4

The Animal Adventure Club stepped outside the rangers’ lodge and set off towards Loch Dooey.

“Wait a second,” said Gracie, signalling for them to be quiet. “Listen to this, Lexi. The blue tit chicks are cheeping again. They’re in the nesting box on the wall.”

Sure enough, they could hear the faint sounds of hungry birds.

“And look, there’s the mum!” said Buzz. A blue tit with a fat caterpillar in her beak was watching from the branches of a nearby tree. She cocked her head to one side.

“I think we’re making her nervous. She wants us to move on so she can feed her babies,” whispered Isla. They swiftly moved away from the box and the mum swooped in and popped through the tiny hole. The chicks’ cheeping became frantic as their mum gave them their dinner.

“Remember we need to top up the bird feeders when we get back, so they’ve got plenty of food,” said Buzz.

Lexi had her hands clamped over her ears. “What a racket!” she shouted, walking away.

“Let me get this right. Lexi thinks the birds are loud?” Gracie muttered to Buzz, and he giggled.

“So, Lexi,” said Isla brightly, catching up to her. “We’re going to Craggy Woods first. Would you like a map so you can get to know your way around?” Isla pulled one out of her pocket.

“A map?” said Lexi. “Nah. Thanks, but I don’t need one. I’ve been here a gazillion times already.” She sauntered ahead towards Dooey Burn Bridge, dropping a sweetie wrapper as she went.

“Er, Lexi?” said Buzz, bending down to pick up the wrapper.

Lexi turned round and her face fell. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, with a look of horror. She pulled out the packet of sweets from her pocket. “I’ve not even offered you one!”

“Oh no, that’s OK,” said Buzz. “I meant—”

“The orange ones are my favourites,” she said, pushing the bag into Buzz’s hand. “Try one!”

“No thanks,” he said. Isla and Gracie shook their heads too.

Lexi shrugged, looking a little hurt, and pushed the bag back in her pocket. “Suit yourselves,” she said.

There was a gate just over the bridge, which led to the woodland paths. Lexi held it open so they could all walk through.

“Thanks,” said Gracie, but then Lexi walked away without closing the gate behind her. “Lexi, you’re meant to close gates when you’re out in the countryside…” she said. But Lexi was striding ahead and took no notice. Gracie sighed and ran back to swing the gate shut.

“I love nature,” Lexi announced, marching onwards.

“So,” began Buzz, in his best trying-to-make-an-effort-voice, “what’s your favourite woodland animal?”

“Ooh… red squirrels,” said Lexi.

“Cool,” said Buzz. “I like them too. Have you ever seen one?”

“You’re kidding, right? Of course I’ve seen one!” She guffawed loudly and gave Buzz a friendly thump on the arm. “I’ve seen hundreds!”

Buzz grimaced. “Really? They’re actually pretty rare.”

“We did a red squirrel watch last year,” said Isla, “and we hardly saw any.”

“They’re everywhere!” Lexi chuckled. “You just have to look up, guys!”

Isla was about to argue back, but it was hard to get a word in because Lexi wouldn’t stop talking. She told them about all the animals she’d seen and how much of a countryside expert she was. Isla glanced over at Buzz and Gracie, who were walking alongside them with their arms tightly folded. She knew they were feeling annoyed.

They walked on through Craggy Woods until they got back to the wire fence where they’d rescued the trapped fawn.

“Why are we stopping here?” asked Lexi.

“To check for the fawn, remember?” reminded Buzz.

Lexi frowned and plonked herself down on a tree stump. “Och well, I’ll just have a wee rest,” she said and pulled out her bag of sweets.

The others began walking around, scanning the area. “Well, there’s no sign of it lying injured, which is a good thing,” said Isla.

“Guys!” yelled Gracie. “Come and see this!”

Isla and Buzz rushed over to Gracie, who was standing by a tall Scots pine tree.

“Is that what I think it is?” Gracie said, pointing to a smear of something dark and sticky on the bark. Isla knelt down for a better look. Buzz touched it lightly and his fingers came away red.

“It’s blood,” confirmed Buzz.

“Ew!” squealed Lexi.

“And at the same height as the fawn’s neck,” said Gracie.

“Maybe the fawn was more badly injured than we thought,” said Isla. “Come on, let’s look for more clues.”