Chapter 8
‘Meet Britney,’ said Sophie. The little brown turtle peered at Nina through golden eyes, pupils large and round. All four webbed feet waved helplessly in mid-air. ‘And these are my tadpoles.’ Sophie set the jar down on the table.
Nina took the turtle from the girl’s outstretched hands. ‘Ah,’ she said. ‘A Murray River short-necked turtle.’
‘How do you know?’
‘See this?’ Nina’s finger traced the yellow stripe running from the corner of the reptile’s mouth and back along the side of its head. ‘And I’m afraid I don’t think it’s a Britney.’
‘How do you mean?
Nina gently turned the turtle over, revealing its creamy-yellow under-shell. She pointed to the tail. ‘See how fat and long this is? Girls’ tails are smaller.’ Nina got up and took a shoebox down from a shelf. ‘I think he mi
