“Wow, they tell you how to do everything in Germany. Check it out, they even have official chants to yell out at pool parties.”

David decided not to dignify that one with an answer. Martin had been trying to cheer him up ever since they left the youth hostel, and right now, he wasn’t interested. He rolled his eyes and kept on walking, adjusting his heavy rucksack as he went.

“Oh, come on, Dave, lighten up. Look, I’ve told you, I didn’t mean to get us thrown out of the hostel. I didn’t think she’d find it offen-”

David whirled round. “Oh, you didn’t think, did you? There’s a surprise. Newsflash, dude – Germans do not find it amusing if you start goose-stepping around them. Or saying that you’re on a walking tour that will last a thousand years.

“And besides,” he added, looking back at the sign, “it’s clearly warning us about being eaten by enormous mechanical fish.”

He turned away and stalked off. He was so angry, he didn’t even notice the splash, the clank and the brief, muffled yell from behind him.