On the table before them was a detailed drawing of a wave machine. ‘Thanks...’ Griffin rubbed his shoulder. ‘The science is really quite simple, and if you follow these instructions it should work fine.’ ‘And we’ll have energy for hot water and hot food?’ Raven shook his head in disbelief. ‘With wood harder to get, we’d kissed away hot baths years ago.’ ‘To think you nearly didn’t let us in.’ Isabella smiled. The Haggle was in full flight all around them and seemed to be filled with even more kids than before – trading, reading, and playing handball and soccer. ‘We had a visit from Sneddon’s goons,’ Xavier said to Raven. ‘The little snakes have slithered out of their hole? What’d they want?’ ‘Sneddon saw the Aerotrope and decided he wants it.’ ‘Maybe he should try asking Santa Claus.’ Raven laughed. ‘If he’s been a good boy.’ ‘Xavier told me Sneddon tried to get you to pay him,’ Isabella said. ‘He tried.’ Raven flashed a cheeky grin.
