to the Crystal Cave, and we could work out a plan. And now, itâs all sorted. Toastastic!â
âAh!â said Timmy. âThereâs just one
tiny
thing I have to do, and then I can join.â
âOh?â said Badger, raising his eyebrow. âI have a feeling Iâm not going to like this.â
âItâs easy-peasy lemon squeezy,â said Timmy. âIâve just got to find a really big tyre, and carry it back to them.â
âHmmm,â said Badger frowning. âThe last time I checked, tyre-carrying wasnât in my
Book of Normal Cat Activities
. How exactly will you transport it with your small paws and sharp claws?â
âErm ⦠I havenât thought that far ahead yet,â said Timmy, stroking his whiskers.
âThat task is impossible for a cat. Snifâs being cruel. It looks like we definitely need the Wim-Wim,â said Badger. âBut I donât really understand why you want to join a gang like that anyway.â
âWhatâs wrong with the Wim-Wim?â asked Timmy, ignoring Badgerâs question. âMaybe I can take a look?â
âPlease do,â said Badger hopefully.
Timmy walked around the Wim-Wim and examined it carefully.
âIâm just going to tickle its reverse check plunger and see if its orbital gears are greasy enough,â said Timmy seriously.
âI never knew you were skilled in mechanics, Timmy.â
âIâm not. But I do have six
and a half
senses, Badger. I am a cat after all.â
Timmy tapped his paw and poked his claw into the body ofthe Wim-Wim. Suddenly, its rotor blades started to whirr and its weather vane whirled.
Badger smiled expectantly.
Then everything flopped again.
âWhen did the Wim-Wim have its last service, Badger?â asked Timmy.
âUm ⦠er ⦠never. The Wim-Wim has always worked,â replied Badger.
âWell then, itâs as I thought,â said Timmy knowingly. âThe freezing temperature has affected its orbital gears. The Wim-Wim needs a full service with a proper Wim-Wim mechanic. Itâs time for its Magical Orbital Transplant.â
âItâs MOT? But thatâs not due until Jupiter eclipses Pluto.â
âItâs not that simple,â said Timmy. âIt needs to be done now. Really, Badger, if you donât get it sorted, you may have to scrap the Wim-Wim.â
Badger gasped. The thought of losing his Wim-Wim filled him with sadness and fear. Without it, he couldnât visit the EnchantedForest and the Crystal Cave, and couldnât be as Badgical Magical as he wanted to be.
He rubbed his neckerchief in anguish. Suddenly, sparkles of light appeared around him, as his neckerchief unfurled from his neck and pointed upwards in the shape of a giant capital âCâ.
âCaptain Bravebark!â shouted Badger in glee. âOf course, I forgot. Thank you, âChief.â
Timmy looked at the neckerchief floating in midair and asked, âWho on earth is Captain Bravebark? How do you know him? How can he help us? And where is he?â
âCaptain Bravebark lives in the Ring of Brodgar. A
very
Badgical-Magical place, Timmy. He also happens to be one of my relatives and a very clever one too. Heâs qualified in MOTs, and has the only other time-travelling machine in the universe which stops off at the Crystal Cave.â
âWow!â said Timmy. âIâve heard about the Crystal Cave.â
Badger continued: âI havenât seen him for many a dog year, but he always helps me when I need him and, right now, I need to send him a p-mail about using the Tangerine Piano as soon as possible.â
âA tangerine what?â asked Timmy, more than a little impressed.
âPiano,â said Badger casually, âwith an ivory staircase.â
âBlimey!â said Timmy, starting to sniffle and snuffle.
âUh oh! Iâm off before you start sneezing
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