"I've Got Newts In My Knickers !"

Creak, splinter, topple, screech, splash ! Debbi went completely under the water. She emerged spluttering with weed in her hair, slime on her clothes and soaked to the skin. Jody was exultant. She's actually crying, she thought, though Debbi's tears were those of frustration and anger. "Look at the state of me" wailed Debbi. "I've got newts in my knickers !" Lynn could not help laughing at this. "There, there" comforted Jody. She may have risked putting an arm around Debbi had the water not been so rancid. "Jody will sort everything out" she continued as she led Debbi back towards the side of the house.

"I can't let you go through the house in this state but there's a wet room at the side here where you can go and shower" said Lynn. "But my clothes ?" whined Debbi, sniffing. "Poor old No-E" said Jody sympathetically. "Leave them outside the door" she ordered. "The local Indian store runs a quick turnaround 24 hour dry cleaning service. Mum uses them all the time. Your clothes'll be as good as new and ready later tonight" Debbi perked up a little. "But what about in the meantime ?" The girls pretended to ponder. "Hmm. Mum keeps the bedroom door locked when she's out. You're not my size but I'll see what I can find among my old things" Lynn suggested. "Oh, the poor cat ?" asked Debbi. "Would you believe it ? She seemed to get down by herself during all the commotion" Lynn reassured her.

The wet room was more a utility room with washing machine and dryer but a shower had been installed, mainly for when Lynn's older brother had been home and returning from rugby practice. It was an open space with no door, situated between the kitchen and the side door to the garden. Debbi felt exposed in this layout as, with some difficulty, she peeled off her wet and soiled clothing. But she understood where Lynn was coming from regarding making a mess all over the house. Muddy water was still pooling at her feet. She had just got naked when Lynn and Jody came in. Debbi frantically covered up. "Oh come on No-E, it's just us girls here" Jody laughed. "We've got to get these clothes to the cleaners. I've called the Indians and they'll be over to collect them any minute." Shahida joined the group in the wet room and scooped up Debbi's knickers. "I'm just going to put these newts back into the pond" she announced. Shahida always had great consideration for wild life !

"There's shampoo and shower gel there, we'll leave you to it" said Lynn cheerfully. "I'll put any clothes I find just outside !"