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&nbsp;It was another fine, early autumn day in Fallowfield.Tabitha came bouncing in from the garden followed by Tigger.&nbsp;They had lots of news.&nbsp;"Mewp, we've been talking with Old Hedgedog," said Tabbo, "Tigger's old pal from the hedgerows, fields and allotments, and he has heard from the Grey Squirrels that ….."<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_01_Tigger_Hedgehog_cfe18fa217.jpg">Tigger interrupted in his excitement. "Guinea pigs, loads of 'em, living in disused sheds and garages at the side of the allotments,” he explained.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_guinea_pig_sheds_db26104c00.jpg">“And they seem to be collecting things,” continued Tabbo, “it's all most intriguing.”“Miaowka, Piaowka,” exclaimed Tigger, “we need an adventure party to conduct a recce!” Lots of quick discussions followed. Bullpuss and Simpkin were just about to sit down with mid morning refreshments and start a game of cat draughts."Brrrrp, send word with the Robins if you hit trouble and need help," said Bullpuss.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_03_cat_draughts_colour_c946363e74.jpg">"Mew mew, Mrs Ribby and I were going to prepare snacks for later," explained Moppet, "I'm showing her where everything is in the kitchen. If you could delay starting, we could quickly prepare sustenance to take with you.”<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_04_479e9af17a.jpg">So the investigation party was to consist of Tabitha, Mungojerrie and Tigger. A tiny appealing face looked up at them. "Mewp, mewp, please may I come along too?” asked Ruby the Kitten, “I promise to be good and my Mamma will be busy with Moppet this afternoon.”<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_06_colour_fc9d92022e.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_05_7e32605ecb.jpg">The three big cats looked down at the gorgeous little animal and their hearts melted. "Macow, you must stay close to the three of us," said Tigger, "and instantly obey any instructions we give. There could be unknown dangers which we hope will not happen, but if things go awry, do your best to stay with Tabitha, and also memorize the route we take, to ensure you can get back safely by yourself."The wide-eyed kitten nodded her head in agreement. Mrs Ribby and Moppet had tied up essential supplies in red-spotted handkerchiefs. Ribby gave a last lick to her daughter’s ears and ran her paws through her tail.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_07_colour_e76a9d9091.jpg">"Rowrll, you'll do," she said, "take great care and return in one piece." The route through the back gardens and grounds of the bowling and tennis club were a well-worn track for the neighbourhood's pets and local wildlife. On this occasion, no problems were encountered.&nbsp;Ruby found it all quite fascinating. Her companions went at a pace suitable for her smaller legs and described many areas of interest along the way. There were several bookmarked ideas to refer to, when the longer tales were to be told, as the nights draw in, and the large window seat above the lounge radiator became a preferred focal point.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_Bullpuss_Ruby_Mungo_shelf_a2b061eb2a.jpg">Ruby loved the allotments. So many were well kept and held an astounding plethora of vegetables, herbs and flowers. The colours, scents and textures afforded a fascinating array for felines.Someone had grown a magnificent patch of catmint and Tigger took the opportunity to trample it down until he had the perfect spot for an afternoon nap.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_60_09_Tigger_lavender_bf2071500b.jpg">Mungojerrie reached up to highest herbs and flowerheads, to rub his cheeks against them. He pulled the favourite ones downwards in long curves so that Ruby could learn which were the best to partake of.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_10_Mungo_Ruby_flowerheads_9606c09a9c.jpg">Tabitha nibbled off a small selection of the finest flowerheads, the ones which would dry best, and packed them into one of the handkerchiefs to offer to Moppet and Ribby to thank them for the delicious and sustaining snacks which they had enjoyed.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_11_Tabbo_flowerheads_4a54d26dcd.jpg">At one side of the allotments was an overgrown area, where perhaps a few holders had abandoned their plots, which had yet to be reclaimed by the local council.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_12_d7e68a6975.jpg">These led through to a line of old shed and wooden garages which were also in a state of disrepair. Bushes and small trees had encroached upon their vulnerability and were emerging through what was left of the roofs.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_12a_c5842b3348.jpg">Even though the cat party approached on velvet paws, with Ruby on her highest tippy toes, a series of whistling squeaks showed that they had been spotted.Suddenly, Tabitha froze. She had been leading the party and detected the attractive smell of rodents.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_Tabbo_GP_efa15f0c30.jpg">A small, rounded face, with neat curly ears, popped out just by her shoulder.“Good evening,” squeaked a little voice, “I expect you’re here for the conducted tour!”<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_16_colour_c6bda73922.jpg">Tigger and Mungojerrie’s eyes opened wide as they watched the Guinea Pig emerge from the undergrowth. Ruby, undeterred, and full of joye de vivre, pranced up to him and introduced herself.Rikki Tikki Tavi, for that was his name, was only a little smaller than the kitten. Ruby could not believe that someone much fatter and chunkier than herself, with no tail, and far shorter legs, could actually function as a mammal.“What are you staring at, Kitten Features?” laughed the Guinea Pig, “ain’t you ever seen a rodent before?”<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_GP_Ruby_d562cbb8a3.jpg">“Mewp, mewp, but you have no tail,” explained Ruby, “how do you balance, when bouncing around things?”“The answer,” said Rikki, “is to try to stay at ground level, and use ramps to ascend to greater heights.”<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_Ruby_GP_f1b7d96321.jpg">Just then, a second Guinea Pig, Della, joined the group. “Squeak, squeak,” she said, “if you felines would care to step through, we’re just starting today’s conducted tour.”The cats squeezed through some precarious barriers where fallen timbers had hopefully been secured against causing further damage.They emerged into the largest of the sheds. More astonishment ensued, as they joined a small group of animals waiting to start the tour.<img class="img-responsive" src="https://api.novelo.com/uploads/GN_69_17_colour_d4627ed967.jpg">A couple of this year’s young foxes were chatting to an elderly badger. A group of grey squirrels were mingling with some escaped pet rabbits and three Wood Pigeons were pecking their way through the complimentary bowls of grain

Guinea Pig Gang

Counttigger

Mr Squimps Shop

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Peter Brighouse

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