by Sue Bentley
‘But you can come back here again afterwards, can’t you?’
Arrow shook his head. ‘I am afraid that is not possible, Becky. Once I leave here, the magic trail to this place is closed forever. I hope you understand,’ he said gently.
Becky pressed her lips together as she nodded, hoping like mad that this wouldn’t happen too soon. She had barely recovered from the fright Arrow had given her when he had wandered off, and she wanted to enjoy every single moment she could with him.
Sitting back in the warm sunshine, Becky, Arrow and Leon watched the wild rabbits all around them. The creatures fed and groomed themselves, perfectly at ease.
Leon gave a muffled cry of delight as some of the kits leapt high in the air and kicked out with their tiny back legs so that they changed direction.
‘Did you see that? Rabbits do that twisting jumping thing when they’re happy. It’s called a binky.’
Becky felt her interest quickening. She hadn’t seen Arrow do a binky. Maybe magic bunnies showed they were happy in other ways. ‘How come you know all this stuff?’ she asked Leon.
‘I’ve been reading up about wild rabbits. Most people just take them for granted, but they’re really interesting once you start looking more closely. We didn’t even have rabbits in this country until the Normans brought them here.’
‘I didn’t know that.’ Becky was impressed. There was more to her cousin than she’d realized. ‘Is this the kind of stuff you write about for the online ’zine Uncle Den told me about?’
‘Yep. And tons of other stuff about animals and insects. I’m going to be a wildlife reporter when I’m older.’
Becky believed him. ‘I think you’d be great at it.’
Leon looked pleased but then he frowned. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever convince Dad about rabbits, though. He’s always complaining that they’re eating his crops and threatening to do something about it.’
‘Yes. He mentioned that at breakfast, just after you’d gone upstairs,’ Becky said.
‘Did he?’ Leon asked worriedly. ‘I wonder what he has in mind.’
Becky searched her memory. ‘He said he was going to “take action” or something like that. Maybe he’s going to trap them and then let them free somewhere else?’
‘I wish,’ Leon said. A serious look flickered across his face. ‘There are lots of harsher ways to deal with a rabbit problem. If you ask me, this warren’s in real danger.’
Chapter
SIX
It was late afternoon as Becky, Arrow and Leon made their way back to the farmhouse. Leon was lagging behind, deep in thought. Becky knew he was worrying about the wild rabbits, as she was.
Arrow lay in the curve of Becky’s arm, with his fluffy front paws crossed. ‘What did Leon mean about the warren being in danger?’
Becky wasn’t exactly sure, but she had a fair idea. She hated telling him, but he would have to find out soon enough.
‘Leon thinks Uncle Den is planning to use ways to … um … cut down the numbers of rabbits. Like getting rid of the warren,’ she said gently.
Arrow looked shocked. ‘That is terrible!’
Becky nodded, feeling awful. ‘Yes, I know.’ She couldn’t bear to think of anything bad happening to the wild rabbits, especially Smudge and her kits.
‘There must be something we can do!’ Arrow said, his whiskers twitching anxiously.
Becky racked her brains to come up with a solution as they reached the gap in the hawthorn hedge. She had a sudden flare of hope as she remembered how Arrow and Smudge had stood head to head, as if they might be communicating.
‘Can magic bunnies talk to wild rabbits?’
‘No. We are only distantly related to them. They do not speak our language. But Smudge is a very intelligent rabbit. I could sense some of her thoughts in pictures.’
Becky hid her disappointment.
‘I thought you might be able to warn her about the danger, so she could tell the rabbits to stop eating the crops.’
‘I do not think that can happen. Did you notice how the plants around the hill have been nibbled right down?’ Arrow asked sadly. ‘The warren is large. I think there are too many hungry rabbits here.’
Becky had a flash of inspiration. ‘I know! You could use the magic key to make the hill green and lush again – like Moonglow Meadow!’
Arrow nodded slowly. ‘It might work for a little while. But I will not always be here when the hill needs more magic. And the rabbits will be too hungry to resist eating your uncle’s corn and cabbages again.’
Becky realized she had to face facts. A solution didn’t look very likely.
Supper was a delicious lasagne and salad, made by Mrs Kelly, who had already left to go home, much to Becky and Leon’s relief.
Becky was sure the housekeeper must have told Uncle Den about the washing incident. She waited expectantly for him to mention it, but nothing happened.
After supper was cleared away, they all trooped into the sitting room. Leon wanted to watch a wildlife documentary about bats. Becky was quite looking forward to it too. She’d just curled up with Arrow on her lap when her uncle spoke. ‘Mrs Kelly had a word with me earlier …’
Becky held her breath. She steeled herself for a serious telling-off.
‘… about the chicken feed,’ her uncle went on. ‘She noticed we were getting low on supplies. Could you order some more for me online, Leon?’
‘Yep. No probs. I’ll go and do it after this TV programme.’
Becky couldn’t believe it. ‘Mrs Kelly didn’t snitch on me!’ she whispered to Arrow. ‘Maybe she isn’t that bad after all.’
Arrow was curling up into a furry ball. ‘I am glad you did not get into trouble,’ he said sleepily.
Becky smiled down at him. It had been a long day for a tiny bunny. ‘You have a nice nap,’ she whispered, gently cuddling him. She noticed Leon looking across at her and wondered if he’d noticed anything strange. Surely he couldn’t see Arrow, who was still invisible?
But Leon gave Becky a shy smile. ‘You seemed to have a good time today. So I wondered if you’d like to have a look at some of my wildlife stuff?’
‘Yeah, I’d love to!’ Becky said eagerly.
‘Great! You can read the bits I’ve written for the ’zine too, if you like.’
‘Don’t push it!’ Becky joked, rolling her eyes.
Leon laughed.
As she settled down to watch TV, Becky felt pleased that she and her cousin were getting on a bit better. She thought she’d definitely made the right decision to stay at the farmhouse. If only they could think of some way to help Smudge and the other rabbits, everything would be great.
The following day it rained. Becky stared glumly out of the farmhouse window at the deep puddles and muddy ruts in the yard. She had been hoping that they would go to check on the warren, but the rain showed no sign of stopping.
‘Oh well. I suppose we’re staying inside today,’ she sighed. ‘Maybe I could read one of Leon’s wildlife books. He’s got tons of them in his bedroom.’
Arrow sat beside Becky on the window sill as she looked through one of Leon’s books. He lifted a fluffy front paw to bat at the raindrops trickling down the pane outside.
Becky laughed. Her friend’s cute antics could always cheer her up.
‘At least the rabbits will be safe. No one’s going to do anything about them in this downpour,’ she said, giving him a cuddle.
Becky had thought Leon might shut himself away with his computer, but instead he appeared in the sitting room with a big pad of brightly coloured paper. ‘Ever done origami?’ he asked.
‘Nope,’ Becky admitted. ‘But I’ll have a go!’
Becky soon found out she was pretty good at folding paper into animal shapes. Before long, she was admiring the line of paper animals marching along the coffee table, even if some of them had wonky legs.
Leon was brilliant at origami. He even made an amazing T. rex.
The day passed surprisingly qu
ickly. Delicious smells from the kitchen filled the whole house, making Becky’s mouth water. Mrs Kelly popped her head round the door to say there were cheese scones and chocolate cake for tea.
‘And I’ve brought you some of my home-made ginger beer.’
‘Wow! What a feast. Can we have it in here on a tray, for a special treat?’ Leon asked.
The housekeeper put her hands on her hips. ‘What, and get crumbs everywhere? I should think not. Come along and sit at the kitchen table.’
Becky and Leon exchanged looks, but did as they were told. As she ate, Becky crumbled up bits of scone and dropped them under the table. Arrow hopped about eagerly snuffling them all up. She was glad he was invisible or house-proud Mrs Kelly would have had a fit!
‘This cake is yummy! Chocolate cream and icing with whopping great chocolate drops on top!’ Leon said. ‘Killer Kelly might be a pain, but she’s an amazing cook!’
After they had finished, Becky, Arrow and Leon went back to the sitting room.
‘What shall we do now?’ Becky asked, hoping her cousin had some more good ideas.
‘I dunno,’ Leon murmured. His mood seemed to have suddenly changed. ‘I can’t stop thinking about the rabbits, especially Smudge and her kits.’
Becky was worried too, but she always tried to look on the bright side. ‘You never know. Something might happen to save them.’
‘Yeah? And pigs might fly!’
Leon looked so troubled that Becky wondered what she could do to cheer him up.
She remembered the stuff she’d read about in the wildlife books. Maybe talking about his favourite subject might take his mind off it – even for just a little while. It was worth a try.
Without really thinking it through, Becky began in a rush. ‘I never knew that only female rabbits dig burrows. Or that they don’t hibernate. And their teeth keep on growing forever …’ she said, enthusiastically listing more facts. She paused for breath and saw Leon glaring at her. ‘What?’
‘The warren’s in danger and you don’t even care! All you can do is babble on and on, like you’re giving a speech or something!’
‘I do care!’ Becky protested, shocked. ‘I just thought –’
‘Just leave it,’ Leon muttered. ‘I wish I’d never taken you to see the warren.’ He jumped up and left the room.
Becky looked at Arrow in dismay. ‘Do you think he meant that?’ She was ready to go straight after Leon. ‘I’m going to ask him!’
Arrow laid a tiny soft paw on her arm. ‘I think Leon needs to be alone.’
Becky felt herself calming down as she looked at her wise little friend. Reaching out, she stroked his warm soft ears. ‘I guess you’re right. I s’pose I did go on a bit. I just hope that things go back to how they were before. We’d been getting on so well.’
Chapter
SEVEN
The following day dawned bright and clear. Becky’s uncle had planned to drive into the nearest village to take his car to a garage.
Leon followed his dad out into the yard.
Becky hung back a bit. Leon had been quiet at breakfast and they had only exchanged a word or two. She felt awkward with him since their argument.
‘Can Becky and I come with you?’ she heard Leon ask.
Becky looked up in surprise.
‘I could be an hour or two with the mechanic,’ his dad replied. ‘Won’t you two be bored?’
‘Nah. We can go to the library and then I’ll show Becky round the village.’ Leon glanced at her over his shoulder and gave an apologetic grin. ‘Are you coming or what?’
‘You bet!’ Becky jumped at the chance of an outing, especially as Mrs Kelly had just declared that she was going to spring-clean the downstairs rooms.
Her uncle smiled. ‘Come on then, you two.’
‘I’ll just pop upstairs and grab my bag,’ Becky said.
Becky found Arrow sitting on her duvet, grooming himself. ‘Yay! Leon’s fine with me now and we’re all going into the village. Do you want to get into my bag? You’ll be safer in there.’
Arrow nodded eagerly.
Uncle Den started the motor and then pulled out on to the farm track. Becky sat in the back of the car with her bag on the seat beside her, so Arrow could peer out at the countryside.
Sunshine poured down on a patchwork of fields and the green hills in the distance. Becky saw sheep on hillsides and herds of black-and-white cows. Now and then she saw a rabbit feeding on a grass verge and felt a new pang of concern for the warren above Foxglove Farm.
Uncle Den dropped them at the library, and after spending time looking around at the books, they wandered through the village. Arrow peered out of the bag and his nose twitched at the interesting smells. Becky smiled to see him enjoying himself. The three of them passed by a cottage that had a fancy iron gate topped by a handsome iron rabbit.
A shaft of sunlight caught the gate and threw a large dark rabbit-shaped shadow on to the pavement right in front of Arrow.
The magic bunny’s eyes rolled in fright. ‘My enemies have found me!’ Leaping out of the bag, he landed on the pavement and shot down the street like a rocket.
‘Oh no!’ Becky gasped.
Without a second thought, she hurtled down the street after her tiny friend, who was already far ahead of her. Becky just glimpsed his bobtail flashing as he disappeared round a corner.
‘Hey! Where are you going? Wait for me!’ Leon cried behind her.
Becky didn’t look round. Her heart was in her mouth. She felt frantic at the thought of the dangers of traffic and people who might accidentally trip over her invisible friend.
Rounding the corner, she glimpsed the village green ahead. There was an ancient-looking tree in the centre. A wooden bench stood beneath it. Becky spotted a familiar little figure cowering underneath it.
‘Arrow!’ she gasped, weak with relief.
She ran over to him, threw herself on to the grass and reached under the bench. ‘You’re safe now,’ she crooned. Holding his trembling little form, she explained about how the shadow rabbit had appeared.
She could feel Arrow’s tiny heart beating fast as she sank onto the bench with him and gently stroked his fluffy pale-coffee-coloured fur.
‘I am sorry, I panicked. Thank you for coming to find me.’
‘I’m just glad you’re OK,’ Becky said fondly. She didn’t know what she’d do if anything happened to her magical friend.
Leon ran across the green towards Becky and Arrow. ‘There you are!’ he puffed. ‘Why did you run off like that?’
Becky thought fast. ‘It was a game of tag. First one to the tree. And I won!’ she improvized madly.
He looked puzzled. ‘So how come you didn’t tell me it was a race?’
Becky shrugged. ‘It was more fun this way.’
‘You’re weird!’ Leon shook his head slowly.
‘That makes two of us!’ she replied spiritedly.
Leon pretended to look offended. Then he grinned and plonked himself onto the bench beside her. ‘Fair enough. Maybe that’s why we get on.’
They both started laughing. Becky was delighted to hear her cousin thought they were getting on too.
Becky relaxed, enjoying the shade under the old tree. She wondered what Leon would say if he knew that there was an invisible magic bunny so close to him.
She glanced idly towards some shops opposite the green and saw her uncle coming out of one of them. ‘Look, there’s Uncle Den …’ she began, and then her heart sank as she noticed the sign above the door that read A & R. Wilson. Pest Control Specialists.
‘Oh no!’ she groaned. Her uncle had decided to take drastic action to protect his crops.
Chapter
EIGHT
That evening, Becky was going downstairs with Arrow when she heard raised voices coming from inside the kitchen.
‘So what’s wrong with rabbit-proof fences?’ Leon demanded.
‘I’ve already told you. They’re just not practical on a farm this size,’
his dad replied patiently. ‘We use a lot of big machinery and need easy access to the fields. Not to mention the huge cost of new fencing. It’s the same with trapping and moving the rabbits. It would just take too long and in the meantime more crops would be lost.’
‘But what you’re planning to do … it’s horrible!’ Leon sounded close to tears.
‘I don’t like this situation either. But I have to do what’s best for the farm. You’re a farmer’s son, Leon, and you must learn to be realistic.’ Becky thought Uncle Den sounded weary, as if he was tired of arguing. ‘The pest control people will be here tomorrow. They’ll do a good job. No rabbits will suffer.’
‘I won’t let you do this!’ Leon yelled. ‘There’s got to be some other way –’
‘That’s enough!’ his dad replied. ‘I don’t want to hear another word.’
Leon stormed out of the kitchen and ran upstairs past Becky. She heard the kitchen door slam behind her uncle.
Becky sighed and her shoulders drooped. ‘Did you hear that? We’ve only got until tomorrow to think of a way to make Uncle Den change his mind.’
Arrow nodded sadly. His dewy brown eyes, with their rainbow twinkles, looked troubled.
They went into the garden so Arrow could eat some grass. As Becky sat watching him, she found herself looking towards the hills beyond the woods. Something about those steep green slopes got her thinking.
‘There must be tons of grass on those hills and they’re miles away from anywhere,’ she said. ‘Why can’t the rabbits go and live there, where no one would bother them?’
Arrow pricked up his ears. ‘It is a good idea, Becky. But it could take a long time to persuade Smudge and the others to leave their home. They would want to explore the new place first by sending out scouts and then move gradually if all was well.’
Becky bit her lip as she thought of the difficulty of persuading hundreds of rabbits to move in just a few short hours. It seemed almost impossible, but she wasn’t prepared to give up yet.