Twice Upon a Time by James Norcliffe

Author:James Norcliffe [Norcliffe, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780143770688
Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand
Published: 2013-04-08T00:00:00+00:00

In which we are told yet another terrible story

When they knocked at Aesop Sod’s back door they received a surprise.

The door was answered not by Mr Sod but by the tousled-looking man from Nod’s Diary: Mr Nod himself.

He stared at them with surprise, taking off his little round glasses, rubbing them, and putting them on again as if this might more clearly establish just who his visitors were. Finally, he said, ‘You again!’

‘We might say that ourselves,’ said Digger Dagger.

‘In fact,’ said Ginny, ‘we will. You again!’

Badger woofed as if he were pleased to see the very good very bad storyteller.

‘Is Mr Sod here?’ asked Digger Dagger.

‘Mr Sod?’

‘Yes, Aesop Sod: very bad very good storyteller. You know? The man who lives here? The one you seemed to be frightened of?’

‘Oh, no, I don’t think so,’ said Mr Nod.

Ginny noticed that Mr Nod still had the sticking plaster on his chin.

‘How did you really do that?’ she asked.

‘Do what?’ asked Mr Nod.

‘The sticking plaster,’ explained Ginny.

‘Oh, this?’ said Mr Nod, feeling for it. ‘I shaved myself cutting.’

‘Don’t you mean you cut yourself shaving?’ asked Digger Dagger.

‘No,’ said Mr Nod, ‘I was cutting up an apple with a very sharp knife and I slipped and just shaved my chin.’

‘You have to be careful with sharp knives,’ said Ginny.

‘Oh, I know, I know,’ agreed Mr Nod, ‘otherwise you might shave your chin. But it could have been much worse.’

‘You had a close shave, then,’ said Digger Dagger.

‘I was very lucky,’ said Mr Nod. ‘Anyway, won’t you come in?’

‘We really came to see Mr Sod,’ said Ginny. ‘Are you sure he’s not at home?’

‘Not really,’ said Mr Nod. ‘I haven’t seen him.’

‘We’ve come to tell him we’ve solved the first riddle,’ said Digger Dagger.

‘Oh, wonderful,’ said Mr Nod, ‘he’ll be so disappointed. Won’t you come in?’

As they followed Mr Nod into Mr Sod’s parlour, Ginny remarked, ‘We’ve just come from your shop.’

‘Oh,’ said Mr Nod. ‘I didn’t see you.’

‘You weren’t there,’ said Digger Dagger.

Mr Nod sounded relieved. ‘Oh, that explains it then. Would you like a lamington?’

‘What is a lamington?’ asked Ginny. ‘Mr Sod offered us one, too.’

‘Don’t you know?’ asked Digger Dagger, surprised. ‘Ginny, you’ve had a most neglected upbringing.’

‘A lamington,’ explained Mr Nod, ‘consists of squares of sponge cake coated first in a layer of chocolate sauce, then in desiccated coconut. Lamingtons are sometimes served as two halves with a layer of cream or strawberry jam between.’

Ginny stared at him. She had a sudden memory of the wilted carrots and dry Christmas cake. A lamington sounded so wonderful she found her mouth watering. ‘Yes please,’ she said enthusiastically. ‘I’d love a lamington. Sounds utterly yummy!’

‘They are,’ agreed Mr Nod wistfully. ‘I’d love one, too.’

‘You mean you haven’t any?’

‘Did I say I had?’

‘You implied it!’

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