oooooooh!

'...a really sudden thaw!' said Captain Bill.

'That was sudden!' said Bertha.

'Very sudden,' agreed Norma.

'I don't think I've ever seen one more sudden?' added Bertha.

'Can I,' said Captain Bill, 'can I suggest that we all remain very, very still and talk very, very quietly?'

'I think you can!' replied Norma.

So Norma, Bertha and Captain Bill remained very, very still and very, very quiet and looked at the huge tower of wobbly water that stood in front of them.

'So,' said Captain Bill,' that's us standing very still and being very quite then!'

'And Cyril's right down at the far end of the Pier,' said Bertha.

'So,' said Captain Bill,'that's the three of us standing very still and being very quiet and Cyril down at the far end of the Pier.'

'Horace is probably writing poetry,' whispered Norma,'that won't make much noise, he only uses a soft pencil.'

So,' said Captain Bill, 'that's the three of us standing very still and being very quiet and Cyril down at the far end of the pier and Horace quietly writing poetry with a soft pencil...that's everybody isn't it?'

'Yes,' replied Norma,'...everybody...'

'...except for...' added Bertha.

'Annie!' mooed Captain Bill.

And a fleeting, but very quiet look of panic passed across the three faces.