A trumpet sounded.
‘Oh no,’ said King Harry. ‘That means that Queen Norah is back.’
‘She’ll find out that we are the cleaning ladies,’ said Captain Smith.
‘She’ll be furious.’ said Captain Jones.
‘What shall we do?’ wailed Captain Smith.
‘There’s only one thing we can do,’ said King Harry.
‘The three pirates must pretend to be the cleaners.’
‘Good idea,’ said Princess Jane.
‘You go and get changed and I’ll watch the pirates.’
The drawbridge was lowered. King Harry ran to meet Queen Norah.
‘Did you find your sister’s crown?’ he asked.
‘It was under the sofa,’ said the Queen. She looked up and saw three pirates scrubbing at the front wall of the castle.
‘Those cleaners haven’t got their masks on.’
‘Er, uh, er,’ gasped King Harry.
‘I am glad. They have such honest faces, said the Queen,
‘Come down at once, your cleaners.’
The three pirates stood before the Queen.
‘What day is it?’ said the Queen.
‘Monday? Said the pirates.
‘Pay day,’ laughed the Queen,
‘Oh dear,’ said King Harry.
‘Oh yes,’ said the pirates.
The Queen opened her purse. The pirates held out their hands.
‘But-’ began Captain Jones.
‘Your majesty…’ said Captain Smith.
‘What a fess,’ said Queen Norah.
‘Anyone would think that you had done the cleaning. Now cleaners, come with me. I was showing Jane the Royal Treasures this morning. They need a good polish.’
Queen Norah walked off with the three pirates.
King Harry whispered to the two captains, ‘I don’t trust those pirates. Follow me.’