The holiday was pretty stress-free.

I hardly gave work, or house hunting, or the plight of the Adelie Penguin in this age of global warming a second thought.

I was able to unwind.

Except for this one thing.

Before we went away I went to the library and got some books out for the trip. This is a rare occurrence these days as I rarely get a chance to read anything aimed above the age of four.

One of the books, something to do with ideas and stuff about English and being concise with using words and things, disappeared within five minutes of it getting home from the library.

I didn't want to have to pay to replace this crappy old book, so I tore the house apart trying to find it. And even the last minutes waiting for our late taxi to take us to the airport were spent searching everywhere for this damn book.

And on holiday I even found myself stressing about where the fucking thing was.

And when I got home, I searched in vain once again.

It was due back yesterday.
I systematically searched every room and nook and cranny in the house.
Room by room, I eliminated them all. And the garage. And outside the house.

I'd given up. I was going to have to pay for a replacement book.

Then I was putting Baby Ginge to bed and for some reason reached over and lifted up the mat on her change table.
There it was. The Goddamn ginger ninja had walked off with it and buried it like some naughty puppy.

But still. Another book says Seek and you shall find.
Or was that Elvis?

Anyway.

Panic over.

D-Missus managed to buy the most expensive copy of the latest Harry Potter available in Australia while on holiday.

Before she could start reading it, I picked it up, flicked to the last page and read the end.

I told her she didn't need to bother reading that children's book, as I already knew how it all ended.

Then she pulled out a wand and yelled “Expelliarmus!”.

Or maybe it was some other word. And it's possible that it wasn't actually a wand. Actually, come to think of it… I think it was her middle finger.

Anyway.

For those who haven't read it yet, I hate to break it to you, but I don't think Golem makes it.

Sorry.