“Who’s that?” asked Jo.
Jess opened up a bag and out came Ripples and Twinkles.
“These are Ripples and Twinkles,” Jess said.
“We are mighty insect people!” Ripples declared.
“Not magical fairy beings,” Twinkles added. “Who you?”
“I’m Jo.”
“Jo’s a boys name.”
“Do you prefer Joey?”
“Dat Mafia henchmen name!” Ripples replied, wide-eyed.
“Henchmen,” Zac chortled.
Jo stared at Zac.
“What? Henchmen is a funny word!”
“Whatever turns you on.”
“Ooh... Joey da Mafia henchmen wannabe wants you Zacky!” Twinkles giggled.
“Oh yeah, I want you bad,” Jo commented dryly.
“See, she even ‘mits it!” Ripples put in.
Jo laughed.
“Ooh! Your wingys are so, so, so, so, so, so, so much biggyer than beforey Angie-pangie!” Twinkles gaped, flying over to her.
“Yeah, they started growing more,”
“Can me-me have them?”
“No, of course not.”
“Why?”
“Well, they’re too big for you, for a start. And I don’t know how to get them off.”
“Oh... well, dats a big fat pain in da neck isn’t it?”
Angela giggled.
“Hey Mafia-girl!” Ripples shouted.
“Umm, yeah?” Jo answered, stifling a laugh.
“It’s my birthday next week!”
“Really? Mine too. I’ll be sixteen. How old are you going to be?”
“Five.”
“Five?” Jo repeated. “Oh, that’s right, you guys only live ten years or so huh? Well, Happy Birthday in advance then.”
“Fank oo.”