Escape from Below

Peter Wilks

Description

The puddle in the road seemed like the perfect place for Tommy the mouse to test out his latest get-rich-quick scheme. However, just as he and his cousins had rowed the raft to the centre of the water, a passing vehicle splashed through it, barely missing them but creating a wave that shoved the raft and its passengers into an old drainage slot. Having fallen down the drain, the companions find themselves at the mercy of the raging currents in the sewerage system. The raft is carried deeper and deeper through a confusing maze of passageways and grottos in which fire and a wisecracking piranha put the mice in constant peril. Eventually the craft enters an old coal mine, where a bullfrog named Abner appears and tells the companions he knows of a route he can guide them along that will take them back up to the surface. But with swashbuckling trouble chasing them and other dangers to be faced directly ahead, will the companions end their days in the sewer, or finally escape from below.

Sujets

• Children's

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 04 janvier 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781780887296
• Langue: English

Extrait

Escape from Below
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
The Grimoire
Midnight Sun
AND FOR CHILDREN
The Foragers

Copyright © 2009 PeterWilks
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.
Matador
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Web: www.troubador.co.uk/matador
ISBN: 9781780887296

Matador is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd
To my Grandfather, Albert
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
About the Author
Chapter One
“Let me get this straight, Tommy,” Suzy said to her brother, shivering under the cocktail umbrella she held as she walked beside him. “You’re planning on carrying out guided tours to liven up the neighbourhood.
“Along with the odd, fun outdoor activity,” Tommy nodded. He zipped up his sheepskin coat against the chilly, morning wind as his big trainers sank into the soggy soil. “History has many lessons to teach us.”
“Phooey! We stampeded out of the warmth for that?” Adam said. He shook his head and followed behind. “It sounds as boring as city school and now I am missing out on quality telly-time.”
The drizzle drummed loudly on Suzy’s umbrella, tutting in disapproval as her gaze wandered from the drying water spots decorating her designer coat to the mud encrusting her new sandals. Her ipod earphones were wrapped about her neck and a pink handbag hung from her arm.
Tommy sighed and squelched onward through the greenery. “Just think, Adam, Julius Caesar could have ridden through this garden looking for the legendary Fountain of Youth.”
“Did he?” Ursula panted. She was the oldest and heaviest of the mice. Her curiosity was aroused as her podgy legs scurried beneath a curved leaf laden with water.
Tommy lowered the peak of his dripping baseball cap and glanced back over his shoulder. “No, Ursula, but he might have done.”
The leaf above Ursula twitched and suddenly dipped, sluicing water over her straw boater and down her fleece. “Aw, crumbs, just my luck.”
“Adam’s right, it’s about as lame as your other ‘get rich quick’ schemes,” Suzy reflected. Her porkpie hat was tipped forward over her forehead and her press ticket stuck out of the turned-up brim. “Remember the go-kart racing?”
“Bah! It wasn’t my fault the engine blew up and the wheels kept falling off,” Tommy sniffed. He buckled his tool belt tighter about his waist. “It was that daft blackbird’s invention. If Noah had a brain, he might be dangerous.”
Adam rolled his eyes and tucked his medallion beneath his stripy jumper. “So what makes this scheme any different than the others?”
“Well I have bags of faith in this idea,” Tommy said, “and it’s going to make us all oodles of loot.”
“Humph! It better, because that’s the only reason I am out in this rotten weather,” Ursula declared gloomily. She wiped her broad face with a tissue and quickened her pace to catch up with the others. “I am skint.”
“Yep, and there’s also the fact that Uncle Fred put a lock on the fridge,” Adam said. He yanked his bobble hat over his prominent ears and splashed in a puddle.
Ursula grumbled good-naturedly. “Anymore of your cheek, pip-squeak, and you’ll be sailing on the end of my boot. That goes for Errol too.”
Adam chuckled and slowed, letting the others proceed through the gaps in the bamboo plants – where the stems had been chopped down and taken away. Adam glanced at the ground for a sign of his invisible friend and spoke out the side of his mouth. “Are you around, Errol? I can’t see your tracks.”
“I am flying,” Errol whispered in his ear. “Me hat blew off and I had to go after it.”
“Come on, Adam,” Ursula beckoned with a wave. “Stop jumping in the puddles.”
Adam nodded and hurried after them.
“So how much further is the craft, Tommy?” Suzy asked. She poked her head out from under the umbrella and peered up at the overcast sky as the drizzle stopped falling.
“Just beyond that thick fern,” he pointed directly ahead. “And it’s totally ecologically friendly.”
A fewseconds later Tommy brushed aside a big frond and stepped into the clearing. The rest of the mice came after and crowded around the craft. On the large bamboo platform was mounted a single pole mast with a rolled up sail, the ends of which were fastened together with string. A length of knotted string attached with a small lead weight lay on the deck, which was built with fixed seats to accommodate six rowers. U-shaped oarlocks held oars in place at port and starboard, and a rudder was attached to the sternpost.
The raft rested on the undercarriage of six wheels, and at the rear there were two metal levers jutting out.
“Ta-daah,” Tommy uttered loudly, feeling a swell of pride. “Terrific, eh?”
“It sure beats walking,” Ursula remarked cheerfully.
“Cool!” Adam nodded with widening eyes as he pulled up his baggy jeans. “I like the mast; ain’t climbed up anything topped with a crow’s nest before.”
They examined the craft carefully, tapping the oars with their knuckles and running their paws over the deck.
“I am impressed with your carpentry skills, Tommy,” Suzy said. Removing her mobile phone from the pocket of her coat, she flipped it open. “It looks shipshape.”
“Thanks!” Tommy said proudly. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my paws. I guarantee this practice run will be a story worth writing about.”
“Can’t wait to get onboard,” Suzy said.
“I christened the raft Explorer One, Suzy,” Tommy revealed with a cheeky grin.
“That’s where the bottle of lemonade went,” Ursula interrupted. “What a waste.”
Tommy glared at her. “I drew my inspiration from the great voyage of the Kon-Tiki.”
“Whassat?”
“It’s a famous raft, Adam,” Suzy captured the craft in the viewfinder and took a picture with the built-in camera. “When do we set sail, Tommy?”
“There’s no time like the present,” Tommy said as he crossed the clearing. “When I give you the signal, push the craft forward. The lake is only yonder.”
Suzy collapsed her umbrella and Tommy wiped his paws on his corduroy trousers before taking up positions around the raft. Suzy took a second photograph, and then pocketed her phone.
“Aw, nuts,” Adam squeaked glumly. “That sounds awfully like work to me. I’ll pass; I wouldn’t live it down if my mates saw me.”
Tommy parted the grass and peered out at the street beyond. Semi-detached houses stood well back from the pavements and a few cars were parked on the driveways. There were shamrocks in the odd bay window, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Leaves ruffled and tree branches swayed as the wind whistled in from the empty lot directly opposite to disturb the surface of the widening puddle developing along the side of the road.
Ursula glared at Adam. “You either push or go shopping with Suzy.”
Adam’s slender body stiffened and he gulped before sputtering, “Okay I’ll do it. There’s no need for threats.”
Tommy whirled and beckoned them forward. “Come on! The coast is clear.”
* * *
The mice grunted and gasped as they struggled out of the flowerbed and down the driveway towards the submerged section of road. Paws were clamped atop hats and the bamboo mast rattled. Adam staggered back a pace, and was almost blown over by the wind until Ursula reached back and roughly grabbed him by the front of his purple parka.
“I got you, Adam,” Ursula pulled him towards her. “Dig your heels in for purchase, and use your nails to hold onto the raft.”
“I haven’t got any.” Adam shook his head. “I’ve bitten them too low.”
Ursula sighed. “Oh, give me strength!”
Tommy tugged the raft and back-peddled with short, hurried steps, strength and determination were etched into his young face and his browny-grey fur stirred in the wind. Between the oars pushed Suzy, panting from the effort. Sweat moistened Suzy’s black fur and trickled down her delicate features, causing her thick make-up to run. Ursula and Adam brought up the rear, their heads low and their backs arched over the deck, their pounding flat feet echoing like thunder off the flagstones as the small wheels eventually rolled over the pavement and came to a halt at the curb. A trail of muddy footprints were left in their wake.
Tommy snapped down the brake lever with a click, then moved over to the second lever.
“Phew! We’ve made it,” Suzy said with relief. She narrowed her eyes in the wind and peered over the edge at the high water level. “How are we going to launch the raft, Tommy?”
With his stomach churning with nervous eagerness, Tommy took a deep breath to relax. “Stand back and I’ll show you.”
The mice retreated out of harm’s way as Tommy began working the second lever up and down to adjust the mechanism beneath the undercarriage. The jack ratcheted up and the raft trembled before the stern began to raise in short, successive stages, while the bow was gently nudged, shifting closer and closer towards the edge of the framework.
Suzy blinked. She beat her paws against her arms and stamped her feet to keep warm. “Wow! The raft is tilting; I think we should mark the launch with me singing a song.”
“Not right now, Suzy,” Tommy groaned. “Dad hasn’t paid for all the windows you broke the last time.”
Suzy winced.
Ursula breathed in, grunting and puffing as she strained to button up her red fleece.
“Er...Tommy, can Errol come along too?” Adam asked.
“He won’t take up much room.”
Puzzlement registered on Tommy’s face. “Errol?” He appl