Ricky and Graham’s aircraft landed with a THUD outside the Fang Mansion. John the Vulture was still collapsed in the yard, eating any slugs that trailed past within tongue-stretching distance.
As Amelia opened the door to the mansion, a BONG rang out from the grandfather clock in the entrance hall marking the hour.
‘We’d better get this place cleaned up,’ she said urgently. Amelia had forgotten how messy the house was. The caticorns’ trail of destruction was everywhere. ‘I need to show Mum and Dad that I AM a responsible big sister. If they see the house like this, they’ll be so cross.’
‘Young Amelia,’ said Wooo, touching her shoulder gently. ‘You’ve already shown your mum and dad what a brilliant big sister you are, and the baby will love you just as much as everyone here does. Just remember to always be you. ’
Amelia smiled. She really, REALLY wished you could hug a ghost. She glanced at the glitter-stained walls and food splodges spread across the carpet.
‘Well, I’d still really like to tidy up so that everything is just perfect for my new baby brother or sister!’
‘We can help you clean up,’ said Ricky. ‘If you like?’
‘That would be amazing, thank you!’ said Amelia, grateful for her brilliant friends.
‘Yeah, we’ve finished our first-ever flying practice for the night,’ said Graham. ‘So we’re as free as flamingo-dragons!’
‘Wait,’ said Tangine. ‘You’ve never flown that thing before?’
‘Nope,’ said Ricky as he waltzed into the Fang Mansion and grabbed a cloth.
‘I reckon we’ll get the hang of it soon enough,’ said Graham indifferently.
‘We could have DIED,’ said Tangine, marching in behind them. ‘We could have crashed, and my beautiful face would have been ruined! You put the FUTURE KING of Nocturnia at RISK, don’t you know?!’
The two unicorns stared at Tangine. Both raised their eyebrows.
‘Mate, we just saved your royal bottom,’ said Ricky. ‘We saved THE FUTURE KING! I reckon we deserve some kind of royal medal for that. Don’t you think so, Graham?’
‘Good point, Ricky,’ said Graham. He smiled at Tangine. ‘Let us know when the award ceremony is, and I’ll wear my BEST hat.’
Tangine harrumphed.
Wooo grabbed a handful of cloths and mops from the cellar, and the friends got to work.
Squashy and Pumpy took care of the dining room, each brandishing a feather duster in their stalks and a cloth in their mouths. Pumpy had gone the extra mile by wearing an apron with a picture of a six-pack on it.
Florence scrubbed the glitter off the walls, whilst Grimaldi used his scythe to gather up all the broken bits of furniture, and Tangine made sure every vase was turned to face the right way.
The caticorns helped Amelia tidy up her bedroom so that it looked as good as new.
‘Oh! One more thing!’ said Amelia as they stood in the doorway, about to leave. She pulled the shiny little pumpkin ornament out of her skirt pocket and placed it on her bookshelf in place of the old one.
‘Perfect!’ She smiled and ruffled each of the caticorns’ furry heads. They giggled and hugged Amelia tightly.
‘I’m going to miss you guys,’ Amelia said, suddenly feeling sad.
But she didn’t have time to dwell any more, as the sounds of the door gong echoed through the mansion.
Amelia and the caticorns rushed into the entrance hall, followed by Wooo, her friends, and Ricky and Graham. Squashy and Pumpy were still wearing tiny aprons and holding feather dusters. Amelia braced herself for the arrival of the new baby.
But it wasn’t her mum and dad at the door.
‘FLOOFY WOOFY DOO-DAAAAAAHS!’ sang the shrill voice of Aunt Lavitora.
The caticorns ran up to Aunt Lavitora and danced around her feet.
‘Mew! Mew! Mew!’ they sang.
Amelia chuckled, and announced, ‘Aunt Lavitora, your caticorns have a special surprise for you.’
‘Oh! Really?’ said Lavitora. ‘I do love surprises!’
‘Mew! Mew-mew, mew!’ said Gerrard happily.
‘Meeeeew meeeew!’ added Butler.
‘MEW MEW!’ finished Mo.
Aunt Lavitora gasped in response. ‘An important show? Right here, right now?’
Amelia stepped forward and smiled at the caticorns. ‘There is indeed! Aunt Lavitora, will you follow me?’
She took her aunt’s silk-gloved hand and led her through to the unliving-room sofa. Mo’s hand-painted scenery stood proudly in the centre of the room. Butler’s handmade instruments were poised at the side of the stage, ready to make beautiful music.
‘Darklings, what is going on?’ asked Aunt Lavitora as Wooo placed a bowl of sweet and salty snotcorn on to her lap.
‘Just make yourself comfy, Aunt Lavitora,’ Amelia said, grinning. ‘Here goes . . .’
