Norman Runs Away [Different Version]

Part 9: Defeating the Thugs

The thugs started having a whale of a time in Pontypandy.

Jackson was robbing Dilys' shop of it's produce - and not even paying for it.

Barge bashed over some trash cans on the quay, spilling rubbish everywhere.

Spanner High-jacked Neptune, and rode it out across the sea.

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Norman was at the fire station, feeling very guilty.

"What have I done?" he muttered. "I let some criminals come to Pontypandy, and now they're launching a raid on the town!"

At that moment, he heard the loud sirens of Jupiter.

"That sounds like Fireman Sam!" he exclaimed.

And it was.

Norman could see Jupiter pull up, as well as Trevor's bus, Officer Luke's police car, Mike Flood's van, and finally, Helen Flood's ambulance.

Everyone got out the vehicles.

Dilys was the first to notice Norman. "Norman!" she cried, as she ran over and hugged Norman.

"Oh, my little treasure, you're alright! I was so worried about you!" she said. "Did those nasty thugs hurt you?"

"Well, i did get barged over by Barge." Norman said.

"It doesn't matter." Dilys said. "I'm just glad you're safe."

Fireman Sam headed to Norman, followed by everyone else. Norman was the first to notice him.

"Oh, Fireman Sam! I'm so glad you're back!" said Norman. "Something terrible has happened!"

"I know." said Fireman Sam.

"Some thugs are in Pontypandy, and now they're starting a raid!" Norman said.

"I know." said Fireman Sam.

"It was my fault!" Norman added.

"I know." said Fireman Sam.

"All because I ran away from home!" Norman said.

"I know that, too." Fireman Sam said.

"How do you know all this?" Norman asked.

"Tom Thomas told me what happened." Fireman Sam said. "I never thought we'd have to face thugs before."

"It's not just that." Norman said sadly. "They kidnapped Station Officer Steele as well!"

Everyone's jaws hung.

"What?!" said a shocked Fireman Sam. "He kidnapped Steele?!"

Norman gave a sad nod.

"Tell me this isn't true, Norman Price!" Dilys said sternly.

"It's true, Mam." Norman said sadly. "Bertrand Gruffston, the leader, did it to get his revenge on Steele for expelling him from Newtown Secondary School years ago!"

"How did you know that?" Elvis asked.

"He told me in the last chapter." Norman said.

Dilys became very angry, like she had been in chapter 1 of this story. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Just wait till I get my hands on those thugs!" she said crossly.

"We'll stop them, Dilys." Penny said. "So," she said to Norman, "Where are the thugs?"

"I think I know." Norman said. "They went all over Pontypandy to start their havoc; Spanner's gone to the boat house on the quay, and I think Barge went with him. And I think Jackson was at Mam's shop."