"Sod off."

"Sod off."

"Just make some breakfast, Broom, will you please?" said Wyrdrune wearily.

"And I'll 'avecoffee ," Billy said. "Milk makes me puke."

"Where were you last night?" Wyrdrune said.

"Oh, Gor' blimey, not you, too?"

"In case you've forgotten, kiddo, you're only fifteen," Wyrdrune said. "You're not supposed to be out all

night, hanging out in bars."

"I met a bird, if you must know."

"A bird?"

"He means a girl," said Kira with a smile.

"You spent the night with agirl ?"

"Well, it's better'n a boy, in'it?"

"Very funny. Don't you think you're a little young for that sort of thing?"

"So what are you, me bleedin' mum?"

"I'm just concerned about you, that's all," Wyrdrune said. "Where was Merlin while all this was going

on?"

"'E was out."

"What do you mean, he wasout ? How could he be out?"

"'E had too much to drink. The old sod can't 'old 'is liquor."

"Merlin gotdrunk ?" Wyrdrune said with disbelief.

"Ohhh, my head," Billy said suddenly in a completely different voice. It was much deeper, with a

different accent, and his facial expression abruptly changed to one of unadulterated misery. He slumped

forward over the table and put his head in his hands. "Must you peopleshout so?"

Kira giggled. "Well, that's one way to get rid of your chaperone," she said. "Get drunk and then give him

the hangover."

"What happened?" Merlin moaned.