Episode 18 - Better the Devil

Brandon looked at Ray, prostrate on the floor, and Mary, cooing over the view, and sighed. The plan wasn't going quite as... well, planned. Ray and Mary were at this very moment supposed to be shinning down the cliffside in search of Grandad Gold, preferably slipping and breaking their necks, saving him and Granny Gold the trouble of murdering them.

He was just about to rouse them into action with a convincing wail of despair when someone grabbed him by the shoulders. He span round, avoiding toppling off the edge of the abyss by the narrowest of margins.

"Dad! What are you doing here?"

There was urgency in Richard's face. Urgency, doubt and despair. And a little bit of gravy left from lunchtime. "Brandon, we must play a game of tennis."

"Now? Only I was in the middle of doing Granny a big favour."

Richard gave Brandon a shake. "Now. I have to be sure of something. And this is the only way."

Brandon took a step back, flailed for a moment, then took a step sideways instead. "And I have to be sure of something as well. So you'll have to wait."

"I can't wait! We have to play tennis! Now!"

The noise woke Mary from her revery. "Apparently Grandad Gold has fallen down the abyss," she said lightly.

"My god!" Richard sunk to his knees. "What are we to do?"

"I thought we'd just pop down there and rescue him," said Mary. "Ray?"

"There is nothing out there! Nothing!" groaned Ray. He scrambled to his feet and looked down. "Hang on, there is something down there."

"Hello!" piped up Grandad Gold. He looked very small, standing at the bottom all by himself. "I went off for a little toddle but didn't end up anywhere, so I decided to come back. Better the devil you know, eh? Could anyone give me a hand?"