Camouflage

by Bindi Irwin

The journalist turned to the cameraman. “Did you get that, Tan?”

  The cameraman gave the okay signal and continued to focus his camera on Bindi. “So, Bindi Irwin, what do you think about reports of an escaped reptile?”

  Bindi looked toward the camera. “Dr. Timothy is a complete professional, and there are always last minute things that need fixing before something as amazing as a new reptile park opens. Don’t worry, Singapore. When you turn up for the opening of the Pulau Ubin Reptile Park tomorrow, you’ll be in for a bonza day, guaranteed. See you there.” She gave the camera the thumbs up and then turned to the journalist. “Sorry, but we need to get moving. Lots to do today. See ya.”

  Bindi and Dr. Timothy climbed onto the boat, and moments later, the ferry was steaming toward the island.

  Dr. Timothy turned to Bindi, impressed. “Bindi Irwin, you were amazing! Thank you.”

  Bindi giggled. “No worries. It was fun!”

  Robert came over and handed her an apricot danish he’d dug out of his pocket. “I was gonna keep this for later, but you deserve it after that performance.”

  Bindi didn’t hesitate. “Yum, thanks,” she said as she bit into the danish with relish. With her mouth full, she added, “Now we just have to find Saffron.”

  Unfortunately for everyone, as they arrived on the island, Mrs. Cynthia Yeoh was already there with her claws out.

  “This is a total disaster, Timothy, and I hold you completely responsible,” she screeched.

  Dr. Timothy sighed. “Good morning, Cynthia. Do you know why there was a TV camera waiting for us at the Changi terminal?”

  Cynthia’s hand immediately went to her perfectly coiffed hair. “Really, TV cameras? I may have mentioned I’d do a press conference—”

  Dr. Timothy’s forced patience was disappearing by the minute. “Cynthia, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all. Firstly, I am the director of the park, and if anyone’s going to make a statement, it should be me, and secondly—”

  “Well, frankly, I’m amazed you’re trying to throw your weight around when you can’t even look after a few cold-blooded creatures. The large lizard’s disappearance is a disaster, and I’m sure it’s been caused by that last-minute construction work you insisted happen in the python enclosure!”

  “That reinforced fencing was necessary for safety reasons!” Dr. Timothy said exasperated.

  Cynthia was now shouting. “The fact is, our star attraction is missing and you better comb every inch of this island and find it fast before our sponsors take their money and disappear too!”

  Dr. Timothy looked defeated. “Yes, of course.”

  Mrs. Yeoh looked momentarily triumphant and then turned to the Irwins, who’d been watching the whole encounter.

  She smiled sweetly at them. “I’m so looking forward to seeing you at the gala dinner this evening. I doubt that Timothy”—she gestured dismissively in his direction—“will be able to come now, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re looked after. See you there at seven.”

  She tapped Robert on the nose and patted Bindi on the head and tottered off on her ridiculously high heels. If the whole thing hadn’t been so awful, Terri might have laughed. Her children looked like they were going to explode!

  Five hours later, the Irwins and Dr. Timothy met up outside Saffron’s empty enclosure. “We’ve looked everywhere, Dr. Timothy. Saffron just seems to have disappeared,” Bindi said, wiping sweat from her brow. Singapore was even more humid than Queensland!

  Robert was extremely disappointed. “I can always find reptiles, Dr. Timothy. I know where a croc will be hiding out in a river, or where a blue tongue will be hiding in the garden. I was sure I’d find a lizard the size of Saffron on an island!” He shook his head, worried. “Maybe I’ve lost my touch.”

  Dr. Timothy patted him on the back. “I doubt it, Robert. I agree with you. It’s like Saffron’s just vanished into thin air. I could’ve sworn there was no way she could get out of her enclosure. Komodo dragons are arboreal when they’re young. That means—”

  “We know,” piped up Bindi. “They live in trees, but once they’re older they’re mainly terrestrial, which means—”

  “—they live on the land,” finished Robert.

  Terri smiled proudly at the kids.

  “I think I might hire your kids as guides, Terri. They know more about reptiles than most adults, that’s for sure!” He glanced at his watch. “You guys need to head back to your hotel and get ready for the gala dinner,” he said.

  Bindi and Robert turned to Terri, looking hopeful. “Shouldn’t we stay here and help, Mum?”

  Dr. Timothy answered. “I’ll need you to be at the dinner on my behalf. Especially if Bindi can distract the media as well as she did this morning.”

  Bindi voiced the question they were all reluctant to ask. “What will happen if Saffron doesn’t turn up before the opening, Dr. Timothy?”

  He sighed a large, exhausted sigh. “I don’t know. I don’t think we can open without Saffron, and although she has the sweetest nature, who knows what might happen if someone who doesn’t know about Komodos runs into her?”

  Terri tried to reassure him. “It won’t come to that, Timothy. She’ll turn up. I know it.”

  “Keep those positive thoughts coming. And enjoy the dinner. I’ll stay here and keep searching.”

  Robert said under his breath to Bindi, “I’d rather run into a hungry Komodo than Mrs. Yeoh any day.”

  “Me too. Much less chance of getting attacked,” added Bindi dryly.

  Later that evening, the three Irwins made their way up a driveway toward an imposing house in the affluent area of Bukit Timah. Looking across the landscaped gardens, Robert remarked, “Wow, Mrs. Yeoh’s garden is about the size of the whole reptile park!” He pointed out an area that had a man-made waterfall next to a large bronze sculpture of a lion.

  Bindi heard the sound of someone singing. She walked a little way off the path and saw a small girl skipping along and picking flowers. The girl looked up at her, smiled, and passed her one of the flowers in her hand. “Hello. Here’s a hibiscus. You can have it if you like.”

  Bindi smiled, took the flower, and put it behind her ear. “Does this look okay?” she asked the girl.

  “Yes, it suits your dress.”

  “Well, thank you. My name’s Bindi. What’s yours?”

  “Bindi? That’s a funny name. My name’s Jasmine Yeoh, and this is my aunt’s garden!” the little girl stated proudly.

  “Well, it’s a beautiful garden, Jasmine Yeoh,” Bindi said. “But are you okay all by yourself out here?”

  Jasmine looked offended. “I know I look little, but I’m actually almost five years old and I decided to take a walk around the garden before I went to bed. And I have an important job to do. I’m picking flowers.”

  Robert sauntered over. “I bet this garden has some bonza lizards in it.”

  Jasmine smiled. “Oh, have you seen the lizard?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll look out for some on the way up to the house.”

  The little girl waved good-bye and skipped off farther into the garden.

  “Come on, kids,” Terri called to them from just outside the front door.

  Robert and Bindi turned back to the house and stared up at it, trying to delay for as long as possible the long and unpleasant night that lay ahead.

  The butler showed the three Irwins into the banquet hall. The walls were covered in fine art, and a row of waiting staff stood ready to serve drinks.

  The butler bent down to the kids and said, “My name’s Karl. Let me know if there’s anything you need, okay?” He gave them a quick wink before heading out of the hall.

  As soon as Mrs. Yeoh spotted the Irwins, she called, “Over here, darlings.”

  Robert muttered under his breath. “If she calls me darling again, I’ll find
a frog and put it in her wine glass.”

  They made their way toward their host. She was wearing a purple silk dress with what looked like some sort of fur wrap. Another animal skin! The kids grimaced.

  Completely oblivious, Mrs. Yeoh gestured around the room, gaudy rings glittering on each finger. “Welcome, welcome to my humble abode. Please feel free to introduce yourself to people. In this room we have the crème de la crème of society. There are photographers everywhere, so make sure you look your best at all times! You’re very lucky to be here, darlings. Champagne?” She grabbed a glass from a passing waiter and handed it to Terri, ignoring the children completely.

  “Um, do you have something that the kids could drink?” asked Terri.

  But Cynthia had turned away and struck up an animated conversation with another guest, who looked like she had a peacock feather sticking out of the back of her head.

  The butler magically appeared next to them with two cold glasses of apple juice. “I didn’t think you’d enjoy the champagne,” he joked. They smiled gratefully as they took their glasses.

  “Thanks, Karl.”

  The Irwins looked around the room at the loud, wealthy people chattering away. They started heading toward a quiet area when the unsubtle tinkling of a glass made everyone turn toward the head table, where Cynthia now stood.

  “Welcome, honored guests, to my gala dinner to celebrate the opening of the Pulau Ubin Reptile Park. Tonight you will have the pleasure of a ten-course Chinese banquet, but first I’d like to tell you a bit about the work that has gone into opening the park. I’ve done most of it, of course.” She let out her shrill laugh as cameras flashed, and some of her guests laughed along with her politely.

  She continued speaking, and the kids realized she wasn’t going to stop anytime soon. Bindi whispered to Robert, “Let’s get out of here!”

  He didn’t need to be asked twice. They ducked down out of sight and headed toward the far door. The butler was welcoming a late guest, and helping the man take off a full-length leather coat.

  “Be careful! This coat is worth a fortune! I designed it myself,” snapped the man.

  The butler’s expression didn’t change. “Yes, sir. Of course. I’ll put it in the coatroom.”

  “Make sure Cynthia knows I’ve arrived. We have some important business to discuss this evening.”

  “Yes, sir, and what name should I give?”

  “Claudio Roggoletto, the leatherware designer, of course.”

  He strode into the room, leaving behind the bemused butler.

  Bindi and Robert threw Karl a sympathetic glance before slipping out the door.

  “Well, it’s no surprise to find out Mrs. Yeoh’s friends are as demanding as she is!” Bindi whispered to Robert.

  Outside the room, gold-painted passages led in three separate directions. It felt almost like a maze. They could hear Mrs. Yeoh’s voice echoing from the banquet hall. Now that they’d escaped the party, they weren’t sure what to do next.

  They started walking down the corridor nearest to them when they heard a bloodcurdling scream.

  The echo down the passage made it hard to figure out what direction the scream was coming from. The kids raced back the way they had come and nearly collided with Jasmine, the little girl they’d met in the garden earlier in the evening. She was cradling her hand, looking disorientated, and crying hard.

  “Jasmine, are you hurt? What’s wrong?” asked Bindi.

  Jasmine howled, “She didn’t like my flower, she didn’t like my flower.”

  “Who didn’t like your flower?” asked Robert.

  “Th-the big lizard didn’t like my flower. I tried to give it to her and she…she bit me!” She showed the siblings her hand. There were puncture marks, blood, and a definite swelling between her thumb and first finger.

  “Oooh, bet that hurt,” Robert said.

  Jasmine responded by howling even louder.

  Bindi threw her brother a disapproving look. “Jasmine, where’s your mum? We need to get your bite looked at by an adult.”

  Jasmine looked up fearfully. “Mother’s away. And Aunty Cynthia’s looking after me—but don’t tell her.”

  “Why not?” asked Bindi.

  “Because she told me to stay away from the Magenta Garden. That’s an extra special part of the garden. And she said I wasn’t allowed to go in there, but I’d been near there earlier, and I saw the big lizard through the hedge. She looked lonely, and I thought she would like a flower…like yours.” She pointed to the hibiscus Bindi still had behind her ear.

  “Jasmine needs to see a doctor right away!” said Bindi to Robert. She had a feeling this was not a normal garden lizard!

  From the hall came the sound of applause. Mrs. Yeoh must have finally finished her speech.

  Jasmine sobbed. “I feel sore…and dizzy…and my head hurts. But don’t tell Aunty Cynthia. Don’t tell her.”

  Bindi grabbed hold of the little girl as she sank to the ground in a faint. She hoisted her into her arms and ran toward the hall entrance, with Robert right behind her. Karl the butler appeared in the doorway.

  “Little Jasmine! What happened to her?” he said, looking alarmed.

  “Please, you need to call an ambulance. I think Jasmine has been bitten by a Komodo dragon, and their saliva is poisonous. She needs to be given strong antibiotics immediately.”

  The butler looked dumbfounded. “A Komodo dragon? Where? That can’t be…”

  Robert nodded, having come to the same conclusion. “If we’re right, Jasmine may die unless you call an ambulance right now!”

  Karl wasted no time. He grabbed the unconscious little girl and ran with her toward a nearby study, where he could call an ambulance.

  The kids were left alone in the large corridor for a moment. “He’ll make sure she gets help,” Bindi said.

  Robert cast a quick look back in the direction of the banquet hall and then glanced toward the front door. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked, grabbing a flashlight from his pocket.

  Bindi grinned. “Let’s go lizard hunting!”

  The kids raced out of the main entrance to the house. Most of the garden was floodlit, but there was an area to one side that looked more private. They instinctively headed in that direction and soon came upon a large hedge. Robert shone his flashlight over the area. They could both see a beautiful magenta bougainvillea plant draped along the top of the hedge.

  “The Magenta Garden!” the kids said in unison.

  “How would Jasmine have gotten in?” Bindi wondered aloud.

  They walked the length of one side of the hedge. They found a gate, but it was tall and wooden, with a strong padlock attached.

  The bougainvillea was covered in little spikes, so they were pretty sure Jasmine hadn’t climbed over the top of the hedge. A little farther along Robert spotted a break in the hedge, where a small person could fit through. “Probably through here,” he said as he moved toward it.

  Bindi called out. “Be careful, Robert. Take a peek if you can and make sure there isn’t a Komodo waiting for you on the other side!”

  Robert nodded. He turned off the flashlight and crept slowly through the thick hedge. Bindi waited anxiously. A moment later he reappeared.

  “Yep, there’s definitely a Komodo in there, but it’s too dark to tell for sure whether it’s Saffron or not.”

  They were going to need some help—preferably without Mrs. Yeoh noticing. The kids started to race back from the Magenta Garden.

  “I just don’t get it,” panted Bindi as they ran. “If it is Saffron, and I reckon it probably is, why would Mrs. Yeoh steal a Komodo from the reptile park she’s been helping to promote?”

  She didn’t get to consider the possibilities any further, because the beam of a strong flashlight crossed their path. A gruff voice called out, “Hey, w
ho’s there?”

  It was a security guard from the front gate—and he was looking mean.

  The kids screeched to a halt, crouched low, and scrambled for cover, throwing themselves into a nearby clump of bushes. The flashlight’s beam made another sweep of the area. “I heard you. This is private property, and you will be prosecuted…”

  He was walking closer and closer to the bush that hid the kids. As they lay among the twigs and leaves, they tried to quiet their ragged breathing, desperately hoping they wouldn’t be discovered…

  The siren of an ambulance and a squeal of tires made all three jump with fright.

  The guard turned back to the main gates, grunted in confusion, and started running as he saw two paramedics start up the path toward the house.

  “Yowzers, that was close!” Bindi whispered to Robert. Robert remained frozen to the spot, and only his mouth moved as he said, “I’m good at this, aren’t I? I could be a chameleon. You can’t see me, can you?”

  Bindi couldn’t help laughing. The two kids crawled out from the bushes and could see the guard was busy with the paramedics, so they went the long way around to avoid being seen.

  From out of nowhere the kids felt a hand on each of their shoulders. They screamed.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  The kids turned, scared. Who was it this time?

  “You scared the life out of us!” squealed Bindi.

  It was Dr. Timothy!

  “Spending all that time around reptiles has given me some pointers on how to sneak up on prey,” replied Dr. Timothy, grinning.

  Bindi turned to Robert. “If someone’s going to win a prize for camouflage skills, little buddy, it’s definitely going to be Dr. Timothy.”

  Robert nodded. He had to agree.

  The smile disappeared from Dr. Timothy’s face. “Before you ask, we haven’t found Saffron, so I’m here to announce that we’re going to have to postpone the opening of the park.” He looked devastated.