Hob the Elf

By Richard Moore

“Who amongst the most learned men and women in the world understands elf magic, or even knows that it exists?”

Hob doesn’t know what will happen when an elf light is thrown into goblin fire, but he must risk it if he’s to have any chance of helping his friends. Hob’s quest brings him into collision with forces of opposition. It will be a life changing adventure, but he can reach his goal only by staying true to himself.  

This is a story of loyalty, courage, and kindness, which also shows the importance of caring for the environment and staying focused even when circumstances are difficult.

For those who are, or ever have been, eight years old.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Dec 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781803134444

Richard Moore

Richard Moore is a freelance journalist and author. His first book, In Search of Robert Millar, won Best Biography at the 2008 British Sports Book Awards. His second book, Heroes, Villains & Velodromes, was long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. He writes on cycling and sport and is a regular contributor to the Guardian, Sky Sports, and The Scotsman. Moore is a former bike racer who represented Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Book preview

Contents

THURMOND ESTATE

ALVINA

THE SECRET CAVE

THURMOND FOREST

ASTONISHING DISCOVERY

A NARROW ESCAPE

A WARNING

ELF FRIEND

THE SECRET’S OUT

LITTER PICKING

JIMMY’S BRIGHT IDEAS

ADVENTURE AT MIDNIGHT

FRIEND OR FOE?

JIMMY IS ILL

HOB VISITS JIMMY

HOB’S JOURNEY BEGINS

THE STONE GIANTS

THE WITCH’S HOUSE

NIGHT SCHOOL

ANOTHER WISHING SPACE?

ESCAPE

THE GOBLINS IN THE MOUNTAIN

THE WATER OF LIFE

GOBLINS AGAIN

THE WITCH AGAIN

THE STONE GIANTS

FAREWELL

HOME AGAIN

HOSPITAL DAY

ANOTHER THREAT TO THE FOREST

THURMOND ESTATE

Wake up, Jimmy. We’re nearly there, called his mum from the front passenger seat of the car.

My neck hurts, moaned Jimmy.

It’s because your head flopped forwards when you fell asleep, said Mum. It’ll feel better when you get out of the car and move around.

Dad was driving slowly over the smooth tarmac. Look there, he said, pulling up at the end of an unmade road where bricklayers, carpenters and roofers were all at work.

The houses on our road are finished but they’re still building down there, said Mum.

Jimmy watched a man shovelling stuff into the rotating drum of a cement mixer. What’s he doing? he asked.

Dad started to explain how mortar was made but Jimmy got distracted by the movement of heavy machinery further away. Look at those diggers, he shouted.

It looks as though they’re just levelling the ground and digging foundations, said Mum.

There’s no sign of anyone else living here, said Jimmy.

Perhaps we’re the first family on the brand-new Thurmond Estate, said Mum.

Dad drove on again, stopping in front of a large, detached house at the end of the cul-de-sac.

This is Forest Road, and the forest starts right there, said Mum, pointing to the hawthorn scrub growing close to the pavement that marked the end of the road.

It’s a dead end for cars, said Jimmy. But there’s a path. Can I see where it goes?

Not on your own, said Dad. The removal vans will be here soon, and you need to help with your own stuff.

Clambering out of the car, Jimmy set foot on the newly made road. When will I get my roller skates?

They’re in a box on the small van. That should be here soon, said Mum who was already opening the front door.

Dad carried the cat basket inside. Remember that Nina mustn’t go out for at least two weeks. She needs to know that this is her home before she’s allowed to wander off.

Good job it isn’t the same for me, said Jimmy.

Come and see your room, called Mum. You can decide where you want your furniture before the removal men arrive.

Oh, alright, sighed Jimmy.

ALVINA

For the next few days Jimmy had no one to play with. He wasn’t allowed to go into the forest and spent a good deal of time watching the builders.

Roller skating on the smooth tarmac was another favourite pastime. That’s what he was doing on the morning Alvina arrived.

As soon as he became aware of the approaching car, Jimmy jumped onto the pavement and skated to the safety of his own driveway. When the car pulled up at the house directly opposite, Jimmy caught sight of the new neighbours, a man, a woman and a girl who was older than himself. They all waved before going inside.

As Jimmy was taking off his skates, a removal van came down the road. He dashed indoors. Hey, Mum, there’s a family moving in across the road.

That’s nice, she answered. I want you to unpack the last box of toys that’s in your room.

When Jimmy was allowed out again, he saw the girl sitting outside her house fastening the laces of her white sneakers. She had brown skin and her glistening black hair was combed back and tied in a bunch.

When Jimmy ventured over to say hello, she stood up.

If they’d been in a school playground with lots of other children, it isn’t likely that they’d have spoken to one another. Alvina would be one of the big kids and Jimmy…well, Jimmy didn’t speak much to anyone.

Moving to a brand-new house isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, said Alvina.

Sorry, he said. Did you say something about cracks? Ours seems to be alright, except dad thinks they haven’t got the back garden quite level.

Not cracks in the building, said Alvina. I meant that it’s not as wonderful as they said it would be.

Things never are. I suppose we have to get used to it, sighed the boy, sounding rather like an old man.

Alvina smiled. At least we can be friends, she said. I’m Alvina, but sometimes people call me Vina. I’ll be eleven in September.

I’m Jimmy, but my proper name is James. I’m nearly eight. Have you got a bike?

It’s somewhere behind that lot, she said, pointing to the removal van. There’s a hold up because a wardrobe has to be taken apart and the men can’t find the toolbox.

We’ve got tools, said Jimmy. Let’s ask my mum and dad.

Pushing open the front door, Jimmy shouted, Hey, Mum, Dad, come and say hello to Alvina.

His mum came running from the back of the house. What’s the matter, Jimmy? What are you shouting about?

Alvina’s come to say hello. Her mum and dad need to borrow some tools.

Jimmy’s mum held out her hand, What a lovely name. Hello, Alvina, I’m Jess Adams.

Alvina took Jess’s hand. Hello, Mrs Adams. It’s nice to meet you.

How’s the move going? asked Jess.

It’s a bit stressful. We can’t find the tools to take a wardrobe apart.

Mrs Adams shouted her husband. Julian, our new neighbours need a bit of help.

Julian shouted from upstairs. What’s that?

This is Alvina. Her mum and dad need a wardrobe dismantling. You go across, and I’ll make them a cup of tea.

Hi, Alvina. I’ll be over in a few minutes, called Julian from the landing.

Thanks. I’ll go and let them know, said Alvina. Come on, Jimmy.

Across the road, Jimmy realised that Alvina’s house was the same as his except that it faced in the opposite direction. His bedroom was at the back, overlooking the garden and the woodland beyond, but Alvina had chosen to be at the front. She could see what was happening on the road.

This is Jimmy from over the road, said Alvina.

Nice to meet you, Jimmy, said Alvina’s mum. I’m Grace.

And my name is Derek. I was just about to pop over to see if I could borrow a screwdriver, said Alvina’s dad.

You’ve got a lot of stuff, said Jimmy, looking at the boxes that were being piled up around them.

These will all go upstairs when the furniture’s in place, chuckled Grace.

My mum and dad are coming over with tea and a toolkit, said Jimmy.

That’s great, said Derek. We’ll soon be cooking on gas.

There isn’t any gas, said Jimmy. These houses only have electricity.

Grace smiled. It’s OK, Jimmy. He means that we’ll be able to sort things out quickly.

When Jess and Julian arrived, names were exchanged with handshakes all round. Tea was drunk, biscuits were eaten, and boxes were pushed aside to clear enough space for the wardrobe to be dismantled. The room became even more chaotic than before.

You know what? said Jimmy. Kids just get in the way at times like this, so I was wondering if me and Alvina could go for a walk. I’m dying to explore the forest.

Grace chuckled louder than before and ruffled Jimmy’s straw-coloured hair, That sounds like a good idea. Let’s get some snacks and you two can check out the woods.

Do you think they’ll be alright? asked Jess.

Jimmy rolled his eyes. Alvina’s nearly eleven, Mum. We’ll be fine.

THE SECRET CAVE

Hob