After the Ball - Collins Big Cat

Introduction CINDERELLA MARRIES PRINCE CHARMING!

Kitchen maid says goodbye to life of cooking and cleaning.

On Saturday, the town came to cheer as our own Prince Charming led his bride out of Storyville Castle. Princess Cinderella dazzled in a golden wedding gown and her lucky glass slippers, which she managed not to lose this time!

The day was almost spoilt when her stepsisters threw tomatoes at the happy couple. They were quickly seen off by all the king’s horses and all the king’s men …

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Chapter 1

“Where’s my dinner, Cinders?” bellowed Hilda, storming into the kitchen.

“Cinderella isn’t here,” said Lettice, as she tried to open a tin of beans with a toothbrush.

“I’m hungry,” whined Hilda, peering into the empty fridge. “My stomach thinks my mouth’s on strike.”

“These beans are all we’ve got,” grumbled Lettice.

“We shouldn’t have wasted our tomatoes on that wretched girl,” said Hilda.

“Or spent every penny on ballgowns so the prince would marry one of us,” said Lettice.

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“Everyone hates us because we’re storybook villains,” moaned Hilda. “All we did was make Cinderella clean the house.”

“And tear up her invitation to the ball,” said Lettice.

“And hide her when the prince arrived,” added Hilda.

“There’s only one thing to do.” Lettice gritted her teeth.

“Earn money.”

“We have to work?” gasped Hilda.

“Don’t be silly,” said Lettice. “We’ll find storybook villains to work for us.”

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She scribbled on some paper.

BADDIES-FOR-HIRE Are you a wicked storybook villain?

Need a job?

Join us at baddies-for-hire@evilmail.sto Interesting villainous work, luxury accommodation, meals provided* *Provided you can cook!

“Where do we get the villains?” asked Hilda.

“Look outside,” said Lettice. “There are plenty of unemployed villains whose stories have finished.”

“Brilliant,” said Hilda.

“They’ll work, live in the shed and we’ll keep the money,” added Lettice.

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Chapter 2 Soon the shed was bursting with storybook villains.

Lettice rubbed her hands gleefully.

“I’ll post an advert on Chatbook,” she said. “The jobs will flood in.”

BADDIES-FOR-HIRE

Thirsting for revenge? Want to put itching powder down your enemy’s trousers or send them an exploding pizza?

Don’t do it yourself. Use one of our evil storybook villains instead.

Only the best storybook villains work for us.

No job too small. baddies-for-hire@evilmail.sto

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Meanwhile, at the palace, Cinderella was writing her diary.

Monday morning My wonderful life with Prince Charming is under threat. My stepsisters have started an agency for villains. No one is safe to walk the streets.

(Actually, I go in a carriage, but you get the idea.) *** 7

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