CHAPTER SEVEN

Katy stayed low and crept towards the lantern while Thunder moved stealthily towards the foxes. The two creatures looked up just as he emerged from the shadows. There was an evil glint in their eyes – mischievous, cunning, eager to cause trouble. But Thunder was ready for them. He knew exactly what he had to do.

“What have we here?” asked the bigger of the two foxes. This one had a thick scar running along its snout.

“We like cats, don’t we, Ned?” said the other sarcastically. This fox was smaller, with a bushier, white-tipped tail and a rustier-coloured coat.

“To eat, you mean?” mocked Ned, snapping his jaws at Thunder. “Oh yes, a cat will be quite the treat at our own midnight feast tonight.”

Thunder stalked back and forth, head high, trying to give the impression of a cat that’s not easily intimidated. “But how does it feel not to be invited to the real midnight feast?” he asked. “You were so badly behaved at the last one, no one wants you at tonight’s celebration. It can’t feel nice to be excluded.”

The foxes frowned at each other before bursting into fits of laughter.

“You think we care what others think?” asked Ned. He scratched at his neck – Thunder hoped he didn’t have fleas. “Did you hear that, Nina? This cat thinks we mind being banned from the feast.”

Nina – the smaller fox – broke into a high-pitched cackle. “That is funny!” she cried. “Who wants to go to Esra’s silly midnight moon feast anyway.”

“We’ll have our own celebration – and now we have the purr-fect dish to serve,” mocked Ned.

Nina clutched at her tummy and chortled loudly. “Purr-fect dish,” she repeated. “That’s a good one, Ned.”

Thunder scowled as the two foxes continued laughing at Ned’s joke.

“What’s wrong? Are you not feline well?” Ned guffawed.

“Would you like us to paws this conversation?” Nina howled.

Katy tutted to herself as she listened to the foxes. Poor Thunder, having to put up with such terrible cat jokes. At least his distraction tactics were working.

The foxes had their backs to Katy, who was only inches away from the lantern now. Her fingers stretched out to reach it – just one more step…

Nina’s head flicked round and she leapt swiftly on top of the lantern, pinning it between her front two paws.

“Well, well, well, another stray,” Nina snapped, smiling maliciously at Katy.

“Trying to steal our lantern, are we?” asked Ned.

By now, he’d lost interest in Thunder and was closing in on Katy, licking his lips and baring his teeth. “Now our feast is going to be even better than we’d hoped.”

Katy had had enough. Who did the foxes think they were?

“You think you’ll be eating us?” she asked boldly, getting to her feet, hands on hips. “If you do, you know you’ll never be invited to join a moon feast again.”

The foxes laughed.

“But we don’t care,” barked Ned.

“You’ve said that already,” Katy replied, sounding very teacher like. “The thing is, I don’t believe you.”

“And neither do I,” Thunder followed. “I’m sure you’ll care deeply when there’s no food left to eat because the food chain has broken down!”

“If that happens, some animals will be left with nothing to eat, and that will change the forest forever!” Katy added. “Animals thrive best when they exist together. It’s why your feast is important – because it celebrates all life in the forest – and why ecosystems shouldn’t be tampered with.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” mumbled Nina.

“Neither had I,” said Ned, pawing the ground.

“So, what do you suggest?” asked Nina. She was sitting on her hind legs now, scratching her head with her front paw.

“An apology,” said Katy. “You weren’t invited today because you weren’t sorry about the way you behaved at the last feast. And you’re still causing chaos.”

“If you keep lighting up the forest at night, things will only get worse,” explained Thunder.

“Eventually, there could be no more animals left to hunt,” warned Katy.

“Which means no more food for you to eat,” said Thunder. “Ever!”

The foxes exchanged a nervous look.

“Only saying sorry and changing your ways will set things right,” Katy went on.

“But you have to mean it if you really want the forest to thrive,” Thunder said.

Katy glanced at Thunder. Had they done it? Had they convinced the foxes to change their ways?

Nina put the lantern down and turned to look at Ned.

“I do love our home,” she said. “And a midnight moon feast. The food is delicious.”

“But it’s too late, remember?” Ned sighed. “The feast isn’t ready!”

“Of course!” Nina kicked her legs out and slumped heavily to the floor. “The forest creatures are all tired.”

“No one’s in the mood,” moaned Ned.

Katy looked at Thunder, nervous energy bubbling up inside her.

“It’s never too late.” Thunder grinned. “If you’re ready to say sorry, you just need to follow us.”