The Magic Calling Crystal: The Tilly and George Adventures, #4

By Ellen M James

Tilly, George and Jenny meet up again for their holidays and whilst exploring on the beach they come across a cave with an amazing, radiating crystal inside it.  It pulls at them and almost hypnotises them and on their next visit to the cave they bring Mr. Jenkins with them, an expert on crystals.  He informs them that the crystal is a Calling Crystal and all four of them are drawn into it.  They find themselves in the City of Crystalis amongst the Crystaleans.  Jenny transforms into the Great Elder Laia, the leader of the City and Mr. Jenkins is taken prisoner.  George and Tilly must mingle with the Crystaleans, communicating with them and learning their ways.  They have to find some way of rescuing Mr. Jenkins and also of getting Jenny back to normal, because as Laia she has no recognition of them.  They go through many adventures before finally getting to the stage where they might be able to rescue their friend and cousin but nothing is ever as easy as it seems .........

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellen M James
• Release date: Jul 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393979128

Book preview

Other books by Ellen M James

The Magic Bubbles

The Magic Clock

The Magic of Pan

Molly and the Grumpy Angel

The Grumpy Angel Strikes Again

The Other House

CHAPTER ONE

It was almost a year since George and Tilly had last seen Jenny.  They had shared their first adventure together the previous summer and since then had been in touch regularly by e-mail or by phone.  It had been decided that Jenny would stay with her cousins this school holiday as her parents were working abroad for a couple of months and were unable to take her with them.  Jenny felt slightly anxious as it was the first time that she had ever been away on her own but her anxiety was tinged with excitement as she was longing to see her cousins again.

George and Tilly were waiting eagerly at the station for the train to arrive.

I wonder if she’ll look any different? mused Tilly.

I don’t see why she should, said George.

Well, we’re all a year older, added Tilly.

Anyway, we’ll soon find out, said George.  Here’s the train.

Sure enough, the train was in sight and before long it was pulling in.

I can’t see her, can you? asked George, straining his eyes and peering through the hordes of passengers climbing down from the carriages.

There she is! shouted Tilly suddenly.  Jenny was amongst the last of the passengers to leave the train and was standing on the platform looking around in some confusion.  George and Tilly waved eagerly from behind the barrier to attract her attention.

Jenny, Jenny! called Tilly.  Within moments Jenny caught sight of them, gave a huge smile, and hurried towards them.

Hello! she called cheerily and a little out of breath, handing her ticket to the inspector and greeting her cousins with a hug and a kiss.

Let me take your luggage, said George, blushing.

I don’t have much, said Jenny.  I decided to follow your example of last year and so I’ve only brought one small suitcase.  She beamed at them.  You both look very well, she added, nodding enthusiastically.

So do you," said George, beaming back at her and blushing again. 

It was true.  Jenny was almost as tall as he was and she wasn’t wearing her glasses either.  Her face looked totally different without them.  Her hair had grown and she had clipped it back behind her ears out of the way.  In fact, she looked quite pretty, he thought.  He quickly turned away from her direct gaze and picked up her suitcase, in case she could see what he was thinking.

You look all grown up, said Tilly.  She too felt rather shy of this tall, confident cousin standing in front of her.

Well, let’s go, shall we? she suggested finally, shuffling a little nervously from one foot to the other as there was no response from Jenny except for a slight clearing of the throat.

I don’t know what you’ve been told, said George as they set off, but we’re staying in a caravan for the summer.  It’s right on top of a cliff and the views are amazing.  Mum is out for most of the time so we’re left to do pretty much as we please.  There’s a steep, winding path that leads down to the beach and there are supposed to be plenty of caves to explore.  We could go out later and have a scout round if you like?

That sounds great, said Jenny.  How long have you been here?

Only a week, replied Tilly.  We seem to have spent the entire time just settling in.  We’ve done a lot of work for Mum too.  The whole place needed a good clean and we decided that we’d rather get most of the work done before you arrived so that we would have more time to do things together.  She smiled at Jenny.  That sounds confusing but I’m sure you know what I mean.

Jenny laughed.  Yes, I do, she replied, and thank you.

Here we are, said George.  They had entered the caravan site by now.  We’re over there on the right.

He pointed to a large, moss green caravan.  Mum was waiting in the doorway, cloth in hand.

Hello, Jenny, she said, stooping to kiss her.  I expect you’re hungry after that long journey.  Come in.  Lunch will be ready in a few minutes.  Tilly, can you put out the salad whilst I finish off the last bit of dusting and George, I’d like you to set the table.  Jenny, you’ll be sleeping in here with Tilly.  I thought you two might like to be together.

Jenny followed her aunt into a small bedroom at the end of the caravan and deposited her suitcase on one of the beds.

It’s very nice, she said, looking round.  Thank you.

I believe Tilly has left the top drawers empty for you, said her aunt.  So if you’d care to unpack and freshen up we’ll see you for lunch in about ten minute’s time.

Mum smiled in a welcoming sort of way and left Jenny to sort herself out.  As soon as her aunt shut the door behind her Jenny heaved a sigh of relief.  She had made a huge effort to appear confident in front of her cousins but she was still the same Jenny who constantly struggled to overcome her shyness.  She was aware that she had changed physically over the past year but that just seemed to make everything feel more awkward than ever.  It was difficult growing up, she concluded.  Then she smiled.  Her cousins had changed too so perhaps they felt the same.

Minutes later Tilly knocked on the door.

Jenny, are you ready?  Is it alright if I come in?

Yes of course, you don’t have to knock, answered Jenny.  It’s your room too.  I’m coming out now anyway.

Jenny opened the door and gave Tilly a quick hug before following her to the table.  She really was very pleased to see her cousins again.  She remembered the first time they had met.  She had been helping her mother lay the table that time and she had been the one who had had to answer the front door.  Her mother had just ignored her concerns and made her get on with it and the whole introduction business had felt quite overwhelming.  Thank goodness for her cousins though – during the time they had spent together they had got to know one another really well and they had had the most wonderful adventures.

After lunch they set off for the beach, taking their swimwear and towels with them.  Tilly packed everything into a large hold-all which George was left to carry.  He didn’t grumble because he was still trying to impress this newly grown-up cousin of his.

This way, said George, as he led them down the steep, winding path that meandered its way to the foot of the cliff.  The two girls followed him cautiously, not being quite as sure-footed or as confident as he was.  They finally reached the bottom and Tilly sat down to catch her breath.

Hang on a minute, George, she called as George dumped the hold-all and went racing ahead across the pebbled sand.  George paused and called back over his shoulder.

I’ll be with you in a moment.

The girls smiled and exchanged glances.  It was obviously a boy thing!

At last I can talk to you, said Tilly as Jenny settled down comfortably beside her.  You’ve grown up so much in the last year you know.

But so have you, replied Jenny, laughing.

Have you had any more adventures? asked Tilly curiously.

No, answered Jenny, but then I wouldn’t have wanted any without you and George.  They wouldn’t have been much fun on my own.  I hope we have an adventure this holiday. 

Tilly nodded in agreement.

I’ve been really looking forward to seeing you, you know, she said.

Me too, said Jenny.  I think George wants us now.  Look, she added, inclining her head in his direction.  He’s waving his arms about madly over there.

Tilly shrugged.  Come on.  We’d better go.  He’s just the same, you know.  He wants to explore and do everything first.  He has so much energy that I can’t keep up with him.

The girls ran across to where George was waiting, leaping and jumping across the tiny rock pools of sea water along the way.

This had better be good, said Tilly.  Jenny and I were just about to get changed and do a spot of sun bathing.  She winked at Jenny.

It’s amazing! cried George.  I told you that there were caves here.  I’ve found one.  Come and see.  He led them around a large clump of rocks and in towards the cliff edge again.

Would you like to give me your hand? he suggested to Jenny.  It’s quite dark in there.

I’ll be alright, replied Jenny quickly.  There’s no need to worry about me.  Why don’t you go ahead? 

Can I take your hand? asked Tilly.  She had seen the fleeting look of rejection in George’s eyes.  All this growing up!  It was making her brother very sensitive.  George smiled at her gratefully.  She had made him feel important again.

This way then, said George, linking up with Tilly and leaving Jenny to follow on behind.

Once they were inside the cave entrance it became dark very quickly.  The sand beneath their feet was wet and clammy.  The air was cold and damp.

We won’t be able to go far, said George.  We need a torch.  I hadn’t thought about that.

"I wonder how