Standing to attention at the station’s ticket barrier was a little man with a big moustache. He looked, in a word, officious.

“Tickets, please!” he barked, his moustache twitching as he spoke.

Sid produced the three tickets and handed them over with what he thought was a feminine flourish.

The little man inspected the tickets closely, and then tore them in two.

Sid cooed in his most ladylike voice, “Thank you, my good man. Well, if everything is in order, we must be on our way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Bognor Regis!”

“STOP!” replied the ticket inspector.

Lady Sid and Lady Eric shared a nervous glance. Oh no! They were done for!

“I love babies!” said the little man. “Mind if I take a peek?”

“She’s very shy!” huffed Lady Sid.

“Oh, just a quick peek!”

“She’s sleeping!” hissed Lady Eric.

“Don’t worry! I won’t wake her!” replied the little man.

With that, he pulled back the beach towel. He revealed a smiling Gertrude, sucking on her stick of rock.

“SLURP! SLURP! SLURP!”

A look of horror spread across the man’s face. His moustache was now twitching like a kite in a storm. It looked as if it might fly off his face at any moment.

“Pretty as a peach, isn’t she?” chirped Lady Eric. “Now, come along, baby!”

With the man still frozen to the spot in shock, the two pushed the pram out of Bognor Regis station. As soon as they turned a corner, they picked up as much speed as they could.

RITTLE! RATTLE! RUTTLE!

The pair then leaped on the back of the pram as it bounced along the pavement from the station into the town.

BOINK! BOINK! BOINK!

“We did it!” exclaimed Sid.

“We certainly did!” agreed the boy.

“SLURP! SLURP! SLURP!” went Baby Gertrude on her stick of rock.

They were dressed perfectly for a delightful summer’s day at the beach.

Such a shame it was December.

They had escaped into the charming little seaside town of Bognor Regis. Seaview Towers wasn’t far away.

They had no clue of the

terrible danger that was

lurking there.