CHAPTER 2

If you’re like most of our readers, you’re probably wondering how Terry and I met. Well, it’s a long story, but it’s a pretty exciting one and it starts like this …

RING! RING!

RING! RING!

RING! RING!

Excuse me for a minute. That’s our video phone.

I’d better answer it. It’s probably Mr Big Nose, our publisher.

Yep, I was right. It’s Mr Big Nose. Nobody else in the world has a nose that big.

‘What took you so long?’ he says. ‘I’m a busy man, you know!’

‘But it was only six rings,’ I say.

‘Don’t argue!’ he says. ‘I’m a busy man—I don’t have time to argue. How’s the new book going?’

‘So far, so good,’ I say. ‘I’m telling the story of how Terry and I met.’

‘Great idea!’ says Mr Big Nose. ‘How did you two clowns meet, anyway?’

‘Well, it’s a long story,’ I say, ‘but it’s a pretty exciting one, and—’

‘I don’t have time to listen to long stories,’ says Mr Big Nose. ‘Save it for the book. Just make sure it’s on my desk by next Friday!’

The screen goes blank.

Friday?

But that’s only next week!

That doesn’t leave much time. I’d better get moving. Now, where was I? Let me see …

‘Andy!’ says Terry, bursting into the kitchen.

‘We’ve got a problem!’

‘What sort of problem?’ I say.

‘The sharks are sick!’

‘What’s the matter with them?’

‘They ate my underpants!’