Once Upon a Twist Read Online Free Page A

heading for this land and I don’t particularly fancy being trapped and defenseless when they arrive.”
    Linda patted her arm. “I wouldn’t worry about them, my dear – I have seen the creatures you’re talking about. They’re all rather thick so I doubt they would be able to break into this cellar.”
    Despite herself, Ella laughed and threw her arms around the elderly woman. “Oh, Linda, it’s so good to see you.”
    “And you, my dear.” Linda returned the embrace before pulling away. “I don’t mean to be rude Ella, but you stink.”
    “So would you if you lived in a cellar.”
    “Never fear, Linda’s here. I’ll get you out of this place in a jiffy. Now, where did I put my wand?”
    “Behind your ear.”
    “Thank you, Dear. Now, this enchantment that bitch put around the cottage…” Considering her age, she bustled around the cellar in a sprightly fashion, pointing her wand in all directions, her nose wrinkling as she muttered under her breath. “Right,” she said when she had finished whatever she was doing. “Christell’s enchantment is very strong – I’ll only be able to break it for five hours, which gives you until midnight to pack your bags and get out of here.”
    “I don’t have any possessions. Christell burned them.”
    Linda bristled again. “Even as a child that woman was spoilt. Always hated sharing her toys.” Her wizened eyes suddenly alighted with mischief. “Did you say there was a Ball at the palace tonight?”
    Ella nodded.
    “Are Christell and her horrid daughters there?”
    “Yes.”
    “And would you like to go?”
    “Yes please.”
    Linda smiled knowingly. “Is there a young man who’s taken your fancy?”
    Ella couldn’t help the flush that spread across her face like an inferno.
    “Your attendance would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.”
    “Yes, it would.”
    They shared a conspiratorial smile.
    “In that case…” Linda clapped her hands together with such glee sparks flew from the end of her wand, “We need to get you changed into something more appropriate. But, before I start, a princess attending a Ball needs a fine carriage in which to take her. Be a dear and run to the garden and grab me a pumpkin.”
    “The door’s locked.”
    “Right, right.” A flash of light and the cellar door flew open.
    Ella hurried up the narrow stairs.
    “While you’re there, see if you can find a couple of rats and a couple of frogs.”
    “If you look under my blankets you’ll find Itchy and Scratchy – they’re my pet rats.”
    In double quick time Ella returned, carrying the most enormous pumpkin she could wrestle from the ground.
    “Not in here, dear – it’s no use having a carriage in a cellar. Put it by the front door.”
    Excitement searing through her veins, Ella obeyed, then hurried back outside to the pond. When she returned, this time carrying two of the friendliest frogs she knew, both hopping on her hands in excitement, she found two footmen standing in the cellar. Dazed expressions adorned their endearing rat-like faces. Throwing her arms around them, she laughed, the joy careering through her spilling over.
    Linda broke them apart and harried the footmen over to the cellar stairs. “Wait in the kitchen,” she ordered. “Take the frogs with you – run the sink for them.”
    Alone with Ella, she studied her critically before aiming her wand at the old trough Ana had installed, thinking it hilarious Ella should eat from a pig feeder. A flash of light and the trough turned into a bath filled with steaming, frothy water.
    “Don’t just stand there dear, get in it.”
    Another flash and Ella was naked, her ragged dress in a pile by her feet.
    While Ella bathed, wishing she had the time to luxuriate in it, Linda waved her wand at a tattered blanket and turned it into a soft, white towel.
    “Come on dear,” she chided, “We haven’t got all night.”
    The towel was super-absorbent, and in no time at all Ella stood clean, dry and