TALES FROM WITCHWAY WOOD: Crash 'n' Bang (22 page)

‘O’Brian,’ said TT. ‘You know that Pot Of Gold?’

‘Yes?’ said O’Brian. The Pot was rolling about in the back somewhere. It was wonderful not to have it in his lap.

‘You know how you were saying you don’t actually
spend
it?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well – er – how would you feel about giving me some? I’ve got a bit of a cash-flow problem.’

‘I don’t see why not,’ said O’Brian easily. ‘There’s more to life than gold.’

‘Never thought I’d hear those words coming from the lips of a Leprechaun,’ said Arthur.

‘But he’s a Crash ’n’ Bang Leprechaun,’ said Tallula, from the back. ‘That’s different.’

‘That’s right,’ said O’Brian happily. ‘I am.’ He didn’t mention that one of the features of a Leprechaun Pot is that it never empties. However much you dip into it, it just fills up again. But he kept quiet about that because it wouldn’t make him seem so generous.

‘Thanks, O’Brian,’ said TT. ‘Hope you didn’t mind my asking.’

‘Oh no,’ said O’Brian. ‘Not a bit of it. Always happy to help a friend in need.’

TT gave a little sigh. ‘Glad you still think of me as a friend.’

‘Why wouldn’t we?’ asked Tallula.

‘Well – things didn’t work out that well. We’re not going to be millionaires. I guess I’m not cut out to be a manager after all.’

‘Hey, man,’ said Filth. ‘You did OK, dude.’

‘Of course you did,’ said Tallula. ‘We wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for you. Right, Arthur?’

‘You did fine,’ said Arthur. ‘All right, so we won’t be rich and famous, but it was an experience. Not that I want another one in a hurry, but it’ll be something to remember, won’t it? When we’re playing at the Zombie Reunion Dance next Saturday.’

‘But I cancelled it,’ TT reminded him.

‘So un-cancel it. You’re the manager now. You’d better warn them that we’ll be slipping in a Crash ’n’ Bang number or two. They’ll argue at first, but they’ll just have to put up with it. They might even end up liking it.’

‘What about you, Tallula?’ asked Filth. ‘Free to sing next Saturday?’

‘Try and stop me,’ said Tallula happily.

‘UH?’ chipped in Chip. He was looking a bit anxious. ‘Uh-uh-UH?’

‘Yeah, dude,’ said Filth. ‘Of course you’re still the roadie.’

‘The engine’s cooled a bit,’ said TT. ‘If we take it steady, we should make it to that old Hobgoblin’s filling station. Top up with petrol and water. Maybe get a few of those egg rolls, eh? Should keep us going until we get home.’

And so they went home to Witchway Wood. It took hours but nobody minded because they had a lot to talk about. Arthur’s complaints about the egg rolls took up at least an hour. And there was always I Spy.

When they reached the mountain where Tallula lived, she asked to be dropped off by the side of the trail. There were hugs all round and a promise to meet up for rehearsal next Wednesday. Then she loped off into the trees. The others watched her go.

‘She’ll be going for a run and a bit of a howl,’ said TT, adding hastily, ‘Nothing wrong with that.’

‘Think she’ll be all right?’ asked O’Brian.

‘Yeah,’ said Filth. ‘She’s used to being a Werewolf –’

‘And she’s all right noooooowwwww!’ chorused the others. Well, Chip said ‘UH!’ and Gareth blew a stream of bubbles – but they meant the same thing.

Also by Kaye Umansky

Pongwiffy Back on Track

Pongwiffy A Witch of Dirty Habits

Pongwiffy and the Goblins’ Revenge

Pongwiffy and the Spell of the Year

Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom

Pongwiffy and the Pantomime

Pongwiffy and the Spellovision Song Contest

_{*   *   *}

Clover Twig and the Incredible Flying Cottage

Clover Twig and the Perilous Path

Bloomsbury Publishing, London, Berlin, New York and Sydney

First published in Great Britain in April 2011 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

This electronic edition published in 2011 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

36 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QY

Text copyright © Kaye Umansky 2011

Illustrations copyright © Nick Price 2011

The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted

All rights reserved

You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise

make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means

(including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying,

printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the

publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication

may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages

A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 9781408818657

www.bloomsbury.com

www.kayeumansky.com

Visit
www.bloomsbury.com
to find out more about our authors and their books

You will find extracts, author interviews, author events and you can sign up for

newsletters to be the first to hear about our latest releases and special offers