" Its a crocodile." said Joe.

I must give Joe credit he did not panic, he just kept pulling steadily towards the jetty. It was obvious however that our speed toward the jetty and the crocodiles speed toward us were not the same.

" Its gaining on us." said Patsy and grabbed me even tighter.

I suggested to Joe he should stop rowing. Joe stopped rowing and the crocodile slowed down stopping a few feet away from us. It seems the crocodile was attracted by the splashing of the oars, however we could not just sit there.

The crocodile lay in the water eyeing us, probably wondering how many mouthfuls we would make. If noise was attracting it we could not shout. I ask if anybody had any ideas. Joe reached down into the bottom of the boat and picked up the bag of cream buns. Patsy did not think this is really the time for cream buns.

Joe however did not eat the bun he picked one out of the bag took aim and threw it at the crocodile. Patsy gave a shriek and clung onto me even tighter as the bun hit the crocodile squarely on the nose. I think we both had the same vision of it leaping out of the water towards us and taking a huge bite out of the side of the boat.

Thankfully however it did not, it simply blinked at us and slid silently backward under the water. Our last sight of it was a blob of fresh cream on the end of its nose as it slowly sink below the murky waters of the boating lake.

With renewed urgency Joe rowed towards the jetty, on arriving we were all out of the boat as if it was on fire.

" We've just seen a crocodile out there." said Joe to the attendant who as tying up the boat.

I was about to back up Joes story confirming that we did see something out there, in fact I think I would have been happier with the zoo and life in general had I needed to. What I had not expected was the simple statement from the attendant who just said, rather quietly in the circumstances, Bloody hell so that's where it went.

The attendant then ran off and disappeared into his little hut, leaving me, Joe and Patsy standing rather amazed and not knowing quite what to do.

Within minutes the boating lake cleared and we stood on the side we watching as several men in motor boats with large nets circled round and round on the lake looking for the crocodile.

" I said there was a crocodile." said Joe.

" I'm still only half inclined to believe you." I said. " I smacks too much of one of your little jokes."

" Well that was a treat." said Patsy." I do like being taken out in a boat on crocodile infested waters."

Joe declared that it was not exactly his fault which Patsy had to agree with but did add that it was the sort of thing that alway seems to happens to him. Joe could not argue with that.

It was a nice evening, the sun was just setting over the railway station as we slowly walked Patsy home. As the shadows lengthened however I could not stop wondering what else we had not been told about. How many other animals had escaped from the zoo. What else was lurking around somewhere in the undergrowth ready to pounce. You just never know.