Yes. An alligator, I think, of some description.
Ah. And had anyone else noticed it?
Apparently not. And no one was able to get a very detailed description from him, so only the most perfunctory search was made.
And what happened to the man?
Well, I think someone offered to take him off and give him some lunch, but he explained that he’d already had a rather good one, so the matter was dropped and Warwickshire went on to win by three wickets.
So, not very like this current instance. For those of you who’ve just tuned in, you may be interested to know that, er… two men, two rather scruffily attired men, and indeed a sofa a Chesterfield I think?
Yes, a Chesterfield.
Have just materialized here in the middle of Lord’s Cricket Ground. But I don’t think they meant any harm, they’ve been very good-natured about it, and…
Sorry, can I interrupt you a moment Peter and say that the sofa has just vanished.
So it has. Well, that’s one mystery less. Still, it’s definitely one for the record books I think, particularly occurring at this dramatic moment in play, England now needing only twenty-four runs to win the series. The men are leaving the pitch in the company of a police officer, and I think everyone’s settling down now and play is about to resume.
Now, sir, said the policeman after they had made a passage through the curious crowd and laid Arthur’s peacefully inert body on a blanket, perhaps you’d care to tell me who you are, where you come from, and what that little scene was all about?
Ford looked at the ground for a moment as if steadying himself for something, then he straightened up and aimed a look at the policeman which hit him with the full force of every inch of the six hundred light-years’ distance between Earth and Ford’s home near Betelgeuse.
All right, said Ford, very quietly, I’ll tell you.
Yes, well, that won’t be necessary, said the policeman hurriedly, just don’t let whatever it was happen again. The policeman turned around and wandered off in search of anyone who wasn’t from Betelgeuse. Fortunately, the ground was full of them.
Arthur’s consciousness approached his body as from a great distance, and reluctantly. It had had some bad times in there. Slowly, nervously, it entered and settled down in to its accustomed position.
Arthur sat up.
Where am I? he said.
Lord’s Cricket Ground, said Ford.
Fine, said Arthur, and his consciousness stepped out again for a quick breather. His body flopped back on the grass.
Ten minutes later, hunched over a cup of tea in the refreshment tent, the colour started to come back to his haggard face.
How’re you feeling? said Ford.