On the Level

By Dee O’Flaherty

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BE AN INTREPID SPACE EXPLORER?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT LIFE ON ANOTHER PLANET WOULD BE LIKE?

Well look no further, as this story takes you from the sunny seaside town of Brighton to a whole other world filled with advanced technology and exciting adventures. Jonny and his cousin Baz are plunged into a thrilling race against time set in a faraway galaxy where they meet the planets inhabitants’ and try to save their world from impending disaster.

It is fast-paced, set in jaw-dropping surroundings, and filled with courageous characters all set for a thrill-seeking ride of a lifetime. Take their hands and be ready for a fearless and daring journey full of unexpected twists and turns that is sure to make your head spin and your senses quiver with excitement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398494336

Dee O’Flaherty

Dee O’Flaherty is former nurse and primary school teacher with a passion for reading and writing. She lives with her husband, son and dog, Bunny, in sunny Sussex and loves taking long dog walks and enjoys relaxing holidays with her loved ones. Her passion for writing has seen her complete her first children’s book which was inspired by the children she taught and the types of books they all loved.

Book preview

About the Author

Dee O’Flaherty is former nurse and primary school teacher with a passion for reading and writing. She lives with her husband, son and dog, Bunny, in sunny Sussex and loves taking long dog walks and enjoys relaxing holidays with her loved ones. Her passion for writing has seen her complete her first children’s book which was inspired by the children she taught and the types of books they all loved.

Dedication

For my children, Josh and Miles.

Copyright Information ©

Dee O’Flaherty 2023

The right of Dee O’Flaherty to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398494329 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398494336 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Everyone at Austin Macauley Publishers.

Chapter 1

Brighton, what more could you ask for? Wet, gloomy and NOT Mexico! Honestly, I was so annoyed with my parents, and arriving to find a huge, tarpaulined hole in the ceiling of the bedroom that I had to share with my spoilt cousin didn’t help my mood much either.

I knew deep inside that it couldn’t be helped but I could still feel angry at the circumstances, couldn’t I?

‘Jonny!’ my aunt called, ‘Where are you? Come down now please, your mum and dad need to leave.’

I quickly exited the bathroom and raced for the stairs slipping down the last two and stubbing my toe. The sudden pain almost brought a tear to my eye, but I didn’t want to miss seeing them off. I hobbled into the kitchen and flung my arms round my mum.

‘Ah…come on now, we won’t be gone long. Promise. When we get back, even if we have to take you out of school and endure the wrath of your head teacher (and the inevitable fine), we will still go to Mexico as promised.’

Mum held my face in her hands and stared into my gloom-ridden-green eyes.

‘I know it’s horrid for you at the moment but in a mere two weeks we’ll be back. I just know that you’ll enjoy it here especially once the sun comes out and it’ll also give you the chance to get to know Barratt, Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete much better too. You’ll see – it’ll be absolutely brilliant!’

She looked around for validation and along with encouraging smiles, heads nodded vigorously.

Mum wiped a hot tear away from my cheek and planted a kiss there instead. It did nothing to lighten my mood but before I could respond, Dad had pulled me in for a bearhug. His rough jumper scratched at my face rubbing away the memory of mum’s kiss. As his deep voice began to reverberate through his chest, my somewhat shattered nerves soothed slightly. However, I was still being dumped here so they could go save the world. Again!

‘Cheer up, Jonny lad,’ said Dad. ‘I would have loved this at your age. Staying with your favourite aunt (my only aunt)