The Snowy Reindeer
Page 4
Great-Aunt Sylvia was waiting by the door, dressed in a brightly-coloured scarf, snow coat and purple boots. “Let’s get going, shall we?” she said briskly. “If we wait too long, the whole castle will be awake, and if we take everyone with us we’ll scare the reindeer herd away.”
They set out across the garden, with Bea carrying Marshmallow snuggled up inside her coat. The snow crunched under their boots and the sun shone out of the clear blue sky, making everything sparkle.
Great-Aunt Sylvia led Bea through the woods where she’d searched for the reindeer the night before. Robins and blackbirds sang in the trees and there were little bird tracks in the snow. On the other side of the wood, a cluster of white fields stretched into the distance.
“Here!” Great-Aunt Sylvia handed Bea the binoculars. “Tell me what you see.”
Bea held Marshmallow tightly with one arm and put the binoculars to her eyes. At once everything looked closer and clearer. She turned them slowly sideways, scanning the bright landscape. To the right, there was a cluster of trees and a line of fences edged with snow. To the left, there were some dark brown bushes dotted across a field.
Bea moved the binoculars on. Then she stopped and swung back to the bushes. They weren’t bushes at all. They were reindeer! “I’ve found them! There are lots of reindeer right over there.”
Lady Sylvia took the binoculars back and checked for herself. “So there are! Then let’s get this little one back to his family.”
Marshmallow began to bleat, kicking his little legs. Bea held him tight and stroked him until he calmed down. Then she and Great-Aunt Sylvia trekked across the snow towards the reindeer.
As they drew closer, Bea noticed the animals pushing the snow aside and nibbling at the plants underneath. Marshmallow began to bleat again, and several reindeer lifted their heads to look in their direction.
Lady Sylvia lowered her voice to a whisper. “Why don’t you carry on from here? Try to get a little closer before you let Marshmallow go. With any luck his mother will recognise him.”
Bea walked on slowly and carefully. More of the reindeer raised their heads to watch her. As soon as she was close, she set Marshmallow down on the snow and gave him one more hug. “Good luck, Marshmallow,” she whispered. “I’ll never forget you.”
The little reindeer nuzzled her cheek before skipping across the field to join the herd. One reindeer with large antlers stepped forward and touched Marshmallow’s back with her nose. Bea smiled in delight. That must be his mother. Marshmallow gave a happy bleat as he snuggled close to her legs, his little tail twitching.
Some of the reindeer started walking and the herd began to move on, with Marshmallow staying close to his mother’s side. Bea watched as they all trotted away across the snowy field with their antlers raised high.
When Bea and Great-Aunt Sylvia returned, the castle was full of noise and people rushing to and fro. The dining room was covered with a beautiful red-and-white tablecloth and a mouth-watering smell was drifting out of the kitchen.
“What’s happening?” Bea asked Alfie, as he bounced past with a party hat on his head.
“It’s nearly time for Leo’s party!” Alfie grinned. “Natasha’s been helping Mrs Miller make the birthday cake. I sneaked in and ate some of the chocolate icing!”
Half an hour later, Mrs Miller brought out a wonderful chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Leo written in big blue letters. Everyone joined in with singing to the little boy and handing him gifts. Leo chuckled loudly as Aunt Amber helped him open his parcels. He seemed to like the wrapping paper as much as the presents.
Then, as they ate the birthday cake, Uncle Henry asked Bea all about Marshmallow and the reindeer herd.
“We found them just beyond the wood,” said Bea, explaining how they’d spotted the reindeer through the binoculars.
“I wish Marshmallow could have stayed here with us,” said Annie sadly.
Aunt Amber hugged Annie. “I know, honey. But he’s a wild reindeer, and I’m sure he was very happy to see his family again.”
After some party games and a delicious birthday lunch, everyone put on hats, coats, scarves and gloves and went out into the snowy garden. King George helped Annie make another snowman, along with Natasha, who found some pebbles to make the face.
Bea and Alfie pulled the sledge up the hill beyond the garden. Bea stopped at the top, tingling with excitement. She gazed at the fields beyond the wood. In the distance, tiny brown shapes were moving across the snow.
“Look, Alfie! There’s the reindeer herd.” She smiled. Marshmallow would be among them – safe and sound with his family again.
“Do you think you’ll ever stop finding animals that need help?” Alfie asked her.
“I hope not.” Bea laughed. “I love animals, and finding Marshmallow was one of the best adventures of all!”
Copyright
First published in the UK in 2019 by Nosy Crow Ltd
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Text © Paula Harrison, 2019
Illustrations © Olivia Chin Mueller, 2019
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