Carol Wilson

Carol Wilson is the twenty-seventh chapter in the Wombles Eight.

Now …

The phone rang.  Cathy answered.  “Grand Steed Manor, Queen Lady Catherine Anne Steed nee Purdey the sixth of England.”  “Cathy? Cathy Gale?” replied the lady who called.  “To my friends but who are you?” replied Cathy.  “Carol Wilson” said the lady “Dr Keel’s old nurse?” asked Cathy.  “Less of the old please!  What’s all this about Queen Lady Catherine?” asked Carol in return.

“You forgot Anne Steed nee Purdey, the sixth of England.  It’s because I’m the Queen obviously!” replied Cathy.  “And who is the King?” asked Carol.  “Steed of course!  Don’t you read news?” asked Cathy.  “Well no.  Steed? You and him married?  I’ve just got back from years in the Himalayas! There is a lot of catching up to do! Especially with David.” Carol said excitedly.

“Actually he’s dead Carol” revealed Cathy “And there is an emergency on so I’ll hand you over to Steed.” before rushing back to Star City.  “Steed, how did David die?” asked Carol.  “Well we don’t know who it was for sure but he was stuffed and stabbed” said Steed.  “Oh” said Carol because there was nothing else to say.

“How did you get back from the Himalayas?” asked Steed.  Carol told her story.

*When you started to work with Martin, David started behaving quite normally.  I thought it was good at first but after a while he got depressed.  He started to remember Peggy again.  The dangerous lifestyle he had with you took his mind off the pain.  Eventually as you know he went to work with you again.  At the ministry.*

*Dr Treading took over the practice.  I worked with him for about a month but it was dull compared to life with David.  I didn’t know then but was I in love with him. Still am.  There was nothing to do but leave to seek adventure like David.*

*I travelled across Europe where I discovered strange creatures called wombles.  You really would be amazed by those.  Onward into Asia across Turkey I worked as a belly dancer. My route through Asia took me through Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and finally Tibet.  The belly dancing wasn’t an option in Tibet so I took up geology and mountain climbing.*

*In time I became an expert at climbing and reached the summit of Everest.  There I met more of those amazing wombles.  Much larger than those in Europe.  You would be even more amazed by them!  They are literally giants!*

*I stayed around there in various camps around Everest for a good while.  I don’t know how long but eventually I missed David so much it was time to head back to London.  The path to Lukla Airport wasn’t easy.  On the way I found a fellow explorer called Ezekiel.  Quite famous apparently.  He was buried in the snow and badly injured.*

*Luckily for him I’d maintained my nursing skills.  I made him a stretcher mounted on skis.  In Lukla he was sent off to Lhasa hospital.  I flew back to London via Hong Kong where I lived for a while.*

*So now I’m back and wanted to ask David to marry me but he’s.*

Carol stopped talking and broke down into floods of tears.  Steed didn’t know what to do so asked Tobermory to pick Carol up from the airport and take her to Grand Steed Manor.  Tobermory happened to be Wombat at the time.  He raced to get Carol in the Wombatmobile.  “I’m Wombat!” he said “Steed asked me to take you to Grand Steed Manor.”  Carol was rather surprised to see a womble dressed like a superhero but it was no stranger than other things on her travels.  She clutched her khaki bag tightly.  Wombat thought he saw it glowing and remembered where he’d seen something else do that.  The something else was the Womble Existence Jewel!

Carol fell asleep but the bag was tightly fastened shut and fixed firmly around her athletic frame. Wombat called Bungo on his car phone. “Avengers HQ Chief Bungo” came the answer.  “Bungo it’s Wombat” replied Tobermory.  “Tobermory! What can I do for you?” asked Bungo. “I’ve got a situation.  It’s delicate.  Meet me and Steed in the throne room.” Wombat said gravely.  “I’ll take PMW and Shansi” said Bungo ringing off.

Next Wombat called Wellington.  “Ministry of Technology Laboratory, Wellington speaking” came the reply. “It’s Wombat I’ve got a situation. Very delicate.” Tobermory replied. “Iron Womble is on the way!” said Wellington. “No, not Iron Womble.  The Minister for Technology please.  It really is very delicate.” Tobermory replied.

Finally he called Alderney, Idaho and Yellowstone.  Carol woke up on arriving at Grand Steed Manor.  She was immediately conscious of the glowing from her bag but said nothing. Neither did Wombat as they strolled into the throne room.  “What happened to Queen Anna and Buckingham Palace?” asked Carol.  “The Queen was, erm, old.  She died.” Tobermory half lied.  Carol left the conversation there hoping to get more from Steed.

As they walked into the throne room a group of wombles was waiting.  Alderney, Idaho, Yellowstone, Bungo, Shansi and PMW all said hello. Steed was on his throne looking concerned at the glowing bag.

Somewhere far away a strange, mysterious figure was also looking but he wasn’t concerned. He was pleased with what he saw.