21-FIFTY MINUTES TO PARTY TIME!

FIFTY MINUTES TO PARTY TIME! A little while later, a mouse came to the door. He had long sideburns. His PURPLE-AND-WHITE-striped sweater smelled like rotten fish. "Well, look at this! You could sail a fishing boat in here!" he chuckled. I didn't join him. My waterlogged mouse hole was nothing to laugh about. It was a tragedy, This smelly mouse had some nerve. Just then, he stuck his paw out for me to shake. "The name's Fishyfur, but you can just call me The Fish," he said. "I'm Trap's friend. I'm the best fishermouse in town. These are my assistants..."

Two sailors popped up behind him. The Fish waved his paw at them. "OK, LET'S GET GOING, ratoidsl" he ordered, "We've got work to do!" The two sailor mice brought out a long rubber tube. They connected it to a generator. One mouse put the generator on his back like a backpack. Then they began pumping up water by the gallon. The water shot out of the window. I heard a big SPLASH down below. Angry voices followed. "What's going on?" "Where's all this water coming from?" "It's a FLASH FLOOD!" "Look, it's coming from Stilton's apartment!" "Stilton?" "Yes, Stilton, the publisher! If I get my paws on him..."

I gulped. The two sailors sniggered. Right then. The Fish caught sight of Thea. His jaw dropped. Birds sang. Heart bubbles floated over his head. Well, maybe there were no birds or bubbles. But I could tell it was love at first sight. My sister has that effect on male mice. The Fish bowed before her. "Princess of Perfection! Goddess of Corgeousness! I never knew Trap had such a stunning cousin," he murmured, "Are you free tonight, Queen of queens? How about a nice seafood dinner with The Fish?" he said, curling his whiskers. "I know the most wonderfully romantic place...." Thea fluttered her eyelashes, "Take care of this water first," she squeaked. "Then we'll see about dinner." I was fuming. What was Thea thinking?

She couldn't have dinner with this smelly mouse. It was Christmas Eve. She would be having dinner at my house! "Can you cut the chatter!" I yelled. "I am expecting lots of guests in less than one hour! Please, hurry up!" The Fish snorted. "Wow. Someone has his cranky coat on today," he jeered. I chewed my whiskers. This mouse was driving me batty. But I needed him. So I closed my eyes and counted to ten. When I opened them, a miracle had occurred. The floor was completely dry. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I squeaked. "How much do I owe you?" The Fish just winked at my sister. "It's on me," he said. "A gift for your beautiful sister."