Heroes of the Secret Underground Chapter Sampler

short notes throughout the room, like fingernails scraping an old tin. It’s chaos and Louie’s head is splitting. ‘Stop, Teddy. Teddy. Stop!’ she shouts. Teddy’s already at the hatch at the top of the rickety steps. Louie gasps as his splashy red hair disappears through it. A scrappy brown tail follows. Pushing past Bert, she blunders up to the trapdoor. Her words choke her. ‘It’s dangerous … up here.’ She presses her hands against the hatch and pushes through. There Teddy is, like a happy fat Buddha, sitting precariously on the edge of the roof between the gullies and peaks. Oblivious, Teddy waves to her. He loves the chasing game. But this isn’t a game. Honey wags her tail. Louie’s throat is dry. Tears well in her eyes. Bert grabs Teddy and pulls him back from the edge. Louie’s voice cracks. ‘Teddy, you could have slipped and … you could have … and what would we do? The roof’s so high. You could fall and then … you wouldn’t be here and … I promised to look after you while Mum and Dad are away.’ ‘Louie, he’s okay. See?’ Bert puts his arm around Teddy. ‘He’s all right. Teddy, if you want to come up here, you have to ask Louie or me.’ Teddy bends his head to the side and looks at Louie. His face crumples. ‘Teddy sorry. Love you.’ He starts to cry too. Louie wipes her face with both hands. ‘I know you’re sorry.’ She slides next to Teddy. ‘I love you too.’

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