The Mystery of Banshee Towers (Discontinued-Nearly Finished)

Mr Goon loses his temper

Ern had been very busy indeed while the others had gone to the village. Mr Goon was in one of his worst tempers. He always was when he had met Fatty, whom he disliked very much. 

  'That boy!' he said to Ern. 'I don't trust him an inch. Never did. It's a pity he's not as stupid as he looks. Too clever by half, he is!'

  'He doesn't look stupid, Uncle,' said Ern, emptying some potatoes into a bowl of water to peel. 'How could he when he's got such marvellous brains! You should hear him talk - luvaduck, he knows pretty well everything!'

  'I'll luvaduck you if you don't get on with those potatoes, Ern,' said Mr Goon. 'That boy's a menace - yes, that's the word for him -  a menace!'

  'What's a menace, Uncle?' asked Ern. 'Anything to do with manners? Sounds a bit the same.'

  'I don't know if you're being rude, or just plain stupid, Ern,' said Mr Goon, majestically. 'But this I do know - you'll get a clip on the ear soon.'

  'And one of these days my dog will bite you if you clip me!' cried Ern, almost at the end of his tether. 'Now, Uncle - don't you come any nearer. I'll throw this bowl of potatoes over you, if you do!"

  Ern looked so fierce that Goon retreated hurriedly. 'Now, now,' he said, 'don't take things so seriously, Ern. Can't you see a joke?'

  'Depends on who makes it,' said Ern, feeling suddenly victorious. Then his spirits fell again as he remembered his dog. Where was old Bingo? Had he run away for ever? He sniffed a little as he went on peeling the potatoes, and when he remembered how Bingo ran to meet him and licked him lovingly each time he came from school, a tear fell plop into the potato bowl.

  I'm an idiot - that's what Fatty would call me, thought Ern. But I dunno - there's something about a dog that gets you - especially if it's your own.

  Mr Goon went off to the police station, his boots well polished by Ern, and his helmet and uniform well brushed. Ern was glad to see him go. As soon as his uncle was out of sight, he thought he would whistle for Bingo - just to see if by any chance he would come.

  So he whistled. Ern had a most piercing whistle, shrill, long and alarming. It made everyone within hearing jump in surprise and annoyance. Ern stood at the front gate and whistled for at least five minutes. No Bingo arrived - but a good many windows and doors were opened, and people began looking out to see if anything was the matter. They thought that it must be Goon blowing his police-whistle for help!

  A small boy arrived, panting, at the front gate. 'Any help wanted?' he asked. 'We heard the police-whistle being blown.'

  'That was only me whistling for my dog,' said Ern, astonished. Then, seeing people looking out of windows and doors, he shot inside Goon's house in a hurry. They'll tell Uncle I was using his police- whistle, he thought desperately. Luvaduck, what a day! Wish I was at home, measles and all!

  about half past five, Mr Goon returned home to see if Ern had put on the kettle and had made him some toast, as he commanded. Fortunately for Ern, he had everything ready. Ern was down in the dumps: no Fatty had come back, no Buster, no Bets - and certainly no Bingo. Ern didn't want any tea at all, a most unusual thing.

  'This toast is burnt,' said Mr Goon, grumpily.

  It's not,' said Ern. 'It's just right. That's how my Ma likes it, anyway.'

  'And you've put too much tea in the pot,' said Mr Goon, peering in, holding the lid in his hand. It was hot and he had to drop it very suddenly. It fell to the floor and broke. He glared at Ern as if he had dropped it!