surely?’ said Purvis.
‘They’re limbering up,’ explained Purvis. ‘For the
‘I wish they wouldn’t,’ said Howard. ‘It’s distracting.’
‘That’s enough
‘So, Howard,’ said Purvis. ‘Is there a problem?’
‘Yes,’ said Howard. ‘I’d completely forgotten there are all sorts of rules and regulations about getting through check in and security and over to airside.’ He pointed at the double doors in the distance. Everyone looked at the doors and then at Howard.
‘What sort of rules and regulations?’ asked Purvis.
‘We’re not allowed any
‘That’s OK, we haven’t got any
Howard winced, and passed Purvis the leaflet.
“For the purposes of these rules and regulations wildlife is defined as any unauthorised animal including hedgehogs, donkeys, tigers, snakes—”’
‘Ortrud’s in the clear!’
‘I haven’t finished yet,’ said Purvis. ‘“Badgers, foxes, elephants—”’
‘Whoops,’ said Mickey Thompson, as Ortrud
‘“Cows”,’ continued Purvis, ‘“wombats etc.; mice”.’
Everyone
‘But we’re not
‘I know that and you know that,’ said Howard, ‘but the airport authorities don’t. They’ll say elephants and mice are
Allen wagged his tail and his tongue lolled out.
‘Allen’s the least
‘Of course he won’t,’ said Howard, patting Allen’s head.
‘Nor will we,’ said Mickey Thompson,
‘Of course you w…’ began Howard and stopped, and coughed. He walked over to some seats and sat down.
‘I don’t know what I was thinking,’ he said. ‘They’re never going to let me through with a dog, two mice and an elephant.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Purvis.
‘Ah well,’ said Howard, ‘never mind. I’ve managed without a holiday for – how
Purvis opened his bag and took out a piece of paper covered in pencil marks. He counted them up.
‘Seven years, five months, three days,’ he said.
‘Then I can probably manage a little
‘Howard!’ chorused the mice, disappointedly.
‘But our holiday, Howard,’ said Mickey Thompson. ‘We were going to fly.’
‘And snorkel,’ said Purvis, ‘and go to the beach, and play golf and, and… visit the Armitage Museum.’
Howard
‘What’s all the
‘Go on,’
‘The thing is,’ said Purvis.
‘What is the thing?’ said Howard.
‘Say it,’
Howard
The mice nodded.
‘If you didn’t have us you wouldn’t have any problems,’ said Purvis, ‘and
