Extraordinary Ernie & Marvellous Maud (6 page)

The four members of the Superheroes Society (Baxter Branch) were drowsing in the rays of afternoon sun that streamed through the dusty top windows of the shopfront when Ernie and Maud burst through the door of 32 High Street. They both started talking at once.

‘There were these three bullies …’ Maud began.

‘Pascal’s Rascals,’ panted Ernie. ‘They pushed me over, and then they were throwing Emma’s book around!’

‘But Ernie gave one of them a big shove,’ said Maud, heaving her body to one side in demonstration.

‘Maud stared one down like a ferocious bull,’ Ernie broke in, ‘then charged him …’

‘And the dog, Ernie, don’t forget the enormous, vicious dog that had me cornered!’ Maud reminded him.

‘Just a minute, just a minute,’ said Super Whiz, holding up both hands to silence them. ‘Slow down and start at the beginning.’

‘Yes, it sounds like quite a story,’ said Valiant Vera.

‘Be quiet, you two,’ said Amazing Desmond. ‘Let them speak.’

Even Housecat Woman sat up to listen as Ernie and Maud related the day’s adventures.

The superheroes were full of admiration, and Ernie and Maud found that their storytelling was punctuated with praise.

‘A shopping trolleys, eh? Good thinking, Ernie!’ said Super Whiz heartily. ‘That’s brains for you.’

‘Charged him like a bull, did you, Maud?’ said Valiant Vera. ‘You see, it certainly pays to be daring and fleet of foot.’

At the end of their recital, Amazing Desmond beamed proudly. ‘What did I tell you?’ he said. ‘I knew these two had what it takes as soon as I set eyes on them!’

‘This calls for a celebration,’ Valiant Vera announced. Bustling over to the kitchen area at the far side of the room, she pulled a bottle of lemonade from the fridge. She shared it out evenly between six old, chipped coffee mugs and Desmond passed them around.

‘To Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud,’ said Amazing Desmond, holding his cup aloft.

‘Hear, hear!’ the other three cried as Ernie and Maud tried to look humble.

‘A speech might be in order, I think,’ said Super Whiz, clearing his throat.

‘If you must,’ said Desmond. ‘But please make it a short one, Whiz.’

Super Whiz shot him an icy glare.

‘Ahem. Rarely has such courage …’

The speech promised to be a little longer than Desmond was hoping for.

‘… and it goes to show that teamwork, as these two fine youngsters have demonstrated …’

But Ernie didn’t mind. No one had ever made a speech about him before.

‘… facing challenges head on, overcoming obstacles …’

He let the sun’s rays wash over him. Next to him, he could see Maud smiling softly as the golden light glowed on her fleecy curls.

‘… So I am pleased to say with confidence that the future of the Baxter Branch of the Superheroes Society is assured!’

Ernie turned to Maud. ‘Being a superhero is marvellous,’ he whispered.

‘It’s extraordinary,’ she replied.