Page 240 - Nuts to You - The Nutcracker Retold

The Clock ticked. The Clock tocked. It was working! Suddenly, Clara had hope. She knew it couldn’t be a dream! She flung open the door to the Clock and rushed inside.
And ran full force into Franz.
They tumbled out of the Clock, landing in a jumbled heap on the landing carpet. Clara quickly rolled onto her knees and looked at Franz.
“Where’s your head?”
And after all that Franz had been through with enchantments and curses – he actually felt his head to make sure it was there! And then he laughed in relief.
Explanations were never given, for at that moment Clara was pounced on by the girls, who had stood frightened, just inside the Clock – afraid that something terrible had just attacked their hero. Imagine their relief that it was Clara! And that she was not d-e-a-d! And that they were home safe and sound.
So, the girls shouted and giggled and hugged until they could finally quiet down for a moment. Then they remembered their mommas, and off they ran for home – without a single by-your-leave, or good-bye, or backward glance at Clara and Franz.
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