Mrs Wrinkles and the Emotion Potion

By Angela King

Mrs Wrinkles lives on a beautiful island, many miles from the Old World her ancestors left behind when they voyaged in search of new land. She keeps her tribe, the Hutspeople, content with her gentle ways and wisdom - and sometimes with just a little touch of her Emotion Potion!

One day, peace in the village is disrupted by a young boy in her care, Tom Tangles, who decides he needs to find his long-lost parents. His actions trigger a series of events that turn their quiet lives upside down as they come up against the other tribe leaders on the island.

A rip-roaring adventure follows, with unforeseen dangers to overcome and secrets they could not have imagined.

The twists and turns along the way will have you applauding the spirited determination of Mrs Wrinkles in her quest to help her beloved little friend find his sense of belonging.

This is a lively story of self discovery, friendship and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moat House Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Jun 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781838317416

Book preview

Mrs Wrinkles

and the Emotion Potion

by Angela King

Moat House Publishing

London, United Kingdom

Published by

Moat House Publishing Ltd.

Copyright © Angela King 2021

All rights reserved.

Angela King has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be photocopied, lent, hired out, resold or otherwise circulated without Moat House Publishing Ltd’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

ISBN 978-1-8383174-1-6

First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Moat House Publishing Ltd.

This book is lovingly dedicated to my exceptional Mum and Dad.

For your unconditional love, guidance, strength and protection.

I love you always.

Contents

1

Catch the Water!

The door burst open without a warning knock. A fancy glass bottle jumped from Mrs Wrinkles' hand and smashed on the floor. She watched for a moment as the precious golden liquid soaked into the rug, before turning her attention to Farmer Peachy's huge belly, swaying into the room ahead of him.

WHERE IS HE? I KNOW THAT TOM TANGLES IS HERE!

Farmer Peachy's extreme reactions to Tom Tangles' high-spirited behaviour made it difficult for Mrs Wrinkles to take him seriously.

Is there a problem? Mrs Wrinkles' hand hovered in front of her smiling mouth.

Peachy's watery-eyed glare was intense as he staggered closer.

WHY DO YOU PROTECT THAT BOY? HE'S NOTHING BUT A-

Child, Mrs Wrinkles interrupted, And he's not here.

Peachy threw his hands in the air and, with an exaggerated sigh, glowered around the room as though looking for support from an imaginary audience. His mouth gaped open and shut several times, as words failed him.

Mrs Wrinkles raised her eyebrows and nodded her encouragement for him to speak. Quietly, she thought he looked rather like a hungry fish coming to the water's surface for food.

As Peachy stumbled back outside, he hit his head on the door frame without protest - just as he had done when he came in. A few wispy strands of straw fell from his boots and danced in the draft of the open doorway.

Mrs Wrinkles half closed the door and peered from the safety of her hut as Peachy made several attempts to heave his body up and into the cart parked outside. In an act of mercy, a passing villager offered a supporting hand. With the extra help, Peachy finally slammed down into position on the creaking seat. He struggled to reach forward and grab the horse's reins, before turning his head briefly to throw a scowl at Mrs Wrinkles.

GEEEEEEON! he bellowed, as he frantically thrashed the reins and stomped his feet. The gentle giant of a carthorse obeyed his command in her own sweet time.

Mrs Wrinkles closed her door fully, and shuddered.

She sighed at the sight of the shattered fragments of glass on the floor, glistening wet with the potion she had just brewed. It suddenly occurred to her that Farmer Peachy had probably chased Tom Tangles into the village, and that he might be hiding nearby.

Mrs Wrinkles stepped outside. She did not have to look far.

With a dull thud, a young boy fell from a branch of Treetall Tree and landed in a heap.

Tom Tangles - undoubtedly the liveliest child in Hutsville.

Oh Tom! Are you hurt? Mrs Wrinkles hurried over to him.

Tom grinned but did not reply. He knew he should not have climbed the magnificent tree that shaded Mrs Wrinkles' home.

Lost your voice, Tom Tangles? I have a cure for that, she chuckled as she helped Tom up from the ground. Shall I give you some of my Emotion Potion and hear what you have to say about climbing Treetall Tree?

Tom gasped in mock horror and laughed as he ran off down the path, You'll have to catch me first! he called and disappeared into the woods.

Hmm... obviously not feeling guilty about whatever he's done to upset Farmer Peachy, Mrs Wrinkles thought with a knowing smile. She shuddered again, thinking about the farmer.

She patted the splendid tree, Are you alright, Treetall?

A gentle breeze breathed warm air between Treetall's leaves as the sun streamed through, creating a shimmering pattern on the ground.

Another light caught Mrs Wrinkles' attention. She gazed across from her wooden hut to the beautiful gold hut, shining brightly in the full glare of the sun. It looked as new as the day she had first seen it. She remembered her husband's proud smile on the day he handed her the gold key. She bowed her head, and again saw the shimmering pattern on the ground.

Ooh, I can't resist a dance floor! Mrs Wrinkles shuffled around in the light and shade, clapping her hands and singing.

The sound of a second pair of hands clapping - and then another, and another - caused Mrs Wrinkles to turn. Some of her neighbours had emerged from their huts. She happily beckoned them to join her. Five minutes later, more than fifty people from Hutsville were dancing and singing under Treetall Tree.

Unnoticed by all, dark clouds gathered overhead. As the first drops of rain splashed on her face, Mrs Wrinkles joked, Is it getting warm on this dance floor?

Laughter filled the air, soon followed by bodies scattering and shouts of, 'RAIN!'

The village bell rang out and every available person ran to the clearing and stood under the water tower. In an orderly line, the people of Hutsville grabbed and held one of two ropes until everyone was in place.

With several heaves, they pulled the heavy ropes attached to a lid that covered a tank on top of the tower. Little by little, the covering slid back, and the rain falling from the sky poured down into the open tank.

Tom Tangles had rushed back to join in with the rope pull. Every effort helped. Tom knew how important it was to collect the water, even at the risk of being spotted by Mrs Wrinkles before she forgot about his tree climbing antics.

After the storm was over, and the lid was firmly back in place on the water tank, the exhausted Hutspeople patted one another on the back. A voice from the crowd called out,

Mrs Wrinkles! This has gone on for too long. We know it's the only way to collect clean water, but since the Tricky Tribe built that dam to block our river, we can't use our water mills to grind the oats either! Surely you could convince them to get rid of the dam by offering a trade?

All eyes turned to hut number 79, Shining Dawn Lane - the only hut in Hutsville made from pure gold with glittering, diamond encrusted windows.

Mrs Wrinkles also turned to admire her beautiful golden hut, and replied softly, We have plenty enough water in the tank, my friends. The rope pull keeps us all fit and lean.

The people of the tribe smiled at each other as they jokingly flexed their strong arm muscles.

***

Six days later, the bell rang once again to alert the Hutspeople to the rope pull. This time, there was a mighty storm, with rainfall so heavy that the tank was quickly filled to over-spilling.

The villagers were soaked to the skin and covered in mud by the time they had pulled the second rope to close the lid on the tank. Despite the deep rumblings of thunder overhead, they laughed and cheered as they larked around in the mud together. Mrs Wrinkles called out for everyone to go indoors, but her voice was drowned out by the lively singing and banter. She decided to ring the assembly bell to attract their attention. As she held up the metal pole to strike the bell, a white-hot bolt of lightning crashed through the clearing in the trees. The noise was deafeningly loud and triggered the frightened screams of panic from the crowd.

A terrified voice shouted out, Mrs Wrinkles has been struck!

Everyone fell silent. Mrs Wrinkles' motionless body lay on the ground. The pounding rain pelted her like invisible bullets on a target. Her mass of fluffy, white hair was saturated and streaked brown from the wet earth. The drenched villagers surged forward to help, lifting Mrs Wrinkles with great care and carrying her along on a sea of muddy hands to her hut. Her neatly laced boots had been blown apart and left behind, smouldering, after the rain had doused the flames.

Doctor Toptoe pushed his way through the soaked crowd and knelt beside Mrs Wrinkles on the floor. Her hand was blackened and burned, with a deep red mark extended up her arm. The Doctor struggled to sound calm as he asked the distressed people to give him space. At that moment, Mrs Wrinkles took a sharp breath in - and blinked her eyes open! Gasps of, She's alive! filtered through the room, and rose to excited shouts for the massive crowd of Hutspeople gathered outside; their cheers were lost in the booming sound of thunder and rain.

The Doctor shushed the tightly packed room of people, then gently requested, Please stand outside, everyone.

Mrs Wrinkles was bewildered. After Doctor Toptoe's third attempt of asking if she could speak, she weakly croaked,

Where is Rumpus? Where's my husband?

Doctor Toptoe lowered his head and spoke in a quiet voice.

Hetty? Can you hear me? Rumpus was lost at sea seven years ago.

Mrs Wrinkles frowned at Doctor Toptoe's sad face and, after a few seconds, the full horror of the day the broken fragments of her husband's boat were washed ashore came flooding back to her. She closed her eyes and whispered,

Rumpus made that beautiful boat. He really believed he could find-

I know, I know, said Doctor Toptoe, You've had a nasty electric shock. It's not surprising you feel a little confused at the moment.

The Doctor poured honey on Mrs Wrinkles' injured hand. As he carefully bandaged it, Mrs Wrinkles drifted off to sleep.

2

Vigil

Every person in the village stood outside in the rain and held hands as they waited for news of Mrs Wrinkles' progress. The Hutspeople with small children and babies sat under shelter, but still joined in the gentle, soothing hum of a tune Mrs Wrinkles often sang. They did not leave until Doctor Toptoe emerged and assured the crowd he would stay with her all night.

The next morning, Doctor Toptoe awoke suddenly to the sound of a familiar voice; Tom Tangles was talking to Mrs Wrinkles - who appeared to be asleep. The Doctor sat up straight in his chair and stretched his arms.

As soon as Tom saw the Doctor was awake, he whispered excitedly,

Doctor! Doctor! Mrs Wrinkles has grown a scar that looks like a red tree on her arm!

Doctor Toptoe was irritated that Tom had sneaked into the hut and was sitting on the end of Mrs Wrinkles' bed, but quickly softened. He knew it was only out of Tom's concern for her. The Doctor stood up and leaned over the bed. Mrs Wrinkles' injury was exactly as Tom had described it: above the bandage on her hand, she had a peculiar red mark, shaped like the branches of a tree on her arm.

I have never seen anything like this before! The Doctor's voice stirred Mrs Wrinkles from her sleep, and she opened her eyes.

He carefully removed the bandage to reveal the branch markings were even deeper on her burnt hand and blackish red in colour.

It looks like the actual shape of a tree! He shook his head in amazement.

I want one! squealed Tom as he jumped off the end of the bed to get a better view.

No, you do not! said Doctor Toptoe and Mrs Wrinkles in unison.

The Doctor turned and grabbed Tom by his shoulders.

Listen to me, Tom. Mrs Wrinkles is lucky to be alive... If the lightning had hit the ground first instead of her, the whole village could have taken the blast up through their bare feet.

With his shoulders still held in the tight grip of Doctor Toptoe's hands, Tom turned his head towards Mrs Wrinkles.

Thank you, he whispered apologetically.

Mrs Wrinkles gave Tom a weak smile before she drifted back to sleep.

Tom watched with great interest as Doctor Toptoe cleaned and re-bandaged Mrs Wrinkles' hand as she slept. The Doctor smiled at Tom as he was leaving, Don't tire Mrs Wrinkles with chatter when she wakes up, just make sure she has plenty to drink. And don't stay here all day!

Tom nodded but was distracted by a golden light shining in through the window. He walked across the room and stared out at the gold hut. Tom seemed to be the only person really bothered it was empty. He did not understand why Mrs Wrinkles lived in a wooden hut under Treetall Tree rather than her beautiful gold hut down the lane. The hut had been lovingly made by Mr Rumpus Wrinkles as a wedding gift to Mrs Wrinkles, but they had never lived in it. Tom had