The BookMaster

By Edward Ingram

When our young hero, Archie, wins a mysterious teddy bear at the funfair, little does he know what is about to happen.

It’s the night before the day of Aunty Gemma’s wedding and the house has finally fallen silent. But in the dead of night, Archie is awoken to find that the shabby old bear can talk...and what’s more, he needs Archie to help him on a mission.

In this delightful children’s story, Archie is magically transported to Toy World and finds himself plunged into the adventure of a lifetime. He, Harry the bear and some of their friends must find the toy bride from Aunty Gemma’s wedding cake and return her to her rightful place beside the groom, on top of the cake before sunrise. Otherwise his superstitious aunty will never say “I do”!

Just one thing stands in their way: a shadowy figure called Zobre, whose evil knows no bounds. Can Archie and his gang get to the missing bride in time to save the day? And will he get back to bed before the grown-ups find out what he’s been up to?

Join Archie on a night of thrills and excitement as he battles the dark forces that threaten to change the world and ruin Aunty Gemma’s wedding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edward Ingram
• Release date: Nov 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463207819

Edward Ingram

I love writing but never had the opportunity to do so, especially coming from an under privileged background with only secondary school level education. I believe everyone has a story (or two) to tell, and it's platforms like these that give everyday folk the chance to do so. I hope you come to enjoy the stories I write, and they take you on a journey to escape the trials, tribulations and mundane-ness of whatever mood your in...if only but for a moment! We all deserve that!!

Book preview

This book and all materials and contents are copyright © 2004

Permission must be given from the author before use of any characters or scenes from the story.

The author wishes to thank all the toys for their co-operation in the making of this story!

THE BOOKMASTER

Edward Ingram

Chapter One

Archie sighed with frustration. There was still a week to go before the wedding, and the hustle and bustle of the past few months had reached its peak.

It was his maternal aunt, Gemma, who was getting married; not that Archie disliked her. No, quite the opposite: Archie loved her. She had pin-point eyes and wavy hair that sat atop an angular frame. He had heard people refer to her as a drama queen. Mum preferred to call her an extrovert, but to Dad she was just plain snooty.

Still, watching Aunty Gemma could be fascinating and really funny, especially when she was stressing a point; her hands and arms would go everywhere just like a policeman directing traffic on a busy road.

Body language, darling – it’s all-important, you know, was her explanation for the vigorous bouts of movement that often had Archie in fits of laughter as he imagined her being a giant jerky marionette.

Aunty Gemma was Mum’s younger sister; in fact, her only sister, and it was her forthcoming marriage that had been the cause of months of preparation, not to mention the boredom. And now it looked like another weekend was going to join the countless others that had been spent indoors while the grown-ups made some Final touches.

Today’s reason for being kept inside was because Aunty Gemma and her best friend would be staying on the eve of the wedding day, so Mum was making sure she had clean, fresh-smelling linen and the house was spic and span; all but a week early!.

Mum was in the downstairs bathroom, loading clothes into a blue wash basket. She stopped when it was piled high, then held it in front of her and marched towards the kitchen. With her plump, red face and hair pulled back in a bun, Mum resembled a washerwoman from long ago. Even her face showed that same look of purpose and intent as she careered towards him.

At the last moment, Archie saw her coming and jumped backwards to avoid getting trampled on as she thundered past. Annoyed, Archie pulled a face behind Mum’s back. He knew better than to hurl protests after her, and instead slumped off to sit on the bottom step of the hallway stairs. On the way, he passed the living room. The door was ajar and Archie poked his head through inquisitively.

Dad was relaxing in one of the big easy chairs; his head was laid back, his eyes were closed, and a slight smile played on his round, dark face. On his knees was propped a large hardback book. Archie recognised the book by its front cover. It was the one Dad always read; a compendium of famous past battles. Judging by the picture on the front, it looked more like a scene from Hell than an adventure. Archie reckoned Dad must either be a slow reader or just loved reading the same book over and over again, as it never seemed to leave his side.

Leaving Dad to it, he ambled onwards to the stairs, sat down and placed a foot upon a nearby toy fire engine. A couple of minutes later, Dad unexpectedly came out of the living room. Seeing Archie sitting there all alone, he asked him if everything was alright?

"I’m bored Dad," was what Archie wanted to say, but he knew not to.

It would only start Dad off on a rant about eight-year-olds not knowing what boredom meant…leading to an even bigger speech about what it was like in his childhood days.

Before Archie could think up a suitable answer, Dad came up with a suggestion.

Grab your coat, son, and we’ll take a look around that funfair up at the common!

Without further prompting, Archie raced upstairs to grab a jacket, making one heck of a racket as he went.

What’s up Archie, why’re you rushing around? shouted a teenage voice behind a closed bedroom door.

It was his elder sister Poppy; a younger-looking version of Archie’s Mum

Nothing’s up! I’m off to the funfair with Dad, Archie replied as he sped past her room.

Poppy jumped off her bed, opened the door and shouted downstairs. Dad, can I come too?

Yes, alright! But I’m telling you now, I’m not staying there all day or spending bucketloads of money – a few quid and a couple of hours max and that’s it, Dad yelled back.

Where are you lot off to, then? enquired Mum, looking at the other three all dressed up in their coats

Dad’s taking us to that funfair up at the common, Archie answered.

What’s wrong with me then – can’t I come, too? Mum wanted to know.

You looked busy, but if you want to come that’s fine, offered Dad

I most certainly will come, I could do with a break…and heaven knows I’m going to need it this week, Mum exclaimed, looking flustered. Anyway, by the time we get back, my washing should’ve stopped!

"OK then – grab your coat and we’ll get going…but I’m telling all of you right now there’ll