As Samson mentioned Dot’s name, the five strange creatures turned round as one to look at her.

There was a long, silent pause. Dot felt as if their little black eyes were boring into her. She was starting to feel uncomfortable, when –

Wiz let out a little yap of astonishment.

Then, the other four all struck poses next to him – one on his knees with his arms stretched out towards her, the smallest folding his arms and going down on one knee too while the tallest also folded his arms and stood behind him – while the fifth lay down on the floor in front in front of them all, with her head supported on her hand.

Then:

Dot was just puzzling what the tune was – she was sure she’d heard it before – when Fromage solved it for her. “ ‘At the Hop’ ” he said, chuckling. “Formidable, ze rock and roll!”

And the TricTrucTrackers were off, singing their hearts out!

The sound of the song faded away, echoing round Samson’s headquarters.

“Not bad, Walpurgis” said one of the TricTrucTrackers. “Not bad! But I think you were out of tune in that last chorus, Katzilow!”

“Nonsense!” said the TricTracTrucker next to him. “I was spot on, or my name’s not Eldenbeam!”

“Well I think you were both out!” said the one who’d been on his knees.

“Now then, Hombellyton” said the one called Walpurgis, who seemed to be the leader. “I always said we should practise a bit more! After all Carmeramalita” he said wagging a paw at the lady TricTrucTracker “you were a bit late coming in on line two!”

“Was NOT!” she shot back indignantly “I was - ”

“Think I can see why Fromage said working with TricTrucTrackers was going to be a bit “difficile” ” said Wiz to Dot with a doggy grin, as the argument got more heated.

Then Samson took charge.

“QUIET!” he roared, making everything rattle and jump again - even the air in his server space seemed to shimmy. “I KNEW something like this would happen” he muttered to himself. Then:

“This young lady and her doggy friend – and Monsieur Fromage here – DO need your help in fact! What they DON’T need is a lot of arguing and singing!”

The TricTrucTrackers were obviously embarrassed. Looked down at their webbed feet and shuffled about a bit. “Sorry” whispered Carmeramalita.

“Time is NOT on our side, you know” said Samson, gazing down at them with an unusually strict look on his face. “These recyclers work fast, and then our friends here will have lost Mr Mouse forever!”

“Mmm, ah” went Walpurgis, still sounding a bit ashamed. “Well, we’re the ones. WE can find ANYTHING on the Internet, or linked to it. But is this truly a Summons Bearing Merit?”

“Of COURSE it is!” roared Samson. “This young lady is an honoured member of InterFriendNet, apart from anything else!”

“Nonetheless” said Walpurgis firmly “We will have to Make Good.”

“Oh... all right” said Samson. “But do get on!”

Wonder what all this is about, thought Dot. She didn’t have to wait long to find out!

The five TricTrucTrackers came forward towards her. “Stay where you are, please” said Walpurgis gently. “Now” he said to his companions. “Connect!”

Each of the strange furry creatures – who had formed themselves into a wide circle around Dot, Wiz and Fromage almost without their noticing – suddenly looked up.

Then – it was weird – from behind each of their heads came a soft green ray of light. The rays joined and began to form a flickering, weaving dome over all their heads – like the leaves and branches of a tree that had grown together.

At the same time Dot felt a warm, safe feeling come over her – like you do when you’re lying in bed slipping off to sleep with someone reading a nice story to you. She could tell Wizzy and Fromage felt it too – Mr Mouse’s cousin was smiling gently, and Wiz lay down with a little yawn.

Then, the TricTrucTrackers began to hum – a soft, wordless tune, full of sweet music and harmony.

Slowly, another voice came out of their humming – perfectly in tune, singing sweetly along with the five Internet searchers.

With a start, Dot realized - it was her!