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“Earl, I heard the children talking, and they have been planning the party for weeks now.
Making banners, blowing up balloons. It will happen two days from now.” Whispered the
woman.
“But Doris, how will we get in unnoticed if the whole primary will be there? And their
teacher?” The short man, Earl, looked increasingly nervous and it was clear in his voice.
“We don’t have to get in unnoticed, we will hide in plain sight, everyone knows about the
anticipated arrival of Terry. We will pose as excited community members and they are sure
to let us join their celebrations. Then when no one is looking, we strike. Terry will be ours. I
love this plan!” Doris menacingly chuckled.
Startled by this information, Drew hurried back to the group to tell them immediately of the
strange conversation he had overheard. Why would anyone want to do anything to spoil the
upcoming celebration? He thought the whole town was ecstatic about Terry’s visit. Sprinting
past fields of tayberries and gooseberries, Drew ran and ran until he reached the orchard.
“Miss Lotus, Miss Lotus!” he yelled, approaching the group. “There’s something you need to
see”
“What is it Drew, where have you been?” Miss Lotus replied in a concerned tone.
“Hurry, they might get away!” Drew pleaded, now attracting the attention of some other
students.
“
Who
will get away, Drew, what is wrong?”
“The man and the fox and the old woman. They’re going to take Terry!”
A group of nearby children who were picking berries burst into fits of laughter.
One child cried out “Everyone in Evandale is too kind, who would ever hurt Terry? That’s
just silly!”
“Drew, that’s enough” snapped Miss Lotus. “There’s no need to tell lies and worry the other
children, what have we talked about Drew, no more of your shenanigans please.”
All of the children filed back onto the bus after ten more minutes of frantic berry picking,
trying to pick out only the best and ripest fruit for Terry’s big gift. Drew remained at the back
of the line, trying to decide what to do about what he had just heard, as he turned around he
saw one other classmate was yet to file onto the bus. A young girl with long brown pigtails
stood, staring at Drew, it was Riley.