"It's a secret!"

Mr Mouse was staring at his two friends with his arms folded, looking very fierce. He just wouldn't say what had made him so cross about the esure.com TV insurance advert, starring the funny blue mouse.

"Shouldn't have secrets!" said Wizard. "Anyway we're your friends - you can tell us!"

"Shan't! No way!"

Though Mr Mouse was being VERY difficult, Dot felt there was something else going on - something that had hurt her old friend's feelings. It was strange, and a bit sad too, because he was usually so sure of himself. Too sure of himself in fact!

But what on earth could there be about a TV ad that had made him so upset?

She tried to tickle his big round tummy - that always made him giggle, even when he was being really sassy - but Mr Mouse just jerked away. Now he was staring down at the desk by the laptop - he wouldn't even look at his two friends.

"Come on Mr Mouse" said Dot. "Gran always says a problem shared is a problem halved. And we're like your family, aren't we? You can tell us! Promise we won't tell anyone else - will we Wiz?"

"No of course not!" said Wizard. He looked at Dot, with a quick shake of his head that made his silky spaniel ears flop up and down - he was starting to feel worried now, too.

Suddenly Dot felt her heart jump. Just in front of Mr Mouse, a big round tear plopped down onto her desk. He wiped his eyes quickly and folded his arms again but Dot could tell it was from him. Now she felt like crying too.

"Oh don't Mr Mouse!" she said. "Don't be sad all on your own! PLEASE tell us what's happened!"

There was a loud sniff, then her friend took a big blue and white spotted handkerchief out from his pocket and blew his nose.

BARRP -TARARRP - BARPP!

It was a very big noise to come from such a little creature!

Mr Mouse tucked the hanky away and heaved a big sigh.

"Oh well" he muttered. "They're the breaks, I guess!"

"What are?" said Wiz, wagging his tail down low. He jumped up and put his paws on the desk so he was really close to Mr Mouse. He put his head on one side with the friendliest expression he could find, with his pink tongue out and his dark brown eyes wide open.

"Hey come on, give a guy some space!" said Mr Mouse, jerking back. "You got enough tongue for ten mutts, you!"

That's better, thought Dot. And Wizard grinned, though he hates being called a mutt - he was just pleased to see Mr Mouse back to his old sassy self.

"So..." said Dot gently "What's happening Mr Mouse? Why were you so upset? We've never seen you like this!"

"Why? I'll ya why!" said Mr Mouse, jerking his thumb towards the TV and nearly banging Wizzie on the nose.

"THAT'S why! That guy on the TV ad - that mouse that coulda been me!" He sniffed again, really loudly - schnurfflesplish! (Yukk!)

"SHOULDA been me!"