The Dragonsitter's Island Read online

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Famous Mysteries

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  It is not a swan. It’s definitely the Loch Ness Monster. I’ve got a book about famous mysteries at home and I recognize it from the pictures.

  I’m going to search your island for it.

  If I get a better photo, I can prove to Mr. McDougall who has really been stealing his sheep, and he’ll stop blaming Ziggy and Arthur.

  I asked Mom and Emily to help, but they’re not interested. They don’t even believe I saw the Loch Ness Monster.

  In fact, Mom thinks I’m making up stories because of Gordon.

  After lunch, she sat me down for a serious talk. She said Gordon isn’t her boyfriend, but she might get a boyfriend one day and would I mind?

  I said Dad has a new girlfriend every time we see him, so who cares?

  Anyway, even if I was upset about Mom having a boyfriend, why would I make up stories about the Loch Ness Monster?

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Nessie

  Attachments: In your boat; Eggs; Boat; Puffins

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  I borrowed your boat. I hope you don’t mind. I was very careful.

  I took the dragons, too. I know you want them to stay locked up, but they’ll actually be safer with me. I won’t let them out of my sight.

  We rowed into the middle of the sea, but there was no sign of the monster.

  I would have rowed all the way around the island, but I didn’t want to get swept out to sea. So I rowed back to your dock and tied up the boat, then started walking.

  I found:

  A bird’s nest with three eggs.

  A whole tree washed up on the beach.

  A wrecked boat buried in the sand.

  A starfish (dead).

  Six crabs (still alive).

  Some puffins.

  And about a thousand seagulls.

  Unfortunately, there was no sign of Nessie.

  Do you know of any caves where it might be hiding?

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Re: Nessie

  Dear Eddie,

  Please don’t be offended if I say this, but I really don’t think you have seen the Loch Ness Monster.

  A few years ago, I did a study of the myths and legends surrounding that fabulous beast. I wondered whether it might be a dragon, or a distant relative of the dragon that had somehow become aquatic.

  Sadly I discovered that there is no reliable evidence that the monster has ever existed. All the sightings are, I’m afraid to say, the work of maniacs, frauds, fantasists, and publicity seekers of one sort or another.

  I wish the monster did exist, but it doesn’t. And even if it did, it would be swimming around Loch Ness, not my island.

  In the years that I’ve been living there, I have spotted whales, dolphins, seals, and even the occasional otter, so you may have been lucky enough to see one of them.

  I don’t know who or what has been stealing Mr. McDougall’s sheep, but I can tell you one thing for certain: It is not Nessie.

  Morton

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Re: Re: Nessie

  Attachments: Evidence

  If the monster doesn’t exist, what’s this?

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Friday, February 24

  Subject: Re: Re: Re: Nessie

  I’m coming home! Will change my tickets and catch next plane!

  Do not approach the monster till I get there! It might be dangerous!

  M

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 25

  Subject: On the beach

  Attachments: Flying practice; Air raid

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  You’re right about the monster. It is dangerous. In fact, it’s bloodthirsty.

  It just tried to eat Arthur.

  Ziggy was curled up on the sofa with Emily and Mom, watching some old movie. Arthur and I didn’t want to see it, so we went down to the beach again. I was using your binoculars to search for the Loch Ness Monster and Arthur was practicing his flying.

  He kept running along the sand and jumping into the air, then flapping his wings to stay up for as long as possible.

  I tried to persuade him to land on the beach because rescuing him from the water is no fun at all, but he didn’t care.

  One time he veered in the wrong direction and headed straight out to sea. I called at him to come back, but he just flew farther and farther from the shore, as if he was trying to get all the way to the mainland.

  Suddenly, there was a great burst of water and the monster rose out of the waves, its long neck stretching into the air and its huge mouth opening to reveal two rows of glistening white teeth.

  Snap!

  It tried to take a bite out of Arthur, but Arthur dodged out of the way just in time.

  Snap! Snap!

  The monster went for him again and again. Each time Arthur twisted through the air like a fighter pilot. I’d never seen him move so fast.

  Finally, he managed to point himself in the right direction and head back to the shore.

  The monster charged after him. Both of them were coming straight for me.

  Once they reached dry land, the monster couldn’t move so quickly. It just waddled up the shore, flapping its flippers on the sand.

  Arthur crash-landed at my feet. I could see he was absolutely exhausted by the effort of so much flying. I picked him up and tucked him under my arm, and we ran all the way home.

  From now on I’m going to follow your advice. I won’t go anywhere near the monster until you get back.

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 25

  Subject: Re: On the beach

  Dear Eddie,

  I am writing this from Ulaanbaatar airport. The runways are covered in thick snow and slippery ice, so my flight has been delayed. Apparently, we should be boarding within the next hour.

  I have to change planes in Moscow and Copenhagen, but if all goes well I should be back in Edinburgh tomorrow morning and home in time for lunch.

  I’m glad to hear you’re going to keep away from the monster. Perhaps you should stay inside the house until I get back.

  Morton

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Saturday, February 25

  Subject: Cocoa

  Attachments: Fight 1; Fight 2; Cocoa

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  You don’t have to come home early if you don’t want to.

  Everything is fine here now. The monster is gone, and Mr. McDougall has forgiven your dragons.

  He wasn’t so friendly earlier. He arrived in his rowing boat with Gordon, ready to arrest Ziggy and Arthur.

  He had been watching us through his binoculars and saw them snoozing on the grass. He said if we couldn’t keep them safely locked up, he would take them straight to the police station in Upper Buckett.

  I told him it was actually the Loch Ness Monster who had been stealing his sheep.

  He just laughed and said, “Are you sure, laddie? You don’t think it’s those aliens from outer space?”

  I said he should come and see the monster for himself, and he said maybe he would after he arrested the dragons.

  He tied a rope around Arthur’s neck and marched him down to the boat. Ziggy kept snapping at his legs and blowing little spurts of flames in his direction, but she did
n’t bite his head off or set him on fire. I suppose she was worried about hurting Arthur, too.

  Gordon tried to stop his uncle and so did Mom, but Mr. McDougall wouldn’t listen. He said he couldn’t afford to lose another sheep and did they want to bankrupt him?

  When we got to the dock, Mr. McDougall put Arthur in the bottom of the boat and Ziggy jumped in after them. I tried to climb in, too, but Gordon grabbed me around the middle and said, “Not so fast.”

  Mr. McDougall dipped his oars and rowed out to sea. We were all shouting at him—me and Emily and Mom and Gordon—but he ignored us. He just headed for the mainland.

  The waves got bigger. The boat was rolling around. I was really worried it might tip over and Arthur would drown.

  They were almost halfway between the island and the mainland when the monster attacked. It seemed to come from nowhere. It lifted its head out of the water, opened its mouth, and lunged at them.

  Mr. McDougall tried to defend himself with one of the oars, but the monster bit the end off. Then it took a big chunk out of the boat.

  It would have eaten them all if Ziggy hadn’t fought back. She was amazing!

  She flapped her wings and lifted herself into the air, then breathed a great big ball of fire straight at the monster’s head.

  I’ve never seen anyone look so surprised.

  The monster floated there for a moment, its scales smoldering. Then it raised itself out of the waves and struck again.

  The battle was terrible. But I always knew who would win. And I was right.

  Every time the monster tried to bite Ziggy, she flew out of its way, then turned around and blew back another blazing fireball. Soon, the Loch Ness Monster was black and burnt and smoking from the top of its head to the tip of its tail.

  Finally, it plunged under the waves and disappeared in a cloud of bubbles.

  Ziggy dragged Arthur and Mr. McDougall back to shore. She couldn’t swim very fast with them holding her wings, but that didn’t matter. At least they were safe.

  Mr. McDougall wasn’t very happy about leaving his boat behind, but it was already smashed to pieces and just about to sink.

  When they finally got to the beach, Mr. McDougall lay on the sand for a minute or two, getting his breath back. Then he rolled over and said, “I owe you an apology, laddie.”

  I told him my name is actually Eddie, and he promised to call me that from now on.

  He said sorry to the dragons, too.

  Now we’re all inside your house. I hope you don’t mind, but Mr. McDougall has borrowed some of your dry clothes.

  Mom is making cocoa for everyone, the dragons included.

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Sunday, February 26

  Subject: Re: Cocoa

  Hi E,

  I’m changing planes in Moscow.

  Just checked timetables and should be home on 3:37 train—could you ask Gordon to meet me?

  Glad to hear you’re all safe. Please be very careful until I get there. The monster might come back.

  M

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Sunday, February 26

  Subject: Train

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  You don’t have to worry about the monster. I’m sure it won’t be coming back.

  Even if it does, Ziggy will chase it away again.

  Gordon went to meet your train at 3:37, but there was no sign of you. Did you miss your plane?

  We have been packing up and getting ready to leave tomorrow.

  I’d like to stay on your island for another week, but school starts again on Tuesday, so Mom says we have to go home.

  Eddie

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Sunday, February 26

  Subject: Our last night

  Attachments: The dock; The beach

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  Gordon got your message about the plane and the train. He will be waiting for you tomorrow morning at 9:01.

  Our train leaves at 9:27, so we’ll just have time to say hello and good-bye.

  We’re all packed and ready to go. I’m very sad to be leaving your island, but our last night was awesome. We had a barbecue on the beach—Mr. McDougall, the dragons, Emily, and me.

  Mom wasn’t there. She went to a restaurant on the mainland with Gordon.

  This time it really was a date. Mom was very worried because she hadn’t brought any fancy clothes, but Emily and I told her it didn’t matter because she looked beautiful just the way she was.

  And she did. When she was standing on the dock, waiting for Gordon to pick her up in his speedboat, she looked like someone in a movie.

  Once they’d gone, Emily and I collected driftwood on the beach, Ziggy lit the fire, and Mr. McDougall cooked the best barbeque ever.

  Mr. McDougall has entirely forgiven your dragons. He says Ziggy is a bonnie lass and she’s welcome to as many lamb cutlets as she wants.

  The McDougalls have gone home now, but they’re coming back to pick us up in the morning.

  See you tomorrow!

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To: Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Tuesday, February 28

  Subject: Re: Our last night

  Attachments: Two happy dragons

  Dear Eddie,

  I was so sorry to miss you yesterday. My plane was delayed again, and I finally got to the station at three o’clock in the afternoon. Luckily, Gordon was still waiting for me.

  Ziggy and Arthur are both in fine spirits.

  They’ve obviously had a very happy week. Thank you for looking after them so well.

  I brought some presents from Outer Mongolia to say thank you. I shall send them by first-class mail.

  The McDougalls and I patrolled the shore last night, armed with torches and shotguns, but the monster did not return. I do hope she’ll come back soon. I would love to see her for myself.

  As you know, Gordon was eager to contact the newspapers, but I persuaded him not to. For one thing, I don’t want hordes of reporters swarming across my island. For another, despite her ferocity, Nessie deserves some privacy.

  Apparently Mr. McDougall did tell the whole pub about her, but everyone just thought he’d had too many drinks.

  We have now agreed she will remain our secret. I suggest you do the same.

  I have not quizzed Gordon on other matters, but I gather he has been in touch with your mother and may be visiting you at some point. Perhaps he could bring the dragons? Or would you like to come and stay again? All of us would be delighted to see you.

  Morton

  From: Edward Smith-Pickle

  To: Morton Pickle

  Date: Thursday, March 2

  Subject: Home

  Attachments: Scarf; Slippers

  Dear Uncle Morton,

  We’re back home, too. Our house and our garden feel very small compared to your island, but it’s nice to see my stuff again.

  I think you’re right about keeping quiet about the monster. My book about famous mysteries says Loch Ness is packed with scientists and tourists. You wouldn’t want them on your island. In fact, that’s probably why she decided to leave Loch Ness in the first place.

  I had already shown the photos to Miss Brackenbury, but I’ve asked her not to tell anyone. She said our secret is safe with her.

  Thank you very much for the presents from Outer Mongolia. Emily has been wearing her cashmere scarf nonstop, and I really like my slipper. Please do send the other one if you discover where Arthur hid it.

  Mom hasn’t tried the Airag yet. She’s keeping it for a special occasion.

  I talked to Mom about coming back to your island, and she says we’ll see. That usually means no, but I think this time it might mean yes.

  Love,

  Eddie

  From: Morton Pickle

  To:
Edward Smith-Pickle

  Date: Wednesday, May 24

  Subject: Fwd: One of yours?

  Attachments: Clipping

  Hi Eddie,

  I was sent this by a friend in Australia and thought you might be interested!

  M

  ADELAIDE DAILY NEWS

  Tuesday, May 23rd

  Dinosaur Spotted on Popular Adelaide Beach

  Swimmers and vacationers were shocked yesterday by the sudden appearance of a mysterious beast on Semaphore Beach.

  More than a hundred people fled from the water when an unidentified creature was spotted swimming about twenty meters from the shore.

  Reports say that the beast had a small head, a long neck, an enormous brown body, and little flippers.