The Thicket: The Hidden Secret

By Ann Eames

After weeks of not being able to see for smoke; there was a wall of thick vines which reached to the sky; people started to call it ‘The Thicket’. They were as thick as tree trunks, they grew and entwined just like creepers.
Beyond the thicket lay a forest, mountains and very unusual animals and creatures. There lived a people who belonged to the same tribe; who were very special and very loyal and devoted to each other.
Two children called Hali and Aaron who found their way into the forest, a forbidden world, had no idea of their wrongdoing as they were intruding in a place that was forbidden.
Their exploration was fun and exciting. They looked for hidden lands, which led them through the mountains and the forest.
Hali went in search of her brother; who she thought was lost.
But Aaron was on a different journey. He had no idea where he was or who he was. They encountered demons and serpents; their journey took them deep into the mountains. They travelled far from their home into the dark; and beyond a magical place.
Will they make it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Feb 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398417816

Ann Eames

Ann Eames has put together some of her past history for you. She was born in England, in a town called Leicester. After her school days, she worked for a while in England. She worked as a dress-maker and part-time nanny. While she was in England, one of her jobs was being a nanny. She loved writing stories for the children. Then she travelled to Australia – where she lives now. She went to university to become a bookkeeper. She is still a bookkeeper by trade, and has been for twenty years. She loves writing and horse riding. She also likes reading a lot. But one of her hobbies is to write stories for children and young adults. This manuscript is for young adults.

Book preview

About the Author

Ann Eames has put together some of his past history for you.

He was born in England, in a town called Leicester. After his school days, he worked for a while in England. He worked as a dress-maker and part-time nanny.

While he was in England, one of his jobs was being a nanny. He loved writing stories for the children. Then he travelled to Australia – where he lives now. He went to university to become a bookkeeper.

He is still a bookkeeper by trade, and has been for twenty years. He loves writing and horse riding. He also likes reading a lot. But one of his hobbies is to write stories for children and young adults. This manuscript is for the young adults.

Dedication

I have been inspired by my grandchildren to write about magical stories.

And when I was a nanny, and looking after children as a babysitter, I would tell lots of stories and we would play-act to an audience.

So, thanks to all of them who have encouraged me to write a book.

Copyright Information ©

Ann Eames 2022

The right of Ann Eames to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398417809 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398417816 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

There is none.

But I would like to thank Austin Macauley Publishers for making my book come alive to reach children around the world in these tough times. Something to take their minds off of Covid-19.

Part One

The Secret of the Mountain

Chapter 1

Herbert walked very slowly back into the classroom. His face was in shock; he turned to his chair and swung into it. He was completely devastated. He looked at the empty chairs, where the children used to sit.

Everywhere was empty; no children and no noise, nothing. Herbert had just come from a meeting with the headmaster and other teachers. They had to close down the school. There were no funds to rebuild the old building and there was no one to sponsor them.

He was very worried he knew then he must find work even if it meant going elsewhere to find work.

All the way home, all he could think of was what he was going to say to Johanna. What are they going to do? No home and now, no job to bring food to the table. Herbert and his wife Johanna lived with their two children above a shop. It is all they could afford.

When Dad came home that night, he opened the front door, a wisp of cold came in with him, from the cold night air. Johanna looked at him; he had a strange look on his face. She felt there was something wrong about him. He looked very strange and his face was grey in colour. He had a very sad look on his face.

Herbert asked them to all sit and listen to what he had to say.

He told them what had happened at the school that day.

I felt sick to my stomach. Mum looked very worried. Aaron just did what he always does and raised his shoulders when he didn’t understand.

Dad had decided to go in search of a job in another town. It was useless to try anywhere here in this town, he said. There is nothing here for me, to be able to bring food to the table.

All they had was a small room above the shop. They slept and cooked in the same room.

Dad packed a few things in a suitcase. Then he turned to Johanna. "I will send for you and the children as soon as I can find a place to stay. When I find something, I will send for you all as soon as I have found something.

It’s not wise for all to go at once just in case I cannot find anything. I might even be spending my first night under the stars, he said and smiled at Mum and told her not to worry.

Hali, I want you to help Mum and look out for your brother as he is younger than you. I nodded and said I would.

Aaron is younger than I, he is eleven years old. I am thirteen.

Herbert, the children are old enough to understand, Mum told Dad as he was leaving to go out of the door. They will be fine.

It was bright and sunny that morning, the wind was blowing softly and the birds were singing in the treetops. Well, the sun is shining, Herbert called out as he set off towards a town called Wierfale. It took three days and nights before he came upon the town called Wierfale. He found a job, but not what he was looking for. This place has work for me at least, he said to himself. It was the only job left, a process work at a wool factory.

This was hard for Herbert; as he had never done that kind of work before. But work is work he said to himself. This was not what he was looking for, as he was used to teaching history at the local school. But it’s better to have a job and have nothing at all, he would say.

Herbert found the wool mill was not too hard. He could handle this he thought; this was not too bad after all. At least I don’t have to use my brain to figure out how to do this work.

Herbert got up early the next morning so he could find a place to stay before he started work at the mill. He found a place at the pub. This will do until I find something for the rest of the family, he said to himself.

He could bring the rest of the family out when he finds something better. But for now, the pub in Wierfale would suit him for the time being.

It was nice in Wierfale, a little outback town with lots of farmland; with sandy stone streets. It is very laid back short of town. The country folk were very friendly. People always said ‘Hello’ when you passed by. Even though, they didn’t know who you were. He thought this was a good place to bring his family.

He was walking down the street everyone was saying ‘Hello’ when they passed by. Even people who were sitting on their porch. Everyone is so friendly here; all I have to do is find a place for them to live, he said quietly to himself.

Dad wrote to us all. In the letter, he wrote about a lady called Talia that he met. He was looking around the town for a place for the family to live; he came across a little shop with lots of different unusual things in the window.

Nothing had a price on them. He wrote, it was as if they were not for sale, but just for show.

There were statues of animals, half man half beast, and Indians with wolves, unicorns and several other creatures that did not seem as though they were from this earth, out of curiosity, he wrote. I went into the shop, to investigate more.

He then went on to ask how everyone was and he would write again later. His letter was short, I wanted to know more about the little shop. But I will have to wait for the next letter to arrive. Dad was never much of a writer unless it was about history.

I went back to the little shop where I found Talia. I looked through the window and saw all the strange creatures.

Some of the creatures looked very strange to Herbert. He found himself going into the shop. The more he looked, the more curious he became. He was looking around inside the shop; he came across Talia sitting in an old rocking chair humming to herself, as she was knitting.

Would you like a cup of tea and a piece of cake? Talia asked.

Odd, he thought to himself. She did not even look up from her knitting.

But she knew he was there. But, never the less, he turned to her and said, Oh. Yes. That would be nice, thanks.

Sit down. I will put the kettle on, she replied.

Herbert felt a little strange about this place. There is something strange about her. He felt as though, he had known her all his life.

He looked around the shop and saw things that you would only see in history stories. Some of them were fairy tale books. They were beautiful.

He thought that all these statues and unusual items must be made from fairy tales; nothing unusual at all.

He heard her coming out of the kitchen and he quickly went back to his chair. So as not to be too conspectus with him being so nosey looking around.

You have some very unusual things in your shop, how did you come by them?

Oh. I collect a lot of unusual things. Sometimes people just give them to me as gifts.

I’m. Herbert Gundy?

I know, I was told you might be looking for a place.

She tried to change the subject; not to sound too suspicious about the things in the shop.

So you can bring your family out here.

Yes, I am.

Very surprised to know she knew, he thought to himself.

It is a very nice place here in Wierfale and very safe. I am sure they will like it here.

I might have a place you might be interested in. It’s not much to look at, but it is what you make of a home that counts. Don’t you agree? Herbert was very surprised that she knew all about him, yet he didn’t know anything about her.

Yes, I agree, he said.

"It’s an old cottage. Here is the address of where to go, it is a little way out of town, and you will need to take my old bike as it is too far to walk.

This place where I am sending you is called Weyden; just outside of Wierfale down Willow Lane. There is no number on the house; you can’t miss it, it’s the only one there.

I won’t be able to buy it, but I might be able to rent it from you; perhaps we can come to some agreement. It sounds a nice place.

"Oh, it’s not for sale, we will talk about leasing later.

Now, drink your tea and eat your cake; you best be on your way before it gets too dark. There are no streets lights down Willow Lane, and the road is very bumpy so be careful.

Just before sunset, he went to Weyden. When he arrived, he saw a small cottage down an old winding road. At the start of the road, there was an old sign that was swinging in the wind. It said, Willow Lane…

Herbert thought to himself, This