THE BIRTHDAY PARTY Chapter 6

Sophie  was going to have her birthday party. Lady had arranged for it to be held on the Hurly Burly ground by the swamp, so that friends who could not fly up to their home on the cliffs would be able to come. 

On the evening before the party, the Pteranadon family flew down to make preparations. Boy and Lady cleaned the barbecue, while Suzy put flower arrangements on the tables, Terror and Don went round to pick up any litter that had been left from the last Hurly Burly. Sophie  hung lanterns in the trees and filled them with glow worms to light up the party when it grew dark.

She was hanging up a lantern in a quiet corner on the edge of the swamp when she heard a swishing noise in the water. Looking down she saw two crocodiles.

“Hello Sophie, do you remember me?” said the larger one.

“I met you in Brontaugusta, and you gave me a mint humbug, my name is Crocobilly."

“Yes.” Sophie replied, “I remember, but you look quite different now. Much better."

“Well that's because I don't play on those gambling machines any more. I've given up all that sort of thing since I met Crocadilly. She enjoys the out door life, and we go for long swims together every day, I'm very fit now."

“Hello Sophie, I'm Crocadilly.” the smaller of the two crocodiles said. At that moment Terror and Don flew up. They had seen the crocodiles talking to Sophie and got worried in case she was in danger. But after chatting for a while they saw that these two crocodiles were not bad ones, and soon Crocobilly was helping Terror and Don pick up the litter, and Crocadilly was holding lanterns for Sophie  to hang up.

“Would you like to come to my birthday party tomorrow?” Sophie asked, when it was time to go home.

“Yes please.” they both replied.

“Thank you very much Sophie.”

Next day Sophie and her family flew down for the party. Lady took a lovely birthday cake that she had made. It was pale green with six candles, and had “Happy Birthday Sophie.” written on the top. All the other food and drinks were being provided by “Swamp Caterers” and they were already unpacking a sea serpent loaded with good things. There were crunchy beetle balls, peanut stuffed grapes, frothy swamp delights, and lots of frog burgers and chips for the barbecue, as well as plenty of orange squash and diet coconut juice.

Sophie's friends began to arrive for the party, among them were Crocobilly and Crocadilly who gave Sophie  a box tied up with ribbon. Inside she found a lump of amber with a tiny fly inside.

“What a beautiful birthday present, thank you.” she said. There were lots of other presents to be opened, and soon there was quite a pile by the barbecue. 

Then the party games began. They played blind croc's buff and hunt the prawn, then they had a treasure hunt, and Sonya won the prize, which was a yellow swamp ball. Afterwards they sat down to eat the birthday supper. Sophie  blew out all the candles on her cake with one puff, and cut a slice for everyone. When they had all eaten enough, Boy introduced the famous conjurer. Mr. Moonlight. He was a Pterodactyl, dressed in a black cloak with a red lining, and wearing a hat with a shining moon on it.

He performed some amazing tricks. First he pulled strands of sea weed out of Sophie's ear, and while Crocadilly was laughing at this he reached into her mouth, and brought out a huge bouquet of swamp lilies. Then he asked for a volunteer from the audience. Every one looked at Terror, who they thought was sure to volunteer. When he didn't, his friends nudged him and shouted.

“Come on Terror. Volunteer!” And he stepped rather shyly onto the platform with Mr. Moonlight.

“Now" said Mr. Moonlight.

“Before I do my next amazing trick, I want to tell you all, especially the little ones, not to be frightened, because Terror is quite safe, and all my tricks are illusions.” Then he whispered a few words to Terror, who nodded seriously. Mr. Moonlight waved his wand, and touched Terror with it Terror disappeared in a puff of smoke. The audience gasped. because even after Mr. Moonlight's assurances they were rather worried. Mr. Moonlight waved his wand again, and Terror's crimson eyes were seen glowing. Slowly his face and, then his wings appeared, everyone clapped. Mr. Moonlight bowed and so did Terror. They smiled at each other. Mr. Moonlight did other wonderful tricks as the sun set over the swamp, and at the end of the performance, the audience cheered him delightedly.

Then the Swampy Stompers Dance Band began to play. Everyone started to dance. Mr. Moonlight took off his cloak and hat, he looked like quite an ordinary Pterodactyl then, and went off for a drink of orange juice. Terror and Don went for a chat with him, and they sat under a glow worm lantern all night, talking about magic and drinking orange juice.

The party ended at midnight and everybody went home to bed, tired and happy.

“How did Mr. Moonlight make you disappear Terror?” Sophie asked as she settled down into the nest. But Terror was already fast asleep, and never did tell her.