Well, we are now, sadly, coming to the end of our holiday by the sea-side but before Herring Gull Harry, Teacup and I return home, we had one final day on the beach and after a delicious picnic of worm sandwiches, mosquito cookies and pumpkin juice, the conversation turned to who could leap frog the furthest with Herring Gull Harry saying, “Teacup, rumour has it that you are brilliant at leap frog.”

“What, better than me? I asked somewhat piqued. I always thought I was the best at leap frog and, indeed, I frequently used the ever patient Herring Gull Harry as my practise partner.

“Oh, definitely so,” Herring Gull Harry replied in a serious tone.

Teacup said, “I know I’ve won prizes for my leap frogs but you are much taller than me, Errol, so I am sure you’re the best.”

I, however, wasn’t convinced. I didn’t like the possibility that Herring Gull Harry thought that there was someone who was better at leap frog than me.

Then I had an idea. I said, “OK, so why don’t we have a contest now. Herring Gull Harry you draw the jumping line and then mark how far we jump in the sand.”

“Errol, I’m…” Teacup began.

“Righty-ho,” said Herring Gull Harry and he got up and drew the line in the sand from which Teacup and I would jump from.

“OK, all is ready,” he announced a few moments later.

“Right,” I said. “Do you want to go first?” I asked Teacup as we hopped away from the line that Herring Gull Harry had drawn.

“OK, yes,” she said, as she slowed up and looked back along the sand to where Herring Gull Harry had drawn his line.

“Ready, Teacup,” shouted Herring Gull Harry.

“Yes,” she said.

“One, two, three – go,” he shouted and Teacup was off hopping as fast as she could up to the line and then she hopped up into the air and landed somewhere in the distance. It was difficult to see from where I was standing.

I stood up. I got ready. I waited.

“One, two, three,” finally, said Herring Gull Harry’s voice and I waited for him to say go –  and the I waited – and then I waited some more – but nothing happened. I looked to where Herring Gull Harry was and he was there so I shouted, “come on, Harry, stop messing around.” No response. “Harry?” I said again and there was still silence.

This was not like Herring Gull Harry.  Getting anxious now, I hopped over to him to find that he had fallen asleep. Teacup, meanwhile, had vanished but she soon re-appeared from behind a rock.

“Who won?” she asked.

“Dunno, Teacup, I never got to leap frog as this rascal seems to have fallen asleep.”

Teacup giggled and then she whispered to me, “I know, shall we gather up our things and creep away and leave him asleep.”

“Brilliant,” I said and so we quickly gathered up our picnic and then crept away.

After what seemed like forever, Herring Hull Harry re-appeared at our cottage.

“Oi, you lot. What do you think you were playing at leaving me on the beach on my own. You rats.”

“What about me waiting to do my leap frog. I felt a right prat standing there waiting for you to say go and then finding you were asleep.”

“It was all that sunshine and good food, it made me feel sleepy,” said Herring Gull Harry.

“I bet,” I said.

“You are still the best jumper,” said Teacup looking at me.

And on that note, forglettes, this is where I am going to end this debate.

E