‘Ortrud’s in the clear!’ Mickey Thompson.

      ‘I haven’t finished yet,’ said Purvis. ‘“Badgers, foxes, elephants—”’

      ‘Whoops,’ said Mickey Thompson, as Ortrud again even more wildly.

      ‘“Cows”,’ continued Purvis, ‘“wombats etc.; mice”.’

      Everyone .

      ‘But we’re not said Mickey Thompson. ‘We live in Howard’s office; it’s all cosy, with biscuits.’

      ‘I know that and you know that,’ said Howard, ‘but the airport authorities don’t. They’ll say elephants and mice are things and that things are strictly against the rules. I’m not sure about Allen, either.’

      Allen wagged his tail and his tongue lolled out.

      ‘Allen’s the least of any of us,’ said Purvis. ‘He won’t be any trouble.’

      ‘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 is it now?’

      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 ,’ said Howard. ‘We’d better get back to the office.’

      ‘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 sadly and the mice exchanged glances then huddled together, .

      ‘What’s all the ?’ said Howard.

       said Purvis.

      ‘Go on,’ Mickey Thompson.

      ‘The thing is,’ said Purvis.

      ‘What is the thing?’ said Howard.

      ‘Say it,’ Mickey Thompson.

       said Purvis, swallowing. ‘Would you prefer it if we didn’t come?’

      Howard his eyes.

       he said. ‘Would I prefer it if you didn’t come, you say?’

      The mice nodded.

      ‘If you didn’t have us you wouldn’t have any problems,’ said Purvis, ‘and you could still go and see your museum.’

      ‘Well, let me think…’ said Howard, so the mice stared at the ground and a bit while Howard pretended to think.

      ....................................

      ....................................

      ‘Howard?’ said Purvis, after a while.

      ‘OF COURSE I WOULDN’T PREFER IT IF YOU DIDN’T COME!’ shouted Howard, . ‘I’ve never heard such nonsense.’

      ‘But—’ began Purvis.

      ‘But nothing,’ said Howard. ‘That settles it: one way or another I’m going on holiday and you’re all coming with me. Is that understood?’

      Purvis let out a of relief and Mickey Thompson started to star-jump again in double quick time, so everyone else joined in.