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said.
    After lots of eye wiping, nose blowing and another ‘travel safely’, it was time.
    Max set the coordinates of the Time and Space Machine for Spyforce headquarters in London.
    â€˜The pact!’ Linden cried. ‘We almost forgot.’
    Max sighed. She liked saying the pact, but now that she had decided to return to Spyforce, she was keen to get on with the mission. She reached out and took Linden’s hands. Ben muscled in so he and Eleanor could take part too.
    â€˜If Linden should come to harm or get lost or bein danger in any way, I, Max Remy, will do everything I can to help him and bring him to safety. Your turn.’
    Linden smiled and repeated the pact for Max, only a little more slowly. ‘Now we’re ready.’
    â€˜Oh, and don’t forget to …’ Ben began, but before he could say any more, Max said ‘transport’, and with a small fffttt sound, they were gone.
    Fifteen seconds later, on the other side of the world, a flash of fluorescent light billowed from the air and tiny sparks of colour fell like a sunshower. Max and Linden appeared from the centre of a bright light, and after a few moments suspended in the air, floated gently towards the solid ground of the VART.
    The VART, or Vehicular All-Response Tower, was a large cavernous hangar where Spyforce kept all its technologically advanced vehicles. There were Inflatable Foldaway Aqua Buggies and Heliocrafts, the Sleek Machine, all-terrain trucks, one-seater mini choppers, hovercrafts and, of course, the hyper-fast Invisible Jet, which Max and Linden would be able to see if it wasn’t invisible.
    When Linden felt his feet settle on the ground he sighed. Although it had been a long time since he’d first used the Time and Space Machine, it stillleft him with a rush that was better than any roller-coaster or G-Force ride.
    â€˜That is still the best way to fly.’
    Linden looked at Max, but she didn’t answer.
    For Max, landing in the VART was like coming home. Like sinking into a big comfy lounge, with your favourite blanket and PJ’s.
    â€˜I knew I’d get you to come round to my way of thinking,’ Linden said proudly.
    â€˜Linden! Max!’
    Steinberger had been eagerly awaiting their arrival and hurried across in his over-polished shoes and carefully pressed suit.
    â€˜Welcome back to Spyforce!’ His eyes sparkled as if he was a kid who’d just found out the tooth fairy really did exist. ‘We’ve missed you.’
    As he stood before them with an extra-wide grin stretched across his face, Max was sure every smile muscle was being pushed to the limit.
    â€˜It’s only been a few weeks.’ She shrugged easily, hoping it would calm Steinberger down. ‘But just to let you know …’
    â€˜Everyone is so thrilled!’ Steinberger was warming up to excitement overload. ‘Quimby, Frond. And Irene. I can’t tell you how pleased she is. Broke her heart when you decided to leave. Sheunderstood why, of course, but she’s been baking those ovens into a fury ever since she heard you were coming back. Alex would love to have been here but is on assignment in Russia, and Agent 31 is doing some undercover groundwork in Venice – he said he’ll see you there – and I just know Mr Harrison is beside himself.’
    This was getting out of hand.
    â€˜Steinberger?’ Max tried to interrupt.
    â€˜This is turning out to be a fine, fine day. In fact, I think it might be the best day since …’
    â€˜Steinberger?’ she tried again a little louder.
    â€˜Oh gosh, since …’
    â€˜Steinberger!’ she shouted.
    â€˜Mmmm?’ The picture of the welcome-back party froze in his head.
    â€˜Can I ask you a favour?’ Max was worried Steinberger’s gushiness would explode into outright silliness with her at the embarrassing heart of it. ‘I was hoping we could do this without any