Gargoylz Get Up to Mischief (12 page)

Mr Widget was now peering down at Eli. He still clutched his pot of worms. “A grass snake!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “How interesting – and quite harmless. Look at its black spots and yellow collar.” The children all jostled to look.

“No one’s run away yet,” commented Barney.

“I knew that idea wouldn’t work,” said Bart gloomily. “Kids aren’t scared of snakes. At least not grass snakes, and that’s all Eli can do.”

“What about Trick Four?” asked Theo, swishing his tail.

“Haven’t got a Trick Four,” said Toby with a frown.

The gargoylz all looked despondent.

“I have!” exclaimed Max. “Lucinda and Tiffany are getting very twitchy about the worms and the snake has nearly finished them off. What if Zack makes himself invisible so no one will see him? Then he creeps up behind Mr Widget and knocks the worm pot out of his hand. Ben and I can make sure the worms land on Lucinda and Tiffany. People will hear their screams all the way to the moon!”

“Good one, Agent Black,” said Ben. “Mr Widget will have to take them back to school and that will be the end of Science Club for today.”

“Brilliant!” cried Zack, racing round in excited circles. Max noticed with relief that everyone in Science Club was still staring at Eli, so nobody spotted Zack. “Let’s go!”

“Not yet, Zack,” called Ben. “We’ve got to get everyone in position.”

But it was too late.
POP!
Zack had vanished.

“Run!” Max told Ben urgently. “We’ve got to be there when the worms are spilled.”

Max and Ben charged over to Mr Widget and stood just behind him, pretending to be keen to see the snake.

“He does look real,” Max whispered as they watched Eli slither about the grass, his forked tongue darting in and out.

“Grass snakes should not be confused with adders,” Mr Widget was telling his audience. “Adders are poisonous and—
Ooof!
”

He stumbled forward as if he had been given a hard push. Max caught a glimpse of Zack’s dragony tail as it became visible for a second.

“Let me help you, sir,” shouted Ben, making a grab for the pot. He gave it a quick upward jolt and the worms were flung in the air – falling all over Lucinda and Tiffany.

“Hurra— I mean, oh dear!” exclaimed Max, trying to hide his glee as the two terrified girls shrieked and jumped in shock, knocking buckets of soapy water over everyone’s feet. Groans and complaints filled the air.

“I’m so sorry,” said Ben, putting on his wide-eyed innocent look. “Let me help.” Trying not to laugh, he started to pick worms out of Lucinda’s hair. “Ooops! So
sorry
. That one went down your back.”

“
AAAARRRGGHH!
” Lucinda screamed and sprinted for the gates, Tiffany close behind her.

“Wait!” blustered Mr Widget. “Or rather – yes, right, let’s go in, everybody. Quickly now. All together. We’ll collect worms another day.”

Max and Ben followed the others out of the field, then Mr Widget locked the gates. Max and Ben peered back through the bars.

The gargoylz were having the time of their lives. Zack was darting about throwing beanbags to Theo, Barney’s spikes were just disappearing down one of the tubes and Bart was playing in the sandpit. Eli was back to his normal self, bouncing on the trampoline, his snaky hair jiggling.

“Where’s Toby?” whispered Max.

“Here I am,” came a growly purr and Toby flew up to perch on the gates. He was grinning broadly. “Thanks, Max and Ben,” he said. “Now we’re going to have the best gargoyle sports day ever!”

Gargoylz Fact File

Full name:
Tobias the Third

Known as:
Toby

Special Power:
Flying

Likes:
All kinds of pranks and mischief – especially playing jokes on the vicar

Dislikes:
Mrs Hogsbottom, garden gnomes

Full name:
Barnabas

Known as:
Barney

Special Power:
Making big stinks!

Likes:
Cookiez

Dislikes:
Being surprised by humanz

Full name:
Eli

Special Power:
Turning into a grass snake

Likes:
Sssports Day, ssslithering

Dislikes:
Birds of prey

Full name:
Bartholomew

Known as:
Bart

Special Power:
Burping spiders

Likes:
Being grumpy

Dislikes:
Being told to cheer up

Full name:
Theophilus

Known as:
Theo

Special Power:
Turning into a ferocious tiger (well, tabby kitten!)

Likes:
Sunny spots and cosy places

Dislikes:
Rain

Full name:
Zackary

Known as:
Zack

Special Power:
Making himself invisible to humanz

Likes:
Bouncing around, eating bramblz, thistlz, and anything with pricklz!

Dislikes:
Keeping still