3 Mr Big Nose Calling

CHAPTER 3 MR BIG NOSE CALLING RING! RING! RING! In case you don't know, that's the sound of our 3D video phone. It's what our publisher, Mr Big Nose, always calls on to remind us that our next book is due.

RING! RING! RING! 'Don't answer it, Andy!' says Terry. 'It's probably Mr Big Nose calling to remind us that our next book is due.' 'Nah,' I say. 'We only just finished our last book and our next book isn't due for… um… er… actually I can't remember, but it's not for ages!' 'Then he must be ringing to wish us Merry Christmas,' says Terry. 'Let's answer it!'

And before I can stop him, Terry answers the phone. 'What took you so long to answer?' says Mr Big Nose. 'I'm a busy man, you know!'

'We know,' I say, 'but we're busy, too—we're getting ready for Christmas.' 'Christmas?' says Mr Big Nose. 'Bah, humbug! I don't believe in Christmas—I'm too busy. I'm calling to remind you that your next book is due tomorrow!' 'Tomorrow?' I say. 'Tomorrow?' says Terry. 'TOMORROW!' says Mr Big Nose. 'I had to bring

the deadline forward.' 'But tomorrow is Christmas Day!' I say. 'That's not important!' says Mr Big Nose. 'What's important is that it's the day your book is due!' 'No, you don't understand,' says Terry. 'It's Christmas Day. We'll be celebrating Christmas!' 'You'll be celebrating Christmas in the monkey house if you don't get your book written,' says Mr Big Nose.

'But we hate monkeys!' I say. 'Me too,' says Mr Big Nose. 'But you know what I hate even more? Not getting my book on time, that's what! A deadline is a deadline, so you'd better get it to me tomorrow, by 9 a.m., and not a moment later!' The screen goes blank. 'But we can't write a book!' says Terry. 'It's getting late and we haven't written our letters to Santa yet.' 'I know,' I say. 'But Mr Big Nose doesn't care. You heard him: he doesn't even believe in Christmas. All he cares about is getting his book on time.' 'All right,' says Terry, sighing. 'But let's write our