The Mouse That Gnawed

It was just a baby mouse - wandering soggily around the back garden after the early-morning shower. Jools picked it up, gently stroking its fur and making mouse-soothing noises while I dashed indoors to get my camera.

Then, just as I pushed the lens into its snout, the hair rose on its back, it spun around, bit Jools's hand, leapt onto a table, then to the ground where it zoomed under a fence.

I'm sure I heard Jools mutter, "Bloody animal. Hope it meets the neighbour's cat," as she rubbed her hand, but I'm not absolutely certain, and her lips are sealed . . ..