don’t want biscuits’ said Howard. ‘I want sausages.‘
‘I’ll get you some sausages then,’ offered the mouse.
‘I’ve already got sausages,’ said Howard. ‘All I need now is a bit of calm in which to eat them. Is that too much to ask?’
‘Not at all,’ said the mouse.
‘Well, quite,’ said Howard.
Sighing, Howard lifted the water glass and the smaller, rounder mouse scuttled out, looking a bit hot and very relieved.
‘Thank you,’ said the first mouse. ‘We’ll be off then,’ and he started bundling his brother away.
‘One second,’ said Howard. ‘How do you know my name’s Howard Armitage?’
‘There’s a sign on your door that says:
“Howard Armitage”, said the mouse, ‘so I assumed.’
‘Did you now?’ said Howard, narrowing his eyes.
‘Isn’t it then?’ asked the mouse, sounding confused.
‘As a matter of fact it is,’ said Howard. ‘I think you’d better tell me who you are.’
‘He’s Mickey Thompson,’ said the mouse, poking his, brother’s tummy.
‘I can tell him,’ said Mickey Thompson, wriggling, and poking his brother back.
‘I’m Mickey Thompson,’ announced Mickey Thompson, to Howard.
‘Pleased to meet you, Mickey Thompson,’ said Howard.
‘And I’m Purvis,’ said the first mouse, thumping himself on the chest.
‘Purvis what?’ said Howard.
‘Purvis what?’ said Purvis.
‘Or what Purvis?’ said Howard.
‘That Purvis,’ said Mickey Thompson. ‘There’s only one, and he’s him.’ Mickey Thompson prodded Purvis in the ribs, and there was a small scuffle.
Howard’s head was beginning to throb. ‘That’s enough, you two,’ said Howard. ‘When you’re in my office you’ll behave, or I shall put you under that glass again.’
Purvis and Mickey Thompson behaved.
‘That’s better,’ said Howard. He went over to a side table and clattered about, putting the kettle on … and finding two extra mugs.
‘Tea?’
‘Yes please,’ said Purvis.
‘Have you got any juice?’ asked Mickey Thompson.
‘No,’ said Howard. ‘It’s tea or cold coffee.’
‘Tea please,’ said Mickey Thompson, pulling a face. ‘Have you got any more
‘Don’t push your luck,’ said Howard.
While Howard made the tea the mice climbed up on to his desk and had a look around.
‘Absolutely not,’ said Howard. ‘Leave everything exactly as it is.’ There was a loud crash as Mickey Thompson
Howard rushed over.
‘Oops!’ said Mickey Thompson, happily.
‘Sorry!’ said Purvis, hauling him out.
‘Will you be careful,’ said Howard. ‘I’m fond of that plant.’
‘Yes, it’s lovely,’ said Purvis, trying to jam a flower back on its stalk.
‘Could I have a piece of that sausage, do you think?’ asked Mickey Thompson, eyeing it.
‘Oh, go on then,’ sighed Howard. ‘Help yourself.’
So Mickey Thompson tucked into Howard’s breakfast while Purvis swept pieces of plant on to the floor, and Howard fetched the mugs of tea.
‘Right,’ said Howard. ‘You’d better tell me why you’re here.’
‘We live here,’ explained Purvis.
Howard closed his eyes and made a groaning noise.
‘Why are you groaning?’ asked Mickey Thompson, cheerfully.
‘Where’s “here”?’ said Howard.
‘Err, here in this building,’ said Purvis.
‘Where in this building?’ pressed Howard.
‘Under your desk,’ said Mickey Thompson.
‘Because,’ Purvis continued quickly, ‘we thought it seemed like a very nice place.’ ‘Biscuits!’ said Mickey Thompson, helpfully.
‘And you seem like a very nice man,’ said Purvis, hopefully.
‘H’rumph,’ said Howard Armitage.
‘And there isn’t really anywhere else we can go,’ said Purvis, studying his tea.
Howard sighed. ‘Oh, yes, all right then,’ he said. ‘You can stay.’
Hurray!’ said Mickey Thompson. ‘Can I have some more sausage?’
‘If you must,’ said Howard, getting up. ‘Right. I’ve got to go to a meeting. Don’t touch anything on that desk while I’m away.’
‘How about under it?’ asked Purvis.
‘Fine,’ said Howard.
So
