6 The den

CHAPTER SIX The den 'AaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGH!' The foxes swung back and forth in Frank's talons as he swooped high over the tops of the tall, spiky trees. At one point they even flew through the clouds, which made their fur go chilly and damp. THUNK Frank dropped the foxes onto the ground. 'Sorry about that,' said Titus, trotting casually out from the undergrowth. 'It was the easiest way to get you here.' Nancy sniffed the air. 'Foxes,' she murmured. 'I can smell… other foxes. Where are they?' 'Ah,' said Titus. 'You are a smart thing. Yes, apparently there used to be some foxes here in Grimwood. No idea where they are now, but their den is still here. You may as well have it before someone else starts using it as a holiday home.' 'Pamela was thinking about storing her foot spa here,' muttered Frank, examining his talons.

'Well, she'll have to find somewhere else,' said Titus. 'Ooh, I almost forgot– I swung by my place and brought you a few snacks!' And he held out a wicker basket which was piled high with all sorts of tasty-looking things. 'Cor!' said Ted, who was suddenly too hungry to be scared. 'Thank you!' He scampered over to the food. There were sandwiches, apples, carrots, grapes and sticky buns. Nancy's tummy was rumbling so loudly everyone could hear it, but she didn't go near the basket. She was frowning at Titus and Frank. 'We can't give you anything for the food,' she said. 'You don't need to give me anything,' said Titus gently. He took a few steps back. 'Come on, Frank. Let's leave them to get settled.' Frank turned his beady gaze away from the foxes and swooped after Titus. Nancy turned around to see Ted's bum and tail hanging out of the basket. He'd dived in snout-first and was stuffing himself silly.

'Move,' said Nancy, shoving him to one side and attacking the basket in a frenzy. After about five seconds the foxes lay panting on the floor. They'd demolished every last scrap of food and it had been deeeelicious. Oh, what I'd give for a sticky bun.

'Nance,' said Ted, rubbing his furry belly. 'I reckon those guys are just being nice to us, you know.' 'Nobody's ever nice for no reason,' said Nancy, licking bits of sandwich off her fur. Ted thought for a while. 'But the big horse guy said we didn't need to give him anything.' 'He's just trying to keep us sweet,' said Nancy. 'That stupid bird stole my phone, remember? Also, he's not a horse.' 'What is he, then?' 'I think he's a reindeer.' Hullo! Titus is a stag, actually

'I wonder who used to live here?' said Ted, plonking down his rucksack and sniffing around. Nancy took one of the blankets and hung it across the den, creating two separate spaces. 'You go here,' she barked. 'And behind this curtain is MY space, got it? No little boy foxes allowed.' Ted wrinkled his snout at her. As if he'd want to go in Nancy's bit of the den anyway. He preferred to keep things neat and tidy. He set to work dusting the floor, then unpacked the contents of his rucksack. He still didn't know what to do with Princess Buttons' tail. It was an awkward reminder of the pickle they were in. When Nancy woke up, she had absolutely no idea where she was. Then a gnat nibbled her armpit and she remembered she was in the countryside. 'Rise and shine, wee foxes!' boomed a voice from outside the den. 'Special delivery.' Nancy scrambled out to see Frank the owl swooping down to land. In his talons he was clutching two bottles filled with a strange, gloopy green liquid. 'Freshly made smoothies,' he announced. Nancy grabbed one of the bottles and gave it a sniff. Then she chugged the whole lot down in seconds. 'You're welcome,' said Frank. Nancy wiped her snout with the back of her paw.

'Thanks,' she grunted. 'It's not me you should be thanking, smiler,' said Frank, stretching out his enormous wings. Nancy grunted again and looked at the bottle. 'I don't know why he's bothering,' snapped Frank. 'His heart's too big for his own good, that stag. Where's the kid?' Nancy rubbed her eyes and felt a sudden lurch of panic in her chest. Where was Ted? 'Ted!' she barked. 'TED!' She dashed back inside the den to double check but he wasn't there. She came back outside again, and started to run around in circles, desperate to pick up his scent. Had