by Jan Burchett
Contents
Cover
About the Book
Title Page
Dedication
Map
Max and Ben
1. Rain, Rain, Go Away!
2. Science Project Panic
3. Fire! Fire!
4. Fossil Fun
Gargoylz Fact File
Also by Burchett and Vogler
Copyright
About the Book
Max and Ben are looking forward to fun, sea and sad on a school trip to the beach. But the Gargoylz are determined to go too, which means more tricks, more pranks and double trouble – now the boys can’t wait!
Don’t miss the fun in these four new Gargoylz adventures.
For Jacqui and Alan, with love
- Burchett & Vogler
To Amy.P
- Leighton Noyes
Gargoylz: grotesque stone creatures found on old buildings, spouting rainwater from the guttering. Sometimes seen causing mischief and mayhem before scampering away over rooftops.
* * *
Hello, I’m the Web Gargoyle. Look out for me – I’ll be hiding in one of the pictures in the book. When you spot me, be sure to make a note of the secret codeword I’m holding. The codeword unlocks a secret level of the amazing Gargoylz game on our fabulous website at www.gargolyz.co.uk
* * *
* * *
School Report – Max Black
Days absent: 0
Days late: 0
Max is a bright boy. If he spent as much time on his school work as he does on annoying Lucinda Tellingly he would get much better marks. I am pleased to see that he enjoys exercise — although I do not count running down corridors making racing car noises. Also I would be glad if he did not shout “Awesome” quite so loudly every time we have football practice.
Class teacher – Miss Deirdre Bleet
The only good thing I can say about Max Black is that he is always early for school. However, he is the last one into the classroom. He spends far too much time playing tricks with Ben Neal. Mrs Pumpkin is still off sick after discovering an earwig farm in her handbag. Max ignores all school rules. He has recently developed a curious interest in drainpipes and has been seen talking to the wall. This behaviour is outrageous and must stop.
Head teacher – Hagatha Hogsbottom (Mrs)
* * *
* * *
School Report – Ben Neal
Days absent: 0
Days late: 0
Ben has many abilities which he does not always use. He works very hard at dreaming up tricks to play, which gives him very little time to concentrate on his learning. He enjoys football and skateboarding — indeed, he and his board can frequently be found upside down in a flowerbed.
Class teacher – Miss Deirdre Bleet
Ben Neal is a strange boy. He is often to be found grinning at gutters.
He constantly breaks school rule number 742: boys must not break school rules.
Ben thinks he can get away with anything by flashing his blue eyes and looking innocent. I am not fooled.
Indeed I am still waiting for him and Max Black to write a note of apology to Mr Bucket the caretaker. Gluing his wellington boots to the staffroom ceiling was outrageous!
Head teacher – Hagatha Hogsbottom (Mrs)
* * *
1. Rain, Rain, Go Away!
MAX BLACK AND Ben Neal zoomed towards Oldacre Primary School in their imaginary spymobile.
“We’re early today thanks to these supersonic booster engines,” said Max as they skidded to a halt outside the church next door to the playground. “Plenty of time for our first mission: find our gargoyle friends.”
Ben grinned. “Good thinking, Agent Black. We’ll snoop around the churchyard before we go into school.”
The old church was covered in elaborate gargoylz – ancient stone statues that spouted rainwater from the gutters. Max and Ben were the only humans who knew that the funny little creatures were alive and that each had a special power. The gargoylz were now great friends with the boys and loved to play naughty tricks as much as they did.
The boys were about to race into the churchyard when Max suddenly spotted a familiar figure sitting on the playground bench. His spy radar leaped into action: pigtails bobbing, monitor’s badge gleaming, smug smile all over her face. He knew what that meant. It was Enemy Agent Arabella Neal, Ben’s sister, codename: Manic Monitor. She had her beady eyes fixed on them.
“Can’t risk a gargoyle hunt while your sister’s watching,” Max told Ben.
“We can soon scare her off,” Ben whispered back. “We’ll sneak up and put spiders—”
But before he could finish, the sky clouded over and it began to pour with rain. Arabella let out a shriek and fled for her classroom, clutching her PE bag over her head.
“Cool!” exclaimed Ben. “We didn’t have to do anything!” He looked up, but the rain had stopped as abruptly as it had started.
“Girls are so silly,” said Max pityingly. “What’s wrong with a bit of water? Anyway, now the coast’s clear we can search for the gargoylz.”
“They’re probably on the church, enjoying the downpour,” said Ben.
The boys dashed along the churchyard path, scanning the ancient gutters.
“Not even a stone whisker!” said Max, disappointed.
As he spoke, the rain came down again. His dark spiky hair was soon plastered to his head and Ben’s trainers began to squelch.
“This weather’s crazy,” said Max as the boys dived into the church porch out of the rain.
A long stripy tail suddenly flopped down in front of them.
“Horrible weather,” came a miserable voice from above.
The boys looked up at the beams and Max activated his radar: bristling whiskers, pointy cat’s ears, small fangs. He knew what that meant. It was Theo, their gargoyle friend. Theo’s special power was turning into a fierce tiger, but as he was just four hundred and twelve years old – young for a gargoyle – he hadn’t got it quite right yet. So far, the best he could manage was a small fluffy kitten.
“What’s the matter, Theo?” asked Max. “There’s plenty of rainwater to spout. We thought you’d be out enjoying yourself.”
“The others are,” said Theo, scowling. “They’re on top of the tower having spitting contests.”
“We didn’t look there,” admitted Ben.
“Why didn’t you go with them, Theo?” asked Max.
“Fierce tigers don’t like rain,” explained Theo. “It stops us doing our favourite things, like chasing pigeons off the weathervane.”
“Theo’s got a point,” said Ben thoughtfully. “Rain may be good for getting rid of annoying sisters, but I can’t skateboard when it’s wet.”
“And we’re always called in from football when it rains,” added Max, “even though puddles are fun.”
They heard the sound of the school bell.
“Time to go,” sighed Ben. “But don’t worry, Theo. We’ll think of a way to cheer you up. There’s nothing like a cheering-up mission to stop us getting bored in class.”
“We haven’t had a single good idea all morning,” moaned Ben as the boys left the dining room after lunch.
“The rain must have made our brains go soft,” said Max.
“And Miss Bleet kept forcing us to get on with our work,” Ben went on. “She wouldn’t listen when I said I was too busy to think about silly things like the nine times table.”
“There’s only one thing for a soft brain, Agent Neal,” said Max as they ran into the playground. “Football!”
“We’re sure to think of something after that!” agreed Ben.
But each time they got ready for the kick-off, there was a sudden d
ownpour and everyone was called in.
“Fingers crossed!” exclaimed Max as the rain stopped and they started their third football game. “Let’s hope we get to finish the Master Spies play Double Agents World Cup Final this time . . . Uh-oh. Spoke too soon.” The rain had started up again and the dinner ladies were shooing everyone in for the fourth time.
“Pretend we haven’t heard,” said Max through gritted teeth.
He was running up to score the winning goal when there was a bellow from behind. He checked his spy radar: grey hair, beaky nose, face like an angry tomato. He knew what that meant. It was Enemy Agent Mrs Hogsbottom, commonly known as Mrs Hogsbum, codename: Evil Head Teacher. She was heading straight for them, umbrella quivering.
“Max Black and Ben Neal!” she yelled. “Get back inside immediately! You have broken school rule number two hundred and eighty-nine: boys must not make the head teacher leave her pasta salad and chase them in out of the rain.”
“Theo was right about the rain,” said Ben when they got back to their classroom. “It spoils everything. We’ll never think of a way to cheer him up at this rate.”
“I know why it’s raining,” said Max mysteriously.
“We all know that,” said Ben. “Mr Widget went on about it in science class. It’s when the clouds—”
“I mean, I know why it’s raining today,” Max interrupted. “When Mrs Hogsbum was chasing us in, I saw Ira on the church wall. He was flapping a wing, and you know what that means—”
“It’s Ira who’s making it rain!” exclaimed Ben. “Of course. It’s his special gargoyle power. He’s playing a trick!”
Max looked out of the window. “Rain’s stopped again,” he said. “That’s because Ira can only do short bursts. Let’s get out there quickly while there’s still some playtime left and make him stop his silly pranks. He might think it’s fun but nobody else does.”
But when the boys reached Ira, they were surprised to see him looking as gloomy as Theo.
“Ahoy there, crew!” squawked the feathery gargoyle, fixing them with his piercing eyes. Ira looked a bit like a stone eagle – but he didn’t sound like one. Ever since a seafaring parrot had landed on him years ago he’d decided to be a pirate.
“Ahoy there, Ira,” replied Ben. “Good joke with the rain, but could you—”
“Bad joke, shipmates,” said Ira, shaking his head sadly. “Worked well at Sports Day. Everyone abandoned ship – lots of bloodcurdling screams. Now no one’s yelling at all, however wet they get. I’m a failure. I should be fed to the sharks!” He hid his hooked beak under his wing.
“You’re not a failure,” said Ben kindly. “Your rainstorms are great! But a trick has to take people by surprise. Everyone’s used to the rain now. Why don’t you stop – then Max and I can play football?”
“Stop?” squawked Ira doubtfully. “Don’t know about that. I’ve got nothing else to do.”
“Tell you what,” said Max. “If you stop making it rain, everyone will forget about it and we’ll think of a really good trick for you to do when they’re all nice and dry.”
“All right then,” agreed Ira, perking up. “But here’s a pirate’s warning – if it’s a bad prank you’ll walk the plank!”
He hopped away along the wall and the boys raced off to finish their game of football.
“Master Spies win the cup again, Agent Neal,” said Max as he and Ben sauntered into the classroom covered in mud. “That was an awesome game. I’m glad Ira took our advice.”
“Now we’ve got to think of a trick for him to play,” answered Ben, “and cheer Theo up too.”
“Max Black and Ben Neal,” came a voice. “What do you think you look like?”
Max’s spy radar whirred into action: short and dumpy, limp brown hair, head wobbling like a frightened chicken. It was Enemy Agent Miss Bleet, codename: Wimpy Teacher.
“Have you forgotten we’re having the school photo this afternoon?” Miss Bleet asked in a panic. “You’d better clean your faces and smarten up!” The boys shuddered as she waved a brush at them.
“We can’t touch that!” exclaimed Max, eyes wide. “Some girl might have used it.”
“We’d smell all flowery,” insisted Ben, backing away towards the wall. “And I’ve washed once this week already.”
“My hair will go flat,” added Max, feeling his spiky dark tangles.
There was a thud of footsteps in the corridor and the door was flung open. Before he could activate his radar, Mrs Hogsbottom burst in.
“General announcement!” she boomed. “It’s stopped raining so we’ll have the school photo outside.” She turned on her heel and was about to burst back out again when she spotted the two mud-splashed boys. Her eyes grew wide with shock.
“Outrageous!” she hissed. “Put them at the back of the photo.”
As soon as she’d gone, Max turned to Ben. “I’ve had an idea,” he whispered.
He dashed over to the window and peered up at the staffroom roof. Then he ran back and snatched the brush from Miss Bleet. He gave his hair a quick going over and tucked in his shirt – without being asked.
“Can I go to the toilet please?” he asked politely. “I’ll wash my face there.” He could see the look of horror and confusion on Ben’s face, but explanations would have to wait.
Miss Bleet nodded and Max raced upstairs. He stood on the seat of one of the girls’ toilets and stuck his head out of the window. After all, Miss Bleet hadn’t said which toilet he could go to.
A monkey-like gargoyle with leafy wings was crouched on the flat roof of the staffroom below, giggling at the dinner ladies as they straightened their whistles ready for the photo.
“Toby!” whispered Max excitedly. “Over here.”
Toby grinned and flew up to the window ledge beside him. Flying was Toby’s special power. “Greetingz!” he said in his growly purr. “What’s up?”
“Can you pass a message on to Ira?” said Max. “I promised him he could do a trick, and this is going to be the best rainy trick in the history of rainy tricks!”
Toby’s face fell. “I’m fed up with Ira’s rain,” he said gloomily. “It was fun at first but I don’t want any more today. The church gutterz are overflowing.”
“You’ll love this trick,” insisted Max. “We’re having a school photo in a minute. Everyone’s all neat and tidy – it’s horrible. Anyway, I need Ira to be hiding nearby. When we’re all ready, I’ll wave my hand and—”
“Ira can make it rain and everyone will get soaked!” Toby’s golden eyes flashed and he waved his dragony tail in delight. “Dangling drainpipes, that’ll be great!”
“Tell him the harder the rain falls the better,” said Max.
“I’ll tell him now,” said Toby. He took off, did a loop the loop and shot away towards the church.
“It’s weird being clean in the middle of the day,” grumbled Ben as the two boys trailed along behind their classmates towards the chairs set out for the photo. “We’re going to look really stupid. Can’t see why you’re grinning about it.”
“You needn’t worry, Agent Neal,” whispered Max. “No one will see us looking all clean and horrible because we won’t be having our photos taken.” He winked at Ben. “Ira’s going to play a trick.”
Ben looked at him blankly for a moment.
“With his . . . special power,” said Max.
Ben’s face broke into a broad grin as he worked it out. “That’ll be cool!”
“And wet,” added Max.
Year Four were ushered into their places with the rest of the school. Mrs Hogsbottom perched on her special head teacher’s chair in the front, her beaky nose polished and every grey hair slapped into place. The teachers sat beside her. The infants sat cross-legged at the teachers’ feet. The sky was blue and the sun was shining.
Agent Max Black glanced up at the church. He could see Toby, Theo and Ira peeping over the wall, watching the action. He checked up and down the rows. The whole school was there, even M
rs Simmer and the kitchen staff. It was time to put the plan into action. He flapped his hand as if he was swatting a fly.
“Keep your hand still, that boy,” said the photographer. Max put his hand down obediently. “Everyone say, Smelly sausages.”
“Smelly sausages!” chanted the school. As the photographer moved his finger towards the button, a small black cloud suddenly appeared right overhead. The rain poured down. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled. In an instant everyone was soaked.
Max and Ben high-fived.
“Outrageous!” bellowed Mrs Hogsbottom. She charged for the nearest door, herding pupils ahead of her like a bossy sheepdog.
Lucinda Tellingly and Tiffany Goodchild shrieked past, leading the class stampede.
“No running!” squeaked Miss Bleet, splashing through the puddles at the back.
“Success, Agent Black,” said Ben as they followed her inside.
“More like soak-cess, Agent Neal!” replied Max, ruffling his hair to make it stand up in spikes again. “Ira was awesome!”
The minute school was finished the boys raced out into the playground.
“Yo-ho-ho!” came a chirpy squawk from the church wall. “Set sail for the seven seas!” Ira’s piercing eyes were peeping at them.
“What did you think of the rain trick, Ira?” called Max. “We won’t have to walk the plank now, will we?”
“Shiver me timbers!” said Ira. “Certainly not. You did well . . . for a pair of landlubbers.”
Toby and Theo clambered onto the wall.
“Spluttering gutterz!” exclaimed Toby. “I haven’t laughed so much since we cut holez in the vicar’s umbrella. Good work, Ira.”
