The truth was, Ethan was a little jealous of the attention Lofty had been receiving, little realising that it was the last thing the older boy actually wanted. Ethan's six-year-old mind could not grasp how close Lofty had come to going through a living hell, with worse to follow.

"Ethan, you'll have to take your turn with Snap. He's the Gang Mascot."

Ethan actually glared at his beloved Lily.

"Bet BEN'd get him if he asked for him", he growled.

Lofty tried to pretend he wasn't there.

"Ethan, come here a minute."

Cal decided to take charge and pulled his stroppy little brother aside.

"Ethan I've not told you the worst bit. If Ben hadn't worked hard enough that man could have fed him to the lions. Just like in ancient Rome. He could have rung up a pet agency and ordered two lions and then thrown Ben to them."

Ethan shivered, imagining those big jaws closing in.

"Want to go back and talk to everybody now?"

"Y-yeah."

Cal gave him a man hug and back they went.

"Ben I'm sorry."

"That's all right. Want a sweet?"

"Want a sweet?" was the usual Gang way of patching up a quarrel.

"Yes please."

"Okay. Here you go. Look, Ms Chao looks really sad."

Ethan, not unwrapping his sweet until he'd spoken to Ms Chao, went over to her and hugged her.

"Sorry Ms Chao."

"Not a problem Ethan. Look, we're at the park."

The group were pleased that Mrs Beauchamp had organised the FastPass tickets so well. They had tickets for two of the park favourites, Peter Pan's flight and Phantom Manor.

"Isn't Peter Pan for babies, Miss Freeman?"

"Absolutely not, Louise. You wait and see."

The kids loved Peter Pan's flight. Once seated in their galleons, it really had looked as if they were going to crash straight through the bedroom window until it opened suddenly and they were among the stars. Then they turned right at the second star and there was Neverland.

The kids were so riveted that they didn't realise Mrs Beauchamp and Miss Freeman were on their own little flight of joy. They thought it was just excitement at going to Neverland when both teachers sounded a little breathless afterwards.

"That was a cracking good ride, but I think I like Pirates of the Caribbean more" commented Jeff.

"Captain Hook's not sexy like Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Robyn Miller!" Mrs Beauchamp had got her breath back.

Ms Chao decided it was time to make Ethan feel more responsible.

"Ethan, I want to go on 'It's a Small World' but I'll look such a baby in a boat on my own. Will you sit with me?"

"Yeah!"

"It's A Small World" was corny but cute, and, more important for Mrs Beauchamp and Miss Freeman, dark.

"I'm going to tell Dervla just what you two have been up to when I get back", Mr Keogh teased them.

"Well don't blame me if she barks to be let out" was Mrs Beauchamp's deadpan reply.

After a picnic lunch – with Lofty looking nervously round once or twice as they sat and ate on the benches – it was time for the highlight of the day. Phantom Manor.

"I ain't afraid of no ghosts", sang Ethan, his good humour completely restored.

They walked off their lunch by going through Frontierland and up the long path to the Manor.

Soon they were in a dimly lit room listening to a voice telling them what they were in for. Just before they started to sink, due to standing in an invisible lift, they saw the photos on the wall changing. Instead of being scared, Ethan was enchanted because there was a big fat alligator ready to gobble up the lady on the sagging tightrope. But Ethan was happy to think it was a crocodile like Snap.

"Okay, Ben, steady now…." Mr Keogh warned Lofty as they ended up in the basement… and the moving walkway was under their feet. Lofty was grateful for the warning, as he'd dreaded suddenly tripping up again.

They climbed into their Doom Buggies, the kids helped by the guides, and then the adventure began for real!