The Dragonsitter's Island Read online

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  A Sneak Peek of The Dragonsitter’s Party

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  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 18

  Subject: Please read this!

  Attachments: Your new front door

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  Where is the key to your house?

  We arrived on your island this morning, but we couldn’t get in.

  Mom thought you might have left it under a stone or buried in a flowerpot, so we searched everywhere.

  Emily discovered a silver necklace and I found two coins, but there was no sign of the key.

  Through the window I could see your dragons going crazy. I didn’t know if they were happy to see us or just hungry, but Arthur was charging around and around the house, knocking over your furniture, and Ziggy wouldn’t stop breathing fire.

  Luckily, Mr. McDougall was still here. He was sure you wouldn’t mind if he broke a window.

  Unfortunately, he couldn’t open the front door from the inside, so we had to push the suitcases through the window and climb in after them.

  Ziggy and Arthur are much happier now that we’ve given them our presents (a big box of malted milk balls for her and three packets of chocolate mini eggs for him).

  They also ate our leftover sandwiches from the train and the book I was reading. Luckily, the book wasn’t very good.

  Emily and I are going to search your house for the key. Mom says if we can’t find it, we’ll have to go home tomorrow and the dragons can fend for themselves.

  I said I wouldn’t mind climbing in and out of the window for the whole week, but Mom told me not to be ridiculous.

  Have you taken it by mistake? Didn’t you leave a spare anywhere?

  Love from your favorite nephew,

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 18

  Subject: Your phone

  Attachments: Selfie

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  We haven’t found the key, but I have found your phone. Mom called you to leave another message, and I heard it ringing behind the sofa.

  I hope you don’t need it in Outer Mongolia. I put it on the mantelpiece with the necklace and the coins.

  Mr. McDougall has gone back to the mainland in his boat. Emily says it’s creepy being the only people here, but I like it.

  Thanks for your instructions and the map. Emily and Mom took hours unpacking their bags, so I’ve been exploring. I climbed Dead Man’s Cairn and walked all the way along the beach to Lookout Point.

  Arthur sat on my shoulder like a parrot. At first I was worried he might burn my ear off, but he hasn’t been breathing any fire at all. Isn’t he old enough?

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 18

  Subject: Cans

  Attachments: Accidental number 2

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  We have now searched your house, your garden, and quite a lot of your island, but we still can’t find the key. Please write back ASAP and tell us where it is.

  Mom is dead serious about leaving tomorrow. It’s not just because of the key. It’s the poop, too. Ziggy did one in the kitchen and another by the back door.

  I know it’s not her fault. She can’t fit through the window, and she has to go somewhere. I just wish she could hold them in until we’ve found the key.

  Also Mom is asking where the can opener is.

  We brought some food, but not enough because you told us your cupboard was full of provisions. Unfortunately, all the provisions are in cans.

  I’m sure I could open them with a knife, but Mom won’t let me because we’d need a helicopter to get to the nearest hospital.

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Sunday, February 19

  Subject: Bye

  Attachments: The red flag

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  I’m very sorry, but we are leaving your island.

  This morning, Mom found another piece of poop in the kitchen. She said that was the final straw.

  I did suggest staying here on my own, but Mom said, “Not a chance, buster.”

  She has already raised the red flag. I just looked through the telescope and saw Mr. McDougall preparing his boat on the mainland. I suppose he’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.

  I have given all our spare food to the dragons. I have also put some cans on the floor in case they’re better at opening them than me.

  I will ask Mr. McDougall to come here every day and feed them until you get back.

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Sunday, February 19

  Subject: Sheep

  Attachments: The prime suspects

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  We’re still here.

  We never left. Mr. McDougall wouldn’t let us.

  He said the dragons can’t stay on your island unsupervised.

  Mom asked why not, and Mr. McDougall explained that one of his sheep went missing in the middle of the night. This morning, he found bloodstains on the grass and a trail of wool leading down to the water.

  I don’t know why he blames your dragons. Arthur can hardly fly and Ziggy can’t even leave the house, so there is no way either of them could have gotten from here to the mainland, let alone murdered a sheep. But Mr. McDougall says they are the prime suspects.

  Now he has gone home again, and we’re stuck here without a key or any food.

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Monday, February 20

  Subject: Re: Sheep

  Attachments: The library; Airag and stew

  Dear Eddie,

  I am so sorry to hear about your troubles with the front door. I was sure that I had discussed the key with your mother when we talked last week. Has she forgotten our conversation?

  This is what I said to her: If you walk down to the end of the garden, you will discover a stone statue of a yellow-headed vulture perched in a shrub. The key is hidden under its left talon.

  Please be very careful when you lift it up. That vulture has great sentimental value. It was given to me by the sculptor himself, who lives in a small hut beside the Amazon, and I carried it all the way back from Brazil wrapped in an old shirt.

  I have been in touch with Mr. McDougall, who is understandably upset about the loss of his sheep. I assured him that the dragons couldn’t be responsible. He didn’t appear to be entirely convinced, but I’m sure he’ll find the real culprit soon.

  All is good here in Ulaanbaatar. I have discovered some fascinating and unexpected information at the National Library, so my visit has already been worthwhile.

  The only problem is the weather. Walking the streets without a coat on would be certain death, and even the Reading Room is so cold that no one removes their hats or scarves.

  Unfortunately, it’s impossible to turn the pages of an old
book while wearing gloves, so my fingers are like icicles by the end of the day. Every evening, after leaving the library, I warm myself up at a local restaurant with a bowl of yak stew and a glass of the local brew—a white drink called Airag, made from fermented horse’s milk. It tastes better than it sounds.

  I’m very sorry about the can opener. Have you looked in the silverware drawer?

  With love from your affectionate uncle,

  Morton

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Monday, February 20

  Subject: Speedboat

  Attachments: Mom and Emily

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  We found the key!

  And we were very careful with the statue.

  Mom says you definitely didn’t mention it last week. She would have remembered if you had.

  You don’t have to worry about the can opener. It wasn’t in the silverware drawer or anywhere else, but Mr. McDougall’s nephew Gordon jetted across this morning in his speedboat and delivered another. He also brought a box of Scottish oat crackers and some delicious cheese.

  After he had gone, I found Mom and Emily whispering in the kitchen.

  When I asked what was going on, Emily said they were talking about Gordon. Mom thinks he’s very handsome.

  I don’t know if he’s handsome, but I like his boat. He said he’ll take me for a ride around the island to see the puffins.

  Love,

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Tuesday, February 21

  Subject: More sheep

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  Gordon has been here again. He took us to Lower Bisket in his speedboat to buy food and supplies.

  Emily thinks it was a date.

  Mom told her not to be ridiculous, but she did turn bright pink.

  Apparently, Mr. McDougall is on a rampage. Another sheep went missing last night.

  I asked Gordon to tell him that the dragons spent the whole night in my bedroom, with the door shut and the windows locked.

  Gordon said I should do the same tonight because Mr. McDougall is planning to stay up from dusk until dawn with a thermos of hot tea and a rifle.

  Otherwise, everything is fine. We bought lots of food in the Lower Bisket General Store. The dragons are happy. Even Mom is in a good mood. We went for a walk on the beach this afternoon, and she said it’s so peaceful and beautiful she can almost understand why you want to live here.

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Tuesday, February 21

  Subject: Re: More sheep

  Dear Eddie,

  I have to admit that I am worried by your last message. I know from personal experience that Mr. McDougall is an excellent shot.

  On that particular occasion, he wasn’t aiming at me, but I should not like to find myself in his sights.

  Please make sure that you keep the dragons under observation at all times. I cannot believe that they could be responsible for attacking his livestock, but I wouldn’t want to expose them to any unnecessary risks.

  I hope your mother enjoyed her date with Gordon. Isn’t he a little young for her?

  Morton

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Wednesday, February 22

  Subject: Fish

  Attachments: The Fish Museum

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  You don’t have to worry about the dragons. I am keeping a close eye on them.

  This morning, I took them for a walk along the beach, and I didn’t let them out of my sight for a moment.

  I told Mom what you said about Gordon being too young for her, and she said that actually the age difference is only two years and ten months.

  Today, Gordon took us to the Fish Museum in Arbothnot. He said it’s the biggest attraction in the area.

  I suppose it would be very interesting if you like fish.

  Afterward, Gordon bought us souvenirs at the museum gift shop. He got a plastic shark for me and a marine sticker book for Emily. He wanted to buy a pair of pearl earrings for Mom, but she said they were too expensive, so he got her some smoked salmon instead.

  He is coming back tomorrow for tea.

  Emily asked if we would have to move to Scotland if they got married. Mom just laughed and said we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

  Love,

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Thursday, February 23

  Subject: Citizen’s arrest

  Attachments: Angry McDougall

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  The McDougalls are here.

  Mom actually only invited Gordon, but Mr. McDougall came, too.

  He won’t stop shouting and waving his arms.

  He has lost three sheep in a week. Now he wants to take the dragons away and lock them in his barn until the police arrive.

  I said he couldn’t do that, but he said, “Don’t you worry, laddie. It’s perfectly legal.”

  I can’t understand how it can be perfectly legal to steal someone else’s dragons, but no one is paying any attention to me.

  If you get this, please call us ASAP.

  Someone has to stop Mr. McDougall!

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Thursday, February 23

  Subject: Your shed

  Attachments: The prisoners

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  The McDougalls have gone.

  Everyone argued for a long time, and finally, Mr. McDougall agreed the dragons could stay here as long as they’re locked up.

  They are now in the shed.

  Arthur is miserable. He keeps screaming and wailing and bashing his head against the door, trying to break it open.

  I told him he’s only in there for his own safety, but he just cried even louder.

  Mom says he’ll calm down when he’s had something to eat. We’re going to open a few cans and give the dragons a special supper.

  I hope Mr. McDougall catches the sheep thief soon.

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Missing

  Attachments: The only firefighter on the island

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  I’m very sorry, but your dragons have burned down your shed.

  Emily and I were having breakfast when we smelled smoke. We ran outside and saw the whole thing blazing.

  I put out the fire with buckets of water, but there’s not much left except a few black bits of wood.

  There’s no sign of your dragons, either.

  I’m afraid I can’t build your shed again. I’m terrible at woodworking. Last time we did it at school, I put a nail through my knee.

  But I will find your dragons, I promise.

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Look!

  Attachments: The real sheep thief

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  I have discovered who has been eating Mr. McDougall’s sheep!

  It is the Loch Ness Monster.

  I was actually looking for your dragons. I finally found them on the beach, messing around on the sand as if nothing had happened. They didn’t even look guilty.

  I was just about to give them a piece of my mind when I happened to look out to sea—and I saw this!

  I will tell Mr. McDougall as soon as I see him.

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Re: Look!

  Dear Eddie,

  Thank you for the photo. I’m not an expert, but I w
ould say it’s a swan.

  Don’t worry about Mr. McDougall’s sheep or who might be eating them. Keeping the dragons safe is much more important. Could you lock them in the house?

  Of course you’ll have to let them out every now and then to stretch their wings and go to the bathroom, but please make sure they don’t run away again.

  The livestock laws are very clear. If Mr. McDougall caught them anywhere near his sheep, he would have a perfect right to shoot them.

  My work here is almost done. Last night, I was lucky enough to have dinner with Professor Ganbaataryn Baast, and he has invited me to accompany him on an expedition to the Altai mountains this summer, searching for a famous family of dragons. Apparently, they live in an enormous cave stuffed with gold. No man has ever seen it and lived to tell the tale. Professor Baast intends to be the first—and I shall be the second!

  Morton