The Ideas Pirates (9 page)

At Sydney airport, although she welcomed the twins with a big hug, Aunty Viv was upset.

‘What's happened?'

‘A car thief stole my Animal Actors van, with the car phone which your father insisted upon giving me.'

‘What did you do?'

‘I went to a phone and rang my own number.'

‘The car mobile number? In the Animal Actors van?'

‘Of course. And when he answered, he said,' “We are professional car thieves and we do this kind of thing all the time.”'

‘What did you say?'

‘I asked if he'd looked in the back yet? He said ‘no'.' I asked if he liked reptiles.

He said “No.' So I warned him about Serendipity, my snake, and her habit of curling around the driver's neck. That's when he dropped the phone and I heard the squeal of brakes.'

‘You don't have a snake called Serendipity do you?' asked Amy.

Aunty Viv just gave a little smile.

‘But I did make one mistake. I should have asked him where he was driving before I mentioned the snake. Anyway the police found the van abandoned outside a pizza place.'

‘Were the animals okay?'

‘Except for Henrietta. She'd nibbled through her leash and eaten half of the car thief's bag. He left it behind. Must have left in a hurry. Henrietta was found eating the “ALL YOU CAN EAT “SPECIAL sign!'

The twins looked at each other.

Being back with Aunty Viv was never boring!