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.
He jumped nimbly off the roof and stood looking down at them grimly. Nicola had forgotten about his height. It was like looking up at a small tree.
'We're very sorry,' said Nicola humbly.
Georgio's face broke into an enormous smile. 'You know what that was like? Swimming on one of your Earth beaches! What do you call it again? Grabbing a wave?'
'Catching a wave,' said Sean. 'Or surfing.'
'Ah, yes! I remember! Well, I admit, that wasn't quite what I expected while I was enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the pool, but never let it be said that I can't deal with the unexpected. Hello, Nicola, Sean, Katie and Tyler! It's a pleasure to see you all again!' He shook hands warmly with each of them. His voice changed slightly as he spotted Greta. 'Oh, and you too, of course, Greta.'
At that moment Shimlara's mother, Mully, appeared around the side of the house. Apart from her height, she looked just like an ordinary mum, but Nicola knew that Mully was actually a former officer in the Globagaskarian Army and as tough as nails.
'Look where our young Earthling friends decided to land their spaceship,' said Georgio, pointing at the swimming pool. 'Aren't they creative?!'
Mully smiled. 'I hope you've all got time to come in for a cup of blueberry tea before you leave, Nicola?'
'Definitely,' said Nicola gratefully.
They followed her into the house. All the rooms were circular, instead of square, with huge murals and mirrors on the walls. Everything was on a bigger scale than on Earth. Nicola walked by a coffee table that came up to her waist; the dining-room table was above her head.
Shimlara's little brother Squid appeared with his thumb in his mouth, dragging a scruffy old blue security blanket behind him. Although he was only three years old, he was exactly the same height as Nicola. 'Earthling!' he cried when he saw Nicola. He saw the others and hugged his blanket ecstatically. 'Lots of Earthlings!'
'Hey there, Space Brigade! I was so excited when I got your i-mail!' Shimlara bounced into the room, ponytail bobbing, eyes sparkling. She had wild curly hair like Nicola, except that hers was dark brown while Nicola's was light brown. She was about the same height as Nicola's dad.
They all sat around the enormous dining-room table and Mully served giant cups of blueberry tea and crunchy almond biscuits the size of dinner plates.
'So, who is your client?' she asked.
'He's the Commander-in-Chief of Shobble,' said Nicola.
'Oh, you mean Enrico,' said Mully with a faraway look in her eyes. 'I knew him many years ago in my army days. He's a handsome, charming man. We actually went on a few dates before I met Georgio.'
'Imagine,' said Shimlara. 'My dad could have been a handsome, charming man.'
'You don't need to imagine that.' Georgio ran a hand through his hair suavely and lifted his nose. 'Just turn your head and look at me!'
'Now, Shimlara, I want you to be polite when you meet Enrico,' said Mully. 'Don't embarrass me by putting your elbows on the table, or reading his mind!'
Although the people of Globagaskar had the ability to read minds, and project their voices into other people's minds, it was considered quite bad manners.
/> 'Who, me?' said Shimlara innocently.
Mully rolled her eyes. 'Anyway, what is this mission Enrico wants you to handle?'
'We're hoping it's something really dangerous and scary,' said Sean.
'I met Enrico once,' mused Georgio. 'I thought he had a very untrustworthy-looking nose. He didn't seem an especially brave fellow either.'
Mully ignored him. 'I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sean, but if you're going to Shobble, it won't be a dangerous mission. Nothing bad has ever happened in the entire history of the planet of Shobble. They're proud of that.'
'Never a moment's trouble on our pretty planet of Shobble,' quoted Georgio. 'That's their slogan. Not very imaginative. Enrico probably thought of it.'