The Last Fidget

Ash, a solitary imp from a secretive, hidden world needs help and Tilly, a young girl with mysterious connections, might just be able to help him. Tilly has spent most of her life shadowing her grandfather's explorations in the natural world. As a twelve year old with a passion for science and nature, she loves to search the great outdoors in the hope of finding the next big botanical discovery. While a bewildered Ash, left vulnerable and alone after a traumatic event, Tilly stays at her grandfather's house for the last time as her family sort out his belongings, after he sadly passes away. She spends many hours exploring the cottage garden, but then, is drawn into the mysterious Whispering Woods which lie at the back of the cottage. A challenging journey awaits the young explorer as she ventures in alone and quickly finds herself lost. But then she hears strange whispers calling her. With curiosity and perhaps a touch of magic, Tilly is drawn into a different magical world where she is desperately needed to help the saddened imp left all alone, cruelly separated from the rest of his family. It is not long before Tilly discovers a mystical past to her grandfather's life and she is persuaded to help the lonely imp in his quest to re-join his mysterious clan. The unlikely pair must create the Newid charm, but to do that they must first find the scroll and gather what is needed for the charm to work. With magical fairies, endangered species and frightening beasts along the way, the pair face many challenges, yet cling onto hope and each other. Craving success for her new friend, Tilly goes on a journey of magical discovery which seems almost impossible to achieve. With an uncertain path and unforeseen events the quest appears fraught with dangers and with little time to achieve. Will the new friendship between Ash and Tilly survive the challenge ahead? And will Ash be reunited with his family before time runs out?

Ruthie Dean is the author of the children's fiction story The Last Fidget, a magical story of secretive existence, trauma and hope. Tilly, a young girl with a passion for science and nature, is unwittingly drawn into a hidden world and discovers a mystical past to her grandfather's extraordinary life. Tilly is needed to help a bewildered imp left all alone in the mysterious Whispering Wood and the unlikely pair join forces but with magical fairies, endangered species and frightening beasts they face testing times along the way. Tilly embarks on a journey of discovery as she attempts to help the vulnerable creature who desperately needs to be reunited with his family before time runs out, in this first of two forthcoming stories about The Endearing Fidgets. The story also fosters awareness of issues relating to climate change increasingly relevant to all generations of today. Before Ruthie delved into the world of children's fantasy writing she spent many years as a primary school teacher where she embraced animated children's stories with endless enthusiasm and loved to hear the passion and curiosity of imaginative young minds. Her interest in the power of the written word began when as a young child she wrote a poem about her family pet which won an award at her school. Ruthie spent many years growing up in the Forest of Dean, which has been her inspiration for her first mystical story, where anyone of any age can immerse themselves into another world; a magical, adventure filled, secretive kind of world.