Charlie Bone and the Blue Boa. Jenny Nimmo

chance, Charlie.’

      Maisie’s sister, Doris, had been taken ill. Maisie would have to go and look after her. There was no one else. But something would have to be done about Runner Bean. While Charlie was at school there’d be no one in the house to feed him and look after him.

      ‘You’d better take him for a run now,’ said Maisie. ‘I haven’t had time. You can’t keep him hidden much longer, Charlie; a lively dog like that is bound to be rumbled.’

      As Charlie ran up to his room he could hear him whining and scratching the door.

      ‘Ssssh!’ Charlie leapt into the room and slammed the door behind him.

      Runner Bean put his paws on Charlie’s shoulders and licked his face.

      ‘Thanks, but yuk!’ whispered Charlie.

      There was a creak on the landing and a voice called, ‘Is that you, Charlie, slamming doors?’

      ‘It’s me, Grandma,’ Charlie shouted. ‘I’m changing out of my school stuff.’

      When Charlie put his head out of the door, Grandma Bone had gone back to her room.

      ‘Come on, Runner,’ Charlie said softly.

      He ran downstairs with the dog bounding behind him. They left by the back door and slipped into the narrow street that led to the park. An hour later, Charlie and the dog arrived back at number nine, exhausted and hungry.

      His mother was getting anxious and Charlie explained that he didn’t know the time because he’d sort of lost his watch. Mrs Bone sighed, ‘Honestly, Charlie. I suppose you’d better wear mine until you find yours.’ She handed him her watch, which was fortunately not too feminine. ‘I’m just going to help Maisie with her packing,’ she said. ‘Back in a tick.’

      Charlie searched for the tins of dogfood Maisie had hidden. He’d just spotted a tin of Bonio in the larder, when there was a loud scream and then a growl.

      Charlie looked round to see Grandma Bone rooted to the spot, just inside the door. ‘WHAT’S THAT DOING IN HERE?’ she screeched, pointing at Runner Bean.

      ‘It’s Benjamin’s dog,’ Charlie said nervously. ‘You know, Runner Bean.’

      ‘Of course I know, but why isn’t it in Hong Kong?’

      Before Charlie had time to answer, Runner Bean, snarling horribly, rushed at Grandma Bone, who shrieked again.

      ‘Get it out!’ she shouted.

      ‘Er . . .’ Charlie played for time.

      Runner Bean bared his teeth and snapped at the old lady’s ankles.

      ‘That’s it!’ yelled Grandma Bone. She backed out of the kitchen, shouting, ‘I’m ringing pest control – the dogs’ home – the police. They’ll have to put that dog down. It’s dangerous.’

      ‘Grandma, you can’t,’ Charlie pleaded.

      But Grandma Bone was already on the phone, giving her address, telling someone about the killer that needed exterminating. ‘They’ll be round at half past six, and I’m not coming downstairs until that wretched Bean has gone.’

      Charlie was horrified. He didn’t know what to do. Maisie and Mrs Bone came running down to see what all the fuss was about. But they didn’t know what to do either. Maisie was so worried about her sister, she said she couldn’t think straight.

      ‘If only Uncle Paton was here,’ Charlie wailed. ‘He’d know what to do.’

      Charlie felt like taking Runner Bean and rushing over to Fidelio’s or Emma’s, or even Olivia’s place. But could they hide the big dog, or would they want to, with Runner Bean looking so wild? He hated being shouted at; his eyes were rolling and low rumbles kept coming from his throat.

      ‘We’ll explain to whoever comes, that he must on no account be put down,’ said Mrs Bone. ‘We’ll tell them that he’s never bitten anyone, ever.’

      ‘Perhaps he’ll go to a nice dogs’ home where you can visit him,’ Maisie said hopefully.

      ‘He’d hate it,’ cried Charlie. He took a large dish of goose liver pâté and ten slices of honey-roast ham out of the fridge, and poured them into the dog bowl that Maisie had hidden under the sink.

      ‘Grandma Bone’s specials,’ said Maisie in hushed tones.

      ‘I don’t care,’ said Charlie. He knelt beside Runner Bean and stroked the dog’s wiry head.

      It was very satisfying to see his grandmother’s favourite food being wolfed down a shaggy throat.

      The time was twenty-five minutes past six.

      Charlie stood up. ‘I’ve made a decision. I’m going to ask Fidelio to hide Runner until Benjamin comes back.’

      ‘With all those noisy musicians?’ said Maisie. ‘He wouldn’t last a minute.’

      And then someone rang the doorbell.