Page 38 - Book 8 Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase

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Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase
‘I’ll stay with Betsy for a while longer. Matty will need some dry clothes, then we’ll leave with Cyril and Rowley.’
***
Back at the school, Alfie had directed the animals to their positions ready for the two badgers to raise the panel.
‘Ready, Alfie?’ asked Tom as he and Edward gripped the branches and began to bear down on them. Below them, they could see the hole was filling up with water.
‘It’s moving. Keep going,’ called Charlie. ‘Steady now, Hold it! I’m going under.’
‘No, Charlie. It’s easier if I go in,’ said Otter, pushing the rabbit aside and slipping under the wall. He could just see Matty’s face above the filthy dark water, and made a grab for his arm: it was limp and cold.
‘Come on, lad. It’s time to go home.’ He pulled Matty closer and spoke to Charlie and Alfie as he pushed the hedgehog towards them. They each grabbed an arm and dragged the cold wet animal out.
‘Hurry Otter!’ shouted Tom. ‘We can’t hold it much longer. It’s going. Get out now!’
Otter slithered out, spitting mud, as the falling wall panel missed him by a whisker. The other animals rushed forward and carried Matty away from the school to Dr Drake. As the building started to creak and groan, Charlie and the team ran out. Behind them, a single door frame buckled. Roof panels slid to the ground and slowly, one by one, the walls caved in.
By the time Badger arrived, Matty was lying on a stretcher, covered with blankets. Charlie asked him about Sam and Betsy. ‘How are they coping, Badger?’