Skull Island: Part five

By G. BRASSI, Illustrated by JEFFY JAMES

"Okay. Where were we up to? Ah yes. The kids had to pick up speed somehow. The pirates were gaining. The carpet got soggier and slower and the South Pole was still a long way away . . ."

The front of Con's shirt wriggled and moved in a lumpy bump. The bump moved all the way up from Con's belt buckle to his top button. Con poked a damp piece of ice-cream cone down inside his shirt.

"Mum, what would you say if I told you that Con's brought Ratty along?"

"I'd say I hope you're kidding."

"Nope."

"Cornelius?" Mum looked into the rear vision mirror just as Ratty popped her whiskery nose out under Con's chin.

"Sorry Mum."

Johnson stretched and jumped lightly onto the back of our seat. Ratty dived out of sight inside Con's shirt. Johnson stretched his neck, whiskers twitching. At home he's an outside cat and Ratty's an inside rat, for obvious reasons.

"I think Ratty's the one who'll be sorry, Con," Mum said.

"We'll manage," said Con. "Go on with your story, Lyndee, it's getting better."

Publisher: Scholastic $13.95

Age: 8-11 years