The Magical Deerhorse

A Magical Deerhorse, a Quiet Village, and an Adventure That Could Change the World

Set in the 1980s, The Magical Deerhorse begins when a warm-hearted mother visits a rather unusual pet shop in search of a present for her young son. Instead, she brings home Your Highness—a ten-thousand-year-old Deerhorse with magical powers, a mysterious royal history, and powerful enemies in the distant land of Slavitzia.

Before long, the family’s extraordinary new companion attracts far more attention than anyone expected. Spies, politicians and curious visitors descend on the peaceful village of Tanfield, while growing tensions between rival nations threaten to turn one remarkable animal into the centre of an international conflict. Angela and Kevin must protect their new friend as the struggle over his future moves ever closer to a dangerous stand-off.

Blending folklore, humour, magic and adventure, The Magical Deerhorse is an imaginative story of friendship, loyalty and the unexpected consequences of welcoming something extraordinary into an ordinary home.

Discover the remarkable story of Your Highness and join the adventure in The Magical Deerhorse.

Excerpt from the book

‘I do hope Kevin gets on all right,’ sighed Angela. Life seemed very empty now her brother was starting at his new school.

Mrs Flower eyed her daughter sympathetically. 'He's bound to feel strange at first, darling,' she said, remembering back to her own first day at school when she was chased all the way home by some awful girls in her form who shouted rude things about her size. She shifted her 18 stone weight uncomfortably at the memory. 'If only we could afford something nice to take his mind off it all,’ she said wistfully, ‘something nice and cuddly.'

'Like an elephant,' agreed Angela, becoming quite excited at the idea.

'No dear,' uttered her mother faintly, imagining how terrible it would be if she was seen out with one. Especially after all the trouble she had taken to keep away from those travelling circuses. ‘I don't think your father would approve.’

'But he wouldn't mind really,' argued her daughter brightly. ‘Think how useful an elephant would be!
He could carry all your shopping and take Dad to the station every day and give us all super rides.’ She cast a doubtful look at her mother. 'Well, some of us, anyway.’

Mrs Flower shut her mind to the alarming picture it conjured up. 'No,' she decided firmly, ‘it would have to be something smaller – much smaller.’

'I know,' beamed Angela, ‘a mouse!’

‘Where?' Her mother shuddered, gathering up her coat around her vast quivering expanse. She looked anxiously along the High Street, half expecting one to appear. But to her surprise everything was beginning to look different somehow. The familiar outlines of the
shops were dissolving behind a swirling mist that had appeared without warning and the bright blue sky was already fading from sight. How strange, thought Mrs Flower. But before she could say it was time to be getting back, Angela clutched her arm and pointed ecstatically.

‘Look!' she breathed. 'It's a pet shop!’

Mrs Flower turned and gazed with bewilderment. The shop – not two yards away – should have been Basil the Butcher's, where they had bought their weekend joint only a few minutes ago. But there was no doubt about it – now it was a pet shop. The extraordinary thing about it was, she couldn't remember seeing a pet shop in Tanfield in all the twenty-odd years they had been there. This one had strange, old-fashioned lettering over the shop front that was very difficult to make out. She was so perplexed and confused that before she knew what she was doing she found herself inside the entrance with Angela pulling at her sleeve.

‘Really, Angela, I didn't promise anything,’ she protested. ‘Besides, we haven't much money left.'

‘Can I be of assistance to you, madam?' came a wavering voice almost under her nose. She jumped back, flustered, nearly upsetting a fish tank as she caught sight of an old man peering up at her from behind the gloom of the counter.