What's for Dinner, Mr Gum?. Andy Stanton

      

       For Andy, Kathy and Ellie And for Bob, the fattest cat in L.A.

      What’s for Dinner Mr Gum? First published 2007 by Egmont UK Limited This edition published 2019 by Egmont UK Limited, The Yellow Building, 1 Nicholas Road London W11 4AN

      Text copyright © 2007 Andy Stanton

      Illustration copyright © 2007 David Tazzyman

      The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted

      First e-book edition 2019

      ISBN 978 1 4052 9374 7

      Ebook ISBN 978 1 4052 5932 3

       mrgum.co.uk www.egmont.co.uk

      A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

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       Read all of Andy Stanton’s books!

       You’re a Bad Man, MR GUM!

       MR GUM and the Biscuit Billionaire

       MR GUM and the Goblins

       MR GUM and the Power Crystals

       MR GUM and the Dancing Bear

       What’s for Dinner, MR GUM?

       MR GUM and the Cherry Tree

       MR GUM and the Secret Hideout

      Contents

       Cover

       Title Page

       Dedication and Copyright page

       Front series promotional page

       1 Off to the Seaside!

2 Butcher Shop Blues

3 Billy on the Trail

       4 Greasy Ian’s House of Slops

       5 Billy Sows the Seeds of His Revenge

       6 The Incident of Billy and The Flies

       7 The Dinnertime Wars

       8 The Heroes Return

       9 ‘Only Love Can Save Us Now’

       10 The Train Down to London

       11 Olde London Town

       12 Thora Gruntwinkle

       13 The Heroes Return. Again. Plus There’s One More of Them This Time

       14 The Power of Love

       15 All’s Well That Ends Good

       What, No Jake the Dog?

       Jake Gets a Job

       About the Author

       About the Illustrator

       Praise

       Chapter 1 Off to the Seaside!

      This is the story of the Battle of Lamonic Bibber, or as it became known, the Dinnertime Wars or, as it didn’t become known, Ghostbusters III. And know this, my friends – it was a terrible conflict indeed. Like all wars it was full of madness and anger. Like all wars there were courageous heroes and dastardly villains. Like practically all wars there was a dirty little monkey called Philip the Horror.

      But I know what you’re wondering. You’re wondering how the Dinnertime Wars got started in the first place, aren’t you?

      ‘How did it all start?’ you say.

      ‘Where did it begin?’ you ask.

      ‘What do you mean, a monkey?’ you enquire.

      ‘Shut up,’ I reply. ‘Stop bothering me with all these questions and I will tell you.’

      It all started on a Friday. And not only did it start on a Friday but it started with a Friday – that wonderful old gentleman Friday O’Leary, hero of many an adventure and three times winner of the Lamonic Bibber Women’s Underwater Badminton Championship.