‘She does, usually,’ said Mrs. Moon. ‘But she hasn’t turned up yet, so I’m all on me own. I won’t be above ten minutes gone - but I must get my kidneys.’
She disappeared. The children giggled. ‘I hope the butcher hands her her kidneys all right,’ said Larry. ‘I shouldn’t like to be without mine!’
‘Idiot!’ said Daisy. ‘Come on now - we can really let ourselves go, now the house is empty!’
In the middle of all the hullabaloo, Pip heard a noise. He sat up, trying to push Fatty off him.
‘Listen - is that the telephone?’ he asked.
It was. Goodness knows how long the bell had been ringing! ‘I’ll go, if you like,’ said Fatty, who knew that Pip hated answering the telephone. ‘It’s probably from the butcher to say he’s sending Mrs. Moon’s kidneys!’
He ran downstairs. He lifted the telephone receiver and spoke into it. ‘Hallo!’
‘’Allo!’ said a voice. ‘Can I speak to Mrs. Hilton, please?’
‘She’s out,’ said Fatty.
‘Oh. Well, is Mrs. Moon there?’ said the voice. ‘It’s Mrs. Cockles speaking.’