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they?’ Linden asked.
    â€˜No.’ Frond smiled. ‘They are much clevererthan that. The soap is Professor Plomb’s newly disguised Silent Bomb, which you activate by pulling this rope embedded in the end. The talcum powder is actually Snooze Powder that, when inhaled, will induce a deep sleep. The shampoo is Invisibility Cream and the conditioner is the Antidote to make you visible again. There’s also a deodorant, which is really Wake-Up Spray.’
    â€˜Does it smell better than the last one Linden used on me in Malta?’ Max asked. Many of Frond’s products had an unfortunate knack of smelling like dead fish.
    â€˜I’m afraid not.’ Frond shrugged. ‘But we’re working on it.’
    Quimby clapped. ‘And now you are fully equipped for your mission to Paris.’
    Sleek’s voice came to life above them. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into Paris, one of the most romantic cities in the world.’
    Steinberger, who had been quietly staring at Frond for her entire speech, sighed, before continuing to stare in silence.
    â€˜Steinberger?’ Max waved a hand in front of his face, but he didn’t move.
    Quimby had a try. ‘Your agents are ready, Steinby. And I think you’re about to land.’
    â€˜Good. Wonderful. Magnificent,’ he whispered.
    â€˜Thanks for the gadgets, Quimby and Frond.’ Max had had enough of Steinberger’s love paralysis.
    â€˜You’re welcome,’ Quimby said. ‘And may the Force be with you.’
    Max leant over and stopped the transmission.
    â€˜Ladies and gentlemen,’ Sleek announced, ‘please stow all projection screens, tighten your seatbelts and get ready for one smooth landing.’
    Max looked at Steinberger’s love-dazed gaze and sighed. She tightened his seatbelt and pressed the button on his armrest to retract the screen.
    â€˜Time for the pact.’ Linden held out his hands to Toby and Max.
    â€˜A pact?’ Toby asked. ‘Sounds good.’ He took Linden’s hand.
    Max sighed and looked at the two outstretched hands. Holding one boy’s hand was enough to make a girl want to run, but two? She also knew Linden wouldn’t start the mission without it. She reached out gingerly and took their hands.
    Toby slipped on his best Mr Smarm voice. ‘I could tell you wanted to hold my hand as soon as I arrived.’
    â€˜Linden, make it fast.’ Max closed her eyes.
    Linden smiled. ‘If Max or Toby should come to harm or get lost or be in danger in any way, I, Linden Franklin, will do everything I can to help them and bring them to safety. Your turn, Toby.’
    Toby repeated the pact and squeezed Max’s hand when he’d finished. ‘Lots of girls would kill to have me looking after them.’
    â€˜Don’t you mean they risk being killed with you looking after them?’
    â€˜You can try and resist me for only so long before you crack. You’ll see.’
    â€˜I’ll crack you if you don’t –’
    A gentle bump onto the tarmac told them they’d arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Max hurriedly said her pact before snapping her hands back and wiping them on her pants.
    The agents slipped on their packs and stood at the exit hatch. A muttering Steinberger remained dreamily strapped in his seat.
    â€˜Steinberger?’ Max said.
    He kept muttering.
    â€˜Steinberger! We’re here. In Paris. And we thought we should get on with the mission, if that’s all right with you.’
    â€˜Mission …’ he muttered further.
    â€˜Someone has got to do something about this,’ Max mumbled before adding, ‘We’ll see you when we get back.’ She led the other agents down the exit hatch, leaving a lovesick Steinberger wallowing in a pool of his brain-slushing crush.

‘Get him off me.’ Max shook her leg to try and free herself from a curly haired, snarling