The Christmas of Adventure

©2015 June E.

Philip, Dinah, Jack and Lucy-Ann are excited at the prospect of spending their first Christmas together, but by Christmas Eve all their plans lie in ruins. Things get even worse when a severe snowstorm brings the country to a standstill and leaves Bill snowbound, hundreds of miles away. Forced to fend for themselves in Bill's remote moorland cottage, rumours abound of a strange and terrifying creature lurking in the woods nearby... and with a ruthless thief on the loose, striking at night and stealing birds from the local Sanctuary, the scene is set for a frightening and perilous adventure. Can they stop the thief before it's too late? Or will Kiki be the robber's next victim?

Chapter 24: 'A midnight stake out at the sanctuary – how thrilling!'

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After they had cleared away the fingerprint equipment and had lunch, Bill suggested a visit to Harry at the bird sanctuary.

'We can find out if the police are any closer to catching the bird thief,' he said.

Jack agreed eagerly.

'Maybe he will let me help him with the birds,' he said.

'Who's a pretty boy?' squawked Kiki, jumping onto Jack's shoulder.

'Oh Kiki, I can't take you out today – it's far too cold for you, said Jack. 'Better stay here where it's warm. I'll leave you some fresh sunflower seeds – that should keep you happy.'

'I wonder if the bird thief tried to get into the sanctuary again last night,' pondered Philip. 'Hey Jack, why not bring your fingerprint kit – we might be able to look for clues!'

So they said goodbye to Kiki and bundled into Bill's car. As usual, Maisie heard them leaving and barked loudly from somewhere over the fence. She was still barking as they drove away.

They arrived at the sanctuary to find Harry pacing about outside the office.

'Whatever's the matter, Harry?' asked Bill.

'Someone cut through the fence again last night,' said Harry, exasperated. 'This thief is determined to get his hands on another of my birds, and I can't help thinking he's after Barney. I couldn't bear it if he was taken... I couldn't bear the thought that someone might harm him. I feel like moving my bed here and never leaving the birds on their own!'

'Maybe that's exactly what we should do,' said Jack.

'What do you mean?' asked Lucy-Ann, puzzled.

'Let's do a stake out of the sanctuary tonight,' replied Jack. 'We could bring sleeping bags and rugs, then take turns to stay awake and guard the birds.'

Four eager children turned and looked at Bill – would he agree? Bill thought for a moment.

'Well,' he mused. 'I suppose it is the school holidays and you could make up for any lost sleep tomorrow... and we could bring flasks of hot drinks and some food to keep us going... and it might be the only way to catch this thief in the act. So I agree, provided that's what Harry wants. What do you say to the idea, Harry?'

Harry looked surprised and delighted.

'I can hardly believe you would do this for me and my birds,' he said, appreciatively. 'We could meet back here after supper and keep watch for the night. I'll ask Betty to pack up a special picnic basket so we won't run short of food – it will be our way of saying thank you.'

'And I'll let PC Batty know what we're doing, so he can be on standby in case we catch the thief,' said Bill.

'Oh, how exciting!' said Dinah. 'A midnight stake out at the sanctuary – how thrilling!'

'Right, then we go straight back to the cottage so you can all have an afternoon nap, no argument,' said Bill. 'We have a long night ahead of us, and you need to be ready.'

Happy and excited, the children said their goodbyes and set off back to the cottage. It felt strange to be putting on their night things and going to bed in the middle of the afternoon. Bill insisted they each have a hot water bottle.

'It will help you settle down,' he said.

None of them got much sleep. The prospect of the night ahead was just too exciting! A night time stake out at the sanctuary with Bill – what could be more fun or more exciting! And how wonderful it would be to catch the bird thief and hand him over to the police. Would any child sleep when such an adventure was about to begin!

Several hours later, the children were dressed once again and ready for their night time adventure.

'Put lots of warm clothes on, and two pairs of socks,' said Bill. 'It's going to be really cold tonight.'

'I'm a bit worried about leaving Kiki,' said Jack. 'What if the Midnight Man comes back and tries to get in again.'

'I don't think you need to worry, Jack,' said Bill. 'I don't think he is interested in Kiki. I will make sure the doors and windows are securely locked. And don't forget that Maisie will be sure to bark if any strangers come near.'

Dinah stood open-mouthed, with a very puzzled expression on her face.

'Dinah, what is it?' asked Bill.

Something you just said sounded odd to me...' she answered. 'But I just can't put my finger on it.'

'Oh well, maybe it will come to you later,' said Bill. 'Now come on everyone, say goodbye to Kiki and get into the car.'

'Don't forget to blow your nose!' said Kiki, wishing she was going with them.

'Sleep tight, Kiki! We'll be back in the morning,' said Jack. 'And do keep out of trouble, won't you!'

A short time later Bill's car pulled up outside the bird sanctuary and they all climbed out into the cold night air. Harry was waiting for them by the office door.

'Put your car out of sight at the back of the building,' he said in a low voice. 'I don't want the thief to suspect there's anyone here. Then we might catch him in the act!'

Whilst Bill moved the car, the children bundled into the office where a good fire was burning in the stove.

'I've got the kettle on,' said Harry. 'Anyone for cocoa?'

Everyone wanted cocoa, so Harry made a big jug. He opened a large picnic basket.

'There are sandwiches, sausage rolls, mince pies and shortbread – oh, and a large chocolate cake,' he said. 'Help yourselves, everyone.'

Soon everyone was sipping hot cocoa and munching away happily by the flickering light of the stove.

'This is like camping!' said Philip.

'It's like the midnight feast we had at school last term, to celebrate Dinah's birthday,' blurted out Lucy-Ann, grinning as she remembered how exciting and fun that had been. Then she remembered that midnight feasts were supposed to be absolutely secret, and yet here she was blurting it out in front of Bill! She clasped her hand over her mouth in alarm, whilst Dinah looked at her furiously. Luckily, Bill was rummaging in the picnic basket at that moment and gave no sign that he had heard.

'Well, don't forget we are here on serious business,' said Jack quickly, trying to cover Lucy-Ann's blunder. 'We have a thief to catch.'

When everyone had eaten, Harry said, 'There's room for four sleeping bags, and there are six of us, so four of us can sleep whilst two keep watch.'

'How shall we pair up?' asked Lucy-Ann.

'I suggest you pair up with me,' said Bill. 'Then Dinah can pair with Philip, and Jack can pair with Harry. Is everyone happy with that?'

Everyone was happy. Bill and Lucy-Ann agreed to take the first shift and took up positions by the window where they would watch for the next two hours. One by one the others settled into their sleeping bags and snuggled down for some sleep. Soon Lucy-Ann and Bill the only ones awake. The only sounds were the gentle breaths of the sleeping people, the occasional crackle from the wood burning in the stove, and a solitary owl hooting in the distance. Outside, the night was the black as pitch. Snow continued to fall steadily.

'The Midnight Man could be out there right now, lurking in the darkness,' thought Lucy-Ann with a shudder.

But she was wrong. The Midnight Man had other plans that night, and at that moment he was creeping quietly through the woods towards Oak Tree Cottage.

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