Lost In Time by Dawn Treacher

Today I have an extract from a book which I hope will pique your interest, it certainly has got me wanting to read on. Lost in Time was released earlier this month so is available for you right now! But first, a bit about the book.

Book Summary

A modern time-hopping middle-grade adventure with a classic feel.

For Connie’s Gran time is shrinking due to dementia, and it’s as if Gramps has a secret he will never tell; but Connie finds living with them pretty ordinary. That is until time itself begins to vanish in front of her eyes!

Thank goodness for her friend Nevis, a quirky clock shop owner and his one-eyed ginger cat called Captain. With their help, Connie discovers an alarming link between an infestation of white mice and time’s disappearance. Connie’s curiosity thrusts her into a perilous adventure that could unravel the secrets of her past in a world far different from her own. Together with new friends she makes along the way, Connie must brave many dangers in search of a way home before her own time runs out.

Lost in Time is an intrepid tale of friendship, family and embracing what truly matters.

Extract

“Come in, come in, you’re just in time.” beckoned Nevis. A small radio stood on the shop counter. Nevis’s white hair hung across his eyes. He put a finger to his lips. “Sshh! Listen.”

“… Clocks all over the city are malfunctioning. Experts say they are systematically losing time. Strange visual phenomena has been reported, causing outbreaks of panic. The Prime Minister is expected to announce a state of national emergency. Please be advised that trains are no longer running to schedule. Long delays are predicted as crowds gather in the underground station. Unless your journey is essential you are advised to stay indoors…”

“Have you seen the mice today?” interrupted Connie. “They’re running down the street, and one stole half an hour from my bedroom clock.”

“Captain has been chasing them around the shop all morning. He would have caught one too if I hadn’t chased it out of the door,” said Nevis. He turned the volume dial. “Sshh… they’re talking about the mice.”

“… A sudden infestation of mice has been reported. Sightings are coming in from all across the city. The rat catchers are patrolling the streets. People are advised not to panic. Under no circumstances should you touch the mice; they are vermin and carry disease…”

“Where are they all coming from?” Connie set the shoe box down on the shop counter and took off her coat. She nudged Captain away and turned off the radio.

“It is indeed a mystery,” said Nevis, peering inside the box. “How is our mouse today?”

“Agitated. I’m sure he can sense all the activity. It was as if he wanted to be with the others,” said Connie. “How can a mouse steal time, surely a clock just helps us keep track of time?”

“Oh, that’s a very simplistic view,” said Nevis. “So much is not as it first appears. A clock is time in motion, and in that energy the very essence of time is exposed and vulnerable. Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

“But that sounds… well, so unlikely.” Why was Nevis talking in riddles?

“The fantastical may sound unlikely, but it doesn’t make it untrue,” said Nevis.

Well if mice really could steal time, that still didn’t explain why they were. “But why would the mice steal our time?”

“Why indeed,” said Nevis. “Now that is the question you should be asking, as there is now absolutely no doubt that they are.”

There was a flash of ginger followed by a loud thud.

“Captain!” cried Connie, as the shoe box hit the floor. The lid flew off releasing the captive mouse, who darted out across the green and white tiles. Captain streaked after it. With a leap he pounced, claws extended, with his shadow creeping over the mouse beneath him. Just as Connie was sure the mouse would be caught, the shop door was flung open, letting a blast of wet air curl inside. The mouse dived towards the open doorway and disappeared into the street, flicking its tail triumphantly.

A stout lady, rain dripping from her umbrella, clung to the door, one leg lifted ungainly in the air. She let out a high-pitched scream as Captain whipped past her, out of the shop. Still screaming, the lady tightened her grip on the swaying door, making the shop bell clang repeatedly.

“Captain, come back.” Connie pushed past the lady, knocking off her hat, and raced out of the shop, trying to keep up with Captain who was a whisker’s length behind the mouse that ran down Digwell Street, darting left and right, trying to shake off its pursuer.

Nevis followed. “Excuse me, madam.”

“Really!” cried the lady.

“So sorry. Please, would you mind shutting the door behind you,” Nevis called back as he ran, the coins in his pockets jangling as he tried to catch up.

A screeching of brakes and a skidding of rubber on wet pavement brought Captain to an abrupt halt. The bicycle slid to a stop. Captain yowled as he watched the mouse speed away from him, splashing through the water-filled gutter.

The boy struggled to keep his bicycle upright, and as he did the very air seemed to shudder, then everything froze. Then with a sudden jolt, which made Connie quite dizzy, she could move again. A second later the pile of parcels balanced in the boy’s basket toppled out, landing in a muddy puddle. “Watch out!” he called.

“Sorry.” Connie grabbed hold of Captain but he wriggled free from her grasp. Letting out a meow, he shot off again down the street.

Author Bio

Dawn Treacher is a children’s book author and illustrator living in North Yorkshire.

Dawn writes fantasy adventure novels for children aged 8-12 years. Though they may contain fantastical worlds and creatures they are stories about children who face adversity and peril and in doing so discover their own strength, bravery and ingenuity.

They are stories about the strength of friendship and the importance of family.