Three
T ommy had hardly fallen asleep - or at least that’s how it seemed to him - when he was woken up by someone shaking his shoulder. He opened one sleepy eye, closed it again, got another good shake, unwillingly opened both eyes and saw Peg Leg Joe’s big face bent over him with a finger to his lips signalling, ‘Silence!’ The man gestured again, ‘Follow me!’
Tommy slid out of bed, came out from behind the curtain, almost bumped into his bucket and followed Peg Leg Joe outside.
‘Silence!’ Peg Leg Joe signalled again and, running, guided him to the riverbank where they sat down. Tommy was wide awake now and excited: an adventure! At night! With his new friend!
‘You listened to us,’ said Peg Leg Joe.
It was not a question.
‘Well, not really, but . . .’ said Tommy.
As he was a good bo
