Hamish X and the Cheese Pirates by Sean Cullen Page B

believe one has to look to the future and secure a position of power to ensure one’s ultimate survival and prosperity. That is why you are coming with me.”
    â€œMe? Why me?”
    â€œI am assembling a brain trust of the finest cheese makers from around the world. You are the last and the best, Master Viggo. From my headquarters on Snow Monkey Island, in the Arctic Ocean, I shall create a new and magnificent cheese the likes of which humankind can’t even to begin imagine. Soon, I will dominate the cheese market and then the world.” A great roar of approval went up from the pirates.
    â€œWhat about the children?” Mrs. Francis asked. Silencefell. All the pirates turned and looked at her. Cheesebeard spun and walked until his face was inches from hers. Mrs. Francis tried to resist the urge to gag. The smell of the beard was utterly rancid.
    â€œOf course, we’ll be taking them with us. They will fulfill the same duties for me as they do for master Viggo here. Only, they will find that I’m not such a soft touch. Round them up.”
    Pirates leapt to do his bidding. Mrs. Francis struggled against the grip of Kipling but remained held fast. She turned her gaze to the shutters of the serving hatch and, for a moment, locked eyes with Hamish X. Her eyes went wide. Her surprise was cut short, however, when one of the pirates came into the room holding a cloth sack in his filthy hands.
    â€œCaptain, I cleaned out the office. Nothing of interest besides some papers, and this.” The man reached into the sack and pulled out Hamish X’s book.
    At the sight of the book, Hamish X made to launch himself through the shutters into the cafeteria. Mimi and Parveen had to wrestle him back with all their strength.
    Cheesebeard leaned over, reading the cover. “Great Plumbers and Their Exploits,” he sniffed. “Sounds boring. But it might be worth something. Hang on.” He reached out and plucked the scrap of paper from its position between the pages. His voice dripped with hatred as he read. “Hamish X!”
    All the pirates gasped. Cheesebeard lunged forward and grabbed Viggo by the collar, thrusting his cheesy beard into the cheese master’s face. “Hamish X. Is he here?”
    â€œWas! Was here! He’s escaped this very night,” Viggo stammered. “We were about to go hunt him down when you attacked us.”

    Cheesebeard glared hard at Viggo. At last, he threw him to the floor. Turning to Mr. Kipling, he shouted, “Take him to the ship. Load the cheese and the children.”
    â€œHe’s just a boy with big boots,” Viggo muttered. “I don’t see what you’re scared of.”
    A gasp went up from all the pirates, followed by hushed silence. Cheesebeard glared at Viggo again.
    â€œScared?” the pirate Captain rumbled. “Scared? I’m not scared of Hamish X! I have a score to settle with that boy. I want to kill him!”
    Cheesebeard’s booted foot connected with Viggo’s bum, sending him sprawling.
    â€œOw,” Viggo yelped. “That was my bum!”
    â€œSay I’m scared again and you’ll be wearing my boot on your bum permanently,” Cheesebeard growled. “Take him away!”
    The pirates hurried to follow their leader’s orders, dragging Viggo out of the cafeteria and marching Mrs. Francis after him. She cast one worried look over her shoulder towards the serving hatch before she disappeared through the door in the clutches of two unsavoury-looking men.
    In the kitchen, Parveen and Mimi fought to keep Hamish X from leaping out of the vat and through the shutters. They finally managed to keep him still by Mimi sitting on him while Parveen clamped both his hands over Hamish X’s mouth.
    Kipling and Cheesebeard stood talking in the cafeteria as the other pirates herded the children past.
    â€œHamish X. I didn’t think he really existed,” Kipling said.
    â€œOh