Wow - this is some chapter ... Or, at least, it must have been for me, when I originally wrote it!

I've always had a thing for long sentences. I remember a teacher once pointing out to me that I'd written a single sentence that lasted for a page and a half. These days I make a conscious effort to split all my sentences into smaller pieces but - back when I was eight - I had no such discipline!

There aren't many full stops in Joan's account of how she came to be in Tishma and so, to help you guys read it, I've added one or two. Try reading the original version without pausing for breath and see if you can make it to the end!

Also, if you do look at the original pages, you may notice that in one place (on Page 2), I refer to Joan as "Jill". I don't remember ever having intended to call her something else but maybe I did. Hey - it was a long time ago!

Story-wise, this chapter really amuses me. I love the fact that Joan is able to make an entire Mary Poppins outfit (including, apparently, the parrot-headed umbrella!) except for the hat. Which, of course, she then finds in the street (as you do!) The only thing on this page which amuses me more than that is the fact that their entire escape from the castle is condensed into a single sentence. A masterpiece of economical story-telling!

Please do feel free to leave any comments in the Prince Sashtan forum. But be gentle - I was only young!