left the school premises, Emma’s mum was pulling up in her car. She drew to a halt outside the gates. ‘How was that for timing? Do you two want a lift home with us?’
‘Yes please,’ said Stacey. ‘I’ve got loads to do tonight as well as a big assignment to finish. I’ll get started sooner if I don’t have to wait for the bus.’
Wendy said, ‘Thanks anyway, but my dad’s secretary is coming to pick me up today. He has an important press conference this afternoon, so I’m going to his office.’
‘Okay, then, see you tomorrow. Bye Wendy,’ said the girls, piling into the car.
‘Bye Stacey, bye Emma,’ answered Wendy with a wave.
Wendy watched them drive off down the road. She stood alone on the pavement, hugging herself to ward off the cold. All the other pupils were long gone. Wendy and her two friends had stayed behind for a meeting with a member of staff about a joint project they were working on. Wendy knew Maggie would be on her way to pick her up. Her lips twitched again as she remembered Ellie getting wet in the classroom.
A black van drove down the street towards her, slowing down as it came alongside. A man she had never seen before opened the sliding door and said, ‘Wendy Dante?’
‘Yes, where’s Maggie?’ she said.
‘Change of plan!’ the man said grimly. Wendy took a step back, hesitating, but the man was out of the van in a flash. He grabbed her round the arms, pinning them to her sides. She struggled and twisted in his grip, but he was too strong for her and with a mighty effort, pushed her roughly into the back of the van and jumped in beside her. Before the door was even closed the van sped off down the road and, taking the next left turn, was gone from sight in seconds.
‘That was easy,’ said MacStarkey.
‘Sure was,’ said the driver, Fitzsmee.
‘Where are you taking me?’ cried Wendy.
‘Shut your face and do as you’re told,’ snarled MacStarkey. ‘And if your dad does as he’s told, you’ll be all right. If not, it’ll be curtains for you, me fine lassie.’ Neither pirate said another word as the vehicle sped along to its secret destination.
Professor John Dante stood on the platform in the conference room of the Roslin Institute, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Not that he was ill at ease around the national press, but he was flanked by his superior Sir Angus Turnbull and his star patient James Croll, both immaculately dressed for this event. He still sported the crumpled clothes from earlier. The eyes of all the media people, reporters, photographers and broadcasters were on him as he cleared his throat and began his prepared speech.
‘Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present a miracle of biblical proportions!’ He stopped for effect. The air was full of expectancy and he was milking it as well as he could. ‘Our research has now reached a critical stage where we are able to re-constitute parts of the human body. Not only are we able to do this theoretically, but we have started the trials and are here to share our results with you this evening.’ John Dante looked round at Sir Angus and got the nod of approval that told him to proceed.
‘You will all be aware that certain reptiles have the ability to re-grow their tails if they lose them. We have carried out extensive experiments in order to ascertain what characteristics in the make up of these creatures allow them to do this. Without becoming too technical, I will tell you that it was a logical leap of science to bring this miracle…and I use this word carefully, for it truly is a miraculous discovery…to bring this miracle to the human race.’
John Dante ushered forward the gentleman standing by his side. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce James Croll who recently lost two of his fingers in an accident. They were so badly crushed that it was impossible to save them. May I show you pictures of Mr Croll’s hand after his accident?’
The professor’s assistant
‘Yes please,’ said Stacey. ‘I’ve got loads to do tonight as well as a big assignment to finish. I’ll get started sooner if I don’t have to wait for the bus.’
Wendy said, ‘Thanks anyway, but my dad’s secretary is coming to pick me up today. He has an important press conference this afternoon, so I’m going to his office.’
‘Okay, then, see you tomorrow. Bye Wendy,’ said the girls, piling into the car.
‘Bye Stacey, bye Emma,’ answered Wendy with a wave.
Wendy watched them drive off down the road. She stood alone on the pavement, hugging herself to ward off the cold. All the other pupils were long gone. Wendy and her two friends had stayed behind for a meeting with a member of staff about a joint project they were working on. Wendy knew Maggie would be on her way to pick her up. Her lips twitched again as she remembered Ellie getting wet in the classroom.
A black van drove down the street towards her, slowing down as it came alongside. A man she had never seen before opened the sliding door and said, ‘Wendy Dante?’
‘Yes, where’s Maggie?’ she said.
‘Change of plan!’ the man said grimly. Wendy took a step back, hesitating, but the man was out of the van in a flash. He grabbed her round the arms, pinning them to her sides. She struggled and twisted in his grip, but he was too strong for her and with a mighty effort, pushed her roughly into the back of the van and jumped in beside her. Before the door was even closed the van sped off down the road and, taking the next left turn, was gone from sight in seconds.
‘That was easy,’ said MacStarkey.
‘Sure was,’ said the driver, Fitzsmee.
‘Where are you taking me?’ cried Wendy.
‘Shut your face and do as you’re told,’ snarled MacStarkey. ‘And if your dad does as he’s told, you’ll be all right. If not, it’ll be curtains for you, me fine lassie.’ Neither pirate said another word as the vehicle sped along to its secret destination.
Professor John Dante stood on the platform in the conference room of the Roslin Institute, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Not that he was ill at ease around the national press, but he was flanked by his superior Sir Angus Turnbull and his star patient James Croll, both immaculately dressed for this event. He still sported the crumpled clothes from earlier. The eyes of all the media people, reporters, photographers and broadcasters were on him as he cleared his throat and began his prepared speech.
‘Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present a miracle of biblical proportions!’ He stopped for effect. The air was full of expectancy and he was milking it as well as he could. ‘Our research has now reached a critical stage where we are able to re-constitute parts of the human body. Not only are we able to do this theoretically, but we have started the trials and are here to share our results with you this evening.’ John Dante looked round at Sir Angus and got the nod of approval that told him to proceed.
‘You will all be aware that certain reptiles have the ability to re-grow their tails if they lose them. We have carried out extensive experiments in order to ascertain what characteristics in the make up of these creatures allow them to do this. Without becoming too technical, I will tell you that it was a logical leap of science to bring this miracle…and I use this word carefully, for it truly is a miraculous discovery…to bring this miracle to the human race.’
John Dante ushered forward the gentleman standing by his side. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce James Croll who recently lost two of his fingers in an accident. They were so badly crushed that it was impossible to save them. May I show you pictures of Mr Croll’s hand after his accident?’
The professor’s assistant
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