Beyond the End of the World: The Caretaker Series, #3

By ZR Southcombe

It's a whole new world and Lucy's looking for an adventure. 

She joins her pirate friends, who are on a quest to find exciting recipes and exotic ingredients for their new bakery, but can't help feeling there's something more sinister going on.

Will Lucy and her friends be able to overcome the darkness once and for all?

Find out in this final book of The Caretaker Series, a trilogy full of adventure, hope, and the power of imagination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ZR Southcombe
• Release date: Jan 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9780473345310

ZR Southcombe

Z.R. Southcombe (Zee) is a writer and artist. Her books are written for children, but with their wild sense of imagination, rich vocabulary and emotional resonance they are loved by readers of all ages. A true creative, Zee usually has a few creative projects on the go, but no matter what project she is currently working on, Zee is usually accompanied by a cup of tea. Zee lives in New Zealand with her partner and her cat.

Book preview

Chapter One

Lucy leaned over the ship's railing, absorbed in the swish, swish of the waves against the hull.

Land ahoy! called Captain Simon Peabody, his dreadlocked mane a-shiver with excitement as he stood at the wheel of the Royal Fortune. Though his pirate outfit of burgundy coat, feathered hat and luxurious boots reflected his captain status, Lucy just called him 'Simon'.

First mate Jess used to call him Simon, but these days it was usually ‘darling’, ‘cupcake’ or some variation thereof. Jess was also a pirate, and wore her three-cornered hat with pride, but preferred summery dresses over breeches and coats.

It looks like there are dragons, said Akira, perched on the railing and rocking the ship wildly. Akira, being a dragon, was almost as big as the ship. She steadied herself,  smooth black scales glistening in the midday sun, though not as brightly as her piercing green eyes.

Lucy grinned. She didn’t know what she’d do if Akira hadn’t joined them. Jess and Simon were lovely, but between ‘cupcake this’ and ‘honey-pie that’ she felt altogether forgotten.

Akira must have sensed Lucy’s mood. She flexed her wings, casting a shadow over the full length of the Royal Fortune.

Let’s have a sneak peek, Akira said.

Lucy climbed up onto her dragon-friend’s back, gripping tightly and savouring the fresh ocean breeze slapping at her hair. She took a deep breath. Akira’s wings rose and engulfed her, lifting them to the air.

There's more to life than cupcakes! she thought.

Chapter Two

She let the sights and sounds and smells of the Earth take her in their hands, drawing her into that place of peace and... something. Lucy scrunched her face up trying to work it out. She couldn’t quite put her finger on the feeling, but it was good.

Ever since her first flight (which was under life-or-death circumstances) Lucy couldn’t get enough of flying with Akira. Everything that usually mattered simply didn’t anymore.

Akira, larger than life and magnificently powerful, could carry her yet so gently. There was nothing to worry about when she was with her dragon friend: Lucy was free. She was safe. Pressing her palms flat against Akira’s deep black scales, Lucy closed her eyes and silently expressed gratitude. She was sure Akira could feel it, because the dragon dived into a sudden loop, making Lucy giggle with pleasure.

They’d arrived at the island now, and it was clear that Akira had been right. Creatures coloured like the depths of the ocean and the dark night skies were scattered about the rocky piece of land, basking in the sun (which was currently glowing a brilliant orange). A few were flying above them, and as Akira neared, more joined in. They seemed curious more than malicious – at least, she hoped so.

A few months ago, Lucy and her uncle John rebuilt the Earth after Lucy had completely obliterated it. It had been an accident, of course, but that is another story altogether.

Her uncle John had been on his own quest: to find the Caretaker of Imagination and save the magical world (in which he met Captain Simon Peabody). But the Caretaker had been lost, seemingly forever, and now her uncle told stories whimsical and outlandish to keep magic in the world.

Jess and Simon were on a quest for exotic, enticing recipes, hoping to settle down and open their very own bakery. Since Lucy had been the one to recreate the Earth, she had joined their quest as navigator – and for the adventure.

Lucy soon realised that she couldn’t remember the world she had made. She may as well have been navigating the dark side of Jupiter’s smallest moon.

Looking back, Lucy checked the ship’s progress. It was still some distance away.

"Let’s give them