“An enormous explosion
devastated an ancient college in the city of Cambridge this afternoon.
We go over to our reporter live at the scene.”
“The historic north
wing lies in ruins. At four thirty this afternoon a powerful explosion
tore the building apart. With me now is a college porter who witnessed
the scene.”
“I can’t believe it.
It’s terrible, terrible. Who would do such a thing?”
“What exactly did you
see?”
“I was walking
through the Old Court. There was a terrible noise. I was thrown to the
ground. There were stones and glass flying about everywhere and purple
smoke, I couldn’t breath.”
“Purple smoke?”
“Ay, it was purple,
smelt terrible.”
“Peter, tea’s ready.”
“Can you bring it in
here please, mum?” I said. “There’s a good program on telly after the
news.”
“Thank goodness the
explosion happened during the Easter vacation when all of the students
were away. Miraculously there are believed to be no casualties.”
“Peter, turn the TV down
please.”
“Is dad going to be
late?” I asked, reaching for the remote control. “He promised he’d help
me with my History project.”
“I’m afraid he has to
work late at the office tonight.”
“Again!”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. But
he did have some very exciting news.”
“Do we have any
ketchup?”
“No, sorry, we’re out.
Peter, listen, please. I’ve got something really important to tell you.
Dad’s been offered a promotion – it’s a much better job and he’s very
pleased about it! It means we’ll be able to move out of this small flat
and buy our own house with a garden. You’ll be able to have a decent
sized bedroom at last.”
This was good news
indeed! My room was so small that the bed barely fitted into it. And it
would be great to have a garden to play in with my friends!
“Brilliant!” I cried
excitedly. “I can have Tom and Martin over. We’ll build a tree house in
the garden!”
“I’m afraid that won’t
be so easy,” my mother replied in a quieter voice. “You see, Peter –
dad’s new job isn’t in London.”
“The cause of the
mysterious explosion is still unknown. The college, built in the
fourteenth century…”
“Peter, did you hear
what I said?”
“Yes,” I said glumly,
“we’re moving again!”
We had moved every few
years with my father’s job. I was just beginning to feel settled here in
London. I had made some good friends at school and I really did not want
to start over again.
“Where is it this time?”
I asked.
“Dad’s new job is in
Dorset on the south coast. We’re going to live by the sea.”
“When do we have to go?”
I sighed.
“In the summer, at the
end of term.”
“Oh,” I said, not
feeling at all happy about this news.
“Listen, Peter,” my mum
said, gently taking hold of my hand. “I know how you feel. I know it’s
been really difficult for you changing schools so often. But things are
going to be different now. This is the last time we’ll be moving, I
promise. We’re going to settle in our new home. You’ll love being by the
sea. Remember when we went on holiday to Weymouth two years ago, we had
such a great time?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Well, the place we’re
moving to is only a few miles from there – it’ll be great!” she said
putting her arm round me. “You’ll soon make new friends. And your old
friends can come and visit in the school holidays if you like. It will
be like being on holiday all the time!”
As I began to remember
what a great holiday we had had, my mother continued, “And we have to
move from this small flat soon. There isn’t room to swing a cat.”
“What about a dog?” I
asked.
“A dog?” she said
puzzled.
“I mean, can I have a
dog when we move to the new house?”
“Well, I’ll have to
think about that and talk it over with your dad.”
“Please, mum,” I urged.
“You know I’ve always wanted a puppy and it’ll be great at the new home,
we can go exploring and play on the beach together.”
“All right, I’ll give
him a call,” she said, leaving the room.
“With me is the
Master of the college, Sir David Wotherington-Fotheby. Sir David, do you
have any idea what caused the explosion earlier this afternoon?”
“It is too early to
speculate. A full investigation is underway.”
“Well, can you
comment on a report I’ve received? It seems that the explosion may have
been caused by one of your science Fellows, a Professor P.”
“Professor P?” he
said sharply. “What about him?”
“Apparently he was
conducting experiments into a new form of energy, cold fusion.”
“Impossible!
Absolutely preposterous,” Sir David exclaimed. “Cold fusion has been
conclusively and repeatedly proven to be utterly impossible. I can
assure you that no such research has been authorised. Even if it had
been, Professor P would not have conducted such experiments in his
college rooms.”
“Will you be taking
any disciplinary action against Professor P, Sir David?”
“I have no further
comments to make,” he replied sharply and strode off.
“Good news,” my mum
said as she returned. “I’ve spoken to your dad and he says you can have
a dog!”
“Brilliant!” I cried,
leaping up to give her a hug.
“It has just been
confirmed that Professor P has been sacked after he admitted
responsibility for the accident which destroyed part of an historic
Cambridge college earlier this afternoon. Professor P, a brilliant but
unorthodox scientist was the youngest person ever to be awarded the
Nobel Prize in physics. He has also made major contributions to many
areas of environmental science and computing. Professor P was
unavailable for comment.”
