Unreal! But aren't we out of bounds?

It's OK, Colin says it's OK.

He calls a strategy meeting and we huddle panting.

'Those guys have gone out of bounds again, right?'

He knows! He's one of us!

'Well, let's play our own trick and hide from them.'

Jaws drop. Hounds hide? The idea is delicious. Of course we want to; haven't we always said...

'Enough talk. We must go now, before they suspect. Follow me.'

How swiftly we are in the small room below the street. It's exciting. Wow! A TV with control paddles.

'Sit down. See if you can bat the ball across the screen. That's it! Now back.'

What is this miracle game? A fight to be next.

Cigarettes. The oldest have a go. Cough, cough. It's grouse. Choke. Here.

Now alien objects. Adult things? Small square packets, round inside. Stickers? Do you stick 'em on your... balls? To keep them out of the way? When you...?

I return to the blipping, popping game.

Time to go. How we hate to leave the wondrous toy.

'You can come again if you like.'

But Colin isn't talking to me.

Heavy with our secret oath, we return to the hall to savour the unchased hares' bewilderment.

To be continued...