Jake wasn't entirely sure how much later it was, but he'd sure taken his time and was probably more like twenty minutes rather than ten, but he HAD spent a while deliberating whether or not it was safe to go back or not.

He had, of course, realised he might be in trouble if he didn't go back, and so he went.

Now Jake stood, scowling beside the trap door, for he was suddenly and inexplicably CERTAIN that he would not be allowed to climb that stupid tree. And for this, he just stood and scowled up at everyone, his face stormy, arms folded across his chest.

He would not kill the plant, would not go closer. And as if to illustrate this, Jake turned and stood not with his back to everyone else but his side.

Jake Upstead was now in a bad mood.