Jennifer Jane and the Crown Jewels 5/6

The big white dragon sprang straight up into the air, flapping his huge wings and leaving Megan coughing in a cloud of dust. Jennifer Jane heard, "there's mucky now," from Megan before they were off with powerful wing beats. His take off was very different from Clarence's, who needed a long run before he could get airborne.

Up and up they flew, until Jennifer Jane began to get cold. Then Bai Long stopped flapping his wings and started a very shallow gliding descent.

At last they came below the clouds and this time, she was very pleased to recognise the mountains where Clarence lived.

"Missy Jerrifer not be flighten," said Bai Long over his shoulder and started to roar as loudly as he could. He dived past the mouth of the cave where Clarence lived.

Clarence popped his head out to see what all the noise was about and then ducked back inside again as Bai Long turned round and flew towards the cave mouth with big jets of flame coming from his nostrils. He backwatered with his wings, landed just outside the cave and immediately started rumbling in dragon talk.

Jennifer Jane didn't understand any of it but she could tell that he was very angry. Clarence tried to say something every now and again but was roared into silence every time. At last all the noise stopped and Clarence came over to Jennifer Jane. He stopped and looked round at Bai Long, who glared back at him and snorted two tiny flames.

Clarence turned back to Jennifer Jane.

"I'm most awfully sorry, Jerrifer Joan," he said, "I really must apologise most profoundly for mentioning that old contract. I never really meant to use it and of course you are welcome to borrow anything you want, any time you like, providing it is returned in good condition."

He looked anxiously at Bai Long. The white dragon looked at Jennifer Jane.

"I don't really know what was in the contract," she said, "but it seems to have upset all the dragons. I’ve brought the crown back on time and I hope you won't get into any more trouble."

She didn't like to mention that he'd got her name wrong again, although she suspected that was partly Bai Long's fault.

"Now, if we're all friends again, perhaps you'd both like to look at these pictures."

Clarence rumbled to Bai Long, who stopped looking cross. "All OK?" he asked and Jennifer Jane nodded vigorously.

Both dragons relaxed and sat down on either side of Jennifer Jane, who showed them the photographs of the play and the copy of the drawing at the museum. Bai Long rumbled occasionally and Clarence translated.

Clarence was ever so pleased with the copy of the drawing showing his ancestor getting King John's treasure.

"Just to show we're friends and there's no ill feeling, would you like me to colour it in and get it framed for you?" asked Jennifer Jane.

Clarence was delighted. "Simply smashing idea, old thing. I could hang it on the wall of the cave where I can see it while I am guarding my treasure."

Bai Long rumbled something to Clarence. "He wants to be getting on and says he'll take you home."

"Could he put me down by the Giant's pool?" asked Jennifer Jane. "I think it's probably the largest open space near my home where he could land. He does seem to be jolly good at flying straight up."

Clarence rumbled for a moment and then told Jennifer Jane that everything was arranged and Bai Long knew where to go. She climbed up again onto the white dragon's back and in what seemed to be no time at all, they were landing in the Giant's clearing.

The Giant was staring open-mouthed as Jennifer Jane climbed down.

"Bye bye, Jerrifer old gel," said Bai Long, in a very good imitation of Clarence's accent and standing up on his hind legs, he flapped his wings and flew straight up.