February meeting

Only seven today.
All good stories mine was voted to be the best
Next month "A total surprise"

Staring out.

What is that noise? Emma's shrill voice woke up her sleeping husband George. George wasn't too pleased to be woken up from what had been a quite nice dream where he had been chatting up the new bar maid who had just started working in the local inn. I can't hear anything he said half rising himself up by his elbow. It's stopped now but it was a scuttling noise from the kitchen.

Get back to sleep most likely its from outside. No I'm going down to see what it is as Emma swung her legs over the side of the bed and switched on the bedside light. Oh alright hang on I'll go George struggled to free himself from the heaped blankets. Putting on his trousers and slippers he made his way to the door. I'll come with you Emma whispered.

Silently apart from Emma's teeth chattering with fright they both made their way downstairs.

George slowly opened the kitchen door and emboldened by no reaction he switched on the electric light. As he did so something flew from one side of the room to the other.

Jesus Christ George blasphemed what was that. What did you see Emma asked as she followed him into the room.

I don't know looked like a cat a black one.

Emma shook her head, I've never seen a black cat around here before she replied anyway how did it get in? I don't know perhaps when you put the bin bags out last thing.

Open the back door Emma I'll see if I can chase it out. George grabbed hold of the washing machine and pulled it out as far as he could He then got on his hands and knees and peered under the kitchen cupboards with the torch that was kept in case of a power cut. Now where are you pussy he said encouragingly Jesus he exclaimed and threw himself backwards A pair of malevolent shining eyes stared out at him. It's a rat he cried. As big as any cat. Emma shrieked and rushed out of the kitchen into the garden. George gathered his thoughts what could he do. He didn't fancy poking it with a stick the rat was big, big enough to attack him perhaps .

He could hear Emma talking to their neighbour who had come out on hearing the commotion. perhaps he might have an idea as he was a chap who was very practical and seemed to be able to solve any problem. He thought should he ring the police but no he would wait to see if Salvo his neighbour could come up with a suggestion.

A short while later Salvo turned up looking cheerful carrying a walking stick. George looked unimpressed “What you going to do with that, club it to death? I've already tried to get it out with a broom handle but it just retreats. You'll soon see, said Salvo confidently, bending down in the corner and pushing the walking stick forward. Suddenly George was deafened as the walking stick gun fired. There you are problem solved it's well and truly dead. Salvo triumphantly pulled back the gun and the dead rat. George looked on amazed but also concerned about the possible mess left behind and not only that he saw water was seeping out at the boiler end of the cupboards. Salvo you good at repairing burst pipes?