The Faerie Tree Read Online Free Page A

descent to the water. I knew a deep gully cut through the woods and I could tell the voice came from beyond it. Or rather voices, because the next time there were two yells, increasingly loud and desperate. I stopped and cupped my hands.
    â€œDon’t panic – we’re coming!” I shouted. “Where are you?”
    â€œIn the river.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œBy… by the big bend.”
    Izzie had caught up and we were off again to the edge of the woods and down a path that ran alongside a field. At the bottom was a wide strip of land where the Hamble had been dumping silt for generations as it curved towards the sea. And sure enough, about a third of the way across the river were two children – one of them little more than a toddler – clinging to each other as the water swirled around the taller one’s knees.
    â€œDon’t try to move – I’m on my way,” I called and started peeling off my shoes and clothes. Izzie bent to remove her plimsolls but I stopped her. “Stay here – you don’t know the river this far up.”
    â€œI want to help.”
    â€œWell stay on the bank and if I get into trouble run for your life up that field – there’s a farm at the top. But I should be OK – I can probably pick my way to them across the sandbanks – they can’t have crossed the main channel.”
    I walked to where the end of the spit was being submerged by the rising tide and started into the water, following the ridge of silt as far as I could. The river wasn’t wide – only about ten yards, but it was freezing cold and I had to make my way upstream to reach the children. I could tell now that the older one was a boy of about seven or eight but the smaller child was clinging to him so hard all I could see was a red T-shirt and a tangle of fair hair.
    I was near enough to talk to the boy and tell him to stand firm and stay calm.
    â€œBut it’s getting deeper,” he whimpered.
    â€œIt’s OK – it’s only the tide coming up and it’s not happening that fast. I’ll take the little one first then come back for you.” That was moments before I realised they were the other side of the deep channel and I cursed inwardly.
    I edged as close to them as I could. I could swim to reach them, but then what? They were entirely surrounded by waterand I couldn’t hold two children out of it for very long. But I was almost within touching distance and it gave me an idea.
    I looked back at Izzie on the bank. “Can you manage to follow the way I came?” I called. She’d tucked up her dress and was in the water almost before I’d finished speaking.
    â€œOK,” I told the boy. “You hand the little one to me, I’ll hand him to Izzie and then I’ll come back for you. I won’t get out of this river without you, I promise.”
    The boy was shivering but he nodded. “G…go with the man, Toby,” he said, but Toby wouldn’t relax his grip.
    â€œToby,” he tried again. “You have to. Gran will be really cross. He’s going to carry you to that nice lady then come back for me.” His voice shook despite his attempt to sound brave.
    â€œCome on Toby,” I said. “It’ll be an adventure.”
    Finally the toddler looked at me and I held out both hands. “Can you edge a bit closer and still be safe?” I asked the older lad.
    He nodded and shuffled near enough for me to grab Toby’s arms, then gave the child a little shove and the force was enough for me to swing him up towards me and he clasped his hands around my neck in desperation. I wobbled for a moment but held my ground and turned to take him towards the shore. Izzie was only a few feet away and I handed him over, returning for the older boy.
    I took both his hands across the deep channel of water. “Now jump,” I told him, “and try to swing out past me. I