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Johnny nodded after a while and said quietly "O.K. Chickiepoo. Let's try and find the wayward man - Santa Claus,
I mean - and see what we can do. ... I can't promise I can persuade him to doing anything differently but I am willing to
try"
I kissed him gently on the cheek as a thank you for that promise and then asked our friends if they were coming too.
But it turned out they wasn't.
Hannibal stated firmly that he would certainly come. Then Johnny asked gently "Oughtn't
you rather go home to your family and sober up? Your wife Emma has just had a new little baby last month and could probably
need your help - more than us, I think"
Our elf friend thought about that for a moment. Then got up looking as dignified
as he could and saying "You're right, Johnny! When you are right, you are right. There's no need for this to make trouble
in another family beside the Boss Man's. But call me if we need me!"
We promised that solemnly and so Hannibal left for
his home.
Jack had to go to a union meeting, he claimed. In the Pirates' Gentlemen's Club in London. Which in my eyes
are more an excuse for drinking and having a good time - until the hangovers turn up - than a union. But each to his own,
as Ichabod so wisely stuttered.
Jack knows my opinion so he blushed a bit but also wore a little smirk. There's nothing
wrong with having a good time, of course. Then he suddenly smiled happily - *sighs deeply and happily with the thought of
that sight * and said we were all welcome later in the evening at the annual pirates' Christmas Ball in Royal Albert Hall.
... the union must be swimming in money? Either that or they just sneak in after people have gone home jimmying the door
*o* Their balls are usually great fun though so Johnny and I promised we would do our very best to get there.
Bon Bon
at once sighed "But I haven't got a stitch to wear, Jack ..."
Which made the rest of us laugh out loud because Bon Bon
has plenty of clothes. And for men and women too. A lot of it is second hand and so not the latest fashion but looking like
'she' does 'she' could make a sack look like a Dior model *O* ... or what ever else is modern just now.
Bon Bon smiled
a bit quite satisfied with getting the reaction 'she' had hoped for. Then continued "I better go home and see what I can do
about clothes. And Jack should definitely attend his union meeting. That way neither of us will get tempted by any big - and
magical - jewels. ... and Johnny and Jack won't end up as tired little cutie pies in a year or two. Don't yank my wig crooked,
Johnny! Really ... Boys! What about you, Tink - will you go with our girl detective and his girl or what?"
Tinker Bell
said, she wanted to go with Bon Bon though and see how bad the clothes situation really was. She explained to us where the
discotheque was situated and Johnny suddenly said "I know that! It was called the Seven Sisters a while back - but closed
because two of the sisters turned out to be boys. I can't see what harm that could do ... But it did close. I didn't know
it had new owners. And a new name too. You don't want to come with us, Tink?"
But our little fairy friend didn't. And
wouldn't tell why.
So we left it at that.
As we stood to go our separate ways I said "I do understand why you would
want to get your hands on the Spirit of Christmas, Jack - but please ... You are way too sweet to pinch the jewel without
giving a hoot about the consequences"
Jack blushed a bit hearing that and tried to hide it by lighting another cigarette.
"Easy, bird" he mumbled embarrassed "I am so NOT sweet! ... but I promise I won't try and take it. After all - we can't have
you missing prince Charming here for so long, for one thing. And for another - last I borrowed a magical object I had to wait
for you witches and wizards to stop laughing long enough to decide how to get me out of Aladdin's lamp and I don't want to
get myself into such a scrape again. Admitted - the lamp had a very nice couch to lay on. TV, a fridge, some books - it was
definitely a nice place to spend a couple of hours. But still - I want to be free to roam the world. See you later, kiddies"
And with that the dashing pirate left us and walked off in search of the nearest detour to a magical shortcut that could
take him to London faster than a thought.
Bon Bon and Tinker Bell said bye too and went the other way uphill to Bon Bon's
house not that far from the Snake Pit.
When we was finally alone Johnny said "I'm hungry. How about you, Miss Sweetfeathers?
There's a McDonald's down there we could visit before going home and change for the disco ..."
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