Happily George went about the business of releasing first Marc, and then Toffee.
"Now don't try any funny stuff," he said to Marc. "Remember you made a bargain."
"I won't," Marc promised gravely.
"Good!" George said. "I've been dying to use that catapult anyway." He chuckled softly. "You'll die when I do. Isn't that funny?"
"Screaming," Toffee said, and followed Marc as he moved swiftly into the shadows.
They crept quietly forward to a position behind an enormous dynamo. Marc stopped and peered around. A few yards away, the Blemishes toiled with the enormous bomb, adjusting it to the catapult, getting it ready to be fired. They paused briefly in their activities.
"Is it time yet?" Gerald asked excitedly.
Cecil consulted his watch. "A quarter after eight," he said. "Just fifteen minutes to go."
"I can't wait," Gerald said.
Toffee moved closer to Marc and put her hand on his arm.