57 Homeward Bound

57 Homeward Bound 'Once again, the city of Chroma is in your debt,' said Mrs M to the children the next morning as they stood by Peanut's sketch of a door. 'Not only do the citizens have their Spire back, but we've found where Mr White has been storing all of the art equipment that he confiscated over the years. A mountain of creative tools is once again at our disposal! I think it's fair to say that we will be rediscovering our creative mojo over the next days, weeks, months and years as they are redistributed. And that is, in no small part, down to you three.' Peanut, Little-Bit and Rockwell looked across at the crayon fence. Teams of people were already working hard with their recently reclaimed paints, repairing the hole and returning it

to its original, multicoloured glory. Just beyond, they caught a glimpse of the Rainbow Lake, which seemed to be getting lower by the minute. Mr M followed their gaze. 'I know. Not good, is it?' he said. 'Don't worry, we'll work out how White is draining it and do our best to retrieve the missing magical water. At least we know that some of it is in that swimming pool that you found at the top of the Spire. We just need to work out what he's done with the rest.' Another reason for us to find him as quickly as possible,' said Mrs M. 'Has Alan still not said anything?' said Rockwell. 'Not yet,' said the woman. 'But he will. We are using a classic persuasion technique. He looks like a man who enjoys his food, so we've put him on a porridge-only diet until he talks. Meanwhile, I have been doing some cooking in the cell next door. The smell of a full English breakfast this morning almost broke him. I'm planning on baking a loaf of bread later, and making a Victoria sponge this afternoon. Trust me, it's only a matter of time. 'There are some people who want to say goodbye before you go,' said Jonathan Higginbottom. 'I hope that's OK?' The children looked up at the Spire, just as Table Guy led a procession of saluting superheroes in a fly-past. As the last one (Wonder Walrus) disappeared around the tower and headed back towards Superhero Heights, Mr M clapped his hands,

and long, rainbow-striped flags unfurled from every window. 'Ahhh,' sighed Peanut. 'It's so good to see colour returning to the city.' The children said goodbye to a very licky Doodle, then walked over to the door that Peanut had drawn. They waved to the Markmakers and Jonathan Higginbottom as Little-Bit pulled it open. 'I do hope your mum and brother are OK,' said Mrs M. 'Me too,' said Peanut. And with that, they walked through the door.