Hour of the Doomed Dog Read Free

towards a big glass box stuffed with toys and sweets.
    “Easy,” said Damian, putting his money in the slot. “I’m going for the skull!” He wiggledthe joystick and the claw began moving until it was almost directly above a small plastic skull filled with sweets.
    “Just a bit more…” said Damian.
    But then the machine began to flash.
    “It’s about to grab!” squealed Toby.
    “I’m not ready,” wailed Damian as the claw dived down to grab the skull.
    “Missed.” Toby beamed triumphantly.
    The empty claw returned to its position.
    “That’s not fair,” Damian glared. “No one told me I was up against a timer!”
    “It gives you thirty seconds to get in position,” explained Joe. “Then it grabs.”
    Joe put his coin into the slot.
    “Go, Joe!” cried Toby.
    Carefully he edged the claw until it was right above the skull…
    But then Frankie thundered into the arcade and charged at him.
    Joe jerked the lever wildly. “NO!” he shouted.
    “Ha!” sniggered Damian. “You missed, too!”
    “JOE! JOE!” barked Frankie, pawing at Joe’s ankle with his claws. “I lost the men on the beach. You’ve got to help me find them!”
    “I nearly had it,” groaned Joe.
    “Yeah, yeah,” smirked Damian. “Look – air hockey! Come on, Toby, I’ll take you on. Maybe you’re better than your brother!”

    When they’d gone, Joe turned on Frankie. “I almost had that prize.”
    “You’re supposed to be helping ME,” growled Frankie, his green zombie eyes flashing.
    Joe crouched down and pretended to fiddle with his shoelaces in case anyone was watching. “Listen, what are you going to do if you find the robbers anyway?”
    Frankie cocked his head to one side as though he was thinking about it. “Spy on them.”
    “How will that help?”
    “They might say what time they’re coming on Saturday.”
    Joe rolled his eyes. “That’s bonkers! Baddies never lounge about on the beach shouting about their next crime.”
    Frankie glared at Joe. “What are we going to do then?”
    Joe paused. He hadn’t really thought about it. “We’ll have to go back to the hotel and keepwatch,” he said finally. “And try and find out what they’re going to steal.”
    Frankie jumped to his feet. “Great plan. Let’s go!”
    “Soon,” whispered Joe. He could see Damian waving to him from the air-hockey table. “First I’ve got to beat my cousin!”

    Half an hour later, Joe had lost every game Damian had challenged him to. They finally left the arcade and walked back on to the pier.
    “Can we have an ice cream?” Toby asked, peering in a café window.
    Dad shook his head. “Mum’s just texted. She’s wondering where we are.”
    “Please, Dad,” Toby whined.
    “I bet I can eat more ice cream than you!” hissed Damian in Joe’s ear.
    “I’d love a knickerbocker glory,” beamedUncle Len. “Come on. My treat!”
    “I think we’d better be getting back,” began Dad.
    But Uncle Len was already pushing open the café door. “Grab that table in the window, Damian. I’ll get more chairs.”
    The five of them squashed round the only empty table in the café and Uncle Len waved to a waitress to take their order.
    “What’s everyone having?” he asked.
    “Death by Chocolate!” said Damian. “With extra whipped cream and three flakes.”
    “Me, too!” Toby’s eyes were wide like saucers.
    “No, Toby,” said Dad. “You’d never finish a big sundae. Choose something smaller…”
    “What are you having, Joe?” Damian smirked.
    “A large banana split, please,” said Joe. “With extra toffee sauce.”
    “Do you want nuts on top?” asked the waitress.
    “Yes, please, and three flakes, too!”
    Dad frowned. “Are you sure you can eat all that, Joe?”
    “Course he can!” grinned Uncle Len. “And I’m paying – so everyone can have what they like.”
    “I bet I finish first!” hissed Damian.
    “What about me?” Frankie whined from under Joe’s chair. “Sylvia always lets me