As always my admiration goes to Gerry Anderson and his gifted team for creating (in my opinion) the greatest TV series on the planet.

I'd also like to extend my thanks to my very dear friend Yvette for her help and advice and also for the FAB job she did beta reading. What would I have done without you, Yvette? Thankyou.

SNAP.

She's three feet long, with scaly skin and was Alan's 21st birthday present. She is his pride and joy. Gordon has been asked to take care of her, whilst Alan's doing his tour of duty on Thunderbird Five. It's a responsibility Gordon takes seriously.

Genus; Alligatoridae. Scientific classification: Alligator sinensis, the Chinese alligator makes its home in the Yangzi River basin where it is now threatened with extinction. It is more timid and much smaller than the American alligator, averaging 5 ft. and seldom exceeds 2.5 m (8 ft) in length, and is considered of little threat to human beings.

Genus; Crocodylidae. Scientific classification: Palaeosuchus palpebrosus. The Caiman closely resembles alligators except for the bony scales on their bellies. All are found in the American Tropics close to bodies of water. The smallest, about 1.5 m (5 ft), is Cuvier's dwarf or armoured caiman, which has heavily ossified, or bony, skin.

In the year 2037 scientists genetically engineered a new genus of alligator by cross breeding the docile Chinese alligator, alligator sinensis, with the equally docile American Tropics Caiman, Cuvier's dwarf, Palaeosuchus palpebrosus. By altering specific sections of the genetic coding of both reptiles they produced the new hybrid genus, sinensis palpebrosus, the pygmy alligator.

- - - - - - - -

Day one:

In the east facing, lower ground floor lounge, Scott's gaze reluctantly shifted from the TV screen. He frowned in distraction as Gordon walked past the lounge windows for the fourth time. Gordon appeared preoccupied about something. Eventually Scott shrugged and tuned back to the archive footage of the Concorde's final commercial flight, which had taken place on 24th of October 2003 from Heathrow. Several minutes later he heard footsteps approaching but remained focused on the screen as Gordon entered. Flicking him a glance, Scott noticed Gordon making a furtive survey of the room.

"Something wrong?"

"What makes you say that?"

Scott studied him briefly, noting the look of tension about him as Gordon continued making furtive sweeps of the room. Gordon's hands were bunched tight in his pockets, another sign of his disquiet. Scott shrugged dismissively and turned back to his programme.

"Okay, there is something."

"So, do I have to guess or are you eventually going to tell me?" Scott waited as Gordon shuffled tensely, his face taut with indecision.

"I've misplaced Eglantine."

"Misplaced?" Scott's mouth quirked.

"Okay, I've lost her then, temporarily!"

"Careless of you," Scott said leaning to see round Gordon who was now blocking his view of the TV screen. "You make a better door than a window."

Gordon took the hint and moved.

"How'd you lose her?"

"If I knew the answer to that we wouldn't be having this conversation. Look, I could do with some advice."

"Find her," Scott quipped.

"I'm serious. I've been outwitted by a reptile. I can't find her anywhere."

"So that's what you were up to. I wondered what you were doing when I saw you wandering back and forth several times. Alan's not going to like you very much when he finds out you've lost his birthday present from Tin-Tin."

"You're not going to tell him!"

"I'm not that much of a sadist."

"Promise me you won't say anything to the others."

"I won't say anything to the others; now would you mind moving."

"Scott, what am I going to do?"

Scott sighed as the credits rolled. He looked at his brother. "Have you checked the pond?"

"Several times. It was my first port of call."

"Have you checked the kitchen out?"

"No need, there were no screams coming from that direction."

"Tin-Tin's room?"

"No screams from there either."

"Tin-Tin's hardly likely to scream; she bought it, remember?"

"Yeah, but that was before she knew they'd lied to her when they told her it was fully grown at eighteen inches."

Scott grinned at the memory, recalling the looks on their faces when the reptile continued growing until it had reached its present size. "Which makes it all the more astonishing you can't find it now," he said. "It's hardly invisible at three feet in length."

"Well it might as well be for all the luck I've had. It could be anywhere on this island by now and I've run out of options. Any suggestions?"

"Try using bait."

"What sort of bait?"

"Use your initiative," Scott uttered, rolling his eyes.

- - - - - - - -

'Use my initiative,' Gordon repeated. That phrase had been turning over inside his head for the past several minutes. The best bait to lure the alligator back into her outdoor enclosure would be live bait, but the only live bait they had were the koi. He'd rather take his chances with Alan than face his father's wrath. 'Initiative, initiative.' Gordon's eyes lit up. He dashed indoors and headed to the kitchen, which to his relief was empty. A quick glance at his watch showed he still had a few minutes before Kyrano made a start on dinner. Gordon whipped open the 6ft. high 27 cu.ft. fridge and scanned the contents. He immediately focused on the prime fillet of beef joint. It was on the large side but beggars couldn't be choosers. Gordon grabbed it and headed outdoors to lay an irresistible trail with which to tempt Alan's alligator back into her enclosure.

- - - - - - - -

Four minutes later Kyrano entered the kitchen washed his hands and set about preparing the pastry for the Beef Wellington. Wrapping it in film, he placed it in the fridge, and bent down to the lower shelf and automatically extracted the oval ceramic platter. He shut the fridge door and turned towards to the work counter. He had taken several steps before realisation dawned. He glanced down at the barren plate, hesitated, stared at it again then headed back to the fridge, assuming the large fillet must have somehow been dislodged from the platter. He opened the door, bent down and carefully scoured the insides. His face was a mask of perplexity as he straightened up and closed the gleaming metallic door. He then went over to the walk in chiller and checked the freezer contents. With his brow knit in mystification, Kyrano went back over to the fridge, checked once more before selecting alternative ingredients and, with an enigmatic look on his face, began to make a meatloaf instead.

- - - - - - - -

"Seen anything yet?"

Gordon inhaled sharply, jumped and whipped round to see Scott peering at him as he hunkered down in the undergrowth.

"Yeah, I caught her hours ago. I just thought I'd squat down here to top up my tan and admire the colony of ants that are currently devouring Eglantine's bait."

"Tut-tut." Scott shook his head at him. "You won't want dinner then if you're that absorbed."

"I'm coming."

"And the trap?"

"I'm gonna gamble she won't show for half an hour."

Scott looked at the trail of beef leading into the enclosure. "Yep, if I were a 'pygmy' alligator I wouldn't be in any rush to devour that…….especially when there's a pond of fourteen prime succulent koi swimming less than three hundred yards from here." Gordon's pallor that matched that of sweating cheese. "Thanks! You really know how to cheer a fella up. What am I going to do?"

"About dinner?"

"About that damned alligator!"

Scott gave Gordon a sympathetic look. "As I see it, you have three options, you can come clean and admit you've let her escape, you can skip dinner and keep a twenty-four hour watch on the pond……"

"And the third option?"

"Change your name and emigrate."

Gordon snorted. "Thanks! You're a big help. There is a fourth option."

"What's that?"

"I can forget the first three and just concentrate on dinner."

- - - - - - - -

Gordon was aware of Scott's disgruntled face directed at him as both studied the meatloaf on their plates.

"I thought we were having Beef Wellington, Kyrano?" Jeff said, moving the meatloaf around as if that would transform it into Beef Wellington.

"That is so, Mr. Tracy. However an unexpected improvisation was called for. I hope your enjoyment is not deterred by the alternative."

"Hmmm," Jeff said. "Thank you Kyrano. Something happened to the beef?"

"It would appear so, Mr. Tracy."

- - - - - - - -

Day two:

Mrs. Tracy breezed through the door of her bedroom, abruptly halted and almost dropped her freshly laundered clothes. Her blue eyes narrowed on the protruding boots.

"You've a good explanation for being under my bed, young man?" She had the satisfaction of hearing a sharp intake of breath followed by a muffled thud as the bed jerked up a couple of inches.

Gordon sucked in his breath and wriggled out from beneath his grandmother's bed, rubbing the back of his head. "Grandma, hi."

"I'm waiting, and don't think plastering your face with your most winning smile will work with me."

Gordon viewed the stern, suspicious face with consternation and the smile dropped off his face. He had two choices here; he could confess the truth that he was searching for the alligator and risk the aftermath that would ensue, or he could confess to the reason she thought he was in her room. He swallowed hard. 'I'm really out of options,' he thought. "Would you believe I lost something?"

Mrs. Tracy folded her arms and began tapping her foot on the tiled marble floor. "Young man, don't mess with me."

Gordon quaked at the woman who barely reached his pectoral muscle. "Okay, Gran, you got me. I was about to rig one of my pranks."

"I thought so! You obviously haven't learned from your last encounter with me. (Joker series. The joker versus Grandma).

"I'm real sorry Grandma. It won't happen again. Oh, and er, Grandma? I really wouldn't bother Dad with this."

"Oh, it's no bother."

- - - - - - - -

Jeff watched his fourth born enter the lounge, a twitchy nervousness about him as he hurriedly scanned the room and left again. Jeff arched a brow at John, who arched a brow back. Both looked round as Mrs. Tracy entered; a distracted expression on her face.

"Is anything wrong Mother?"

"Have you noticed anything odd about Gordon's behaviour lately?"

Jeff and John exchanged looks. "Why do you ask?"

"There's something; I can't just put my finger on it, but he's been acting mighty strangely. I found him in my room a little while ago and he actually confessed his intention to pull a prank on me."

Jeff's brow came down. "Are you sure? I thought he'd have more sense than to target you, after the last time."

"That's what I thought, too. And you know what the strange thing is? If he was planning one of his jokes, I didn't see any paraphernalia on him."

"I'll have a word with him."

"Dad, if you don't mind my suggesting it, now that we know he could be planning another joke, why don't we just keep a closer watch on him?"

Jeff thought this over. "You know son, you might be right. No point in alerting him. We'll monitor him more closely and see what develops."

Over the next few days Gordon's odd behaviour was noted by everyone, but apart from Scott no one knew why. They assumed wrongly that he was devising one of his pranks.

- - - - - - - -

Day five:

"You're looking quite desperate," Scott informed him as he stood over Gordon.

Gordon shrugged, keeping his eyes on the Koi pond.

"People are beginning to notice."

Gordon looked up then and gave him and scrutinised himsharply. "Have they said anything? Do they suspect?"

"Not as far as I know, although Dad's got it into his head that you've taken quite a shine to his Koi. Look, why don't you put yourself out of your misery and just come clean? I'm sure everyone will pull together to find her."

Gordon shook his head, emphatically. "I'd rather bungee jump into a cactus patch than run the risk of Alan finding out."

Scott pursed his lips in amusement. "Alan's going to find out anyway. He's due home in a couple of days."

"Two days, fourteen hours and thirty:" Gordon glanced at his watch. "Seven minutes."

"Not keeping track then?"

"I need to think of something, and fast."

"You could try laying more bait."

"I've already tried that. The ants are now the size of tarantulas and have developed gourmet tastes."

Scott chuckled at the exaggeration. "Then try something different."

"Like what?"

"How should I know? I'm not a pygmy alligator-caiman cross."

"Alligator sinensis palpebrosus to be exact. It's a genetic hybrid of the Chinese species and the Cuvier's dwarf caiman. Using cross matched sections of DNA from both reptiles they then altered the reptile's genetic coding to produce the pygmy. By rights they should have given it a better genus name. Pygmy alligator sounds inept."

"Been doing your homework, eh?"

"I like to know what I'm dealing with."

"Has it helped?"

"Would I still be guarding Dad's Koi if it had? I reckon I'd have more luck trying to skateboard through quick drying cement than catching that slippery sucker."

Scott chuckled. "You don't think she could have escaped from the island, do you?"

"I shouldn't think so, she's fresh water. She'll stick close to a fresh water source. I doubt she'd risk the open seas."

"You look like you could use a break, want me to help?"

Gordon gave Scott a grateful look. "Would you mind standing guard over the Koi until I get back? I need the bathroom. Then I'm going to raid the fridge. I'm starving and I might just have anther look around the house while I'm there."

"I can't see the alligator wanting to go into the house."

"Under normal circumstances she wouldn't, but if she's not currently occupied thinning out the island's wildlife then she'll be hungry and attracted by the food smells."

"Better go and check then."

"Thanks Scott, I won't be long."

- - - - - - - -

Having conducted another fruitless search of the ground floor, Gordon headed for the upper floor. He was passing the lounge and noticed it was vacant, which left him with a perfect opportunity. He conducted a lightning fast search when he noticed Virgil's piano was open. 'Stranger things have happened.' Gordon thought, as he peered into the depths.

"What are you up to?"

Gordon's head hit the lid as he jerked up. He winced, swore under his breath and wheeled round to see a suspicious John eyeing him.

"Well?"

'Go on, tell him.' Gordon knew he could trust John not to say anything and the idea was very appealing to have a third party on board, working with him to find Eglantine. He opened his mouth, took a deep breath then closed it again as Virgil walked in. Virgil instantly felt the atmosphere.

"What's going on here?"

John arched a brow at Gordon and waited. John and Virgil exchanged baffled looks as Gordon mumbled something unintelligible and shot past them, heading for the kitchen.

- - - - - - - -

Gordon reached into the fridge, grabbed a couple of deep fried chicken wings then saw the plate of large fresh succulent tiger prawns residing on the bottom shelf. He grabbed a synthetic food bag and scooped the lot in. He did a rapid exit with the tiger prawns and headed towards Eglantine's enclosure. He then laid a trail into the enclosure and waited.

- - - - - - - -

Kyrano looked at the empty plate. He gave a cursory glance inside the fridge and stared at the plate again, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He still had a contemplative expression on his face when Mrs. Tracy entered and reached round him into the fridge. She extracted the empty plate with a frown and looked at him. "Kyrano, where are the tiger prawns?"

"I am afraid I do not have the answer to that, Mrs. Tracy. I was rather hoping you might enlighten me. As that is not the case, it has occurred to me that Mr. Tracy must have fed them to his Koi, knowing how partial they are to them. Tiger prawns are considered somewhat of a delicacy for Koi. No doubt the Koi enjoyed them," Kyrano muttered, archly.

"Which leaves us without a main course."

'Again.'

"Want me to have a word with him?"

"Perhaps a diplomatic word might be in order, Mrs. Tracy."

"Oh, I can be as diplomatic as the occasion calls for," Mrs. Tracy declared with a determined gleam in her eye. "I've never heard the like of it, feeding our main course to a bunch of overindulged, pampered fish," she muttered, heading for the upper floor.

- - - - - - - -

Day seven: 9:37am.

Gordon's manner was absorbed as he paced his room. He checked his watch again and frowned. He had to do something and fast. Time was running out. Alan would be home at sixteen hundred hours and he still hadn't found the alligator. Gordon continued to pace his room then halted, suddenly; an alert look came into his eyes. "Heck! I don't know why I didn't think of that before."

He raced to Tin-Tin's room only to find it empty. While he was there he conducted a quick search but there was no sign of the elusive reptile. He then headed for the lounge and found Tin-Tin poring over a celebrity magazine featuring the Cass Carnaby Five.

"Hi honey," he greeted casually, dropping into the seat beside her and placing an arm around her shoulder. "Good job Alan's not here to see you drooling over him. You know how jealous he gets."

"I was not drooling!" Tin-Tin sniffed, indignantly.

Gordon held his hands up in a placating manner. "Okay, sorry, honey." Gordon waited several minutes as she continued flicking through the magazine. Finally she turned to him. "You wanted something?"

"Funny you should ask. I just wondered which pet store you bought Eglantine from."

"Why?"

"No particular reason, just wondered, that's all."

Tin-Tin regarded his enquiry with suspicion but he seemed genuine so she replied, "I can't remember the name of it."

Gordon's heart sank and he wasn't sure he didn't groan aloud.

"But I have their business card."

Gordon almost snatched it from her when she returned and held it out. He remembered, just, to appear nonchalant as he accepted it.

"Thanks honey," he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek before casually ambling from the room. Out of Tin-Tin's line of vision he dashed to Alan's room, quickly located a recent photo of Eglantine then sprinted down the corridor. Once in his own room, he typed in the web address, did a quick online check and found the store. He punched in the section he wanted then sat and perused the photos of the pygmy alligators they currently had available. He scrutinised each one looking for a perfect match to Eglantine's photo. There was one. He dashed back into the lounge and skidded to a halt. Tin-Tin was still there and still perusing the magazine. Her eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?"

Gordon knew he had to get her out of there, and fast. His parent could be along at any moment. He dismissed the notion of confiding in her before the thought had even germinated. She would be upset and then she'd tell Alan. He schooled his features into a convincing smile and said, "Your Dad's looking for you, he's in the garden." Gordon winced at having to lie to her. Once she'd left and he was certain he wouldn't be overheard, he made a rapid call to the pet store, selecting sound only and waited with bated breath to the ringing tone. "Pick up! Pick up the phone damn it!"

"Good morning, 'Exotic Reptiles.' Eduardo speaking, how may I help?"

"You have an Alligator sinensis Palaeosuchus palpebrosus, a pygmy alligator, reference number 694032795. Is it still available?" Gordon didn't realise how hard he was gripping onto the vid-phone as he listened to the static, waiting for a reply.

"One moment sir, while I check with my colleague." Eduardo Vasquez held the phone away from his ear, pressed the secrecy button, counted to thirty, and then reconnected the call. "You are in luck, sir. We have only one available and it is the one you enquired after; reference number 694032795."

Gordon exhaled audibly. "Reserve it for me. I'll be in to collect it in three hours."

"Very good, sir." Eduardo Vasquez replaced his receiver with a satisfied click, looked across at his expectant colleague and said, "Put a reserve sign on that pygmy alligator, Philippe, we've sold it."

"Which su….customer bought that then?"

Eduardo shrugged. "Didn't ask his name, but he'll be here in three hours. And Philippe?"

Philippe turned with an enquiring look.

"Make sure that creature's tranquillised."

- - - - - - - -

10:03am.

John loaded the last of his supplies on board Thunderbird Three then headed to his room to recheck his holdall and pack any last minute items.

"One hour, then that's it for another month," he said, checking his watch. "Pity I won't be around for the fireworks. I'd loved to have seen Gordon's face when he discovers Eglantine is back in her enclosure." John smiled as he punched in the code to his room. "Well, girl, we've had our fun. Watching Gordon's antics has relieved the boredom perfectly but the fun must end. It's time to get you back." John halted, hesitated, blinked then peered at the titanium cage. The door was ajar. "Damn!" He began a rapid search of his room, then the bathroom and finally the adjoining bedroom, which happened to be Virgil's. "Hell, this is all I need," he said, running an agitated hand through his hair. "If someone has let that thing out, I'll kill them." John checked his watch again. He had less than an hour to find her. He scoured the gardens, an eclectic mix of Eastern, Western and Tropical planting. He then searched the surrounding land, but the search proved fruitless. He then checked the Koi pond. John approached it with trepidation. If it had gotten into the pond then it would have made short work of those Koi and Dad would be, well he didn't want to contemplate what his parent would be.

- - - - - - - -

10:45am

"Scott, I've got the perfect solution, but I need you to cover for me while I nip over to the mainland."

A wary look crossed Scott's face.

"I've found a perfect match for Eglantine."

"Are you mad? Dad'll bust a gut when he finds out. John and I are due in Thunderbird Three in fifteen minutes. And what happens if the original turns up?"

"Just cover for me. I'll deal with that unlikely scenario, if it happens."

"Okay," Scott sighed, "it's your hide."

"Thanks, bro." Gordon raced down to the hangar and boarded T1. Scott cleared him for takeoff and he completed the pre-flight checks before his parent got wind of it and vetoed his plans. Gordon worked out he should be back with the replacement about fifteen to twenty minutes before Alan was due back. Gordon was airborne just as his father entered the lounge and demanded to know what was going on. Scott murmured something but Jeff was having none of it.

"Gordon? Get back here, now! What do you think I'm running here? Summer camp, where you can just come and go as you please? You know better than to go joy riding to the mainland when John's due for take-off shortly."

"I'm sure he won't mind me not saying goodbye this once, sir, but this can't wait." Gordon knew he'd be hauled over the coals for this breach in protocol but it would be worth it once he had this replacement safely in Eglantine's enclosure.

"Your flagrant disregard for authority will be dealt with when you return."

"Yes, sir."

- - - - - - - -

"John! There you are." John wheeled round from his vigil by the pond to see Scott watching him. "Dad's been looking for you, it's time to go."

'Damn! This is all I need. Time's up. I've no option but to leave Eglantine to her own devices.' "F.A.B. I'm on my way."

Fifteen minutes later, Thunderbird Three was airborne.

- - - - - - - -

Gordon examined the reptile, double checked the photo of Eglantine and, satisfied it was a perfect match, withdrew his wallet from his black leather jacket.

"Cash, sir?"

"You've something against notes?"

"No, sir. We just don't have many customers of your calibre dealing in currency. They usually prefer plastic."

Gordon had no intention of having this transaction traced back to him should something go wrong.

"Do you want it gift wrapped, sir?" Eduardo held his breath, mentally crossing his fingers.

"Just box it up."

"You, have er, experience of these reptiles?"

"Yeah, I've got experience." Gordon said dryly. He thanked the man and bolted for the small private airfield, reserved for a select clientele. It saved time and was perfect for bypassing the large airport with its delays and grid locked passengers. He was airborne just over an hour from his initial touchdown. Gordon Tracy breathed easier than he had for the past seven days. He turned slightly to check his passenger was still secure then headed for home.

- - - - - - - -

Gordon gained clearance and landed twenty minutes before Thunderbird Three was due back. His parent was waiting for an explanation but that would have to be postponed until he'd put the replacement in the enclosure. Concluding the post-flight checks, Gordon borrowed one of the hover-jets, loaded the crate onto it and by stealth, cunning and ingenuity, avoided being intercepted before he'd reached the enclosure. Thunderbird Three's engine's signalled its arrival and Gordon put extra vigour into his efforts. His fitness proved a bonus as he manhandled the crate opening inside the enclosure then released the mechanisms. The three foot reptile slithered forward, hissed and flicked its tail at him. Favouring him with a menacing glower it scooted forward to the pool section. Gordon breathed a sigh of relief. He'd made it, with minutes to spare. Now to placate his parent.

- - - - - - - -

"Here girl. Daddy's home. Come on baby." Alan frowned when 'Eglantine' glowered at him, hissed and scurried to the far corner of her enclosure. Alan blinked, squared his shoulders and held out the tempting bait. "Come on, baby. I know it's been a month, but that's no reason to be all grouchy with me." Alan sank down on his haunches and held out the tasty morsel. "Come on Eglantine, honey, this is your favourite." 'Eglantine' viewed the chicken carcass with distain and backed further away. Alan edged forward, dangling the treat. Several things happened at once. He heard an unfamiliar bellowing sound. The alligator opened its mouth, hissed and lunged forward. Alan gasped, back peddled, dropped the carcass and dived for the gate as the sound of clamping jaws snapped shut, inches behind him. He swung the gate hard, secured the lock and gaped in shock at the tempestuous reptile. He then noticed something else: his female had changed sex and this alligator had an extra toe on his hind limb. There were also slight variations on his osteoderms. Anyone else would have missed the differences of the bony plates, but Alan knew his alligator well. A look came over his face that didn't bode well for Gordon, and Alan headed with determination toward the house.

- - - - - - - -

"Hi, bro, how's Eglantine?"

"You tell me."

Gordon lowered his magazine. Alan had the look of a man chewing on a wasp. Gordon's mind went into overdrive. He had secured the lock properly this time; he knew he had. 'Please God; not again. I've had all I can take for one week.' "Don't know what you mean," he bluffed. "She's there, isn't she?"

"Something is; that's for sure. But my question is what?"

Gordon heaved a momentary sigh of relief then went into bluff mode. "What else can it be, but Eglantine? She's probably just got a touch of indigestion that's all. You know how temperamental alligators can be?"

"Temperamental enough to change sex?"

Virgil, Scott and Tin-Tin entered the lounge and halted. "What's changed sex?" they chorused.

"Eglantine."

"Nah, you must be mistaken. How can you tell, anyway?" Virgil enquired.

"The males have a unique call."

"Well, maybe Eglantine was male all along and you just didn't know it," Scott supplied.

"And she grew an extra toe on her hind limb and her osteoderms altered," Alan added dryly.

"Osteoderms?" Tin-Tin enquired.

"The armour type bony plates along her body."

"Oh."

"So, Gordon. How do you explain that?"

Gordon shrugged, inching lower in his seat. "Beats me."

"I will, if you don't tell me what you've done to my alligator. You've got ten seconds."

But Gordon didn't need those ten seconds as their parent entered the lounge and headed for his desk. Jeff Tracy let out a bellow and shot into the air as a simultaneous hissing filled the room, followed by the loud snap of jaws.

"What in God's name is that doing in here? Alan! Get your alligator off my chair, now!"

"Eglantine!" Alan shouted joyously. He scooped the docile reptile up, headed for the door, jerked to a halt and slowly turned round. "Wait a minute, if Eglantine's in here then what's in her enclosure?"

"Does someone want to tell me what's going on around here?" Jeff asked.

All eyes turned to Gordon. There was nothing else for it, but to come clean. With a conciliatory look plastered on his face he turned to Alan. "Sorry, bro. I don't know how it happened, but Eglantine got out of her enclosure. I searched high and low for her, baited a trap and everything, but I…"

"What with?" Gordon hadn't heard Grandma or Kyrano enter. "We heard someone scream," she explained.

"It was hardly a scream, Mother," Jeff scoffed.

"May I ask, Mr. Gordon, what you baited the trap with?" Kyrano enquired politely. "Or perhaps I might answer that myself. The fillet of beef and the tiger prawns?" he ventured.

With an abashed expression Gordon nodded. Mrs. Tracy gave her son an apologetic look and turned to her copper haired grandson. "It was you who took the prawns?"

"Are you telling me that alligator has been running around loose here?" Jeff was incredulous. "My Koi!"

"Are fine." Gordon quickly mollified.

"You lost my alligator? For how long?" Alan demanded.

"A week," Gordon replied, sheepishly.

An explosion greeted his ears as he relayed that piece of news. "I don't know what all the fuss is about. She's back now."

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Gordon gave him a bewildered look.

"That hissing pile of bones in Eglantine's enclosure. You put it there, now get rid of it."

"You mean there's more than one?" Jeff asked, nonplussed.

"Not for long." Alan vouched. "Gordon, I want that thing out of there by the time I bring Eglantine out."

"What am I going to do with it?"

"How should I know?" Alan replied. "Use your initiative."

- - - - - - - -

John leaned back, replete from the feast he'd just enjoyed. Clasping the back of his head in his hands he gently swayed his seat from side to side, listening to the hypnotic sounds of the old Enigma classic, 'The Screen Behind The Mirror'. "I wonder what's happening on planet Tracy? I wonder if Eglantine's turned up yet? And I wonder if Gordon's been able to talk his way out of it if she hasn't?"

THE END.