Bubble Trouble. Scoular Anderson

and went to see who was there.

      A very important–looking gentleman stood on the doorstep. The very important gentleman looked Freddy up and down. He saw soap smears on his tunic. He saw coloured stains on his fingers and smudges on his face. The important gentleman looked at the sign beside the door which said: “Doctor Sneezer Frogpurse – Grand Wizard”, then looked back at Freddy.

      “Is Wizard Frogpurse at home?” he asked.

      “Yes,” said Freddy.

      “I’d like to speak to him, then,” said the gentleman.

      “You are speaking to him,” said Freddy.

      The gentleman twitched his nose.

      “I was expecting someone… er… older,” said the gentleman.

      “I may look young but I’m really seventy–five. It’s great what you can do with magic!” said Freddy, trying not to laugh.

      The gentleman twitched his nose again.

      “Then you must come with me to Gribble Castle. I am Lord Gribble’s secretary and Lord Gribble urgently needs a wizard for a very special task.”

      A broad smile spread over Freddy’s face.

      “Just a moment,” he said.

      Freddy dashed back into the house. In the wizard room, he grabbed one or two things from a cupboard and stuffed them into his wizard’s bag. He lifted his wand from the table and stuck it into his belt. He turned to Odds–and–Ends, who was still trapped in his bubble.

      “What did you say a moment ago, Odds? You said nobody wanted a wizard who just mucks around. Well, you’re wrong. Lord Gribble wants me, so there!”

      “Oh no, Master Freddy, don’t go there!” said Odds–and–Ends, banging his little claws against the inside of the bubble.

      Freddy stuck his tongue out at the dragon and went.

      The secretary took Freddy back to Gribble Castle. They went in a little carriage which lurched from side to side as it went over the potholes in the road. As they passed through the village, people came to their doors to watch. Freddy felt very proud. It wasn’t every day that a wizard was summoned by Lord Gribble.