but,’ ‘Listen,’ said Purvis, tapping his book.
‘“The wise traveller is a calm traveller, remaining cheerful at all times and never bickering with his, or her, companions.”’
‘Sensible advice,’
‘Well,’ said Purvis, ‘there are chapters on safaris and camel trains and hot air ballooning, and what to wear
and what to pack and what to say, but I couldn’t find anything about airports.’
‘Nothing at all?’ said Howard, sounding
‘No,’ said Purvis, ‘so I don’t know what it is we’re supposed to do here.’
‘It’s simple,’ said Howard. ‘First we check in at “check in”. He pointed at a sign marked “Check in”, and everyone looked and
‘Check in,’
‘Then we go through security.’ Howard pointed at a
‘After security we leave the “landside” part of the airport, which is here, and go to the “airside” part of the airport, which is through there.’ Howard pointed at some double doors marked “Airside through here”, and everyone looked slightly
‘Then we wait until it’s time for us to
Mickey Thompson started
‘Not so
‘No, Howard,’ said the mice.
‘No, Howard,’ agreed Howard. ‘Please explain it to Allen and Ortrud, too.’
‘They heard you,’ said Purvis.
‘They’re still looking
‘We certainly are,’ said Purvis. ‘Ortrud wants to go snorkelling and Allen would like to try golf.’
‘Excellent,’ said Howard. ‘And I’m going to take you all to see the Armitage Museum.’
‘Oh,’ said Purvis. ‘Yes.’
‘Did you know,’ said Howard, ‘the Armitage Museum was founded by my great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother’s second cousin once removed, Miss Hortence-Howardenia Armitage?’
‘The Armitage Museum,’ continued Howard, ‘contains Armitage-related memorabilia from around the world, including 392 photocopies of the birth, marriage and death certificates of Armitages past, and 64 newspaper cuttings.’
‘That’s
‘It has the
‘What’s wrong with them now?’
‘You’re right,’ said Howard. He picked up his bag and started
‘What’s wrong?’ said Purvis.
‘I’ve just had a thought,’ said Howard.
‘Where’s he going? What’s he doing?’ said Allen, jolting upright.
‘I’ve no idea,’ said Purvis.
‘I have,’ said Mickey Thompson. ‘He’s limbering up for the
‘Right,’
