Rowley: home alone

63.Once upon a time, in an average suburban neighbourhood lived a unique 11-year-old boy named Rowley Jefferson. Rowley, although considered by some as absent-minded and clumsy, was brimming with innocence and charm. The quirky, tactless yet beloved protagonist of our tale was at the edge of a grand adventure.

Rowley's family had planned a holiday to the exotic yet elusive Nasty Seagull Island. As his parents loaded up the car with suitcases, they asked him to bring the last bag – a step they would soon regret. Rowley, ever-slight the scatterbrain, remembered he had left his cherished teddy, Winnie the Whee, inside the house.

Meanwhile, Naught Nella, the precocious 4-year-old sister of Rowley's best friend, had sneakily crept into the car, unbeknownst to the Jeffersons. Given Rowley's characteristics and wearing one of his beanies, Nella's head appeared to be him as it peeped from the backseat as Mrs. Jefferson glanced back one final time. Mr. Jefferson, in his haste and assuming Rowley was in the car, locked up the house, and they were soon on their way.

It was within minutes that Rowley stepped outside to find an empty driveway. The realization sunk in, his family had left "Oh no! They left me!" he exclaimed. Predictably, if not prematurely, Rowley's solitude resonated with an intense joy. He found himself free and the master of his domain, the house.

Buoyed by his newfound freedom, Rowley invited his aquatic buddy, Darwin The Thirsty Fish, over. They were going to turn his 'Home Alone' scenario into the biggest party this suburban street had ever seen. The house soon transformed into a vibrant party arena, filled with the delicious crunch of crisps, juicy sausages, an assortment of cakes, a fountain of sweets, and the one and only, the incredibly misnamed, 'bumcrumbs'.

As the party grew more clamorous, it caught the attention of two unwanted guests from the world of nefarious deeds - the Naughty Robbers. Rumors spoke about their inexplicable love for peanuts, a passion so intense they were known to steal them. As Darwin spied them sneaking into the kitchen, he gasped, "Oh no! We have to stop them!" Rowley, summoned his courage, and together they chased after the wrongdoers.

Their pursuit led them on a wild chase through the basement, stumbling into an oversized, forgotten microwave. In the ensuing chaos, the robbers ended up inside the microwave, their eyes popping at the sight of the now saved lone peanut. Hijinks ensued and the naive culprits ended up sizzling inside the vintage microwave oven.

Rowley's parents returned abruptly to see their house alight with colors and laughter and Rowley Safe. The holiday was cancelled, and they were just relieved to find their darling son unharmed, with Nella safely ensconced at her home. The evening was capped off with the family nestled together on the sofa watching 'Captain Arseface 3: The Giant Bag of Wee Attacks Town'.

Suddenly, amidst the entertainment, Rowley made a distinct 'oops' face. Moments later, his mother was seen dutifully changing his nappy and gently wiping his bum while his dad captured the candid moment on camera. Rowley insisted this video needed to be screened in the cinema. His wish, however quirky, was granted. The film played to a packed audience and was declared a hit, making our dear Rowley a local sensation for his most amusing 'Home Alone' adventure.