Ariel, Zed and the Secret of Life by Anna Fienberg

Author:Anna Fienberg
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781743432365
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2013-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

10. GOODSHOT AT YOUR SERVICE

WHEN THE RAIN EASED a little, Zed and Electra emerged from under their towels. Soon, as quickly as it had come, the rain slowed to a gentle patter and became just a light spray on their faces. But Zed saw that out to sea the sky was still dark and heavy, and above the horizon lightning glittered.

Zed thought of the storm they’d had on the boat coming over. He remembered McGull’s words that day. ‘It’s a sign,’ he’d said, ‘of bad things to come.’ Zed shivered now and stared out at the brooding sky.

And as he looked he saw something long and sleek and silver slice through the clouds. It was coming nearer, and its two wings glinted in the eerie light.

‘A seaplane!’ whispered Zed. He and Electra could hear the dull throb of the engine now, and see the two floats under its body.

Soon the throb was a roar and the plane was gliding lower over the water until it was almost touching. Electra began to run down to the shore. But Zed held back. His feet seemed rooted to the ground.

‘Come on Zed!’ she cried. ‘Let’s meet the new arrival! He must be classy!’

Zed reached the shore just as the plane touched down on the sand. The door clicked open and out climbed a large man in a dark suit with a briefcase in his hand. After him, padding down without a sound, was a tiger.

Zed gaped. Around the tiger’s neck was a silver collar studded with diamonds, and attached to that was a silver leash.

The man gave the leash a pull and said, ‘Heel!’ The tiger yawned, showing two sharp yellow fangs, and sat back on its haunches.

‘Good afternoon, good afternoon, delighted to meet you!’ cried the man, making the most of his greeting as he did with all things. His mouth smiled to reveal perfect teeth but his eyes darted about like quick black fish.

Zed thought the man’s face had the raw look of undercooked meat. His skin was red and flushed, his jaw clenched hard. Under his smoothly pressed coat his shoulders and belly bulged. He was like a boulder in a silk suit.

‘Goodshot’s the name. Daniel Goodshot at your service!’ He put out his hand to shake. Zed noticed that his nails were manicured, but his skin had a cold reptilian feel.

Suddenly Mr Jones shot his head out of Zed’s shirt. His eyes were wide with terror as he gazed at the tiger, and he began to chatter in ear-splitting bursts. Ignoring him, the tiger stared calmly into space, looking noble and very expensive in its gold-and-black fur.

‘Yes, yes, anybody worth his salt has a familiar, by jiminy!’ cried Mr Goodshot, looking at the shivering Mr Jones.

‘Familiar?’ said Zed, stroking the monkey’s head.

‘Yes—Witches have black cats, Business Managers have tigers, and Boys keep monkeys. All goes with the image. Now you my boy, what’s your line? I bet you’re in the plantation business here, am I right? Great soil for the old coffee bean, I’d make a bet.

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