Thomas walked home, feeling rather peculiar. The butter shield had worked wonders, but he still felt a little queasy from the chalky lime. His family, gathered at their cozy cottage, had heard the news and were waiting for him with worried faces and sad eyes. They hugged him tightly, believing this was their last evening together.
But Thomas remembered Mr. Giggles's second instruction, the most important part of all! ‘And then, once you are safely home, make sure to let it all out, every bit of it, so it cannot trouble you!’
He excused himself and went outside, into the quiet garden. There, beneath the twinkling stars and the soft glow of the moon peeping through the window, Thomas very carefully, and with a great big effort, brought up all the strange mixture. It was not a pleasant feeling, of course, but he knew he was letting all the bad, chalky lime go, just as Mr. Giggles had said. He felt a huge wave of relief wash over him.