The Snowy Reindeer

by Paula Harrison

  “Where did he go?” asked Natasha.

  Bea stared around the hall. “He must have run into the kitchen.”

  The girls raced after the ginger cat, nearly bumping into a rosy-cheeked woman carrying a tray of chocolate brownies.

  “Careful, girls!” said the cook, laughing. “I see you’re keen to have dessert!”

  “Oops, sorry!” gasped Bea. “Did you see a ginger cat come this way?”

  “Is Jasper prowling around here again?” The cook smiled. “I haven’t seen him but don’t worry! He usually turns up again, especially when he wants some treats. I’m Mrs Miller, by the way.”

  “Pleased to meet you! I’m Natasha and this is Bea.” Natasha picked up a second tray of brownies. “Would you like us to help you with these?”

  “That’s very kind!” Mrs Miller pointed to a tub of ice cream. “Could one of you bring the strawberry ice cream? And there’s an ice cream scoop in the drawer.”

  Bea hung back for a moment as Mrs Miller and Natasha left with the trays of brownies. She took the ice cream scoop out of the drawer before searching around the kitchen. Jasper had to be somewhere nearby!

  At last, she found the plump ginger cat crouched beside the fridge. Jasper swished his tail crossly as she knelt down to see what he was staring at. She couldn’t see Marshmallow anywhere, but Jasper pricked up his ears as if he was listening to something.

  “Bea, we need the ice cream!” called Natasha.

  “Don’t move, Jasper!” Bea rushed down the hall and gave the ice cream and the scoop to her sister, before racing back to the kitchen.

  The ginger cat had gone. Bea searched the kitchen but there was no sign of him. Her shoulders slumped. She’d hoped she might be close to finding Marshmallow but now she would have to start all over again. The castle was huge, and Jasper and Marshmallow could be anywhere!

  A breath of cold air sent a shiver down her neck. She followed the passage leading away from the kitchen and found the back door slightly ajar. The wind whistled outside and the door creaked as it moved in the breeze.

  Bea pulled the door wider and a cluster of snowflakes blew into her face. She rubbed her cold arms. Had Jasper gone outside again? But why would he want to leave the warm castle? Most cats would rather stay inside by the fire.

  She was about to close the door when she spotted a trail of paw prints leading off into the snow. Were they Jasper’s tracks? She peered into the darkness.

  There was a line of hoof prints alongside the paw tracks. They were fainter and more spread out, as if the animal had been scampering away in a hurry.

  Bea marched outside, ignoring the freezing snow seeping into her slippers. The first set of prints definitely belonged to a cat – each one had four toes around a larger pad – and the hoof prints could easily belong to a reindeer.

  Bea took a gulp of icy air. The hoof tracks must be Marshmallow’s! No wonder Jasper had decided to leave the warm castle behind. He’d finally found the little reindeer and had started chasing him. Marshmallow was all alone and in danger, lost in the snow.

  Chapter Seven

  A Moonlit Chase

  Bea followed the animal tracks across the snow, her heart thumping. Poor Marshmallow must be so cold and scared out here in the dark. Jasper could have chased him a long way from the castle and meanwhile snowflakes were whirling out of the velvet-black sky. Bea knew she had to find the little reindeer before the falling snow covered his tracks altogether.

  She struggled through the snowdrifts, desperately scanning the snow for tracks. Her furry slippers became soaking wet and her feet felt like blocks of ice. Running back inside, she went to the hallway to fetch her coat and wellington boots.

  “Where are you going?” Natasha appeared just as Bea was pulling on her boots. “Great-Aunt Sylvia is asking if you’re all right.”

  “I found animal tracks by the back door,” Bea said breathlessly. “Marshmallow’s out there in the dark and Jasper’s gone too. I’m going after them!”

  “Wait – I’ll come with you!” Natasha darted back into the dining room and returned to grab her coat. “I told them we wouldn’t be long. Bea, you can’t go out there without a hat, scarf and gloves. You’ll freeze!”

  Bea rummaged around for her hat and gloves. There was no point arguing with her sister. It would just waste more time. She stuck the hat on lopsidedly. “I’m ready!”

  “Me too!” Natasha took a torch from the hall cupboard and together the girls ran out into the night.

  The snow had stopped falling and a deep midwinter hush had settled on the castle garden. A full moon slid from behind a cloud, turning the snow into a carpet of sparkling silver. Suddenly the castle seemed like a frost palace and the stars in the night sky glittered like tiny crystals of ice.

  Bea stared at the boot prints from earlier, leading across the lawn to the snowman. The cat and reindeer tracks led the opposite way, towards the trees. “I just know that ginger cat is chasing Marshmallow again. Look how his paw prints follow the reindeer’s!”

  “You can’t blame Jasper.” Natasha swept the torch beam along the line of paw prints. “Cats like to chase things – it’s in their nature.”

  They followed the zigzagging animal tracks past the shed and across the garden into a cluster of pine trees. Something rustled close by. Bea grabbed the torch and shone it into the trees. An owl with dappled brown feathers stared back from a nearby branch, its orange eyes glowing in the dark.

  “It’s only an owl,” sighed Bea.

  Natasha took the torch back. “Let’s keep going and see where the tracks lead.”

  They trekked deeper into the wood. The animal tracks circled round the trees, twisting and turning through the prickly undergrowth. Cat prints mixed with the hoof marks until there was a mass of jumbled tracks. A horrible feeling fluttered in Bea’s chest. “It looks like they had a scuffle. Do you think Jasper pounced on poor Marshmallow and scratched him?”

  “No, we would have heard something,” said Natasha. “I think the reindeer is hiding – we just have to find him before the cat does.”

  The woods became thicker and the closely growing trees blocked the moonlight, making the tracks harder to see. At last, Bea found a clear set of hoof prints. Then a whisper of wind made the pine trees sway and a heap of snow slid off the nearest branch, covering the tracks completely.

  “I’ve lost Marshmallow’s hoof marks!” Bea ran round and round, peering into the snowdrifts. “I can’t see where they went.”

  “Stop it, Bea!” called Natasha. “You’re going to tread over the tracks.”

  Bea didn’t stop. She was picturing Marshmallow – cold and hungry, and trying to hide from the ginger cat. Her foot caught on a tree stump hidden by the snow. She lost her balance, grabbing Natasha’s arm as she fell, and they both toppled over. The torch flew out of Natasha’s hand and struck a branch, bringing a pile of snow down on top of them.

  “Urgh!” cried Natasha. “Now I’ve got snow down my neck.”

  “I’m sorry!” Bea wiped icy water away from her mouth.

  “This is such a complete disaster!” stormed Natasha, struggling to her feet. “How did I let you drag me out here? I should have known it was useless!”

  “It’s not useless. Marshmallow needs our help.” Bea stared at her sister in dismay. Natasha was awful when she got into one of her moods. “I can look for him by myself if you want.”

  “If you’re out here by yourself, you’ll only get into more trouble.” Natasha fished the torch out of the snowdrift and marched off through the trees.

  They searched the wood for a long time but they couldn’t find the tracks again. The owl hooted nearby and the wind grew stronger, whipping flurries of snowflakes off the branches.

  “I think we should go back inside, Bea,” Natasha said at last. “It’s getting late and Dad will wonder what we’re doing. I expect Jasper got tired of chasing the reindeer and went back to the palace kitchen.”

  Bea’s heart sank as she f
ollowed her sister back to the castle. She wished she’d kept a closer eye on Marshmallow. Then he would still be safe and warm inside the castle. She knew the little reindeer still needed her. He was much too small to be out here alone in the snow.

  The kitchen door had been closed and locked, so they made their way to the front steps. Bea turned back for one last look at the snowy night-time garden. She felt as if a huge stone had sunk to the bottom of her stomach.

  “Come on!” Natasha held the door open for Bea.

  “Look, there’s Jasper!” Bea pointed to the lumpy ginger cat sitting in the middle of the snowy lawn. Jasper’s tail was waving wildly as he stared at the snowman they’d made earlier that day.

  Bea caught her breath. If Jasper was here, did that mean Marshmallow was close by too? She ran down the steps so quickly that she skidded on the ice at the bottom. She landed heavily in the snow and her red bobble hat flew off. Scrambling to her feet, she kept on running.

  Jasper gave a hiss when he saw her and arched his back. Then he switched his glare back to the snowman and the smaller snow dog beside it.

  “What’s the matter, Jasper? It’s just a snowman.” Bea glanced at the snowy figure and shivered. The snowman’s stone eyes seemed to glint in the moonlight, as if he was alive. She gave herself a shake. It was just the darkness making everything seem strange and spooky.

  Jasper prowled over to the snow dog and gave another hiss. Suddenly, a furry nose poked over the snow dog’s shoulder and two velvety ears pricked up. Hiding behind the snow dog was the little pale-brown reindeer.

  “Marshmallow! I’ve missed you.” Bea ran to hug the little reindeer, stumbling in the thick snow.

  Jasper leapt right on to the snow dog’s back and clambered towards Marshmallow. The little reindeer froze, his eyes wide with fright.

  “Naughty kitty!” Natasha ran up, panting, and grabbed Jasper firmly with a hand under his tummy. “You shouldn’t scare Marshmallow like that.”

  Bea scooped up Marshmallow. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now!” She murmured into his soft brown fur. “I promise I’ll take good care of you and get you as many pieces of broccoli as you want!”

  Chapter Eight

  A Reindeer Hotel

  When Bea opened the castle door with Marshmallow snuggled in her arms, she found the hallway bustling with people. King George was hopping around trying to pull on his wellingtons. Alfie and Annie were begging to be allowed outside. Baby Leo was cooing in Uncle Henry’s arms. Mr Upply stood behind them all, shaking his head and muttering about rowdy children.

  “Where ARE those girls? I thought they’d just gone upstairs to their room.” King George gave his wellingtons a huge tug and hopped so hard that he ended up in the hall cupboard, knocking over the mop and bucket.

  “It’s all right – here they are!” cried Great-Aunt Sylvia. “My goodness, Beatrice! You’re completely covered in snow … and what is that animal you’re holding?”

  “Marshmallow!” shrieked Annie, flinging herself at Bea.

  “This is Marshmallow, and we found Jasper, too.” Bea pointed to the ginger cat struggling in Natasha’s arms.

  “What a pretty reindeer!” Lady Sylvia beamed. “He must belong to the herd that was seen on the edge of the woods a few days ago. Where did you find him?”

  “He was stuck under the log pile by the shed this morning,” replied Bea. “I think he’d been chased there by Jasper.”

  King George untangled himself from the mop and bucket, frowning. “Beatrice, please don’t tell me you’re collecting animals again. I’d hoped you were becoming more sensible – and we’re guests here too. How can you expect Great-Aunt Sylvia to keep tiresome animals in her home?”

  Bea went red. “I didn’t mean to bring Marshmallow inside, but he was really scared because Jasper was being so fierce. I knew I had to help!”

  “It’s understandable that she wanted to help the baby reindeer, George,” said Uncle Henry.

  “Maybe … but it’s not good manners to bring it inside when we’re guests here,” said King George sternly. “What will it be next? A hotel for reindeer? A restaurant for beetles? A holiday home for little mice?”

  “Bea found a mouse called Fluff at home!” Alfie piped up until Bea nudged him.

  Great-Aunt Sylvia walked over, leaning on her stick, and tickled Marshmallow under the chin. “There’s no need to worry, George. I’m not upset about having this reindeer in the castle in the slightest!”

  “That’s very kind of you, Aunt, but Beatrice must put him back outside at once,” said the king. “He can’t be allowed to mess up your beautiful home.”

  “Nonsense! He’s much too small to be left outside by himself. He needs a bed of nice warm hay and plenty of fresh cabbage.” Great-Aunt Sylvia leaned closer to Bea and her brown eyes sparkled. “I’ll tell you a secret! When I was your age, I loved looking after animals more than anything else. I once brought a stray kitten into the castle and cared for it until my parents found it another home. It was such an adorable little thing!”

  Bea’s heart skipped. “Then you really don’t mind if Marshmallow stays here tonight?”

  “I don’t mind at all,” said Great-Aunt Sylvia. “But we must keep him apart from Jasper – what a naughty kitty!”

  Mr Upply’s shoulders stiffened. “Would you like me to fetch something suitable for the animal to sleep in, Lady Sylvia? I think there’s a large wooden crate in the shed that might do.”

  “Thank you, Upply. We’ll turn this castle into an animal hotel in the shake of a reindeer’s tail!” Lady Sylvia laughed.

  The butler trudged away, sighing deeply. Jasper wriggled a bit in Natasha’s arms before closing his eyes and giving one long, deep purr.

  Bea gave her great-aunt a hug. “Thank you! I promise I’ll look for Marshmallow’s herd tomorrow. I hope they’re still close by!”

  Uncle Henry helped Mr Upply bring the wooden crate inside and they set it up in a corner of the library. Bea and Alfie filled the hutch with hay that the butler had brought from the shed.

  Annie helped by bringing a dish of fresh water and putting it in a corner of the hutch. Then she begged Mrs Miller for some cabbage and kale in case Marshmallow got hungry. Natasha found a soft blanket for Jasper to sleep on and settled the ginger cat in the kitchen. The door between the kitchen and the rest of the castle was to be kept firmly closed, just in case Jasper got any ideas about chasing the reindeer again.

  Everyone gathered round to see Marshmallow placed in his new home. Bea gently lowered him on to the hay. The reindeer, who had grown sleepy in Bea’s arms, looked very surprised at first. Then he lay down and nibbled a little piece of cabbage.

  “See his little white tail?” said Alfie. “It’s exactly the size of a marshmallow and that’s how I decided what to call him.”

  “It’s not fair that Alfie got to choose his name!” cried Annie. “I wanted to do that.”

  “You could pick his second name,” suggested Bea. “Lots of people have more than one name. My second name is Isabel and Natasha’s is Elizabeth.”

  Annie’s face lit up. “Then I’m going to call him: Marshmallow Jellybean Cocoa Marmaduke Snowball! Do you like it?”

  “I think it’s brilliant!” Bea smiled as she put her arm round Annie’s shoulder. “Marshmallow Jellybean Cocoa Marmaduke Snowball is the cutest little reindeer in the whole kingdom!”

  Chapter Nine

  Marshmallow Finds His Family

  Bea woke up early the next morning after a long, exciting dream about reindeer. In her dream, the castle had been transformed into an animal sanctuary. There were reindeer everywhere – in the parlour, in the library and scampering all the way across the palace lawn.

  Bea jumped out of bed and peeked through the curtain at the amazing snowy wonderland outside the castle window. Icicles hung from the shed roof and frost sparkled like diamonds on the tree branches. Bea smiled as she spotted the wild zigzagging footprints in the snow that she and Natasha had left the
night before. She was so glad Great-Aunt Sylvia had let Marshmallow stay in the castle.

  Natasha was still sleeping peacefully with the blanket pulled up to her chin, so Bea put on her dressing gown and furry slippers. Then she gathered up Leo’s birthday presents. She was determined to fix the torn wrapping paper and the ribbon right away. She snipped off the torn pieces of paper and taped the neat bits together. Then she trimmed the chewed end from the teddy bear’s ribbon and wrapped everything up again.

  Bea left the neatly wrapped presents on her bed and ran downstairs. Marshmallow bounded to the side of his hutch, poking his nose through the gap in the wooden slats.

  “Morning, Marshmallow!” Bea stroked his furry brown nose. “Did you sleep well?”

  Marshmallow gave a cute little bleating sound and frisked up and down.

  Bea smiled. “I’ll see if there’s some fresh broccoli for you in the kitchen.” She hurried down the passage and found Great-Aunt Sylvia filling the kettle at the kitchen sink.

  “Hello, Beatrice!” Lady Sylvia smiled. “I’m glad you’re up early. Would you like some help finding Marshmallow’s herd this morning?”

  “Yes, please!” cried Bea. “Do you know where they are?”

  “Not exactly, but I saw a reindeer herd close to the woods a few days ago. Why don’t you have some breakfast and then we can take Marshmallow out to find them.” Great-Aunt Sylvia picked up a pair of binoculars and hung them round her neck. “I’m hoping these will come in handy!”

  Bea hurriedly ate a bowl of crunchy flakes before putting on her coat and scarf. She fetched Marshmallow from his homemade hutch and held him tightly, pressing her cheek against his palebrown coat. Suddenly, she didn’t want to take the little reindeer back to his herd. It had been so wonderful looking after him and she would miss him terribly. But she knew the best place for Marshmallow was with his family.