Page 68 of The Examiner

I have some bad news. It seems someone has vandalised the tunnel fabric and stuffed it in one of the big bins outside. I’ve retrieved it but, sad to say, it’s in a terrible state. I’m at the dry cleaner in town negotiating a decent price to have it washed and mended.

Jem Badhuri

Oh no! Who would do something like that? Did someone break in? Have you called the police?

Gela Nathaniel

No. Just to update everyone: the fabric arrived while you were all in Somerset. Jem and I stored it in the alcove by the rear doors, thinking it would be safe until we needed it. There was no reason for anyone to check on it, so we don’t know what happened or when. Luckily Griff spotted it in the bin outside. No one’s noticed any signs of a break-in and nothing’s been stolen, so we should keep the whole incident to ourselves.

Jem Badhuri

That’s the danger of having a keypad and not a key. Anyone can pass the code to anyone else.

Ludya Parak

Anyone can have a new key cut. Sorry, Gela, that’s pants.

Alyson Lang

Shame I haven’t been in the studio for a while. I could have scared them off.

Patrick Bright

Thank goodness you weren’t, Alyson. They might have been violent. Let’s be grateful things are no worse.

Gela Nathaniel

This dry cleaner says he can repair it – but it’s too big even for his largest washing machine. I may have to cut it in half.

Alyson Lang

That’s fine – we can hide the join in the design. Tell them yes.

Jem Badhuri

But how much do they charge? Our budget is tight at the moment. If we cut it into smaller pieces, we can each take one and wash it at home.

Gela Nathaniel

Good idea, but the dry cleaner is so accommodating I don’t want to take the job away now.

Gela Nathaniel

Attaching scan of his receipt here for you, Jem.

RECEIPT SUPERSUDS DRY CLEANERS

Clean and Mend

2 x large sheets for art project

Tears x 3

Stains, incl. mud, vomit and blood (from dead pig)

£70.00 plus VAT

Doodle message group [Private] Jem and Patrick, 23 January 2024: