It was a fantastic party.
The reptile house looked amazing. There were posters on every wall and a long banner draped over the entrance. Outside, Lucy was giving out badges and bookmarks and fact sheets.
Tom and Sophie were standing by the new enclosures, looking at the snakes they had rescued.
‘Is Clarence OK?’ Tom asked, pointing at the anaconda.
‘Yes, he’s just about to shed,’ Sophie said. ‘That’s why his eyes are a bit glazed.’
‘What about Louise?’ Tom asked. ‘She doesn’t seem herself.’
He was gesturing at the Burmese python.
‘She’s just digesting a rabbit,’ said Sophie. ‘That’s why she’s a bit spaced.’
‘OK, phew,’ Tom said, looking relieved.
Then Sophie glanced at the Antiguan racer and sighed.
‘What is it?’ Tom asked. ‘Is something wrong with Jenny?’
‘No, no, it’s just . . .’
‘It’s just what?’ Tom asked.
‘Daisy said she’s been in touch with that rescue project I mentioned. You know, the one in Antigua – where they reintroduce snakes like her back into the wild.’
‘Oh, OK,’ said Tom.
‘Well, they’re going to take her,’ said Sophie. ‘She’ll be heading back home in two weeks.’
‘Oh,’ said Tom, also looking slightly sad. ‘Just as we’d started to get to know her.’
‘Yeah, I know,’ said Sophie, ‘but I suppose it’s the best thing for her. It’s a great programme; they’ve built the numbers up from fifty to five hundred.’
Then they heard a voice behind them.
‘I wondered where you two had got to,’ said Mrs Nightingale. She had Grandad with her.
‘Can I tell them?’ Grandad said. ‘Can I tell them now? Go on, Katie, let me tell them.’
‘OK, OK,’ said their mum, rolling her eyes.
‘Terrific news,’ said Grandad. ‘You know that this racer snake is off to Antigua? Well, your mother’s been chosen to accompany her. You know, it’s important that she has a vet with her when she’s settling in.’
‘Oh, OK, that’s good,’ said Sophie. ‘Good for you, Mum.’
‘And we’re all going with her!’ exclaimed Grandad, holding up five tickets.
Tom and Sophie looked at each other in disbelief.
‘Well, we thought it was a good excuse for a family holiday,’ said Mrs Nightingale. ‘We could all do with a bit of a rest. And it’s so beautiful out there, and you’ve both done so much to help her get back to full health.’
‘I can’t believe it!’ cried Sophie, running over to give her mum a hug.
‘Is this for real?’ exclaimed Tom.
Grandad clapped his hands, looking equally excited. ‘I’ve only been to the Caribbean once, but my word, I’ve never forgotten it! And the snakes that live out there . . . You know what, once I saw a man mending a car by the side of the road when a boa slunk out of the forest and started to coil itself round him! The man kept tinkering under the bonnet while the snake crept up his leg. Once it got to the point where the snake was starting to squeeze, the man calmly uncoiled it, starting from the tail. Then he carried on working. Marvellous! Man and snake living in perfect harmony.’
‘So,’ Mrs Nightingale said, looking at Tom and Sophie, ‘want to come along?’
Tom and Sophie looked at each other with a grin.
‘Well, I suppose we are snake experts now,’ Sophie said, putting her arm round her brother’s shoulder. ‘It makes sense for us to be there, doesn’t it?’
‘That’s just what I was thinking,’ said Mrs Nightingale.
‘Excellent,’ said Grandad, clapping his hands together. ‘You two are snake crazy just like your grandad. Here’s to having snakes on the brain!’
‘Snakes on the brain!’ exclaimed Tom.
‘Snakes on the brain!’ echoed Sophie.
‘And the worst thing is,’ Mrs Nightingale said, looking at them all with a smile, ‘I don’t think there’s a cure for it . . .’