MOUSE OF COMMONS. MOUSE OF LORDS.: PART 12 OF GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE LOST CITY OF BEARCELONA...

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

PART 12 OF GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE LOST CITY OF BEARCELONA...

GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE LOST CITY OF BEARCELONA... - PART 12

The 12th part of our new internet-exclusive mini-adventure by Paul Chandler, set in Spain and the Islands, which is a sequel to GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE PHANTOM PIE-CRAWL.

Majorca, Late Autumn.

To be honest, Gladstone wasn't sure whether it was more alarming that Kob had simply gone back to being silent once he'd ushered him back inside the taxi. He'd expected further fuss - but there had been none and so now he was wondering whether there was worse to come or whether simply he was more distracted by trying to catch up with Charlie and Augustus Grrr.

"Don't be offended, mouse chum..." he had beamed sarcastically, once they were all safely back inside the taxi. "It's just that I've grown accustomed and attached to your company and don't want to lose my favourite travelling companions..."

With that he had closed the side door; plugged up the hole in the metal work; chucked the dangerous looking oranges on the passenger seat and driven off in the direction of Valdemossa; after Charlie, Augustus and Ollie.

"I thought you were a goner there, Gladstone..." Claud had hissed once Gladstone was returned to him and Glad was relieved that, at least so far, the cub had not resorted to any violence. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine..." nodded Gladstone, although he was a little shaken up and slightly sore from trying to squeeze through the small hole in the side of the car.

After this the journey seemed to take an age and in the bad weather progress was slow. In fact their decision to take the mountain route up to Valdemossa caused a bit of a stir as police were just about to cordon off the road; but they saw Kob driving the taxi and knowing the trouble that Charlie and Augustus's arrival had caused they simply dragged back the road block and let them through; relieved that the curious bear tourists were now someone elses problem.

The last thing they wanted, despite being petrified by them, was trouble from offended bears; especially offended bears who were part of the dwindled tourist trade who could potentially boost the economy in some positive way during the island's winter months.

"They don't look used to bears..." Claud pointed out to Glad, in a whispered tone. "Perhaps they think Charlie will eat all the village children if they try and stop them driving about..."

"Only if they're pies..." Gladstone observed. "...or unless they're in pies already, perhaps. I don't think Charlie's ever been known to eat a child or even an adult for that matter - too many of his friends in the record business are people - and that's also why he'll never eat mouse or cat pie..."

"People are very chewy..." Claud added and then quickly explained himself. "Not that I've ever tried - I just read about it in a pie magazine once... I'm vegan, anyway..." he continued, blushing under his fur. "So, I won't be eating any of my friends either..."

It was a rather odd thing to have said; but Gladstone smiled - the poor cat was getting himself in quite a fluster about the whole traditional cat/mouse relationship; but just so that the cat wouldn't feel stupid for too much longer; Gladstone curled up on his head and decided that it was time for them both to take a quick nap.

They fell asleep pretty quickly and must have dozed for quite some time; for when next they woke they were high up in the mountains and the snow was much thicker; it was also beginning to get light.

"CRAZY CUCUMBERS!!" exclaimed Kob suddenly, startling both Gladstone and Claud awake in a moment. "WHAT ON EARTH!?"

The two friend both sat up and saw exactly what it was that the cub had been so shocked about; for coming speeding down the hill towards them at a rapid pace was Augustus Grrr; stood upright in the back of the cart and coming right at them...

Gladstone threw himself at Claud's collar for balance and Claud clung to the door handle - as Kob tried to swerve the taxi out of the way of the speeding cart.

But he wasn't quick enough...

The taxi clipped the edge of the cart and stopped it dead in its tracks; tumbling sideways. Meanwhile the taxi ploughed off the road and into a ditch; but thankfully at quite a reduced speed; but it was still a surprise as it all happened so quickly.

Kob didn't even wait to see if Gladstone and Claud were okay, but jumped from the car and hurried across the snowy road to where Augustus and the cart lay silently.

The side door had shot open during the crash and so Gladstone and Claud were able to scramble out; but there was no doubt that any chance of them getting the car back on the road without help from a tow-truck seemed very small.

"This wasn't something I was expecting..." Gladstone gasped - only just catching his breath at this moment. "It rather looks like Charlie and his father have had a bit f falling out..."

What neither Gladstone nor Claud had noticed was what was happening to Kob at that very moment; as he peered into the up-turned trailer at the silent figure of Augustus Grrr.

Suddenly the preserved bear's eyes flicked open and a large paw grabbed Kob by the neck. "Now you're mine..." he growled menacingly. "NOW YOU'RE MINE..."

Next episode Gladstone and Claud witness the revival of an old nemesis and Charlie and Ollie finally reach their goal...

TUNE IN AGAIN, TOMORROW FOR PART 13 OF THIS ADVENTURE...

This instalment of GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE LOST CITY OF BEARCELONA was originally written in London on Tuesday 4th December 2007.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF GLADSTONE MCWHISKERS AND THE LOST CITY OF BEARCELONA...

As promised - more photos from the lovely Valdemossa...