that; she could not see the point to it, as all it did was make a mess of the cover, without making it any comfier for the cat to lie on. Obviously, it was a comfort action for the animal itself.

Rastis added, ‘And Aunt Cosima and Aunt Domela arrived.’

‘Oh no. Not them!’ moaned Muriel, she pulled a face and swished her hair back with her left hand.

‘There’s more, much more,’ murmured Raggel gingerly.

‘What? Come on, spill,’ insisted Muriel worriedly.

‘Might be better if you come and see for yourself,’ replied Rastis.

‘I’ll have to round the children up. I can’t leave them here!’

‘Yes, you can,’ piped up a small voice.

Galfrid had zapped in and caught the end of the conversation.

‘I’ll look after them for a couple of days, you go and see what’s brewed,’ he suggested.

Muriel frowned; her bedroom had more traffic in it this morning than a main highway! She pondered his offer for a moment and replied, ‘I’ll go now, let the kids finish their day and send them through the gateway tonight. If things are worse than what these two are letting on,’ she flicked her head towards Rastis and Raggel, ‘I’ll send a message by the underground and they can stay here a bit longer.’

She really did not want to leave the kids in Galfrid’s care; he was a Hogglenoggle and had a tendency for mischief if it was available.

‘You know what the aunts are like, they could be creating all sorts of havoc in the Cove, and they channel and can be random at times. Great fun to be with, as long as you accept them for who they are. They have to step out of that mode to be around mundane people who are not in touch with their higher selves and who are stuck in the drudge of life.’

‘Oh,’ was all Galfrid could say, he really had no idea what Muriel was on about.

She noticed immediately.

‘Anyone can do it, it depends if you are into self-development or not,’ added Muriel. ‘Now if everyone leaves, I’ll get dressed. You boys,’ she quickly glanced at the cats, ‘can travel back to the Cove with me. Meanwhile you can all go to the dining hall – I’ll meet you there in about half an hour.’

Everyone vanished and Muriel showered and dressed quickly, thinking about home and hoping the damage was not too great. She was more concerned about the aunts being there than the thought of Black Toe Gypsies. Now that was bad! Who knows where and whom they had talked to and what impressions had been created.

Muriel groaned to herself; Beechhorn Cove was one of the quirkiest places she had ever lived in. How could she ever explain to anyone what the place was like when it had taken her forever to figure it out! No one in a zillion years would understand all the dynamics. There were so many weirdoes, gerbils, idiots, rednecks and strange people, it was not funny. Thing was, with every individual she encountered she found she had to change tack each time to deal with them. She held her head in her hands for a moment and thought, ‘do not stir my world!’

To most passers by, Beechhorn Cove appeared to be a small community (including outlying areas, there were about 700 inhabitants). They were a mixed bag from varying ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds; Chinese gold miners, business people (who ran the shops, mainly), a handful of professional people (two doctors, a lawyer, a vet and an accountant), and descendants from last century’s pirates and early settlers (mostly farmers).

A large bunch of creative people lived there also, mainly in run-down shacks at the edge of town; they beavered away making all sorts of things, from pottery to quilting and painting.

Even a couple of Authors had gravitated there within the last few years, one being Muriel’s friend Fiana. In some ways they were similar to the aunts.

With such a mixed bunch, gossip was rife (some buying into it, others just getting on with their own business), without anyone unusual (at least for Beechhorn Cove) being present.

Normally life was quiet – it was the outsiders who stirred any trouble. The inhabitants mainly kept to themselves, which suited Muriel; she got her peace and quiet most of the time, and lived her life the way she wanted, unless someone else made their problem hers. She hated that.

Muriel managed to keep a low-key profile, and no one actually suspected she was a witch and that her house was the Gateway to Hopplescotch Realm. She would scooter into town, say hi, do the niceties, and that was that. Some people considered her rude for being like that, others did not – they were the wise ones. She had accidentally stumbled across people who were descended from the pirates who purposely made up rubbish about others to take the heat off themselves, bragged, and lived by this rule. That had perplexed her for a while – why do this to themselves and to others? They purposely created mayhem in their own lives! She had also met a couple of pathological liars; these were the ones who made up totally opposite stories for each person they encountered, and did not care if they got caught out, as they just told another lie to cover the last and had no conscience as to who found out!

Muriel found it best to keep herself to herself most of the time. In small towns like this one, people’s frequent silence and distance from one another actually assisted the misdeeds of the more shady characters. Bullies work on their victims’ silence and fear.

Muriel discovered the pathological liars quite by accident, by actually talking to others and comparing their stories with those that had been told by the liars. People soon clicked onto the liars once they started sharing stories. These good people did not buy into the Chinese whisper scenario either, but let the truth be told. Some of the town had changed somewhat with this happening; the bad eggs got excluded, shunned, and eventually left town or became entrenched, and to some extent tolerated, for who they were. They had few friends, and their families were the only people who stood by them – they were all tarred with the same brush, as they saw nothing wrong with each other!

Muriel did find it hard at times to decide whether she was in the likeable or the shunned category, as sometimes people would smile at her and at other times not! She put it down to who was stirring what and where for their own agenda. She had figured out the best methods for her survival, but really, she could not be bothered with it all. She was who she was, and if others did not like it, then blow them. She accepted the Cove for what it was (most of the time) and had a couple of good friends. Most of her oldest and dearest friends lived elsewhere in the Realms.

In the past it had taken her valuable time to weave her way through everything, and she did not want the aunts stirring up trouble for her, as she had to continue living there long after they would leave!

With the reluctance of many of the townsfolk to venture forth and meet others, Muriel found Beechhorn Cove to be something of a closed-door environment. The ones who considered themselves to be the early settlers were often the worst – it was their town, and even if you had lived there for over ten years, like Muriel, you were not considered a local!

Muriel had found it hard enough when she had taken over the principal’s role at the school, as the previous headmaster had not presented a polished professional approach to his chosen path in life. He had befriended a lot of the kids, treating them lollies at one of the local shops and acting like they were his best friends rather than his students. Without the distance required for a working relationship, he had never gained the respect or control he needed to operate the school effectively.

Muriel had viewed their website before taking up the position, and that alone had indicated that things were