The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Airport. Sorrel Anderson

      

      For R. J. P and D. M. P

      Contents

       Cover

       Title Page

      Dedication

      Check in, check out, shake it all about

      Knickers

      Drummond and the nose cones, part 1

      Drummond and the nose cones, part 2

       Copyright

       About the Publisher

      The Clumsies Make a Mess

      The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Seaside

      The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Big Show

      The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Zoo

      The Clumsies Make a Mess of the School

      It was a Tuesday morning and Howard and the Clumsies were going on holiday. Howard was carrying a

bag and feeling

. Purvis was carrying a small bag and feeling eager.

      Mickey Thompson was carrying a sombrero and staring at a vending machine while Allen the dog and Ortrud the elephant (carrying nothing), were looking a little bit as they gazed around the airport’s vast departure hall.

      Howard glanced down at them.

      ‘There’s no need for he said, bracingly. ‘We’re all going to have a nice, relaxing time, aren’t we?’

      Allen and Ortrud nodded Purvis nodded eagerly and Mickey Thompson began to

      ‘We’re going to he shouted

      ‘Yes, indeed,’ said Howard. ‘Our holiday starts right here; the travelling’s all part of the fun.’

      ‘Oh, I can’t wait, I can’t wait,’ said Mickey Thompson. He stuck out his arms like wings and raced off shouting

      ‘COME BACK,’ Howard.

      went Mickey Thompson, racing back and into Howard’s foot.

      ‘Ouch,’ said Howard.

      ‘Sorry, Howard,’ said Purvis, grabbing his brother before he could set off again. ‘He’s over-excited about the

      ‘We’re going to a million miles fast and a billion miles than the sun,’ announced Mickey Thompson. Ortrud in alarm and Allen looked a little

      ‘PURVIS!’ said Howard, loudly. ‘Tell us which part of the holiday you’re most looking forward to.’

      ‘Travelling wisely,’ said Purvis, delving into his bag and producing a well-thumbed book called “The Wise Traveller”.

      ‘It has all sorts of useful information,’ he said, ‘but there were one or two things I wanted to ask you, Howard.’

      ‘Ask away,’ said Howard. Purvis opened the book and out a drawing of Howard in a swimsuit, on a tropical-looking beach.

      a minute,’ said Howard.

      ‘Yes,

      a minute,’ said Mickey Thompson. ‘That’s my drawing; I did it last week.’

      ‘I know,’ said Purvis. ‘I borrowed it to use as a bookmark.’

      ‘I’ve been looking for it everywhere,’ Mickey Thompson. ‘I wanted to it up in the office.’

      ‘We will,’ said Purvis, ‘as soon as we get back from holiday.’

      ‘Oh no we won’t,’ said Howard. ‘It’s unflattering.’

      ‘It isn’t,’ protested Mickey Thompson. ‘It looks just like you.’

      ‘I disagree,’ said Howard.

      ‘I think it’s good,’ said Purvis.

      ‘So do I,’ said Mickey Thompson.

      ‘But, but,’ Howard.

      ‘Listen,’ said Purvis, tapping his book.

      ‘“The wise traveller is a calm traveller, remaining cheerful at all times and never bickering with his, or her, companions.”’

      ‘Sensible advice,’ Howard. ‘Now, what was it you wanted to ask?’

      ‘Well,’ said Purvis, ‘there are chapters on safaris and camel trains and hot air ballooning,