She was at the island in the kitchen, focusing on her laptop.

‘What’s going to happen next?’ I asked.

‘Hmm?’ She sat back on her barstool. ‘Well, Langdon’s mining operation is under investigation,’ she said. There was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eye as she nodded at her screen. ‘According to Mr Mukwege, the authorities are likely to confiscate the whole business.’

Though that was of course good news, I hadn’t quite meant the question as she’d taken it. ‘I was thinking more of us,’ I said.

‘Of course. So you’ll be back at school in no time. That will be the same as it’s always been, more or less.’

She was probably right, but that wasn’t a good thing. The idea of sitting in a classroom was pretty boring, and being cooped up like a prison inmate for weeks on end filled me with dread. It must have shown in my face. Mum went on, ‘Listen. You’ll be fine. And before you know it you’ll be home again for the holidays. I’ve been thinking about that too. The Congo trip didn’t work out that well –’

‘You could say that.’

‘So we should plan another one, somewhere else, the two of us.’

‘It wasn’t exactly a bundle of laughs for Amelia or Xander either,’ I said.

‘You’re right. We should invite them too. To do something completely different. Have a think about it.’

She was trying so hard to be positive, I found myself doing the same. What sort of place would best blot things out? From nowhere a picture of Amelia swimming underwater came to me. Turquoise sea, coral reefs, a firework display of tropical fish. Might as well add in some treasure spilling out of a pirate’s chest. We should head beneath the waves somewhere. That was about as far from the jungle as it’s possible to get.

Mum was watching me closely. ‘Any ideas?’ she asked.

‘As it happens –’ I returned her smile – ‘yes.’

About Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith is an international bestselling author, having sold over 130 million copies of his incredible adventure novels. His Courtney Family saga is the longest running series in publishing history, and with the Jack Courtney Adventures he brings that adventure to a new generation.

Chris Wakling is a lifelong Wilbur Smith fan, travel writer and novelist. He is available for events at schools and festivals and for interview.

The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation

Wilbur Smith donates twenty per cent of profits received from the sale of this copy to The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation. The Foundation’s focus is to encourage adventure writing and literacy and find new talent.

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