It's medieval England, years after the Great Phlegm Outbreak. Bullies are in charge, orphans abound, and the people of Turdington-Fly have lost their way. Chaos and greed reign. So does the cold-hearted regent queen Zenephedine.

Eleven year old Anthony slaves away at the Dingleberry’s underground laundry, friendless and oppressed, until one day, cast out, he finds himself wandering the perilous streets in an old lady's nightgown.

But who knew that humble nightgown would turn out to be a mystical and powerful surplice taken from the shuttered convent of Lola? And that the Duchess Cardinal Zenephedine wants it very, very badly!

With the help of a band of misfits - (Mistress Matildaton, a former nun of Lola’s convent; Molly, a brave and resourceful young maid with a loving heart; Martin, a monk dedicated to art and contemplation; and Master John, a rough and ready innkeeper’s son) - Anthony’s life is about to change.

Can he overcome his timidity and embarrassing tummy trouble to reclaim the magical surplice of the convent of Lola of the Angel of the Field with his new friends – and, with it, restore balance with nature and justice to the poor of the realm?

Of course he can! Right?

But first there's the bishop's war knights to avoid, Castle Pyke prison to break into, some prisoners to rescue - oh, and one special white dress to locate amongst the endless hampers, tubs and clothes lines of Dingleberry's Laundry...

Illustration and text are copyright of LP Reynolds, 2026 All rights reserved.