Fizzy

By Jay Green

A classic children's adventure story set in a typical English village that reveals a rich and mysterious history as the story progresses towards its ghostly Christmas denouement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781326976101

Jay Green

Jay Green is professor of history at Covenant College.

Book preview

Fizzy

Fizzy

Jay Green

Copyright

Copyright © 2017 by Jay Green

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2017

ISBN 978-1-326-97610-1

JRG Publishing UK

Chapter 1

When Richard got home, he had expected his parents to be in the kitchen.  Usually when they came home from church on Sunday Mum started to make lunch and dad read the paper in the sunny kitchen. Today they were in the sitting room with a group of complete strangers.

There you are, Richard, said his mum.  We have some unexpected visitors! As she introduced them Richard shook hands.

Mr. and Mrs. Warren, said his Mum.  Mrs. Warren is Mrs. Harridge's daughter!  Mrs. Harridge was an old lady that lived next door.

And this is Gemma and Neil.  It was odd to be shaking hands with people his own age.  It made him feel grownup. The other two children seemed to find it normal.

We're just visiting from Australia, said Mrs. Warren.  Mother's health isn't so good just now, and we had the chance to come away for a while.

Gemma and Neil don't want to be sitting around all day, said Richard's mum: Perhaps you could take them for a walk this afternoon, Richard?  Richard knew that tone in his mum's voice. 

If they want to, he said.  Neil, who was the elder of the two, caught his Mum's eye.

That would be great, he said.  He didn't sound as though he meant it.

We'll have to go get lunch now, Mrs. Shaw, said Mrs. Warren, standing up.  Perhaps if Neil and Gemma call over for Richard, say two o'clock? 

Over lunch Richard didn't say much.  He just mentioned that, if he was taking these strangers for a walk, he wouldn't be able to do some of his music practice.

Oh yes you will, said his mother firmly.  You'll have time after lunch and before they come.  Richard made a face.

Richard! said his mother.  It will be interesting for you to get to know them.  They're from Australia!

So?  Richard sounded unimpressed.  His father put his glass down and stared at him.

That is the other side of the world! he said.

So? Richard shrugged. 

Don't you find that interesting? asked his father. Richard shrugged again.

I suppose! he said.  His parents looked at each other.  It's only like Neighbours - you don't like me watching that!  That's from Australia.

But these are real people! said his mother.  That's different!  It's much more interesting.  Richard shrugged again. 

Unless, said Richard, thinking about it, They're from the outback - that would be a bit more interesting.

Neil and Gemma arrived promptly at two o'clock.  They both wore jogging suits and Richard's Mum, looking at Richard's, jeans and tee shirt, thought he might be cold.

It's a really hot day, Mum, he said.

They don't call this hot where we come from! said Neil.  This is quite cool.

It is very warm for September, said Richard's mum.  Now, back no later than about four thirty, Richard.  Where are you planning to go?

Over the footbridge and along the lane, said Richard.  We'll cut through the wood and back along the road.

That's a good round trip, said his mother.  Have a good time.

The three of them set off.  Richard walked slightly ahead and the other two kept a couple of paces behind.  Richard set quite a fast pace.

Is this some kind of race? Gemma sounded quite indignant.  Can't we slow down a bit?

I don't call this fast, said Richard.  Don't you walk this fast in Australia?

We don't walk too much in Australia, said Neil.  It's too hot.

What about going walkabout? asked Richard.

Where d'you get to hear about that? asked Neil.

Rolf Harris - I think, said Richard. 

Hey, we have him in Australia too, said Gemma.

He IS Australian, said Richard.

He is?  Gemma was puzzled.  But nearly all his TV shows are made here in England.

He must like living here better than living in Australia, said Richard.

It's not as hot, said Neil.

While they had been talking, they had been walking only very slowly. 

Do you live in the outback? asked Richard. 

No, Neil shook his head.  We've stayed there sometimes on holiday - it's really hot there!  They walked on a bit without talking, and came to the footbridge.  They stood and watched the ducks paddling in the fast-flowing stream.

They're wild ducks? asked Gemma.

I think so, said Richard.  When I was little mum used to bring me here to feed bread to them.

It's pretty here, said Gemma. Very green everywhere.  In Australia everything is often browny colours. The three looked round. The green pastures sloped down to the little stream.

Things are starting to turn brown here, as well, pointed out Richard.  It is September.  They looked across at the wood, and could see some brown and red leaves on some of the trees.

Do they fall off all at once? asked Gemma. Or is it very slow?  Richard had to think about this. 

Slowly, he said.  It takes weeks. 

Then what happens? asked Gemma.  Richard was puzzled.

What happens when? he asked

When all the leaves have fallen off the trees, said Gemma.

Then it gets colder and it's winter! he said.

With snow? asked Gemma. 

Sometimes, said Richard.  I can remember some great snowfalls!  But it isn't like that every year!  Gemma looked disappointed.

Cheer up Gem, said Neil.  Mum said she'd take us to Scotland if it doesn't snow here - it always snows there!  That right?  Richard nodded.

Yes, he said.  I think you can even ski in Scotland.

Wow-ee Gemma looked impressed. 

Don't you have snow in Australia?

No! Gemma shook her head. 

Are you staying long enough?  To see the snow, I mean? asked Richard.

Dad has to get back, but Mum said we could stay till after Christmas, said Neil.  That will be four months - maybe a bit longer.  Gran is poorly, you know.

Yes, said Neil.  My mum keeps an eye on her.  There's a nurse and some helpers as well - but Mum goes in to see that she's okay.

Mum says this will be our last visit while Gran's alive, said Gemma. 

I can remember Gran and Grandad coming to Australia to visit us, said Neil.  But Grandad’s dead now.

I can remember your Grandad as well, said Richard.  He was friendly and nice.  I was upset when he died.

Maybe Gran's going to die now, said Gemma.  That's why we're coming over to stay for so long.

So are you going to school? asked Richard.  The two looked horrified.

I should hope not! said Gemma. 

We won't be staying in one place all the time, said Neil.  It wouldn't be worth joining a school.

Fancy missing a whole term's school!  Richard was envious.  Lucky you!

We have to do some work here, said Gemma.  And post it off every three weeks. They walked on towards the little wood.

"Your parents went to church this