“This” said Walpurgis, making a sweeping gesture with his furry arm that nearly knocked Katzilow’s “seconds” (a plate of steaming spicy rice with mushroom sauce) onto the deck of the boat “THIS is Lucia!”

“Oh dear” said Hombellyton, moving to a different part of the boat as far away as possible from where his companion was about to start his next course. “Oh DEAR!”

“Mind me tucker!” said Katzilow, shifting his plate along.

Interesting! That’s an Australian word for food! Now, I wonder if –

Rob. Get on with it, there’s a good lad! Sharon Doughty speaking, missdorothy.com’s founder.

Ah! Yes! Sorry boss!

“But why she’s called Lucia?” asked Wiz, jumping up on one of the plush red seats and making himself comfortable.

The boat gave another little quiver. Up near the bow, Hombellyton groaned softly.

“Ah, interesting story that” said Walpurgis. “But first let me tell you what she can do! She’s what we call a Tracboat – a special ship, really, and she can pick up the tiniest traces of anything or anyone, anywhere on the net. Can’t you, Lucia?”

Lucia dipped her bow, as if to say yes.

“Lucia has lots of clever things she can help us with in our search for Mr Mouse” said Walpurgis. “For a start, she can move any way she wants – thanks to her propters here.” They all leaned over the side to look at the little whirring propellers. “Up, down, sideways, back – but you and I won’t feel as if she’s moved at all!”

“I will!” groaned Hombellyton.

“Poor Hombellyton!” said Dot. She knew it was horrible feeling seasick – or in this case, netsick!

“He’ll be all right” said Walpurgis cheerily. “Now these” and he stroked one of the golden globes between the propters, making it open and close like another wink “These are very special. They’re called opticons. They can see and feel things we just can’t. If anyone of them does, then these –“ and he leant forward and tapped one of the little mobile phone-like screens along the inside edge of the boat “stop turning. That way we – and Lucia - know which way to travel on our searchfind.”

“My friend Darren would love this boat!” said Dot.

“Ah, Darren the computer whizz-kid at your school” smiled Walpurgis. “Oh yes, we know all about him. He got into a terrible pickle though didn’t he, that time with those Sprocket viruses of his? * Led us all a proper dance!”

“And us!” laughed Dot.

“All right now though!” Walpurgis said, nodding. Then he straightened up and pointed towards the bow at the front of Lucia. “Now those funny streamers there are her Combers. We call them that because they can literally “comb” the net for the tiniest left-over cyber-traces of a Lost One, when we’re on a very difficult searchfind like this.”

“Well some people call them that” grumbled Eldenbeam. “Why can’t you give them their proper name? They’re asymmetrical hyperdigital flexiponders, as you well know!”

Walpurgis swung round. “Now look here, who’s telling this story?” he replied crossly. “If you - ”

“Boys” said Carmeramalita softly. “Boys! Remember your promise!”

“Oh… all right… ” said Walpurgis. “But - ”

“No buts” smiled the lady TricTrucTracker. “Remember? Eldy, why don’t you get a snack? There’s a really delicious Quorn curry in the Food Hill today, I believe.”

Eldenbeam grunted and went off, mumbling to himself.

Dot grinned to herself. It reminded her of how her mum Suzie would stop her dad Bill from arguing with his brother. They actually liked each other a lot, but they didn’t seem able to agree about anything, especially (yawn) politics!

Suddenly there was a flash like lightning far away on the net horizon, followed by a series of short cracks.

“Mon Dieu!” said Fromage. “WHAT in the name of ze net eez zat?”