M rs. Tock and Mr. Tick watched the Cheshire fall to his knees, wondering if they should help him.
“It’s a shame that the evil cat was that much of a fool,” Mr. Tick said.
“Time befriends no one,” Mrs. Tock said. “But I really had so much fun today, Mr. Tick. It was a timely adventure.”
“Me too, Mrs. Tock.” He held her hand. “We should do this again sometime.”
“Really?” Mrs. Tock’s eyes brightened. “When?”
“A couple of hundred years from now,” he said.
“Why not? We have all the time in the world.”
“Which is pretty boring,” he said. “But not as long as we’re together. Ticking and tocking all the time.”
Mrs. Tock laid her head on his chest and sighed. “Since you’ve finally admitted I make your life better, I have a confession, Mr. Tick.”
“After all this time ?” he mocked her lovingly.
“I know why you can’t grow hair anymore.”
Mr. Tick grimaced. “You know?”
“I have to confess it’s because of me. I didn’t want you flirting with younger girls. So I —”
“So, you did what?”
“It’s the tea you drink all night and day. It has a substance that causes baldness.”
Mr. Tick was shocked. Even upset. He pulled his arm away and paced away from her.
“Mr. Tick!” she called after him. “I can make it grow back. Black pepper and olive oil will fix it!”
She ran after him. The Cheshire was still choking to death behind her.