The Earl of Doodlepoppington was back. He strode purposefully down the lane carrying his gifts for the party, excited to see his cousin Badger, who had reunited him with his mother in Persia many moons ago.

As he drew nearer to the party, he heard muffled whimpering. He sniffed around him, and peered through the fog, until he saw a bundle under a bush. He peeked closer. There was Pickle, huddled, damp and very distressed.

“Hello, Pickle,” said the Earl cheerfully. “What are you doing out here? Why aren’t you with the others at the party?”

“Ugh!” said Pickle crossly. “You’re all I need tonight. The last time I saw you, you tried to double-cross me.”

“My dear girl, that was before I saw the error of my ways. And you all helped me do that. Now what seems to be the problem here?”

“Problem? You’re my only problem right now. I just want to be alone. The others have decided that I’m not fit to attend their stupid party. So leave me to sulk, please.”

“What have you done to annoy them this time?” sighed the Earl.

“Nothing! All I did was point out how we used to rumble along together as a gang, causing mayhem along this lane. They’ve all changed. They’re all a bit … good now. Where’s the fun in that?”

“And what about Pogo Paws? Does he think this too?” asked the Earl kindly.

“Hah! Pogo Paws left long ago. He ran off to the circus. So it’s just me in charge of the gang,” snorted Pickle.

“So, you’re all on your own now? I can understand you feel angry, but it doesn’t have to be like this.”

“Oh, so now you’re not only an earl, but you’re also lord and master of what’s good for me?” frowned Pickle.

“Friends are friends, my dear girl, regardless of their flaws. You’ve got a good bunch there with the gang. If they have changed for the better, they can still be your pals. It’s nice to be nice, and it might improve your mood a little.”

Pickle turned her back on the Earl and curled up under the bush.

The Earl said: “I’ll leave you to it then, because everybody’s waiting for me to arrive.” He shook his head and swept off down the lane to join the others at the party.

At the party, the alley cats were in full swing. The Meowzik Maker was pumping up the volume and Cheryl and Dodgy Dave were getting down to the beat.

Badger was still glum, even though he was surrounded by several slices of toast.

A figure emerged from the fog. Badger jumped up and threw his paws around the Earl.

“Doodles, am I glad to see you!” grinned Badger.

“Yes, I just met your old pal Pickle in the lane. She seems a bit down in the dumps.”

Badger frowned “I know. This party is supposed to be for her, and now she’s not even here.”

“I say, old chap, where’s that red raggy thing you’ve usually got tied around your neck?”

“It’s a long story,” groaned Badger.

“Never mind! I come bearing gifts: party hats to be exact,” said the Earl, thrusting a bulging bag forward.

Everyone clamoured round Badger to look in the bag, which was packed with bright red hats bearing tickly tassles … just like Otto.

“But I’m the only fez in this lane!” cried an outraged Otto.

The others looked at each other and fell about laughing. The Earl gave out the hats to each party member. Soon, no one knew which of the hats was Otto.

Then one of the hats caught Lennie’s eye. “That one must be Otto!” he shrieked “Look! It’s moving all on its own.” They peered at the fez gliding along the ground.

Two tiny feet emerged from underneath the hat, and they realised it was Cheryl, swamped by the fez.

“It’s too big,” she giggled. “I can’t see where I’m going.”

“None of us can in this fog,” said Dodgy Dave.

All of a sudden, the fezzes rose up into the air and flew in formation. They all looked upwards in wonder, as the hats performed a double-diamond roll, followed swiftly by a quarter-clover manoeuvre, and then a whirl of loops and swoops, before each fez glided perfectly onto their heads.

The hat on top of Lennie’s head began to rumble. He looked upwards to see a shower of confetti cascade down from his hat.

“I think this one’s Otto, because he’s showing off,” said Lennie.

Once Lennie was completely covered from head to paw in the multi-coloured confetti, Otto whizzed off to tickle everyone with his tassle. Lennie looked at Otto flying around in complete admiration. Otto noticed that Lennie was impressed with his antics, and puffed out his tassle proudly. At last, thought the little fez, someone appreciates me!

“Okay,” said the Earl taking command. Everything looks good, and smells good. Let’s get this party started, right now!” “Woohoo!” they chorused as they all bounced to the beats. Badger looked on thoughtfully. He was pleased to see his pals enjoying themselves, but he couldn’t forget that there were missing guests. ’Chief had vanished, Pickle had been excluded and Pogo Paws was in a circus, far far away.

He needed some help, and he needed it fast, before the reunion could be truly complete.