Yes, yes, I know all of you want to kill Duchess (badly) because of the last chapter. I'm not telling you what's next 'cause I don't wanna be a spoiler. You have to read this chapter instead. :-3
Flushed Away is owned by (c)Dreamworks & (c)Aardman
Chapter 10: Through the Tunnel
In the floodgate control tower...
"They did what? You idiots!" raged Fromage and split the desk in two by slamming it with his hand. Spike and Whitey were terrified by his intimidating tone and actions. They wanted to flee from him, but it will only make him more angry. "I only ask you to steal a little trinket, is that too much to ask? Well, is it?" Fromage's rage builds up, the both quivered as if Fromage was about to eat them. He was interrupted by Thimblenose Ted who just entered room.
"Excuse me" said Thimblenose Ted
"What do you want? Can't you see we're in a middle of a conversation here?" shouted Fromage
"Sorry. I just got a word that they went through the Hyde Park rapids" immune to the French rat's intimidation, he said it calmly and straight.
"Hyde Park? But it's impossible to pass through the rapids" said Spike
"But they did" said Thimblenose Ted
"They did, huh?" Fromage was deep in thought and a grin appeared on his face. "My friends" called Fromage and goes between Spike and Whitey to put his arms around their shoulders. "I guess I underestimated our target. I have a plan, but for now" he lets them go and opened his bag of jewels "My little babies need their polish, yes you do, oh yes you do" he began talking to his jewellery as if they are his children.
"Speaking of babies, we have to take care of the boss's" muttered Whitey to Spike
"Do we have to?" complained Spike, then he glanced at Fromage cuddling his prized possessions, which made Spike felt uneasy. "Just back away Whitey, really slowly" said Spike cautiously and the both went out of the room.
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In the Jammy Dodger II, the sewer waters are quiet now that it's far from the rapids and they almost reached their destination point, Roddy's house in Kensington. But the crew of the boat were silent as the quiet sewer waters. Until a certain rat's stomach grumbled broke the silence.
"My tummy says it's lunch time" said Sid
"Ugh, how long is this going take?" complained Duchess "I hate staying down here in this stinky place" Getting the idea of having bad odour, Sid sniffed both of his armpits and shrugged.
"It's not me" said Sid. Duchess rolled her eyes.
"It won't be long" said Rita "we just have to pass through that tunnel"
"You mean that dark, damp tunnel up ahead of us?" asked Duchess
"Yup" nodded Rita
"You've got to be kidding me. Are we seriously going through there?"
"Do you see any other way?" asked Rita. Duchess was clearly scared of the dark, but she doesn't want to show her fear to anyone. So she has to think of an excuse.
"I suddenly feel peckish" said Duchess "where do you keep the food?"
"Below the deck" said Sid "Oi Rita, I hope you don't mind us getting some grub"
"I don't mind" said Rita, both Duchess and Sid went down the engine room to eat. Roddy and Rita were both left alone. He sat down quietly from behind, and thinks of a way for Rita to forgive him. Now that both of them are alone, it might be his chance to end the fight between them.
"Hey Rita, have you heard the fly joke yet?" said Roddy cheerfully, but Rita didn't reply "No? Okay I'll tell you. Why did the kid blow up the house?" he waited for her to answer, but she didn't "because he wanted to see a housefly! Get it? House, fly" but she didn't laugh, not even a chuckle. Even the slugs on the wall didn't laugh. "I guess you've heard it before" it was awkward for him, but he continued to speak "Rita, I just don't want you to stay angry at me. I know I've said this before, so I'll say it again. I'm sorry, please forgive me" Roddy sat down and turned his back staring at the water behind the boat, hoping his friend will talk to him again.
As for Rita, the more she ignored him, the more it hurts inside. She couldn't help thinking if it was the right thing to do. Her conscience told her to forgive him, but she was too stubborn. Then a slug, riding on a lily pad beside the boat, began to hum and the other slugs nearby began to sing. (Song by Bryan Adams "Please Forgive Me")
Please forgive me, I know not what I do
Please forgive me, I can't stop lovin' you
Don't deny me, this pain I'm going through
Please forgive me, I need ya like I do
Please believe me, every word I say is true
Please forgive me...
The song convinced Rita to forgive him. The slugs stopped singing as she pulled the brake and slows down the boat. She walked up behind the deck and stood in front of him. Roddy heard her footsteps and raised his head to her.
"Rita, I--"
"I know what you're going to say so there's no need for you to say it" said Rita intercepting his sentence "and the answer is yes" He was a bit confused at first, but she finally talked to him. Still, he wasn't sure if the fight has stopped.
"So, does this mean I'm forgiven?" asked Roddy
"Just promise me you won't do it again" she said
"Promise" he said. Rita smiled and brought out her hand as a sign of truce. Roddy did the same thing and shook hands, he felt good now that he's free from his guilt. Then Rita pulled him out from his seat and led him towards the steering wheel.
"First-mate, today is your lucky day" said Rita giving out a captain's tone "You are now ready to steer the Jammy Dodger mark two"
"You really mean it? I get to steer the boat?" said Roddy who was surprised and amazed at the same time "Who are you and what have you done to the captain?" teased Roddy
"Hurry before I change my mind" Rita teased back. Roddy was very excited about this. When his hands touched the wheel, he felt his adrenaline rushing into his body and wore a grin on his face. "Now your first mission is to go through that tunnel, are you ready Rod?"
"Ready as I'll ever be" he said as he started the boat and steered the boat carefully. Rita was surprised he was actually doing well. He owned a car back at his old home, so it won't be a problem for him. It suddenly grew dark when they were near the tunnel, and Roddy was nervous about this. "It's getting dark, I hope I can avoid the boat from crashing" he said
"Don't worry, I'm here to help you out" said Rita as she rested her hand on the wheel, but she felt Roddy's hand and quickly returned it. "Oh sorry" she slightly blushed
"That's okay" Roddy was blushing, too. The two faced each other and saw their cheek turned red. The both sweetly smiled. They can't describe the feeling when they touched each other's hand. But it was the same feeling when they were alone having dinner last night, only stronger. Roddy goes back concentrating on steering and the boat went in the dark tunnel. The slugs, who were riding on a lily pad, followed them from behind and started to sing. (Song by Ben E. King "Stand by me")
When the night, has come
And the land is dark
And the moon, is the only light we'll see
Then a group of fireflies happened to passed by them. The group was forming a round formation, almost like a moon. It was beautiful to look at, but Roddy was startled when one of the fireflies played with him and goes back to the group.
No I won't, be afraid
No I won't, be afraid
Just as long, as you stand
Stand by me
His startling made him stumble but Rita caught him by his shoulders. She chuckled when she caught him, while Roddy sheepishly smiled. He went back up to his feet and steered the boat.
So darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me
The song the slugs sang made Rita a little drowsy. She leaned at her left side without knowing she leaned on Roddy. He tilted his head and found her closer to him. Rita glanced at him then realized she was leaning on him and she immediately got up. The both blushed by embarrassment and turned away from each other, avoiding eye contact.
If the sky, that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
For the mountains, should crumble to the sea
Unexpectedly, a brick above the tunnel fell down in front of the boat and gave a big splash on the water. The both were wet.
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't, shed a tear
Just as long, as you stand
Stand by me
Rita brought out two towels, one was for her and she playfully place the other towel on Roddy's head. He dried off his hair with a towel, but when he took the towel off his hair was messed up. Rita cracked up laughing and Roddy quickly tidied it up and continued steering.
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me
The sewer grew brighter now that they are almost out of the tunnel. Roddy was relieved that he didn't damaged the boat and it made Rita happy.
"Well done, that was excellent" praised Rita
"Thank you" said Roddy "For everything Rita" he smiled at her and Rita smiled back. Soon they caught each other's eyes and gazed longingly. Roddy couldn't help but noticed how beautiful Rita's bright emerald eyes were. Rita couldn't resist his charming smile, let alone his gorgeous brown eyes. As they continued to gaze at each other, a slight force attracted them, moving closer without knowing that their lips almost met. The moment was interrupted by the slamming of an open hatch.
"Oi Rita, where do you keep the napkins? And I save some food for...you...and...Rodders" said Sid faintly and his were opened when he saw the both close together. "Am I interrupting?"
"Oh, not at all. Napkins you say?" Rita panicked and backed away from Roddy "They're in here somewhere, Roddy could you help me find them?" she searched for the napkins while Roddy looked behind the deck. Sid on the other hand was suspicious at the both. He went to Roddy with a quizzical look. "What's going on between you and Rita?" asked Sid
"She's not my girlfriend" blurted Roddy
"I never said that"
"Right, awkward" said Roddy and sheepishly smiled
"Found it" yelled Rita and tossed it to Sid
"Gotcha" he caught it and gave the plate of crumbs and nuts to Roddy. "Don't worry mate, your secret's safe with me" whispered Sid while giving him a pat in the back and went back below the deck.
"Oi Duchess great news" said Sid jumping out the ladder
"You found the napkins?" asked Duchess while drinking a hot tea
"That, and they finally stop fighting" he said and Duchess spat out her drink
"What?" snapped Duchess and climbed up the stairs above the deck. She slightly opened the hatch and took a peeked. She saw the both having a friendly chat while eating and it made her upset. "This is not what I have in mind" she muttered angrily
Don't you just love the slugs? I can't help it, they're too cute! I have to put them somewhere in the story, right? I need reviews people! Pretty please?
Special thanks to Bryan Adams & Ben E. King for their lovely song. Why I choose them you ask? 'You can't beat the classics'. Give them (and the slugs) a round of applause!