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Back The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble Save as PDF
Chapters (47)
  1. COVER
  2. ABOUT L. M. MORIARTY
  3. ALSO BY L. M. MORIARTY
  4. TITLE PAGE
  5. PROLOGUE
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 8
  14. 9
  15. 10
  16. 11
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  30. 25
  31. 26
  32. 27
  33. 28
  34. 29
  35. 30
  36. 31
  37. 32
  38. 33
  39. 34
  40. 35
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  42. 37
  43. 38
  44. 39
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  47. 42

In the case of a minor hurricane, your chances of survival are approximately 48.5–63.5%. We recommend that you:

1. Place an inflatable bubble-jacket (stored under the burner) over your head and tie the straps around your waist as per the diagram. Bubble-jackets are designed to inflate on impact with a hard surface. In this event you will find yourself encased within a bouncy rubber ball for your own safety. Unfortunately it is not possible to remove yourself from the ball without assistance. We apologise for any inconvenience.

2. Sit on the floor of the basket.

3. If you are accompanied by acquaintances or loved ones it might be a good idea to confirm your feelings. For example, ‘I love you’, ‘I am quite fond of you’, or ‘I have never really liked you all that much’, as the case may be. You may also want to ask for forgiveness for previous wrongs, such as hurtful comments, forgotten birthdays, etc.

NOTE: DO NOT attempt to fly the balloon to any specific location. This is a HURRICANE, folks. The balloon is going to do whatever the hurricane wants. The best you can hope for is that you’ll be slammed gently into the nearest mountain. By the way, there will always be some joker in the pack who suggests heading for the eye of the storm. This is like advising a bankrupt person to try to win the lottery. Sure it would be great, but what are the odds? (Teeny-weeny.)

In the case of a major hurricane, your chances of survival are approximately 0%. We recommend that you:

Enjoy your last few moments of life!

Thank you for flying with Shobble’s leading hot-air balloonists.

Nicola was the fastest reader so she finished first. Her earlier laughter had vanished although she could still feel the giggly sensation at the back of her throat. She watched the emotions fly across everyone’s faces as they read. They frowned, they chewed their lips, they went bright red or ghost white.

One by one, as each person finished reading the sign, they turned their head towards Nicola in search of guidance.

28

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‘Philippe did say a minor hurricane, didn’t he?’ Shimlara gripped the side of the basket as it rocked aggressively. Long strands of her hair whipped across her face and caught in her mouth. ‘Tell me he didn’t say major!’

‘He definitely said minor.’ Tyler squinted up at the mass of angry black cloud that was gathering above them. ‘Although this looks pretty major to me.’

‘I don’t see what’s so bad about suggesting that you try to fly into the eye of the storm.’ Sean looked offended by the notice. ‘It makes perfect sense!’

‘I knew taking the hot-air balloon was a bad idea.’ Greta pulled a Honeyville Primary raincoat from her backpack, her lips pursed as if someone had purposely arranged the hurricane just to annoy her.

‘Well it’s funny you never mentioned it,’ said Shimlara.