Ben and Zoe stared open-mouthed at the huge, busy room in front of them. There were people sitting at computers, who looked up and smiled, then got back to their work. The walls were covered with giant plasma screens showing footage of animals in the wild.
“They’re all endangered,” murmured Ben, taking in the amazing sight of mountain gorillas, pandas and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitats. Zoe gasped and pointed at one of the screens.
“That’s the black-tailed ferret!” she exclaimed. “They’re nearly extinct.”
“You’re right,” came a deep voice. “Wild’s working hard to stop that from happening.”
Out from behind a workstation stepped a smiling Uncle Stephen. He was wearing old jeans and a dinner jacket with a bow tie. His spiky red hair looked as if it hadn’t been brushed for days.
“Ben and Zoe!” He shook their hands vigorously. “You haven’t changed much from the seven-year-old scamps I remember,” he said. “There’s always been a thirst for adventure in those bright blue eyes.”
“It’s great seeing you again,” said Zoe, giving him a hug.
Uncle Stephen laughed and ruffled her hair. “What do you think of Wild headquarters?”