TALES FROM WITCHWAY WOOD: Crash 'n' Bang Read Online Free Page A

ragged halt.
    ‘It’s not working,’ said Filth, still sulking. ‘I don’t like it.’
    ‘No?’ said Arthur politely. ‘Oh dear. Would you sooner start with the Waltz, then?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Well, what, then?’
    ‘This,’ said Filth. And he closed his eyes and began tapping out a little rhythm on the rim of his side drum.
    It was a simple little rhythm, but my, was it infectious! It instantaneously made your feet tap. Tee-tata-tee-tata-tee-tata-tee! Then the bass drum joined in. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Then the cymbal. Tssssk! Tssssk! Tssk, tssk, tssssk!
    After a moment, Arthur’s head began to nod in time. Then he gave a little chuckle, spat on his claws and hunched over the keys. His left claw crashed into action, moving up and down the keyboard, thumping out the bass. His right claw added choppy little chords that fitted in all the right places. His tail swished rhythmically from side to side.
    O’Brian raised his whistle to his lips and anchored himself to the spot, determined not to break into unwanted skipping. For some days, a delicious little melody had been capering at the back of his mind and now was the time to try it out.
    His nimble fingers moved up and down as he blew. Out came the tricky little tune. It crept into the ear and danced around inside the head, fitting in perfectly.
    Yes, together, they sounded good . This was the sort of stuff they liked to play. Feel-good, stomping, wave-your-arms-around sort of music. And above all, loud . Arthur’s piano was capable of making a terrific din and so were Filth’s drums – and around them both O’Brian wove his catchy little melody. Sparks exploded from Arthur’s nostrils. Filth’s hair gel began melting and trickling down his face. O’Brian was scarlet with the effort of controlling his twitching feet.
    Tee-tata-tee-tata, boom, boom boom! Honka-tonka, honka-tonka, twiddly tweedly woo!
    ‘Bring it down!’ shouted Arthur, and suddenly they were all playing quietly, like thieves in the night.
    ‘Let it go!’ roared Arthur, after a minute or two of this. And they let it go, like a storm in the mountains!
    TEE-TATA-CRASH! HONKETTY-TONKETTY- TONK! WHEE-TIDDLY-WHEE!
    Sweat dripped, sparks sparkled, drumsticks flashed in the air. It was so loud, a train could have roared past and they wouldn’t have heard.
    Of course, it couldn’t go on for ever. This was high-energy stuff and at some point they would have to stop for a breather. Finally, at a signal from Arthur, it all ended on a gigantic, triumphant crash, causing the walls to tremble and a number of soggy egg boxes to dislodge and slither off the roof.
    ‘Yeah, baby!’ cried Filth, throwing his sticks in the air and catching them deftly in one hand. ‘That’s what I’m talking about!’
    Arthur fished around in his piano stool for the towel he kept there to wipe his face and O’Brian snatched off his hat and fanned himself. All three were grinning broadly.
    ‘Now that’s what I call music,’ said an unexpected voice from the doorway.
    It was the Thing in the Moonmad T-shirt.

 
     
 
     
Chapter Six
    A Proposal
     
    ‘Really?’ said Arthur. He was somewhat taken aback. The Studio was in a remote part of the Wood. The few visitors who showed up at the door had usually walked miles to demand that they keep the noise down. ‘You liked it?’
    ‘Liked it?’ cried TT, stepping in and closing the door behind him. ‘I loved it! I was just passing by, feeling a bit fed up, you know? But you’ve perked me up, you have. You and your wild and crazy sounds. Wow. You boys are good .’
    ‘Oh. Well, thanks very much,’ said Arthur. ‘Much appreciated. We call it Crash ’n’ Bang. It’s not for everybody. Er – can I help you?’
    ‘Actually,’ said TT, ‘I was thinking that I might be able to help you .’
    ‘If you want us to do a gig, we’re booked up for the next month,’ said Arthur. ‘Sorry.’
    ‘I’m not surprised,’ said TT. ‘Skeleton weddings, Zombie dinner