Page 19 - Book 8 Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase

Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase 17
By the time he’d dealt with their arguing, Alfie’s tea was cold and his toast was hard, so he left it, picked up his tool bag and went to search for Sam Hedgehog and Charlie Rabbit.
‘Good morning,’ a plump chicken squeaked as the squirrel hurried past a row of beans in the vegetable garden. ‘We’re your new ...’ He didn’t give the bird a chance to finish and ran on towards the bakery.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Sam, as Alfie ran up to him. ‘Come through to the courtyard. Betsy is lighting the bakery ovens.’
‘Chickens! Wretched chickens! Six of them in our garden. Can’t stand the creatures,’ called Alfie. ‘You can see them in the vegetable garden through that gap in your gate.’
‘Yes, I can see them – huge beasts. But they’re not in the garden,’ whispered Sam. ‘They’ve followed you here and are outside. What do you have against chickens?’
Alfie sighed. ‘When I was little, three older squirrels shut me inside a bin of chicken feathers. I was petrified. My dad eventually rescued me. I have never forgotten the stench.’
‘Sorry to hear that, Alfie,’ said Sam. ‘Look out, the cavalry has arrived.’
‘Here chicks, here chicks,’ called Mr Weston softly as he sneaked up on the birds. They scattered in all directions across the lawn, leaving him helpless.
‘Lisa, can you come here, please. I’ll never get them into the pen on my own.’