Team Bella and the Legend of the Crystal Ballroom

Chapter 1

On Monday, 23rd March 2020, the fourth day of spring, the United Kingdom went into coronavirus lockdown.

Chapter 2

Mr Stanley had just finished clearing the table after lunch when his mobile phone began to ring. He gave a big smile at the sound of the unusual ringtone and answered it immediately.

“Hello, Mr Stanley, it’s Reggie!”

“I know it is. This is a nice surprise, Reggie, how are you?” asked Mr Stanley.

“I’m good, thanks, but I want to know how you are,” Reggie said with concern in his voice.

“I’m very well thank you,” Mr Stanley replied.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, quite sure. Is something bothering you, Reggie?”

Reggie pulled the chair out from behind his desk, sat down and gazed out of his bedroom window.

“Reggie?” Now it was Mr Stanley’s turn to be concerned.

“On the news last night it said that old people are particularly at risk and shouldn’t go out.”

“I’m not that old, Reggie!” exclaimed Mr Stanley.

“You’re over seventy, though, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am, but that isn’t really old.”

“You haven’t been going out, have you?”

“No, I haven’t…”

“Because it’s really important that you don’t,” Reggie butted in.

“Reggie, I’m staying in. You don’t need to worry.”

“But you live by yourself.”

“Yes, I know,” said Mr Stanley as he sat down in his armchair, a little puzzled.

“So how are you getting things like food?” Reggie asked.

“My daughter calls once a week with my shopping.”

“She isn’t coming in, is she?” Reggie said quickly. “Because she could have the coronavirus and give it to you. She might not even know she’s got it.”

“Reggie, everything is fine. She leaves the shopping on the step and we talk at the door.”

“Two metres apart?”

“Yes, we know about social distancing.”

“Good, then you should be okay,” Reggie said reassuringly.

“Well, that’s a relief,” sighed Mr Stanley.

“Please be careful. People are dying and…”

“Reggie, I am not ill and I am not going to die; not yet anyway!”

“Good, now there’s one more thing,” Reggie said enthusiastically.

“This sounds better,” Mr Stanley said with a smile.

“You know when you only shop once each week, you always forget something?”

“Yes?”

“Well I can get it for you. The schools are closed and we all have to stay at home.”

“Yes, to be safe,” added Mr Stanley.

“Except for one outing for exercise; that’s when I take Pip for a walk by the river.

“That’s nice.”

“Yes, I take him each morning after I’ve finished my schoolwork, but afternoons pass very slowly.”

“Only if you don’t find things to do,” said Mr Stanley.

“That’s what I’m getting to. If I had to go to the shop for you it would mean I could go out again.”

“It would.”

“So have you forgotten anything?” Reggie asked with his fingers crossed. “You could leave a list outside the front door. With money, of course.”

“Of course, except that I don’t need anything.”

“Oh,” said Reggie sadly.

“Although…”

“Yes?”

“I am getting low on vinegar for my chips, and I haven’t got many apples left. Maybe…”

Reggie jumped up from his chair. “I’ll come round now!”

“It doesn’t have to be straight away.”

“Yes, it does; I want to get out.”

“Just make sure that your mum knows what you are doing.”

“I already checked it would be all right before asking you, just to be sure.”

“You’re a very thoughtful young boy, Reggie, and she said it was okay, did she?”

“She said she would be glad to get me from under her feet for a while.”

Mr Stanley laughed. “But one thing, Reggie, don’t tie up Pip outside the shops. We all know what happened to Bella.”

“Definitely not!” Reggie reached down to stroke Pip, who was still sitting by his desk. “Pip can stay in the garden.”

“Very well, I’ll put the money outside now.”

“Thanks, Mr Stanley.”

“No, Reggie, thank you.”

“One last thing.”

“Go on.”

“Have you still got that barking dog ring-tone I sent you?” Reggie asked.

“I have indeed. That’s why I knew it was you who was calling before I answered,” Mr Stanley replied with a big smile.

“Great. See you soon. Bye.”

“Bye, Reggie.”

Mr Stanley stared at his phone for a few moments and smiled to himself. He was very pleased that he would be having a second visitor this week.

Chapter 3

“How long do you think the lockdown will last? It’s been going on for weeks,” Pearl asked Mum.

Primrose looked up from her colouring book and waited for Mum to answer.

“I really don’t know, Pearl, none of us do,” Mum replied.

“I miss school,” said Primrose sadly, “I don’t see all my friends anymore.”

“Me neither,” agreed Pearl, “it seemed good at first, but it gets boring being at home all of the time. Don’t you think that, Mum?”

“I love our home,” Mum said kindly.

“I do as well,” Pearl quickly replied.

“And me,” added Primrose.

“I just meant…”

“I know what you meant, Pearl, don’t worry, you haven’t hurt my feelings.” Mum reached out and squeezed Pearl’s hand to reassure her. “It is all for the best, we just have to be strong about it. At least none of us have been ill, and Dad is getting lots of things done around the house,” Mum said with a smile. “Besides, you still see Milly and Reggie when you take Bella and Jack for a walk.”

“I know, but even that’s not the same anymore,” said Pearl sadly. “We can’t walk together, and when we meet up at the field we have to stay apart. It’s like we are shouting to each other when we talk.”

“At least Bella and Jack get to see Patch and Pip,” said Primrose.

“Yes, they’re really lucky because they can all play together and run around the field,” Pearl said with a sigh.

“It will change, you know,” said Mum, “and when it does all this disappointment will be forgotten about.”

“What was the longest lockdown you ever had, Mum?”

“There’s never been a lockdown like this, Pearl, this is the first one for all of us.”

“Oh, I thought it must have happened before because you know what to do.”

“No, Pearl, we’re all finding our way through this together.”

“What do you miss most, Mum?” asked Primrose.

“Grandma and Granddad coming round for roast dinner on Sundays,” replied Mum with little tears in her eyes.

“Me, too.” It was now Pearl’s turn to squeeze Mum’s hand.

“But we do see them from the driveway when we drop off their shopping on Fridays,” said Primrose with a smile.

“Yes, we do, and it’s lovely, isn’t it?” agreed Mum. “If only we could give them a hug.”

“I’m going to draw a rainbow for their window this week,” Pearl said proudly.

“I could do one as well,” offered Primrose. “Do you think they would like two?”

“I’m sure they would,” said Mum. “It will be a nice present for them.”

“We could do them this afternoon, Prim. What do you think?”

“We could start now!” Primrose said enthusiastically.

“Maybe we should have lunch first?”

“Okay, Mum, but we start straight afterwards, Prim. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” replied Primrose.

Chapter 4

The following day, in the field that overlooks the River Weaver next to Poor’s Wood, Team Bella was having a socially distanced meeting.

“What I don’t understand is why we can’t walk together with the dogs if we stay two metres apart?” said Primrose.

“It’s because people from other families aren’t allowed to meet up,” answered Reggie.

“Yes, but when Mum goes shopping she stands two metres away from strangers when they queue to get into the supermarket. Why is that okay?”

“I know, it doesn’t make sense,” Pearl said, shaking her head.

“But at least if we sit at the corners of a big triangle, like now, we can talk to each other,” said Reggie.

“Shout, you mean,” added Milly with a smile.

“It’s better than nothing,” he replied.

“I just think it’s a silly rule,” said Primrose.

“But it is a rule and we have to obey it or we won’t be able to meet at all. Okay?” Reggie said firmly.

“Okay,” replied Primrose, somewhat sheepishly.

So Team Bella sat in the glorious sunshine overlooking the river and talked loudly to each other, while Bella, Jack, Patch, and Pip, their four English Bull Terriers, raced here, there and everywhere in the field, having the time of their lives.

“By the way, I’ve got a new project,” announced Reggie proudly.

“Really?” Pearl said in surprise.

“Remember those tilted and sinking houses we saw in the photographs at the museum when we were looking for Ida’s river?”

“Yes?” Pearl said, slightly puzzled.

“I’m going to find out what happened, online.”

“Oh,” said Pearl, clearly not impressed.

“It doesn’t really sound very interesting, Reggie,” Milly said with an even bigger frown than Pearl.

“No, but at least it’s something,” Reggie said defensively.

“I suppose,” Pearl offered kindly.

“I wish we could all go out and explore, like we did before,” said Primrose.

“We all do, Prim, but we can’t.”

“I know, Pearl, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”

“We have to use our imagination, explore in a different way.” Reggie was not going to be put off.

“Explore what? I’m not looking for sunken houses,” Milly said, more than a little disgruntled.

“Mr Stanley thinks it’s a good idea.”

“Mr Stanley?” Pearl said, eyes wide in surprise.

“Yes, I saw him after lunch yesterday, I did some shopping for him.”

“That’s lovely, Reggie,” said Milly, full of admiration.

“He says there is lots to find out about the salt industry in Northwich, and all around here. He told me it dates back almost 2,000 years! Don’t you think that would be interesting?”

“Maybe, but it’s not like finding Bella or helping Ida, is it?” said Pearl.

“I know, I just want something more to do; it gets boring being at home alone. At least you and Prim have each other for company.”

“I know what you mean, Reggie, I feel the same way,” agreed Milly.

“Well why not give it a try? Please?”

“But how will we meet to discuss things? We can’t do it here in the field, just shouting to each other,” said Pearl.

“We could have Zoom meetings,” replied Reggie with a big smile.

“Zoom meetings?” Primrose asked, half expecting it to be a joke.

“We use our computers to contact each other. My mum is working from home because of lockdown, and that’s how she has her meetings.”

“That’s the same for my dad,” said Milly.

“And ours,” added Pearl.

“Is it? I didn’t know that,” said Primrose, a little put out that she was the only one who didn’t know about Zoom.

“We would log in and see each other on the screen, Prim,” explained Reggie.

“All of us at once?” Primrose asked in surprise.

“Yes, the screen splits into two, three, four, or however many people log in.”

“That sounds good fun.”

“Yes, and we get to talk to each other again in the evenings, or whenever we set the call for.” Reggie was pleased that Primrose was interested. “What do you think, Pearl?”

“I don’t really think much of the sunken houses, but it would be good to talk again even if it was on computers,” Pearl offered.

“Milly?” Reggie asked quietly, hoping she would like the idea.

“I don’t think so, Reggie, sinking houses just sounds boring. If it was something better, I would.”

“I don’t have anything better,” was all Reggie could say.

“I think we should talk about something else now, something happier before we go,” said Pearl.

But before she could say another word, there was a large commotion at the edge of the field where the path went into the woods as two large black dogs suddenly bounded out from the trees, barking loudly.

A man shouted from the woods. “Taz, Bouncer! Come here now!” But the dogs took no notice.

Team Bella jumped to their feet and called their dogs. Bella and Pip were close by, but Jack was near the top of the field and Patch was near to the path where the dogs appeared. As soon as Taz and Bouncer saw Patch they ran after him, barking loudly.

“No. No!” cried Milly. She started to run towards Patch but it was clear that the dogs would get to Patch first.

From the top of the field came a fierce growl and a thunderous bark. Then, with all the strength his muscled legs could summon, Jack raced down the slope, heading for Taz and Bouncer.

Taz, who was nearest to Patch, did not know what had hit him when Jack charged into his side and bowled him over. Taz rolled twice before coming to a dizzy stop. Bouncer halted in his tracks as Jack faced him on the path, growling, teeth bared, ready to fight to protect his little boy, Patch, who had not stopped running, and was now with Milly.

“Taz, Bouncer! I said come here!” The voice in the woods shouted again.

The two black dogs, looked to the woods, glanced back at Jack who growled again, and decided it was safer to go to the woods. They quickly disappeared.

Jack waited for a moment, then turned and calmly walked back to the group.

“He did it again,” said Reggie as he stroked Pip.

“He certainly did,” said Milly as she hugged Patch, who was still shaking.

Bella walked to stand beside Jack and put her nose next to his face.

“Jack’s always on patrol, aren’t you, Jack?” said Primrose, full of admiration.

“Thank goodness he is,” agreed Pearl. “Okay, Prim, time to go. We’ll leave first. Same time tomorrow?”

“You bet,” said Reggie as Pearl, Primrose, Bella, and Jack left the field.

“See you tomorrow, Reggie.” Milly gave a small wave as she walked towards the gate with Patch alongside her.

“Bye. Milly, you will join in, won’t you?”

“What?”

“I mean, about the sinking houses, just until we find something better.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Could you just think about it, please?”

“Alright, I’ll think about it,” Milly said with a sigh.

Reggie smiled and crossed his fingers as Milly and Patch left the field.

Chapter 5

After her lunch, Milly was busy in the vegetable patch helping her dad with the gardening.

“This row is ready now, Dad,” she said as she took off her gloves and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.

“That’s good. Do you want to put the manure in the trench or shall I?” Milly’s dad asked with a smile.

“I’ll leave that to you.” Milly pulled her face at the thought of it. “But I’ll plant the potatoes.”

“Okay, just give me five minutes, and I’ll come over.”

Milly loved gardening with her dad and the lovely sunny weather meant that they could get lots done every day. In fact, the garden was looking better than it ever usually did at this time of year.

“I like having you home every day, Dad.”

“Yes, it’s very different, isn’t it? I like it as well.”

“Do you think it will last long? Being at home, I mean,” asked Milly.

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows,” he replied thoughtfully.

Just then Patch ran over, snatched one of the gloves from Milly’s hand and ran off.

“Patch!” Milly cried out as she gave chase.

Milly’s dad laughed as Patch bounded around the garden, twisting and turning every time Milly got close.

“Milly, go that way,” he said, “and I’ll creep up behind him. Maybe we’ll catch him that way.”

“Right. Three, two, one.”

Milly’s dad held out his arms and Milly pounced. She caught his back legs, but he wriggled free, barked and ran off.

“Oh, he can have it, Dad; it’s too hot to chase,” Milly said shrugging her shoulders.

“It certainly is,” he said in agreement, “and here come the drinks. Just in time.”

Milly’s mum stepped through the patio doors carrying a tray with three glasses of lemonade and a plate of biscuits.

“Must be time for a break,” she said, “and I’ve even got a treat for Patch, so you might get your glove back, Milly.”

The three of them sat on the lawn with their drinks and biscuits, and before long Patch came over, glove in mouth, to join in. He soon dropped the glove when Milly’s mum held out the doggy chew.

“See, easy when you know how,” she said as she picked up the glove and gave it to Milly.

They sat in silence for a few minutes enjoying the cold lemonade before Milly looked up at the sky and began to speak.

“Dad, I have a question, well, two actually!”

“Go on,” he said.

“The sky is really blue, isn’t it? More blue than I ever remember. Am I imagining it?” Milly asked.

“No, you’re not. It really is bluer,” he replied.

“I thought so.”

“What’s the other question?” asked Milly’s mum.

“It’s about the stars in the sky. Every night there seems to be more and more stars, much more than before. Are there more stars?” Milly asked.

“No, there are not more stars, but you can see more,” Milly’s mum replied.

Milly frowned. “I don’t understand, Mum.”

“You can see more stars because the air is cleaner,” she said.

Milly’s dad nodded in agreement. “That’s why the sky is more blue.”

“So how has it got cleaner?” Milly asked.

“It’s because there is less pollution. Lockdown has meant almost no airplanes are flying and there are hardly any cars on the roads which means exhaust fumes have drastically reduced, giving us cleaner air,” he explained.

“That’s brilliant! Isn’t it?”