The Meditations of the Milliner: The Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner, #5

By James Hywel

The children discover that their mother's bedroom rug might just be a flying carpet and that Mr Milliner may be just the person to fly it. 

Josie notices that something is written inside Mr Milliner's hat and soon puts all her detective skills to work. Maybe Mr Milliner isn't a milliner after all? Mrs Berwick isn't happy when the children let Mr Milliner borrow their bicycle. They try to reassure their mother, struggling to understand why she is concerned. After all, what's the worst that can happen?

The Meditations of the Milliner is a delightful story in the Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner children's chapter book series. If you or your child like exploring creativity, and whimsical innocence, then you'll love James Hywel's wondrous tale of childhood.

Buy The Meditations of the Milliner to fall in love with Mr Milliner as much as Morgan and Josie have!

"Utter magic, as we have come to expect from James Hywel. My children loved it!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oink Books
• Release date: Jul 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201927103

James Hywel

James began dabbling in writing in 2001 with many of his first books going to 5th and 6th editions. In August 2021 he wrote The Musings of the Milliner for and featuring his niece and nephew in Scotland. Little did he know that this book would be the start of The Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner series (now containing seven books). His next series was the much-loved Adventures of Albert Mouse, featuring Dartmouth’s most fa-mouse resident, Albert Mouse. James has now written over 30 children's books. To try and explain where his stories come from would be impossible and not even James can explain it. His writing process is as unorthodox and quirky as his books are magical and mind-transporting. James pens a weekly email entitled Letters from the Oak Tree where he talks about writing, books, and basically anything and everything else.

Book preview

Chapter

One

Morgan sat in his classroom and listened to the teacher rattling on. He was doing his best to concentrate, but his mind kept drifting off to all the jobs he had to do this summer.

There was the snooker table to build and the figurehead to make. Soon Morgan completely lost all concentration and ended up staring out of the window. He thought about Mr Milliner and Ronald. He wondered what they were doing at this very moment, but with Mr Milliner, it was almost impossible to imagine.

Just then, a large seagull flew down, landed on the outside of the window, and looked directly at Morgan. The other children also noticed the seagull and pointed at it.

Just settle down, children. It’s just a seagull, and I’m sure you’ve all seen one before, said the teacher. It’s not like it’s an ostrich or anything.

Morgan looked at the enormous bird and knew it wasn’t just any seagull, it was Steven. Morgan waved. Steven waved back, then flew off.

Over in her classroom, Josie was also thinking about Mr Milliner and thought of all the questions that were in her notebook that she wanted to ask him.

Just then, she saw a movement outside the window.

Wasn’t that a….? she thought, then paused. No, it couldn’t possibly be….could it!?

Just then, she saw it again.

She looked around the classroom, but no one else had noticed it. The other children were all concentrating on their work. Josie looked at the window again. Suddenly the head of an Eeee-moo appeared. It looked at Josie and winked.

Josie smiled and winked one eye, then glanced at the teacher. Luckily, she was still writing on the smart board and hadn’t noticed the Eeee-moo.

Josie looked at the window again, but the bird had gone. She smiled to herself. She knew it was a sign that Mr Milliner would be at the tree.

Chapter

Two

Eventually, the school bell rang to announce that it was the end of the school day. It was also the end of term. 

Morgan and Josie both ran out of their classrooms and met in the playground. 

You’ll never guess what I saw today at the window? said Josie.

Well, I saw something through my window also, said Morgan. 

Ok, you go first, she said. 

I saw Steven the Seagull. He even waved at me, said Morgan.

He then looked at his sister.

You don’t seem surprised, he said.

I’m not, because I saw an Eeee-moo at my window, said his sister.

Wow! What did the rest of the class say?

Nothing! Luckily they didn’t see it, but you know this means that Mr Milliner is back at the tree don’t you?

That’s exactly what I thought, said Morgan, looking happy.

They walked out of the school gate excitedly and headed home.

How does it feel to be going to high school next year? Josie asked. 

I’m a little nervous if I’m honest, replied Morgan.

It’s understandable, said Josie. I’ll be nervous next year too.

Don’t worry, I’ll be there when you arrive so it won’t be as scary for you, as it is for me.

I guess, said Josie. Race you home!

With that, they ran as fast as they could.

At the house, Spike was sitting on the windowsill. He looked out over the lawn towards the gate and scanned the lane in anticipation of the children’s arrival.

If you wag your tail any faster, you are going to fall off there, said Mrs Berwick. 

Spike was too focused on the gate and hadn’t heard a word. 

Just then the gate opened. Spike leapt off the windowsill and ran across the tiled floor. He ran so fast that his feet skidded and he went sideways out of the door and into the garden.

Spike! yelled Josie, dropping her school bag on the grass and picking the little dog up. It’s the holidays!

Looks like he’s pleased to see you, said Mrs Berwick as she came out of the house. 

Mum, guess what!? I saw Steven the Seagull at school, said Morgan excitedly. 

And I saw the Eeee-moo, said Josie, handing Spike to her brother.

Oh dear, it’s not even the first day of the holiday and already Mr Milliner appears to have made an appearance, said their mother. 

It wasn’t Mr Milliner. It was Steven and the Eeee-moo, said Josie. And anyway, I think they were just letting us know that Mr Milliner was back in his tree.

Mrs Berwick raised her eyebrows.

I see, she said.

Mrs Berwick had hoped that the whole Milliner thing would slowly pass, but it appeared that this would be yet another summer of madness and chaos. 

She put the kettle on and stared across the fields towards the oak tree. 

Amongst its branches sat the Milliner giggling to himself.

After supper, the children sat on the sofa with their mother and Spike. As they watched the television, Morgan and Josie started to nod off. First, their eyes closed and opened very slowly, then their heads began to nod.

Why don’t you both go on up to bed? You look shattered, said Mrs Berwick.

I am really tired. At least it’s my last day at that school, said Morgan, getting up from the sofa.

See you in the morning, Mum, said Josie.

The two children went upstairs, closely followed by Spike.

In her room, Josie went to the window and looked out across the fields and hedges to where the oak tree stood.

Even though she had seen the Eeee-moo, Josie still wondered if Mr Milliner was going to be there again this summer.

Goodnight, Mr Milliner, she whispered and climbed into bed.

Goodnight, said the Milliner, as he snuggled down in his hammock.

Chapter

Three

Mr Milliner sat in his oak tree and looked across at the Berwick’s house. He knew that just about now, Morgan, Josie and Spike would be coming downstairs for their breakfast. After that, they would make him his lunch, put their shoes on and eventually be on their way to visit him. 

Somewhere inside his head, the Milliner was troubled. He thought about the previous four summers he had spent with his three friends. He hadn’t really given any thought to the children growing up and leaving him. 

A tear rolled down his cheek and disappeared into his beard. 

Over in the house Morgan, Josie and Spike were coming down the stairs. 

There’s the gang, said Mrs Berwick as the three of them came into the kitchen. I trust you all slept well?

Yes, except I kept waking up with Spike’s foot in my nose! said Morgan. 

I bet that was cheesy, said Josie, as she opened one of the kitchen cupboards.

Spike huffed and went outside.

What are you looking for? asked her mother.

I’m just checking how many jars of pickle we have for Mr Milliner, replied Josie.

There are two in there, but I’ll get some more next week, said Mrs Berwick. 

Josie took one of the unopened jars of pickle and placed it in her backpack, then helped Morgan to lay the table. 

As soon as the scrambled eggs were ready, they all sat down at the table for breakfast. 

So, what are the plans for the holidays? asked Mrs Berwick.

Spike looked up from eating his egg and woofed.

Yes, I know you will be with Morgan and Josie, followed by lots of snoozing, she replied.

We will be at the tree with Mr Milliner, said Morgan. But I also have a list of jobs I need to do in my workshop.

A look of worry came over Mrs Berwick’s face. She took a breath and was just about to ask what jobs were on this list, but decided it was better she didn’t ask. 

Soon they had all eaten. Mrs Berwick gathered up the plates and placed them in the sink. Morgan and Josie then made a picnic and put their shoes on. 

Ok, Mum, we’re off, said Josie. 

Have a nice time, said Mrs Berwick, as she opened the front door and watched the three of them walk down the garden. 

The children opened the gate and walked out into the lane. As they walked down to the field they looked at the blackberry bushes. None of the berries were ripe yet. 

The nearer to the field they got, the more Josie thought about how Mr Milliner would be. She hoped he would not be inside his tree, like he was at the start of most summers, being silly. 

As she and Morgan climbed over the gate, Josie took a deep breath and readied herself for the Milliner’s usual silliness. 

Just then, the Milliner dropped from the tree and ran up the field towards the two children. Spike immediately ran to meet him.

Hello Mr Spike! said the Milliner, quickly picking the little dog up and licking him all over his face.

Mr Milliner! shouted Josie and flung her arms open as the Milliner ran towards her, still holding Spike. 

The Milliner ran right past Josie and gave Morgan an enormous hug. 

You came to see me again, and you’re not an adult! said the Milliner, sounding very excited.

Why would I be an adult? said Morgan, feeling confused. 

Josie folded her arms. She didn’t look very happy at all.

Mr Milliner, are you not happy to see me? she asked. 

The Milliner released Morgan from his bear hug, ran to Josie and hugged her.

I am, but I knew you would be here, and you would not be an adult, he said, finally putting Spike back down on the ground. 

Josie looked at the Milliner and tried to understand what the sudden change was all about. 

Pardon? said the Milliner, looking at Josie's confused expression.

Oh, nothing, replied Josie. It’s just that usually at the beginning of summer, you are inside your tree, refusing to come out. And today you are running up the field giving Morgan a hug like you were surprised to see him.

I am surprised to see him, and looking so young! said Mr Milliner.

Why? asked Morgan.

Because you have now left school and usually when children leave school, that means they have become, well, you know, an adult, said the Milliner, pulling a face.

Morgan is still going to school. He’s just going to big school, said Josie. 

Now it was Mr Milliner’s turn to look confused. He looked at Morgan, then at Josie. He then looked at Morgan again.

But yesterday you said it was your last day at school, said the Milliner.

When? asked Morgan. 

Before you went up the wooden hill to Blanket Street.

I meant that it was my last day at that school, not my last day of school ever! said Morgan.

So, we will be friends this summer? asked the Milliner.

Morgan nodded.

And next summer? asked the Milliner.

Morgan nodded again.

And what about the summer after that?

Josie could see where this conversation was going so she interrupted the Milliner.

Mr Milliner, Morgan will always be your friend and so will I, she said. 

Always? asked the Milliner.

Josie nodded.

Always and always? he asked.

Josie sighed. 

Pickle? she asked, knowing that would stop Mr Milliner from adding another always to his question each time.

Mmmm, yum! he said, clapping his hands.

Chapter

Four

When they reached the oak tree, Mr Milliner took out the large key and opened the door. He then brought out the table and four chairs. 

As Josie positioned the chairs around the table she gave a slight smile. 

Finally, things were getting easier with Mr Milliner and this summer would not be as confusing and frustrating as the others, she thought to herself, as she sat down in one of the chairs. 

Did you have a nice holiday? asked Morgan.

Yes, I did, attack-a-tree, said the Milliner.

Josie started to unpack the sandwich boxes from her bag.

What did you do? Morgan asked.

I thought, said Milliner, as he helped himself to a tuna and cool-cumber sandwich.

About what? asked Josie, picking up a scotch egg.

I don’t remember.

Well, in my experience, if you can’t remember something, then it’s because it wasn’t very important, said Josie, as she gave a scotch egg to Spike.

My thought was very important and I do remember thinking to myself that I should try really hard to remember the thought. But it seems that I didn’t try hard enough, said the Milliner. 

Clearly, said Josie.

When I think of something really important, I write it down on a piece of paper straight away, so I won’t forget, said Morgan.

Oh, I did that, said the Milliner, reaching for another sandwich. 

Great, then where’s the paper? asked Josie.

I lost it.

The Milliner paused like he had just remembered something very important.

Ooh, ooh, I do remember something about the thought! he said, excitedly. 

Excellent! said Josie. What is it?

The thought was about you.

Me? What about me? she asked, looking concerned.

The Milliner scratched his beard for a few moments.

Nope, I just don’t seem to remember, but it was about you.

Did you put your finger on your nose while you tried to remember? asked Morgan. 

The Milliner tutted. 

Of course I did. I’m not as stupid as what I look, he said. 

Josie sighed and gave Spike a cocktail sausage. She also unwrapped a piece of cheese and waited. Just then the pocket in the Milliner’s coat began to move. After a few moments, Ronald popped his head out of the pocket and yawned. 

Morning, Ronald, said Josie, passing the piece of cheese to the small Harvest Mouse. 

Thank you for sending Steven to visit me at school, said Morgan.

And the Eeee-moo, added Josie.

Where? asked the Milliner, looking around. 

Josie sighed again. 

Did I get any letters? asked the Milliner.

Oh, sorry. We forgot to check, but we will look tomorrow, said Morgan.

Are you expecting anything? asked Josie.

Yes, a letter, said the Milliner.

From who? 

Well, I don’t know until I open it, do I? said the Milliner, tutting again. 

The Milliner then placed his finger on the end of his nose and thought for a while. 

Morgan lent across the table.

What’s he thinking about? he asked his sister.

Josie shrugged her shoulders and picked up another scotch egg. 

The Milliner sat there for several minutes, with his finger held firmly on his nose and his eyes closed. He thought about all the people that might have written a letter to him.