It Must Be Believed To Be Seen

New Home

Em could just about register that her hand was still in his, but she made no move to free it. She was thankful for his gloves, however, as the thought of her hand in his once again sent her palms sweating

She sensed Charlie's sudden shock morph into excitement, his voice breaking her reverie.

"Mr. Won-"

"Shh!" hissed Em, glaring down at her brother. "Don't attract their attention!" She nodded her head sharply back to the hoards of press, doubtful that they'd be able to hear them, but not willing to risk it.

"Oh!" gasped Charlie as he slapped his hand to his mouth in realisation, his wide eyes darting between Em and their saviour, "sorry," he whispered.

Em heard Mr. Wonka chuckle from beneath his scarf, a deep noise that made his shoulders shake slightly.

"No harm done," he winked at them and gave Em's hand a firm tug, leading them quickly away from the rabble.

Once they were out of sight of the factory gates, he spoke again, more freely this time.

"I thought it might be best if we came this way." He released Em's hand and removed his thick gloves, stuffing them into the pockets of his coat. "Your family have sparked quite a lot of interest today – more fun to keep the press on their toes."

"Fun?" queried Em. She could still hear the crowd of excited voices in the distance, the thought of having to deal with them far from her idea of fun.

"For me, at least," he winked, removing the scarf from across his face, revealing a cheeky smile. "Now! Shall we get out of here?"

Charlie nodded eagerly, looking around expectantly.

Em followed her brother's gaze, not really sure what they should be looking for. A hidden door in the wall perhaps? An underground tunnel? The siblings had explored every inch of the factory walls in their spare time, so she severely doubted they could have missed a secret entrance.

Her heart sank when Mr. Wonka appeared to open an invisible door mid-air, the hidden silhouette of an ominous looking glass box emerging before them.

"What the!?" gasped Charlie, the setting sun glinting ever so slightly off the elevator, revealing it's hiding spot to them.

"May I introduce my Great Glass Elevator!" Mr. Wonka announced proudly. "Alas, Ms. Bucket, I believe you've already had the pleasure?"

Em hummed in response, her stomach churning too much from the memory of her last trip for her to form any words.

"Nice!" said Charlie, stepping forward eagerly as Mr. Wonka beckoned him in.

Em followed reluctantly, shuddering as she heard the glass door close behind her.

"Now then," Mr. Wonka smiled excitedly, "where would you like to go?"

Charlie's eyes grew even wider as he took in all the buttons, which looked for all the world as though they were suspended in mid-air.

"We can go anywhere?!"

"Well, anywhere in the factory," corrected Mr. Wonka. "I've not quite perfected the blueprints for journeys further afield just yet." His eyebrows drew together, as if he was deep in thought.

"What's the 'Zing Room'?"

"Ah, fascinating choice!" Mr. Wonka's eyes lit up, his reverie broken. "Shall we?" His hand hovered temptingly over the button.

"Could I give this one a miss?" The words tumbled past Em's lips urgently, taking her companions, and herself, by surprise. "Long day at work is all," she forced her voice to sound more light-hearted, "don't think I'm up for an adventure today."