Page 74 - Book 8 Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase

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Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase
room down below in the store area. We’ll be leaving early, so I suggest you get some sleep.’
Minnie turned to Cyril. ‘We will never be able to thank you enough. Please give the garden animals our love and thank them for their kindness. Goodnight.’
***
The chickens woke early the next morning and watched the animals load the fair onto the barges for their next destination. They sat on the deck enjoying their breakfast as they sailed along the river admiring sights that they had never seen or heard before. The barge stopped under a bridge.
‘We’re here,’ called Fred. ‘Go under that gate and follow the elm trees. The next gate leads into pasture land and to your orchard. Good luck, Minnie.’
The birds disembarked down a plank to the riverside, and waved as the barges chugged away. A long uncertain walk lay ahead for them, and Minnie was cautious and told her friends to stay close to the hedgerow.
They were exhausted when they arrived at the orchard and were disappointed to find their path was blocked. Minnie decided that they should rest in the owner’s front garden before looking for another way in, but they were quickly spotted from a window and safely ushered into the orchard. How six chickens had suddenly disappeared and five had reappeared would remain a mystery to their owners forever.