Tangshan Tigers

  Matt heard a gentle cough behind him.

  He spun round.

  There stood Chang Sifu. He’d changed out of his martial arts suit and was wearing his favourite kingfisher blue jacket.

  ‘You have had busy evening – quite finished now?’

  ‘Er – yes. Quite finished, thanks, Sifu!’

  ‘Good – then perhaps you would care to join us for evening outing?’

  He pointed a hand at the London Eye. Matt saw that it was taking passengers on again, and standing in line were the two teams of Beijing and Kensington.

  ‘But how did you know we’d be here?’ asked Matt in confusion.

  ‘I did not know. You left before I could inform you of tonight’s outing. A pure coincidence that you are here!’

  ‘A lucky one!’ said Shawn.

  ‘Yes. Now let us board, before rest of team goes without us!’

  They joined their team in the queue just before a pod became available. Matt and the Tigers kept their heads down as they passed the security staff, ignoring the disapproving looks they received.

  Chang Sifu and the Beijing team had one pod to themselves; Kawada-san and the Kensington team took the next.

  Harry caught Matt’s eye and waved. He waved back.

  The ascent of the pod was so smooth Matt was surprised to find himself already several metres high and rising. The Thames fell away below, the buildings slowly assuming doll’s-house proportions.

  ‘This is a more comfortable way to get to the top, you can take my word on that!’ whispered Catarina.

  The Tigers laughed. ‘I bet it is!’ said Shawn.

  Matt glanced over at Chang Sifu, who was sitting quietly on the bench at the end, taking in the spectacular sight of the illuminated London skyline. As if suddenly conscious of Matt’s gaze, he turned.

  Chang didn’t exactly smile, but was that a twitch of the lips? Did Chang really have no idea that the Tigers would be here, hunting down the Scorpion? Or did he know much more than he was letting on? Who could tell? All Matt knew was, he was happy to be here with his friends, having foiled the Scorpion, looking out over London. His home town. But he realized that Beijing had also become his home. And it would be good to get back.

  There were sure to be more adventures waiting for him and his friends. And he knew the Tangshan Tigers would be ready – whatever was thrown at them.