Colin's Nightmare

By Merv Lambert

Colin the librarian is an unremarkable little man, who one day at work finds a very rare, very unusual book. It does not belong to the library. On opening it he sees the title 'Colin's Book' and inside it is a beautiful blue bookmark with a red phoenix on it. The bookmark gives him extraordinary strength and resolve and leads him and his little dog Sammy into many exciting adventures both in the past and present...
This fantastic new addition to the series contains four more fun-filled frolics featuring Colin, M the invisible Emu and their friends. Children of all ages will enjoy these stories written by much-loved children’s author Merv Lambert.

The Lady Vanishes
With the aid of the phoenix on the magic bookmark, Colin and Auntie Flo travel to Las Vegas in the 1990s, where with M they release Colin’s mother Margaret from the power of an evil stage hypnotist, and all is revealed as to why she disappeared when Colin was only a young child. Can the phoenix reunite the family once and for all?

Recycling the Past
Colin is transported to London late in the reign of Queen Victoria. Riding a penny-farthing bicycle he pursues and captures a thief. When he then finds himself in Australia with Sammy and M, an opportunity presents itself for Colin to enter a penny-farthing race. Can he win the race? And why do the policeman and his fiancé look so familiar?

Colin’s Nightmare
A disagreement about music leads to Colin finding himself as a 16 year old teenager at a T.V. disco with strange music, no conversations and a crowd of young people texting as they dance. When M and some friends appear, a fight breaks out. Can M help calm things down? And will Colin make it to the fun-run he is due to compete in?

Viva Jellysox!
Colin’s great friend Jez Jellysox unwittingly arouses the dislike of Ulrika Spitz, the sister of the famous speedway rider Hugo Spitz. Jez, under the influence of the phoenix, performs a breath-taking Wall of Death ride on a motorbike all around her. Jez’s girlfriend is kidnapped and he enlists Colin and M to help track her down. Can they find her? Will the two sweethearts finally get to marry? And what is M doing with an Elvis wig?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Kids
• Release date: Feb 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781785384127

Book preview

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The Lady Vanishes

With the aid of the phoenix on the magic bookmark, Colin and Auntie Flo travel to Las Vegas in the 1990s, where with M they release Colin’s mother Margaret from the power of an evil stage hypnotist, and all is revealed as to why she disappeared when Colin was only a young child. Can the phoenix reunite the family once and for all?

Colin was feeling rather upset. Usually he felt very cheerful after one of his adventures brought on by his special book and the magic phoenix bookmark. However, his encounter with his own father in prehistoric times and then in a year slightly before he had been born had reignited the worries and questions that had remained dormant at the back of his mind regarding the mysterious disappearance of his mother. Although he had a few photos of her from when he was a little boy, he did not remember her very well. Of course he had known his father, who had brought him up as an only child, often helped by his Auntie Flo.

‘Strange’, he thought to himself. ‘I’ve never really asked Auntie Flo about her. Perhaps I should. Why has she never spoken to me about her? Is there something I would find very upsetting?’

He thought about this, frowning hard. He wondered what his wife Olivia would say. Immediately he made up his mind and went to find her. She was in the lounge, playing a game of Merseyside Monopoly with their two young children, Charlotte and Daniel. Of course M, their emu friend, invisible to everyone except certain members of their family, was playing as well. Even they could hardly believe how he had developed such fine, delicate movements. They knew he had a cunning brain. Now, as he picked up the two small dice in his strong beak, neatly rolled them onto the Monopoly board and then moved his playing piece, the new one, the cat, the correct number of spaces around the edge of the board, they watched in admiration. Although it was Charlotte who manipulated the Monopoly credit card device, M always seemed to have worked out in advance how many millions he was in profit. Colin sat down to watch the game. The sounds of his family happily at play soon restored him to a happier mood.

After the emu had won and was helping the children to pack the pieces of the game back into the box Colin drew Olivia to one side to tell her what he was worrying about.

Oh, was her reply, I’ve often wondered about that too. I didn’t like to ask about it because it seemed like a dark family secret. I think you have two options. First speak to Auntie Flo, and, if she won’t tell you anything, try the phoenix.

The phoenix on the magic bookmark tucked away in the top pocket of Colin’s jacket gave a strong pulse, and indeed as if by magic there was Auntie Flo ringing the bell of their front door.

Hello, darlings, she said as soon as Olivia opened the door to let her in. I felt I had to see you for some reason, but I’m not sure what it is."

"Ah, said Colin and Olivia together.

Then Olivia added, Come through into the conservatory, Auntie Flo. We can watch the children playing in the garden with M and Sammy.

Colin raised his eyebrows. Coffeeamus? he asked.

Pardon, asked Auntie Flo in surprise.

Olivia explained. Oh, that’s a sort of Latin phrase Colin has invented. He’s read too much Harry Potter. It just means shall we have coffee?

Oh, yes please. I like that, chuckled Auntie Flo.

As soon as he saw Auntie Flo M pressed his face against the outside of one of the conservatory windows and gave her a big emu smile. Little Sammy woofed and Auntie Flo waved to them both.

Soon the adults were sitting round a coffee table drinking cappuccinos that Colin had just made. Olivia had produced some of her delicious buttered scones and had tossed one to M in the garden. He had caught it in his beak and had swallowed it with a single gulp. He nodded a thank you and went back to join in the silly chasing game the others were playing. Meanwhile Colin had begun to tell Auntie Flo about his recent encounter with his father in the adventure he called ‘The Cave Emu’. When he had finished, he added one thing. What I have always wondered is what really happened to my mother.

Auntie Flo regarded him gravely and said, You really want to know? Are you sure? You may not like what you find out.

Colin grimaced. I know. I know. I’ve wondered about it for years, but meeting my Dad like that has set it all off again.

Auntie Flo took a deep breath and drew out her next word, as she considered what to say. Well...

Colin was impatient now. Yes, yes? he said.