Lexi turned to Isla. “Do you think the fawn is lonely? And frightened?”
Isla didn’t say anything at first. She just held Lexi’s hand and put her coat around their shoulders to keep them warm. The girls sat cosied up together, facing the fawn’s hiding place. It had stopped raining now but it still felt quite dark, sitting amongst all the trees.
“I think it must be,” Lexi continued. “I know exactly how it feels.” Even through the gloom Isla could make out large tears rolling down Lexi’s cheeks.
“It’s going to be OK,” soothed Isla. “Try not to worry. We won’t let anything get it.”
“I’ve never been out in the middle of a dark forest,” said Lexi. “If I’m scared, just imagine how the fawn feels!” At every sound and rustle, Lexi tensed and shut her eyes, burying her head into her chest.
“Actually,” said Isla, “I’m quite enjoying myself!”
Lexi turned and looked at Isla, her mouth wide open in surprise.
Isla gave Lexi a friendly nudge. “It’s all about how you look at something. You see it as a bit dark and scary. But I think it’s exciting to be here with so many animals. Actually, we’re not alone at all. We’re really, really lucky!”
Just then, they heard a sound that made Lexi grip Isla’s hand tight.
“Did you hear that?” Isla gasped.
“Yes,” Lexi muttered, her face buried in the wet anorak. “It sounded like something scary!”
“Shh, listen.”
A bird called softly and Lexi looked up.
“Cuckoo.” She copied the sound. “Is it really a cuckoo?” she asked. “I’ve never heard one before.”
“Yes,” said Isla. “Do you know they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests?”
“Cheeky things!” said Lexi. Suddenly she spotted something in the bracken. “What’s that brown, furry thing over there?” She clutched at Isla and pointed. “It’s not a r-r-rat, is it?”
The creature bounded into the clearing and sniffed the air. Then, sensing it wasn’t alone, it bounded away.
“Phew,” breathed Lexi. “Just a silly old rabbit.”
“A little bit cuter than a rat,” whispered Isla. “There might be a rabbit warren beneath us. They’re amazing – lots of different tunnels and cosy little nesting rooms. And escape routes!”
“It’s lucky the fox didn’t go after the rabbit,” said Lexi.
“I suppose it’s got its eye on something bigger,” said Isla, and the girls were quiet for a moment.
“You really do know so much, Isla,” said Lexi, in awe of her new friend. She paused and then said, “Can I tell you something? You know I said I’d seen loads of red squirrels… Well, that was a bit of a fib. I hadn’t really seen one before.” Lexi looked at Isla, her eyes shining. “That is until this evening! When I fell in the ditch, I was feeling really sorry for myself – but then I saw a red squirrel run up a tree! It was so cute. Much cuter than I’d thought it would be.”
“That’s amazing, Lexi, you’re so lucky! But why did you lie to us before?” asked Isla quietly.
“I suppose I wanted to impress you all by making you think I knew tons about animals,” said Lexi. “Lisa told me about the Animal Adventure Club and it sounded so much fun I wanted to be part of it too. I don’t have many friends, really. I’ve been a wee bit lonely since we moved to Pittendooey.”
“You don’t need to impress us, Lexi. I like you just the way you are. And you know a lot more about animals now!” said Isla. Lexi smiled back at her.
Just then there was a scuffling noise.
“It’s the fox,” whispered Isla.
They could just make out the fox’s silhouette. It was skulking out from its hiding place into the clearing.
“Oh no,” said Lexi. “It’s moving towards the fawn. What should we do?”
“Now it’s my turn to tell the truth,” said Isla. “I have no idea! I didn’t think it would come close while we were sitting here. But foxes can be bold.”
Lexi grabbed Isla’s arm. “I’ve got an idea! Do you have a torch?”
“Yes!” she said. “Here, in my pocket.” She pulled it out and handed it to Lexi.
“This might just work,” said Lexi, switching the torch on. She shone the beam directly at the fox. Its eyes lit up like two bright stars and, sure enough, it froze.
“Go on,” Lexi shooed. “Away you go.”
Uncertain, the fox stood still for a moment or two, staring at them. Isla didn’t dare breathe. Just then came the sound of pounding steps bounding in their direction. Something was winding its way through the trees towards them and then they heard a low, rasping bark. For the first time that evening, it was Isla who gripped Lexi’s arm. “What now?” she whispered.
The girls clung together as suddenly, jumping into the clearing on long, graceful legs, came a doe! It let out two short barks. Alarmed, the fox turned and bolted deep into the trees.
“Amazing!” Isla said quietly. “That’s the fawn’s mother, come to save the day!”
The doe trotted over to her baby and nudged it tenderly. The fawn stood up and its mother immediately began to groom it with tender licks. But then something extraordinary happened. The fawn walked slowly towards the girls. Lexi shone the torch to one side so as not to dazzle it. It came closer and closer and stared. Its heavy breath puffed from its nostrils.
“Wow,” whispered Lexi. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
“It’s a roe deer doe, and I think it’s thanking you, Lexi!” said Isla.
“Thanking both of us.” Lexi smiled.
The fawn continued to stare with its huge, glassy eyes and then suddenly, with a shake of its head, let out an enormous sneeze! Both girls jumped and then burst out laughing. And then its mother wandered close to them too.
“Well, the fawn isn’t bleeding anymore,” said Isla, taking the torch and shining the light on the soft fur of its neck. “The injury isn’t as bad as we’d thought. It’s healing up. Its mum seems happy too.”
And, with a nod from its mother, the fawn turned away. Together, they leapt off through the trees, the white tufts of their bottoms bouncing further and further into the depths of Barleycorn Forest.
“This has turned into the most amazing night ever!” said Lexi. “I’ve seen a red squirrel, a fox, a rabbit, a roe deer doe and its fawn, and a cuckoo.”
“We should do this again!” laughed Isla.
“Well, minus the falling-in-the-ditch part!” chuckled Lexi, shaking her head.
“Isla! Lexi!” They heard Buzz’s voice call out. “Are you OK?”
“We’re fantastic!” Lexi shouted back joyfully.