The Teleporting Twins 1: The Teleporting Twins, #1

The Teleporting Twins 1

Search for the Red Gem

J.A. Tippett

Temja Publishing

For Matt

We were meant to be and still are. This book pays tribute to our first overseas adventure together. Here’s to many more.

I love you so much.

Copyright © 2025 by J.A. Tippett

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission of the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten percent (10%) of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Cover Design: by AJ Martin.

Contents

1.The last day

2.Burgers and bubblegum

3.Secrets in the shed

4.A snail's revelation

5.Secret's safe...for now

6.Let the teleporting begin!

7.A chilling journey

8.Icy interference

9.The kea caper

10.Bubblegum saves the day

11.A sticky situation

12.A rainbow of adventures awaits

Thanks for reading!

Sneak Peek Book 2

Fun Facts about Aotearoa

Acknowledgements

Also by

About the author

Glossary

Chapter 1

The last day

Savanna fidgeted in her seat, the hard plastic chair digging into her back. She stared at the clock on the classroom wall, its incessant ticking echoing in her ears.

Tick…

Tick…

Tick.

It seemed like the seconds ticked by ever slower, each one an eternity in itself. Casting a golden glow on the desks, the warm sunlight streamed through the windows, intensifying the oppressive stuffiness of the classroom.

Come on! Savanna thought. Her fingers tapped impatiently on the desk. She glanced at her twin brother, Jeb, who sat two rows ahead. He, too, watched the clock. His brow crinkled and his eyes narrowed. The freedom of school holidays was so close, but still out of reach. He looked as though he was trying to move the hands forward, willing them with his mind.

Savanna joined in. 3:15pm. That’s all you have to make it to, clock. After that, I don’t mind what you do with yourself. Savanna grinned. Oh, but don’t race forwards through the school holidays like you usually do. Fast now. Then, slow and steady. You can do it. Savanna nodded her head, then looked around self-consciously to check if anyone had noticed her zany telepathic clock talk.

Nadia was doodling in her exercise book. Zara, who sat beside Nadia, was looking at the desks behind, trying to catch Natasha’s attention. Luca fixed his eyes on the teacher, who was suggesting books to read during the holiday break. Next to him, Kenji was prattling on in a low voice. Kenji was always talking, even when he was eating. Mr Hernandez didn’t bother to tell him off anymore. Savanna guessed he thought it was more disruptive to the class to keep yelling at him than Kenji’s actual talking, which after a while became like white noise, fading into the background.

At last, the bell rang, its shrill sound piercing the air. The classroom erupted into a flurry of activity as students hurriedly picked up their school bags and chattered excitedly about their holiday plans. Savanna and Jeb squeezed past their classmates to the door. The faint odour of sweat mixed with banana and a lingering scent of markers filled the air as Savanna and Jeb stepped out of the classroom. It was louder in the gallery. Kids yelled their goodbyes to be heard over the general chatter and laughter.

Savanna wrinkled her nose at the stench. Ugh, why does it always smell like rotting bananas in here? She groaned, fanning her face with her hand. Jeb shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the odour. A forgotten banana peel, trampled by countless feet, lay on the floor. As they zigzagged through the crowded hallway, dodging backpacks and elbows, Savanna spotted the peel. People are such slobs, she muttered, sidestepping the squishy mess responsible for the unpleasant aroma.

Jeb chuckled, Come on, Sav, it’s not that bad. At least we’re free now!

They pushed through the double doors, the warm sunshine and fresh air a welcome change from the stifling, smelly confines of the school building. The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers from nearby gardens wafted over them, slowly making the unpleasant odours of the classroom a distant memory.

Savanna took a deep breath, letting the clean, fragrant air fill her lungs. Ah, that’s better, she sighed, a smile spreading across her face. She pulled at Jeb’s arm as they walked out of the school gates. Come on, Jeb, I want to get home before our twelfth birthday! she teased, a playful grin on her face.

Ha, our birthday is not for months, Sav, Jeb retorted, rolling his eyes. Why are you always in such a hurry?

I’m not. It’s just that I want to get home and change out of this awful uniform. Savanna tugged at the collar of her checked green-and-white dress. On these warm sunny days, she was sure it was trying to choke her. She pulled at the neck of her dress