"Now look this way, kids!" shouted one of the various photographers.
The barrage of flashing lights made Alice's eyes feel funny, but she didn't mind - it's not every day you're invited for a meeting with the Prime Minister.
"Thank you, gentlemen," said Richard, the press officer.
"We really must get the children inside - this way please!"
Alice and the five other children were ushered under the iron lamp archway onto the steps of Number 10.
Alice couldn't resist using the lion head door knocker.
"Thank you, little girl," said Richard, with a nervous chuckle.
The door opened and everyone filed inside.
"Welcome to Downing Street!"
"So wonderful," Alice said, staring at the huge regal paintings and black and white chequerboard floor.
It was the poshest house she had ever seen.
"It's like the entrance to Wonderland," said a messy haired boy .
"And you're the white rabbit!" said another child, pointing at Richard.
"Charming," He smirked. "Now, we must move on as we're running late."
Alice giggled.
"I'm Felix," said the messy haired boy.
"Alice," she replied as they shook hands.
Ms.Murphy leaned over Alice and frowned, "Quiet please! Alice, you're not here to make friends - now move along!"
The group followed Richard around the stately house to the entrance of the Pillared room.
"Before you enter, we need to ask that you leave your bags with security," said Richard.
One by one the group handed their bags in.
Alice held her bag close to her face and whispered, "Now, you guys need to stay inside, okay!"
Ms.Murphy rolled her eyes.
The children waited nervously for a few minutes and then stood dumbstruck as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister entered the room.
After the meet and greet session, it was question time.
"We're very proud to have with us today," began the Prime Minister to the hordes of press crammed into the room, "The winners of the UK young artists competition. It is our belief that the arts plays a very important role in shaping the young people of Britain."
While the Prime Minister continued his rather long speech, Alice couldn't help notice all the funny hand gestures he made while talking.
She leaned in to Felix and whispered, "He sure likes to give thumbs up a lot!"
Felix giggled.
"We as a Government always strive to make things better," continued the Prime Minister.
"Which is why we would like to know from the students, what we can do to improve the arts in school. Let's start with the young gentleman to my left, Billy, who is the Eastern England 'street dance' champion.
"Can I just say," interrupted the Deputy Prime Minsiter, "I used to do a bit of 'street dancing' myself when I was young. I was, as the kids say, EPIC!
The room broke out into half hearted laughter. Richard stared at the Prime Minister, closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Right, very funny," said the Prime Minister, moving the event along. "Let's begin."
"Thank you, Prime Minister," said Billy, and began to waffle on with some pre-rehearsed speech.
As Alice watched Billy speak, she felt some thing pinch her ear.
"I'm terribly sorry to bother you, Miss," said Marigold, the sprite. "There's been an incident around the halls of Number 10."
"How bad?" Asked Alice.
Marigold replied,
Alice rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me, Richard," whispered Alice.
"I need the toilet REALLY bad!"
"Of course, young lady," replied Richard, "Ask security to point you in the right direction, but do hurry back."
Alice got up and crept out of the room.
"Now what happened, Marigold?" asked Alice.
Marigold pointed to the walls.
"Oh no..."
The entire corridor , walls and ceiling, had been scribbled on in different coloured pens.
It was everywhere - even on the paintings!
Alice shook her head, "This is isn't happening!"
"We tried to stop him, Alice," grunted Abner, appearing from nowhere.
"But you know Jack, he's just too quick."
"I knew I should of left Springheeled Jack at home," replied Alice, rather crossly.
"Well, we need everyone's help to find him, and what happened to the security?"
"About that," grunted Abner, pointing down the hall.
Alice could see Gretchen making her way towards them.
She appeared to be holding three guns in her arms.
"All clear Alice," said Gretchen.
"They were everywhere. I think they must of been after the Prime Minister."
Alice shook her head.
"No, Gretchen! They're his security!" cried Alice.
Gretchen blushed.
"Er, sorry, Alice," said Gretchen.
"Now, where's Miguel?" asked Alice.
"I'm here," said Miguel.
He appeared to be chewing a piece of paper.
"What are you eating?" asked Alice.
"Oh, some old piece of paper - Manga Carta, or something to that effect," replied Miguel.
"Well, none of you touch anything else!" cried Alice.
"Abner, come with me to find Jack. The rest of you, tidy up please!"
Alice and Abner followed the trail of colourful scribblings around the halls of Number 10, until they found Springheeled Jack.
He was decorating the walls in green and red pens.
"Stop, Jack!" cried Alice.
"No!No!No!" squeaked Jack.
"I've got some more pens for you," replied Alice.
Jack's high pitched laugh echoed around the halls as he skipped towards Alice.
"Mine!" cried Jack, as he reached out for the pens.
"Now!" shouted Alice.
Quick as a flash, Abner's fist connected to the top of Jack's head - BONK!
"Out like a light," grunted Abner.
"Put him back in the bag," said Alice.
"The rest of you stay put, please!"
When Alice returned to the Pillared Room, the Prime Minister had time for one more question.
He pointed to Alice.
"You, young lady....Alice Kinderfoot."
Alice stood up. Ms.Murphy held her breathe.
"Thank you, Mr.Prime Minister, sir."
"Um, is the Magna Carta an important piece of paper?"
"Why yes, Alice, it's probably one of the most important documents in the world. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," said Alice with a nervous laugh.
"Right, well I think that's all the time we have for today,." said the Prime Minister. As he started his thank you speech, the room suddenly went pitch black!
Amongst the screams and calls for calm, Alice heard a faint high pitched laugh.
"Oh, no." She thought.
When the lights finally came back on, the whole room erupted into laughter at the sight of the two statesmen.
Jack had drawn on both their faces! (A cracking job, too)
Alice giggled and then felt another pinch on her ear.
"Sorry to bother again, Miss," said Marigold.
"I know that Jack got out again," replied Alice.
"Oh, it's not that, Miss, it's Nero," said Marigold.
"He's eaten the Chancellor..."
The Fantastical Miss Kinderfoot book is in the works! (Book news will appear on this site)
Other work by Antonio Papaleo:
'The kite who was scared of heights'
"A great story about overcoming your fears" Coldplay's Chris Martin.
Out NOW on fierce panda books...
Buy it on Amazon.
or
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
