You know that feeling when you are buying that house of your dreams it’s all going to plan then you discover. A. You have Squatters and B. You’ve been Gazuprd! Yes! #Gazumped by Aliens!.com Merlin and Morgarna are not best pleased!

“Well” said Gail, “that has never happened before, any idea what it was?” Morgarna and Merlin nodded, “It was a portal and by the look of it a time and space one.” Morgarna said and Merlin finished by adding “And by its structure I’d say it was alien.” Lady Esther was looking very confused by all this Gail though was almost bouncing off of her chair , ” This is so cool like that new TV show Dr Who. It sort of simple Esther, it’s like you have some sort of machine that allows you to travel through time and space and possibly the Universe! Ohh! Woow this is so fab!”
Merlin was a tad taken aback by this off the cuff answer but yes indeed basically Gail was correct. Morgarna could read his mind and smiling she spoke to him telepathically, “yes Merls she has the measure of the situation! “
The next morning found them sipping coffee and Morgarna was already on her third cigarette. They had all the relevant literature and bank details spread across the table plus Merlin’s research on portals! Merlin was on the phone to the Estate Angent, “Sorry Mr Black who did you say the other interested party was, …….. Mr Hippo Campus… really? are you sure? Oh! Right you’ve never met him ! …….. Yes I get that , yes that is our final offer. ” Putting his mobile on the worktop he turned to Morgarna, “Did you get any of that, Mr Hippo Campus…” Morgarna was nodding as she blew smoke rings in his direction.” Mr Sea Horse ” Morgarna smiled as she stubbed out her cigarette. “Did you find anything out about the portal you were up half the night ” Merlin eyes lit up as he replied ” I did babes and I have a clear line to exactly where it originates from and it not here on earth, it is on the other side of the galaxy! and you and I are going there to meet Mr Campus!”
“Can we use the Anomaly or will we have to chance their portal, are you serious about coming with me? You normally leave all the hard work to me!”
“Morgs, babe really! I am hurt! Anyway I have made a few tweaks to the Anomaly and I have it set for the out and inward journies. Honestly I am in this with you …..really. “
Morgarna choked on her coffee!
Gail was dancing around the garden singing “Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer, not a trace of doubt in my mind, I’m in love oooooo! I a believer”
Esther was watching her from an upstairs window, ” yes the girl is dancing on the garden no idea of the plan, we have her fooled, not quite so sure about Morgarna or Merlin though they are a different kettle of fish if you’ll forgive the pun! But I think the little show the three of us put on the other night definitely helped” As she finished Esther touched her ear and smiled. She had no idea that Morgarna and Merlin were outside the bedroom and heard every word!
Merlin and Morgarna flashed eyes at each other and decided not to share their travel plans with Esther or Gail, Gail mainly for her protection. So they had a cup of tea , laced with whiskey in Morgarna’s case. The discussed Tom and James and Esther displayed what looked like genuine shock at the idea that James and Tom were aliens! Gail though had no such surprise, “I never took to them , cold fish no feelings , dead eyes and just so …..odd really can’t explain it …. they’re like things that are so unlike us” she ended, touching Esther’s hand , who flinched ever so slightly.
Later after they had settled the ladies and Merlin had set up a ‘portal block’ in and around the house so that Esther and Gail could get a good night’s sleep and not be surprised by Tom or James returning and causing more trouble, they walked back to the Lab. “Merls who do you think has gazumped us and do you think they are connected to Tom and James ?” Merlin Nodded “I do indeed Hun and what’s more I reckon they are aliens!”
Back at the lab Morgarna opened her laptop to look up the estate agent number, I ring these guys first thing tomorrow shall we up the offer I really want that house now it’s perfect.”
Merlin agreed, he was busy checking up on portal designs of the universe. He was just piecing things together when a screach from Morgarna made him shoot across to the kitchen.
“Look Merls , it’s Doctor Who back in Gail’s day early 60s,” there on her screen in black and white was William Hartnell in a funny hat ! Merlin let out a huge breath, “for goodness sake Morgs I thought you were being attacked, don’t do that! ” “Really babes, you care….” Her voice trailed off and she got of her stool and walked across to the aquarium. “Merlin , look she said the Seahorse, ……..he’s gone.
Merlin and Morgarna walked to the park and as they neared the lake the Anomaly appeared, there was no one around so they jumped.
Splash! Morgarna landed on a bed of wet leaves, “Oh! Shit, Ribbit , this has got to be a joke…Merlin ! ” She said looking to her left, “Ribbit, yup I here too, Ribbit!”
“What the F##k Merlin we are frogs , you didn’t tell me that! You…..Ribbit”
Merlin silenced her with a wave of his froggy hand and replied.” Babes what would you of said if I had told you? As to why Frogs well everything on this planet is amphibious? Ribbit”
“I’ll give you Ribbit” thought Morgarna.

For visually challenged writers, the image shows a two frogs (or toads, I’m never certain of the difference) in amongst some water and leaves.
And Gail was singing and dancing to this !