Colin and the Magic Bookmark Read Online Free Page B

he opened his new old book. As usual he worked cheerfully. Mrs. Biggle did not come in, and even if she had, she would no longer have been able to throw her weight about.
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    That evening after taking Sammy for his second walk of the day Colin settled once more in his armchair. Sammy came and sat on him, as he opened the book. The bookmark glowed red and seemed to flash with gold highlights. He opened the book at random and found that he was not reading, but walking. The shadows of evening had been replaced by a bright sunny day. He was walking round a blackthorn bush in a very large wood or forest. Sammy was trotting beside him, enjoying in his own little doggy way sniffing at everything. As they came round the bush, Colin saw that the path was blocked by a large, fast-flowing stream. A ramshackle, rickety wooden bridge spanned it. Just as he arrived at the bridge, someone appeared at the opposite side of it.
    â€œI’ll cross first,” shouted the stranger, who was wearing a large red cloak with a hood that somewhat hid his face.
    The bridge was certainly not wide enough for two people to pass each other on it, but for some reason he did not understand Colin felt forced to say, “No! I’ll go first!” and he purposefully strode forward.
    The stranger was already advancing across the narrow bridge, carrying a large heavy basket covered by a cloth. Colin stepped onto the bridge too and advanced towards the middle.
    â€œGo back, sirrah!” ordered the stranger. “I’m in a great hurry!”
    â€œNo, sirrah!” countered Colin, unconsciously mimicking the way the other man spoke. “You did not ask. You told me.”
    â€œBut I am on an important errand for my grandmother. She is very old and I am taking some things to her.” He held up the basket as if to prove it. “She is always worried, if I am late.” Sammy barked excitedly. Could he smell food?
    Colin did not know why he was being so stubborn, but the bookmark was glowing in his pocket, as if it was telling him what to do.
    Both men advanced cautiously towards the middle of the bridge, which was beginning to shake under their weight. It happened at the same instant. Colin and the man in the cloak lost their balance and fell into the water. Gasping, they reached the same bank of the stream and sat on the grass. Sammy hopped off Colin’s shoulders. He was not even wet.
    The stranger had managed to keep the basket out of the water, and now he put it down beside him.
    â€œAccording to the legend,” he said, “we should have fought before we fell in.”
    â€œYes, isn’t that how you met your friend Little John?” Colin had realised who the stranger was. “I’m certain this is not the first time this has happened to you. It’s called déjà vu – something you feel or know you have experienced before.”
    â€œTis true,” replied the stranger, stretching out his right hand. “I’m Robin of Loxley. Welcome to the Forest of Sherwood.”
    Colin said,” I’m Colin and this is Sammy. They shook hands, grinning delightedly at each other and Robin patted Sammy, who licked his face.
    â€œWell, because I have a not so little friend called Little John, I shall call you Big Colin,” said Robin, “and by the way I am sometimes known as Little Red Robin Hood. It’s a useful disguise.
    â€œSo that’s why you wear that cloak.”
    â€œYes. My sister lends it to me. It helps Grandma to identify us. Her eyes are not so good these days. Perhaps you would like to meet her? Will you come with me to her house?”
    â€œGladly, but there is somewhere we need to go first.” Colin only knew that the bookmark seemed to be directing him again, and picking up Sammy, he put his other arm round Robin’s shoulders. The bookmark glowed redly, and moments later it appeared that they were in a big room with a roaring fire in the large chimney