We Were Only Strawberry Picking (5 page)

‘Did you all hear that?' Everyone's eyes were wide open as they shook their heads in approval.

‘Now be quiet,' Henratty whispered and then she switched the torch off. All of the meerkats were now pressed against the side of the wall, as Enoch scurried around the corner towards them, still jabbering to himself.

‘Oh, no, I'm in so much trouble. Nora is going to string me up when she finds out that I have not gone back to base to warn the others.'

If only he had turned to his right, he would have seen four pairs of eyes staring back at him from the darkest corner of the tunnel, but what he would not have realised was how petrified they were of him. Enoch continued along the path, he was so disorientated by now and decided to stop where he was and take stock and try to retrace his steps. He turned around and started to make his way back down the tunnel as the four meerkats shot back into the darkest crevice again, holding their breaths once more.

‘
What was that?'
Enoch murmured. He could have sworn that he heard a shuffling sound, but was not sure but then thought perhaps it was an echo of his own movements as he scuttled along the tunnel trying to retrace his steps. He turned right into the tunnel which he was sure would lead him back to Nora. He knew it was at least half an hour back to her and he could then find base from there having got his bearings back.

‘What on earth was that?' asked Oscar.

‘Whatever it was, it was bigger than us, but he sure did sound lost, and who was he talking about. He mentioned the name,
Nora,
so now we know there are at least two other animals down here besides us, which means we are not alone after all,' noted Henratty.

‘I'm scared,' murmured Lyndi Lou.

‘We're all scared … I think that creature is our safest bet of getting out of here – we have to follow him,' suggested Henratty.

‘But he could be dangerous,' argued Oscar.

‘Unfortunately, we don't have a choice, he is our only hope and we must follow him. I think he is a safe distance away now, so let's get a move on.' Henratty gave the torch to Jack which he switched back on, but he had to give it a good shake as the battery was dying. As it shone up towards the ceiling of the tunnel, he thought he saw something shimmering, but he had just shone the torch in his eyes so assumed he had been blinded by this which had distorted his vision. For a fleeting moment, he thought of the diamonds until his name was called:

‘Come on, Jack, I think you should go first, seeing as you have the torch and the fact that we know you have the best hearing.'

‘Sure thing, but let me just get my catapult out.'

‘Er – what for?'

‘What do you think for – these creatures could be dangerous and I need to be ready to fight back.'

‘And a catapult is going to save us?' retaliated Henratty.

‘Well, have you got any better ideas?'

‘Yes, shut up and let's get a move on. The best thing we can do is try to remain out of sight and not get caught. By the way give me the other catapult, I'll give it to Oscar just in case! Now let's turn right here,' ordered Henratty.

‘Are you sure, why not left?' demanded Jack.

‘I definitely know he turned right, as I heard the creature say so, he constantly says everything out loud and he definitely said “right”. So, be quiet and start listening, as we need to keep up with this creature so he can show us the way out, at least.' Everyone was on tiptoe as they moved along the tunnel, again in single file, desperately trying to keep out of Enoch's sight.

* * *

By now Nora could tell that something was wrong, everything was just too quiet, she could no longer hear the meerkats talking and where was Enoch?

‘
The bumbling buffoon, I gave him one simple task to complete and he could not even do that, the others should have been here at least twenty minutes ago!'
she whinged.

Nora decided that she was going to have to fly back to base. She had not flown in ages and her joints were a little stiff, but she hoped and prayed that her wings would still enable her to fly. She had not used them in years, there was no real need to. She slowly opened her wings as her bones creaked. It's all or nothing, and with one big flap, she flew off. She could feel the strain as she gathered more strength to fully spread her wings and at last she was truly flying. She started to wobble, as she was losing momentum and speed. She was descending and could no longer soar as high but she was nearly there as she made a bumpy landing and slid on the ground as she flew in. She folded her wings. Her hair was a little mangled from the flight but she would fix it later.

As she entered camp, Cooper, Alfonso, Poppy and Escargot were all seated at the meeting table, anxiously awaiting her return.

‘Has anybody seen Enoch?' screamed Nora.

‘No, we thought he was with you. Is everything all right, Nora?' asked Cooper.

‘Do I look all right? Nancy, can you please fix my hair, it's an absolute mess? I have just flown in and my wings are so rusty, I don't even know how I landed in one piece, luckily the only damage was to my hair!' Nancy was a whiz when it came to hair. She was a hedgehog and was very domesticated, indeed, and was responsible for keeping the dormitories spick and span; she just loved cleaning, cooking, etc and was a dab hand at these chores. She never complained at all. She ended up in the mine when she and her brother, Jasper, were captured by a family who wanted a pair of hedgehogs, but they managed to escape when the father got blind drunk and he forgot to lock their cage. They managed to trek from town to town, never staying in one place for too long until just by luck, and their love for strawberries, they stumbled upon Meerville Strawberry Fields. Also, they actually felt at home in Meerville, for some reason it was less threatening, but they could never work out why!

‘I'm aching all over, I haven't flown in years and did not expect to ever fly again. Just wait until I get my hands on Enoch …'

‘But what exactly has happened, Nora?' asked Cooper.

‘Well, our little intruders have arrived, there are four of them, they sound pretty harmless but I think they are heading our way and that's why I sent Enoch back more than an hour ago to ask him to bring some of you back – particularly you, Cooper, Alfonso and Jasper for back up.'

‘He must have taken the wrong turning,' said Poppy. ‘You know how forgetful he is, or even worse could the beasts have perhaps captured him? If that's the case he has probably blurted out everything including our plot to capture them.'

‘I think you could be right, especially on the first point, but I doubt if he has even remembered the plot and is probably still trying to show them a way to get back to base with great difficulty,' advised Cooper.

‘Anyway, Cooper and I are going to use the one and only tramline that is still working to try and cut them off at the other side of the mineshaft. The last sound I received with my echolocation indicated that the little creatures were on that side of the shaft, so I am sure we can go round and cut them off.'

‘But, Nora, why me, you know I can barely walk – can't Alfonso go?'

‘I would prefer it if you came, Cooper, and besides you don't have to walk as we are taking the tram. Also you need the exercise, you can't stay cooped up in this hole all the time, that's probably why you're so hunched and cranky these days.'

‘There's no need to get personal.'

Escargot had come out of his shell and was sniggering. As much as he tried to sleep, the increased volume of voices were resounding in his shell and getting louder and louder in decibels so he could not sleep even if he wanted to. Also the conversation became interesting, especially as Cooper was being chastised by Nora and had been given his marching orders, something Cooper was not used to, and something that Escargot revelled in.
That will teach the miserable coot
, he thought.

Under duress, Cooper gave in and off they went.

‘Just before we depart, Alfonso, I want you to take charge, be vigilant and look out for our intruders. I'm sure once they set their eyes on you, they'll be wishing they were somewhere else.'

‘Will do, Nora … how exciting! Right folks you heard Nora, I'm in charge and therefore you all must do as I say.' Escargot was already back asleep in his shell, whilst Nancy and Jasper were dusting and buffing the already shiny ornaments and Poppy was gazing at herself in the cracked mirror preparing for the visitors.

‘Did you hear what I said? I'm in charge so you must do as I say,' repeated Alfonso.

‘But you have not asked us to do anything!' quipped Poppy, as she began to gurgle …

‘Well, when I do, I expect you all to comply,' commanded Alfonso.

‘Naturally,' Jasper responded sarcastically.

*
* *

Back in the tunnel, Enoch was still repeating himself and going on about how Nora was going to skin him alive when she found out he had not delivered the message.

The meerkats were only a few yards behind him now.

‘What's wrong with him, he constantly talks to himself and has repeated the same sentence at least fifteen times. He's seriously barmy.'

‘
Shhhh
! Jack.'

Suddenly, Enoch stopped talking aloud in mid sentence as he was convinced that he had just heard something, and it or they were close. His heart was beating faster and increasing in rate with every second. He felt scared,
Could it be the intruders,
he wondered
.
Part of him hoped so but the other half hoped not, as he was outnumbered; he knew there were four of them but only one of him.
Oh, no what was he going to do – okay, stay calm
, he thought. Suddenly he heard a noise again.

‘Who's there, you're surrounded,' pretended Enoch, hoping his enemies would think he was not all by himself in the tunnel. But there was not a sound from anyone. Enoch now stood motionless and gripped with fear, the dark still air made him even more scared.

Suddenly he heard this growling bearlike sound which made Enoch instantly turn and shoot off down the tunnel, as he almost knocked himself out turning the corner, having sustained a gash on his head from a sharp piece of stone sticking out of the wall as he exited one tunnel into another.

‘OH … NO … HELP … HELP … NORA,' he bellowed at the top of his voice. ‘I need your help.'

When Enoch was out of sight, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Jack started to cackle.

‘What did you do that for?' said Henratty.

‘Someone had to do something, he knew we were there and I could tell he was wetting himself with fear so I thought I'd scare him using Papa Brian's foghorn. Everyone's scared of bears and you all know I'm pretty good at impersonating other animal sounds. So how about thanking me for saving your lives?'

‘Er – thanks, Jack, but now you have alerted him to our presence and he is on his way to let the other inhabitants know where we are.'

‘They have to find us first, so I suggest we get off this tunnel and take the other tunnel going the other way until we can strategise and work out our co-ordinates,' Jack instructed in battle mode.

‘We're not at war, so be serious, Jack. However, your idea seems a good one, so let's turn back. I think I noticed another tunnel on the left so we'll take that one and see where that leads us to. Let's not forget that we need to remain quiet at all times, as we are by no means safe,' reminded Henratty.

Meanwhile Nora and Cooper were in the tram heading in the direction of Enoch.

‘So, Nora, what was so important that you had to drag an old stick like me out of my comfort zone, when we have Jasper and Alfonso who are more able-bodied to capture these creatures.

‘Oh, stop grumbling, you need to get out more, Coop!’

‘Now look who’s being ironic, it’s not as if you go anywhere yourself and as you said you haven’t even flown properly in years!’