It is a little known fact that the Famous Five grew up and stopped having spiffing adventures, entering the exciting world of Hopsital Radio instead...

"There's a note here from Aunty Lee" said Julian as he emptied the contents of the pigeon hole over the filing cabinets "Apparently we are to play a jolly game called Bedside Bingo tonight at the start of the request show."

"Gosh" said Anne, "What does that mean ?"

"She says we have to hand out special cards to the patients with numbers on them and then we read out more numbers over the air during the show and they cross the ones that match off on the cards" it was explained.

"And then what ?" asked Georgina

"Well they ring us up and we go and give them a prize"

"What a wizard scheme" Dick said excitedly "That will get us lots of listeners you know those oldies love a little bit of excitement."

"Woof" said Timmy.

The team headed off to the wards, each with a generous supply of bingo tickets, earphones, brochures and paper to write their requests on. As usual Anne spent most of the evening listening to an old lady's life story.

"You are a daft old thing Anne" joked Dick "I think you do it to get out of all the headphone checking. The oldies really seem to have a soft spot for you though."

"Well boys are better at checking headphones and I suppose that I just can't drag myself away from someone once they start talking to me." she replied.

"Huh. I can check headphones as well as any boy" said Georgina "and I can use the control board nearly as well as Julian"

"Yes George, but you like being a tomboy. We're not all like that". Anne was feeling a little defensive, using the board made her nervous although all the others tried to get her to have a go. They said that if the Tuesday team could do it, anyone could.

Back at the studio Julian had followed Aunty Lee's instructions to the letter and had assembled the amazing bingo ball draw machine. He marvelled at its complexity as the magnificent golden ball basket glinted in the spotlights. Timmy the dog sniffed at it and had to be stopped from wanting to play with the number 28 ball to which he seemed particularly attracted.

As eight o'clock drew near the team assembled in the studio. The request show jingle blared out from the speakers and Julian prepared to start the programme.

"On tonight's show we have a special treat for you all. We will be playing Bedside Bingo ! So keep those bingo cards handy and be ready for us to read the first set of numbers." He announced, voice trembling with excitement.

"Woof" said Timmy, even he seemed impressed by the occasion.

Following the instructions to the letter the first record was a soft lilting instrumental. As it drew to a close Dick released the first batch of balls from the ball basket and showed them to Anne, who he suggested, should read the numbers out over the air as she had the clearest voice.

She faltered "I'm so nervous. What if I get it wrong ?"

"Go on old stick" he assured her, "you can do it."

So Anne read out the numbers slowly and carefully without any joking or silly business (Aunty Lee had been most specific about this). Fortunately she did not go in for "silly business" but she did have to restrain George from shouting "legs eleven".

At the end of the first round of numbers, Julian played an Enya record.

"Is this OK old man ? She does sing a bit and Aunty did say we must only use instrumentals" Dick enquired.

"They're not proper words, more sort of noises" said Julian.

"Well you know best, but she is very strict so I hope you are right."

"Woof" said Timmy.

The record ended and the next batch of numbers were read out, then another record, this time "Born Slippy" which Anne didn't like but George said was OK as there weren't any words in it. Anne didn't much like George's interest in this "acid house" music preferring the work of Mr Chris De Burgh.

The next set of numbers were announced and the next, but still no telephone call from happy winners. What was going on ?

"I know, lets read out all the numbers again in case anyone has missed out, but fist we had better play a really stirring record to get them all listening carefully" said Julian, always the one to come up with a good plan when it mattered.

"Geoff from Tuesdays suggested something from album number L2 and he seems to know an awful lot about music" suggested Anne.

Out came L2 and onto the turntable. Soon the sounds of the Hammond organ were singing out from the speakers. After a couple of minutes the numbers were read out again and the telephone started to ring. A swift run around the wards and the station was a desert of prizes. There wasn't a mug or yo-yo to be found anywhere.

"What a fun evening" said George "good old Big Jim H, he saved the day again. If it hadn't been for his syncopated rhythms we might never have grabbed their attention long enough to get some winners."

"Woof" said Timmy.