The spaceship began to plummet towards the planet below. This part always made Nicola feel dizzy, as if they were going over the top of a waterfall on a raft. As they drew closer, she could see the mountain peaks draped in snow like the icing on a wedding cake. Then the mountains disappeared and they were over the top of a city.

‘We’re coming up to the Gorgioskios’ house!’ said Tyler, his hands tight on the controls.

‘Don’t land on Georgio’s aero-car again,’ said Greta.

‘That wasn’t me. That was Shimlara.’ Tyler looked away from the controls at Greta.

‘Watch where you’re going!’ warned Nicola as the spaceship dropped rapidly towards the house.

Tyler manoeuvred the spaceship over the Gorgioskios’ backyard.

‘There’s Georgio in the pool!’ said Katie.

And there he was, floating flat on his back in the pink water, his legs crossed at the ankles, a big straw hat shielding his face.

‘Not in the pool,’ she said to Tyler. ‘Oh, please don’t land in the pool.’

‘I’m trying not to,’ said Tyler desperately, a trickle of sweat running down his forehead. ‘I’m trying . . .’

But the spaceship seemed attracted to the pool like a magnet.

Nicola watched as Georgio lazily lifted his hat from his face and looked straight up at them. They were close enough now to see his mouth form a circle of horror.

‘We’re going to land straight on top of him!’ cried Nicola.

With an explosion of frothy pink water, the spaceship crashed straight into the swimming pool.

6

There was silence except for the sound of water lapping gently against the sides of their spaceship.

Tyler bent forward with his hands pressed against his face. ‘Sorry,’ he said.

‘It’s not your fault,’ said Katie.

‘Of course it’s his fault!’ said Greta. ‘He was the one flying!’

‘I’d like to see you do any better,’ said Sean.

‘Enough!’ said Nicola. ‘We need to see if Georgio is okay.’

Tyler pressed a button and the spaceship hatch opened. As they looked around, all they could see were the walls of the pool. The force of their landing had created such a huge splash, most of the pink fizzy pool water had disappeared.

‘Oh frizzle!’ said Nicola. (‘Frizzle’ was a private Berry Family swear word which they were allowed to use in times of extreme stress.)

Everyone unbuckled their seatbelts and climbed out of the spaceship. They waded through the ankle-deep water towards the ladder and clambered out into the Gorgioskios’ backyard.

‘Georgio!’ Nicola called out frantically. ‘Georgio!’

‘I’M UP HERE, YOU FOOLISH BABOONS!’

They all looked up to see Georgio sitting on the roof of his house, his long legs wrapped around the chimney. He must have been swept up there by a huge wave of water.