PETERELLA AND THE GOLDEN TRAINER - PART TWO.

* Ring, Ring *

"Peter, answer the door!" Bessie screamed down the stairs.

"I'm just getting it, Step-Mother." Peter replied with a sigh.

He pulled open the heavy doors and came face to face with a man wearing a long red coat, decorated with bright golden buttons and medals.  He handed Peter an envelope and said, "Be sure that every male in the household attends" and then disappeared back to his
carriage.

Peter closed the door and stood for a moment in the vast hallway.  He looked at the regal gold lettering on the envelope and then gently tore it open.  It read,

` Every male in the Kingdom is hereby commanded to attend a great ball at the Palace, in honour of the Princess, this here night'.

Peter's eyes lit up - every male - surely that meant that HE was to go as well!

"Peter?" Bessie screeched.  "Who was that at the door?"

"It was a messenger, Step-Mother," Peter replied, handing Bessie the envelope.  Bessie stood and read the letter inside.  Her eyes lit up with excitement and she called out,

"Davy!!! Micky!!! Come quickly!!!"

Davy and Micky appeared at the parlour door.  "What is it, Mother?" Davy asked.

"Come here, my boys," she beckoned and proceeded to show them the invitation.  "There's to be a great ball at the Palace tonight and we are summoned to attend."

"A great ball, Mother?" Davy repeated.

"What do you think it means, `In honour of the Princess'?" Micky asked.

Bessie's eyes glowed.  "It's well known that the King and Queen are desperate for the Princess to choose a husband before her next birthday," Bessie explained.  "This ball is probably a chance for her to find a suitor."

Peter's eyes lit up and he said, "Then surely I am to go, too?"

Bessie, Micky and Davy glared at him with disgust.  "Of course not!" Micky pouted.  "Peter's not coming, is he Mother?"

"But it says every male in the Kingdom is to attend," Peter protested.  "Please, Step-Mother, surely I must go as well?"

Davy and Micky started to argue with Peter.  Bessie closed her eyes and put her hands on her brow.  "Quiet!" she cried out, shocking the three boys into a stunned silence.

"It does say `every male in the Kingdom'," she said.  "And that means that Peter shall go to the ball as well".

Peter's face broke into a huge smile and he threw his arms around his Step Mother and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, thank you, Step-Mother!" he cried.

Bessie drew back from him and looking slyly at Micky and Davy, she said, "Peter, you shall go to the ball IF you get all of your chores done first".

Bessie winked at her two sons, who looked at each other knowingly.

"Yes, Step-Mother, of course I shall.  I'll do them now.  Oh, thank you, Step-Mother!"

Peter ran down to the cellar, hopping and skipping all the way.  Imagine, him, Peter Tork, going to a grand ball at the Palace!  And a Princess - he was to meet a Princess!  Peter scrubbed the cellar floor as fast as he could, daydreaming about the Princess, whose
legendary beauty was famous all around the Kingdom.  He'd never seen her, but he'd heard that her hair was a bright as gold, her skin as soft as silk and her eyes like sparkling emeralds. 

Then, Davy appeared at the cellar door, his arms spilling over with laundry.  Peter looked up at him in dismay.

"Here's my laundry," Davy said, "I want it done today!" and then he vanished, dropping the clothing on the wet floor.  Peter sighed and put his head in his hands - how was he going to do all of Davy's washing before they left for the ball? Then, he lifted up his head
and carried on, determined that his Step Brother's plan would not stop him going to the ball.

A while later, Peter carried Davy's washing into his bedroom and placed the neatly folded clothes on the bed.  He then approached his Step Mother's bedroom to tell her that he'd completed his chores. 

"Peter!" Micky shouted out to him.  Peter looked at his watch - surely Micky wouldn't have any chores for him to do, it was already 3 o'clock, and he hadn't even began to think about what he was going to do for clothes for the ball.

"Yes, Micky?" Peter said, knocking at Micky's door.

"I need you to mend my trousers," Micky demanded, tossing them out into the doorway.  "And my shoes need polishing, and my jacket needs darning and my waistcoat needs washing."

Peter's face showed an expression of panic and disbelief - how was he to get all of this done in time?  Still, he picked up the pile of clothes obediently and carried them downstairs into the sowing room. 

Peter worked and worked to get the things done, and the clock ticked on, 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock. At 5.30 he was finally finished Micky's demands.  He now had just 2 hours to get ready for the ball. 

Peter headed for his small room at the top of the stairs, when the shrill voice of his Step Mother called out for him.

"Peter!" she cried.  "There's dirty footprints all over the kitchen floor - which you were MEANT to wash this morning.  You must clean them up before you can even think about going to the ball!"

She handed Peter a bucket and mop and then charged up the stairs.  Peter sighed and sat down on the floor.  It was no use, they were never going to let him go to the ball - they would just keep finding more and more things for him to do.  It was hopeless.

Peter was right - they gave him more and more chores.  Clean the parlour! Wash the dishes! Do the laundry! Clean the carpets! Sweep the floor! More and more work until it was 7.30 and time for them to leave for the ball.

Peter stood sadly in the hallway with his broom and watched Bessie, Micky and Davy parade down the staircase.  Bessie was wearing an elegant ball gown, decorated with lace, diamonds and ribbons.  Micky and Davy both looked dashing in their shiny tuxedos, bright white shirts and slicked back hair.  Peter looked down at his ripped trousers, stained with water at the knees.  He was foolish to ever think that he could fit in at a Palace ball.  Micky and Davy sneered at him as they opened the front door,

"Sorry you didn't get you chores done in time!" they mocked.  "Poor little Peter, can't go to the ball."

They took their Mother's arm and strutted out of the door, their heads held high.  As the door slammed shut, Peter fell down onto the floor and wept.

Suddenly, there was an almighty flash.  Peter put his hands in front of his eyes and screamed.  When he opened his eyes, the hallway was filled with mist and a glowing figure was standing at the doorway.

"Who. Who are you?" Peter stammered nervously.

The figure stepped towards Peter - it was the figure of a man. 

"Why, I'm your Fairy Godfather, Dummy!" a voice called out in a Texan accent.

Hundreds of magnificent carriages decorated the Palace forecourt.  Everywhere you looked, there were young ladies and gentleman, handsomely dressed.  Diamonds, pearls, rubies and emeralds sparkled in the moonlight.  String music drifted out from inside the Palace. 

Peter's carriage pulled up outside the Palace and a doorman opened the carriage door.  Peter took a deep breath and stepped down onto the pavement.  Peter gasped - he'd never seen anything like this in his entire life.

"This way, Sir," a voice said, and Peter followed a doorman up the vast steps towards the Palace doors.  Peter stepped inside and couldn't believe his eyes.  He was standing at the entrance of a great hall.  There was golden decorations hanging from the high walls and ceilings.  A large orchestra played sweet chamber music as couples waltzed across the floor.  Peter had never seen such elegance.  He started nervously down the staircase that led to the ballroom floor.  Looking around the hall, Peter searched every face for his Step Mother and Step Brothers, certain that if they were to see him, they would surely send him home.  Suddenly he spotted them - Micky was standing with Bessie and Davy was dancing with a young girl.  Peter wondered, could this be the Princess?? 

Peter stood still for a long time, taking in the grand sights and sounds.  He spoke to not a soul.  Everywhere around him, people stared at him, not realizing who this handsome young man was.  Not a single person recognized him as Peter Tork, the servant boy from the house on top of the hill.

Suddenly, Peter jumped when he felt somebody tap him on the shoulder.  Peter gulped and turned around, expecting to come face to face with either Micky or Davy.  But no - when he turned around, there was an elderly man stood before him.

"Follow me, Sir," the man said, and beckoned Peter.

"What is it?" Peter said, following the old man across the dance floor.  The man said nothing, but lead Peter to the front of the hall and then stopped.  Peter stopped behind him and looked up - he was standing at the bottom of some small steps, and at the top of the steps sat three people.  There was a man and a woman sitting next to each other and to their right, there sat the most beautiful girl that Peter had ever seen.  Looking at Peter, the man stood and said, "Good Sir, would you do me the honour of dancing with my daughter?"

Peter looked at the girl and gulped.  Nervously he bowed his head and reached out his hand towards the girl.  With a shy smile, the girl stood and walked down to Peter and took his hand. 

The hall fell silent and all eyes fell on the young man leading the Princess to the dance floor.  The orchestra struck up and the couple began to dance.  The King and Queen watched from their thrones with contended smiles on their faces - had their daughter finally found her one true love??

All around the ballroom people whispered.  Who was this man? None of them had ever seen him before.  Whoever could he be?  Bessie, Micky and Davy stood with their mouths open and watched them dance.

"Mother, it's not fair!" Micky complained.  "Why can't I dance with the Princess?"

Bessie hushed him and squinted at the young man dancing.  He looked awfully familiar, but she couldn't quite make out who he was. 

Peter and the Princess held each other in their arms and waltzed around the floor.  Peter couldn't believe what was happening.  He sighed and held her closer.  All night long they danced.  Not a person in the room knew who the mystery young man was, but it was
obvious that the Princess had chosen a husband.

Peter was having such a wonderful night that he totally forgot to keep track of the time.  All of a sudden, the clock began to strike.  Suddenly remembering, Peter looked up at the clock and drew in a sharp breath - it was midnight!  He looked into the Princess' eyes and then tore away from her, dashing across the hall towards the door.  The crowd of people gasped as they watched him run out into the night, leaving the Princess standing alone.

Peter reached his carriage.  Breathing heavy he jumped inside.  In his rush to get away, he didn't realize that one of his golden trainers fell from his foot onto the pavement outside the palace.

The King's servant dashed out onto the steps in pursuit of Peter but he was too late - he arrived just in time to watch Peter's carriage race off in the distance.  He sighed and looked down at the floor - what was that? he wondered.. why, it was a shoe! It was a trainer.  It now looked tattered and worn, but it was clearly the shoe that the Princess' dancing partner had been wearing.  The servant picked up the shoe and returned to the palace.

The next day, the whole Kingdom was buzzing with talk about just who this stranger who had captured the Princess' heart was.   The Town Square was alive with talk of this handsome Prince.  And then, a fleet of carriages arrived in the square.  Two men climbed out and silenced the crowd.  They announced that every house was to be searched for the missing stranger and that every man was to try on the shoe - whoever's foot the shoe fitted, that was the man the Princess would make her Prince!!


"Micky!!!!! Davy!!!!!!!" Bessie screeched, racing in through the front door.  Micky!!!!!!! Davy!!!!!!!!"

Peter appeared from the cellar, where he was scrubbing the floor, but he kept out of sight, listening.

Micky and Davy ran down the stairs.  "What, Mother?" Davy demanded.

"On my life, you'll never guess what has just happened in the town square!" Bessie said excitedly.  She then proceeded to tell them about the search for the missing stranger and the shoe.

Micky and Davy grinned - now if only the shoe would fit their feet!!! 

"Wait a minute, Mother," Micky said slowly.  "If every man in the Kingdom is to try on the shoe. what about Peter?"

Davy screwed his face up and said, "You're not going to let him try on the shoe, are you Mother??"

Peter opened his mouth in shock - he had to try on the shoe.  The shoe would fit his foot perfectly and then he would marry the Princess and finally get away from his wicked Step Mother. 

Angry, Peter dashed towards them.  "You can't stop me from trying on the shoe - they said that everybody is to try it, and I'm going to!"

"Oh you are, are you?" Micky said, pushing Peter.  "Grab him, Davy!" he shouted.  Peter struggled and Micky, Davy and Bessie all grabbed hold of him.

"Let me go!" he cried out as they dragged him down into the cellar and threw him into the pantry.  Peter grabbed the doorknob and tried with all his strength to twist it open, but it was no use - a key clicked in the lock, and he heard his Step Mother chuckling.  Suddenly, he heard a loud knocking at the front door and his heart fell - they were here with the shoe, it was too late.

Davy shouted out, "I'm going first!" and Peter heard him and Micky rushing to open the door. He sat down on the cold, stony floor and wept. 

Meanwhile, in the parlour..

"Look, it fits!" Davy exclaimed, trying desperately to stretch out his foot to fill the shoe.

"No it doesn't!" Micky shouted, "Look at it, Mother, it's falling off his foot!"

"No it isn't!" Davy shouted back, "It fits perfectly!" 

The two guards examined the shoe and agreed with Micky - the shoe didn't fit Davy.

Micky grinned and pushed Davy out of the way.  He sat down on the chair and pulled the shoe onto his foot.  He pulled and pulled, trying dreadfully to squeeze his foot into the shoe, but it was no use, the shoe was too small.

The two guards sighed wearily and took back the shoe.  They were about to leave, when one of them turned to Bessie and said, "There are no other men in the house?"

Back in the pantry...

Peter sat on the floor, his head in his hands, crying.  Suddenly, there was a great flash of light and who should appear, but his fairy Godfather!!!

"It's you!" Peter exclaimed in surprise.  "Can you help me get out of here?"

"Why, sure I can, Shotgun!"  He clicked his fingers and the door swung open.  Peter threw his arms around him and hugged him tightly before racing up the cellar stairs, praying he wasn't too late.

"Why, no," Bessie was saying, "There aren't any other men in the house".

"Wait, what about this young man?" One of the guards proclaimed.  Micky and Davy's mouths dropped open when they noticed Peter standing in front of them - how had he managed to get out of the pantry??

"Oh, him, he's nobody - he wasn't even at the ball!" Bessie argued.  "There's no point HIM trying on the shoe!!!"

"Sorry, Ma'am, but the King says that every man in the Kingdom must try on the shoe", the guard said sternly.  "Come here, young man".

Peter sat down in the parlour and took the shoe from the guard.  Micky, Davy and Bessie held their breath as he slipped the shoe on.

"Why. it fits!" the guard exclaimed.

Micky, Davy and Bessie couldn't believe their eyes.  The shoe really DID fit Peter!

"So it does!" the other guard agreed.

Peter smiled and breathed a sigh of relief - and silently thanked his fairy Godfather. 

"You must come to the Palace at once," the guards told Peter.  "The King will be very happy to see you!".

"But..." Bessie started to protest as they led Peter out of the house towards the royal carriage.  Davy, Micky and Bessie watched as the carriage drew away, taking Peter to the palace and to the Princess....