Free Ultimate Justice Page B

before then anyway.”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œDo you want any help?”
    â€œNo. We’ve got it covered. You go off and check on the kids.”
    Adnak made a suggestion to some of the others that now was the time to chill out on the beach as they had planned. But no-one else seemed interested. The distinction between his ‘guests’ and the volunteers had virtually vanished. Before long, most had also disappeared to join the children. Adnak was left either to help the crew, which was way beneath him he thought, or join the rest. He slowly made his way up the path that led to the old house, which had become the subject of an invasion. The children were darting about it, in and out of the doors and some even climbing through the windows. When he got there, he discovered there was a board across the bottom of the stairs bearing the word ‘danger’ on it. He recalled that the owners of the island had been warned to protect the public. There had been an article in the local newspaper about how some person had reported the floor was rotting. That’s where Kloa had probably got her information from. He looked up the stairs. There were boot prints in the dust, but nothing recent. The kids were following the rules. They zoomed past him and even played hide and seek behind him. There didn’t seem to be any other leaders about.
    â€œSir?” said one. “What’re goof-adders?”
    â€œDunno. Never heard of them,” said Adnak.
    â€œWhat do they do to you if they get you?” asked another.
    â€œI suppose they might bite you.”
    â€œYu-urk! I ain’t never going to go off the path. They don’t come onto the paths do they?”
    â€œNever seen one.”
    â€œThat’s OK then.”
    And they were off. “Bet you can’t catch Jeno?”
    Adnak had nothing better to do and soon he was traipsing all over the island the same as the others.
    At last there was a blast of the boat’s horn, and suddenly from all ends of the island people emerged at top speed – none of them leaving the paths though.
    What a spread! Zookas had not just provided a picnic but a banquet! There was exotic stuff the kids had never even seen, let alone eaten. The seafood didn’t go down so well as the pastries. Even after everyone had eaten as much as they could there appeared to be just as much left over. The beer and the wine, however, remained in the fridges. It just wasn’t appropriate, and, to his own amazement, not even Adnak missed it much – these kids were really entertaining, even if they never stopped talking or yelling!

9

    As Mr Pero drove Jack and Jalli up the headland to Zookas’ place he explained, “Our numbers grew. We were getting new kids all the time – and they weren’t leaving. Eventually we got more support from the town – people like Zookas. Some of them gave generously and we were able to build a new purpose-built house for the teenagers round the corner from the warehouse. We call it ‘Paradise House’. It has up-to-date facilities with two to a room and tiled bathrooms. That helps the children gain self-respect. We promise to keep them there until they find somewhere to go to as older teens.”
    Jalli saw the blue sea on her left and the red roofs of the villa in front of them.
    â€œWe asked the children what it should be called and they all wanted to keep the name ‘Paradise’, so we call it ‘Paradise House’ to distinguish it from the centre. Would you like to visit it?”
    â€œCertainly,” said Jack.
    â€œWe’ll go there when we get back.”
    They topped the rise and saw Zookas’ villa in front of them. Pero drove the van into the courtyard and they got out and Jalli took in the view. The town and harbour were down below them.
    â€œThat’s Lona Island,” said Mr Pero, pointing out a large island some distance towards the horizon.
    â€œPero!”