Marley stomped about in his office angrily as Dogwood watched his boss, wringing his paws. “I can’t believe they actually managed to get out of there alive,” he cried for the umpteenth time. “Now what are we going to do? I won’t have Fiddler beat me.”

Dogwood wisely stayed silent and allowed the mouse to continue to rant and rave.

Marley sat down at his desk. Slowly, a wicked grin spread across his face. He looked up at Dogwood. “I’ve got it! We’ll have the tribal squirrels kidnap him! Ha ha, Dogwood, I’m brilliant!”

Dogwood scratched his head. “Uh, tribal squirrels, boss?”

“Yes that’s what I said, idiot!” Marley snapped. “The tribal squirrels will kidnap Fiddler for me, then he won’t be able to enter the awards will he? Ha, ha, ha!”

Dogwood laughed along obediently until suddenly Marley hit him across the head. “Stop laughing, you fool, we’ve a meeting to arrange with the squirrels. Come, Dogwood.”

#

All that day Fiddler and Delta had been at the human village filming their subjects from the safety of Hebe’s home. Now they all sat in the garden under the apple tree enjoying a well-deserved rest.

“You know what, Delta, I definitely think we’re goin’ to win," said Fiddler closing his eyes against the sun. “I mean, who else had ever been brave enough to film humans? Fearless Fiddler and daring Delta, that’s what we’ll be known as, mate!”

Hebe chuckled. “Is your friend always like this?”

The camera-rat nodded. “Yep, that’s our Fiddler.”

Fiddler grinned at his two friends, then suddenly his eyes widened as from behind the tree five rough-looking grey squirrels jumped out and surrounded old Hebe. “Hey!” cried Fiddler.

“Got the mouse! Got the mouse!” chanted the squirrels. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! Got the mouse, run away!”

Before Fiddler and Delta had chance to act, the squirrels bundled poor Hebe up in a net and dashed off through the hedge.

“Quick, Delta, let’s get after them!”

Delta grabbed Fiddler before he rushed off. “They’re tribal squirrels,” he explained. “Nasty creatures, I’ve had a few hanging around my home recently.”

Fiddler clenched his paw. “We’ve got to get Hebe back, come on, we’ll follow at a distance.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t worry, Hebe,” he muttered, “we’re coming!”

#

Fiddler and Delta had stowed themselves away in a patch of bracken just beyond the tribal squirrel’s clearing. Briefly, Fiddler lifted his head and took in the scene at a glance. “I don’t like it, mate,” he whispered to Delta. “There’s no tellin’ what that savage lot are goin’ to do with poor Hebe.”

Delta nodded grimly and played with his camera straps nervously. Fiddler took a quick peek again and saw a large squirrel talking with Hebe. He turned back to Delta. “What did you do when you had those squirrels around your place? Did you manage to scare them off?”

“Scare them off? Me? You’re joking, right?” Delta shrugged. “I stayed indoors ‘til they went.”

Fiddler frowned. He needed information on how to deal with these wild creatures, something he could act on. As he gazed upon Hebe trapped in the net an idea slowly formed in his mind. His bright eyes twinkled and he turned to Delta excitedly. The rat looked at his friend suspiciously, Fiddler was plotting he could tell.

“Delta, quickly nip back to my place, bring me my portable CD player and grab my old Mouse Choir CD too.”

Delta looked puzzled and then he smiled cheekily. “I got it, you plan on deafening the squirrels with your awful Mouse Choir music!”

Fiddler looked indignantly at his grinning camera-rat. “I used to be in the Mouse Choir when I was a little ‘un, thank-you very much!”

Delta laughed. “I know!”

Fiddler pushed his friend. “Just go will you? And be quick about it, Hebe’s counting on us!” He watched Delta hurry off through the undergrowth and then turned back to keep an eye on the squirrels. Luckily all they seemed interested in doing at the moment was taunting the ancient house mouse but Fiddler knew it wouldn’t take long for things to turn nasty. He settled down and watched grim-faced, hoping his plan would work.

#

A rustle by his side announced the arrival of his camera-rat. Delta crouched low in the bracken and handed the objects to Fiddler. “I still can’t see how this is goin’ to help.”

“Just watch and learn, my friend,” replied Fiddler, setting the CD player up. “All you have to do is look at the sky and wait. When they get here throw yourself flat and be still. Try not to panic.”

Delta shifted about uncomfortably, he didn’t like the sound of this. He glanced up at the sky. “It’s getting dark, Fiddler.”

“Good,” said Fiddler cheerily. “They only hunt in the dark.”

Now Delta was definitely worried. A shiver ran down his spine as he whispered to his companion, “Now what?”

“Now,” said Fiddler, “we wait.”