“The person you bought it from and the person who’s canceling the sale,” says McGregor, standing up a little straighter.
“No. Sale’s final. Sorry. This is our new country house,” he says in a determined voice.
Peter can’t let this happen. Not after everything they have just gone through. He has an idea. He makes a signal with his ears for the rabbits to follow him into the garden.
“And it’s perfect. Like a storybook. My stupid sister’s gonna be so jealous,” says Sarabeth, an evil flicker lighting up her face.
“You already sold it?” Bea asks McGregor.
“Yes, but I thought that . . . and . . .” McGregor struggles to find the words that will fix this new mess. He turns back to the couple. “I hereby declare the sale null and void.” He reaches for the contract but the woman keeps it out of reach.
“Sale’s been recorded. Sorry,” says Derek, smirking at McGregor.
Meanwhile, the rabbits have all sneaked away to the gate of McGregor’s garden. Peter turns to Cotton-tail and gestures for her to go under.
“Really? No way!” says Cotton-tail, giving a little squeal and jumping up and down.
“You’re ready,” says Peter, as he gives his sister a nod.
Cotton-tail sneaks under the gate. Peter helps her through as the others all fan out.
“It would really mean a lot if you gave it up,” says Bea, trying to persuade these people in their Range Rover that McGregor’s manor is not for them. “There are other houses in the area.”
“Don’t want other houses. Want this one. You and your husband need to be off now,” says Sarabeth, catching her husband’s smirk.
“I’m not her husband,” says McGregor, blushing slightly. “Although, maybe now’s the time . . .”
Thomas drops to one knee, only for Bea to pull him straight back up again.
“No,” she says sternly.
“Just got caught up,” mutters McGregor. “Understood. Lot of work to do.”
“What is that?” Sarabeth, sitting in the Range Rover asks, suddenly pointing toward the garden.
The humans all look to where she is pointing. The couple get out of the car to have a better look. It’s Cotton-tail in the garden, making it rain with a tomato plant. And then a sunflower disappears. Then another. Then they all disappear.
McGregor’s face changes from confusion to understanding as it all clicks into place.
“Oh yes. We have a bit of a vermin problem.”
As if sensing a call to arms, the animals scattered around the countryside drop what they are doing. A party. They can sense a party. And, all at once, the humans watch as the animals descend on the garden. Mrs. Tiggy-winkle waddles through, hoping there will be a chance for her to lose her spines again. The squirrels and Pigling Bland follow closely behind. More and more animals arrive, welcomed into the garden by Flopsy and Mopsy at the gate.
“And small furry land animals as well,” McGregor continues to explain to the city dwellers.
In the garden, corn stalks start disappearing. Then, carrots start flying into the sky. Chaos officially arrives at McGregor’s manor.
Felix charges at the double gates and they explode, attaching themselves to either side of his antlers. He shakes one off into the garden, and the other into the pond, splashing the new owners. They jump back in horror.
“And also big ones,” says McGregor, trying to hide his smile. “They seem to think it’s their land, too.”
Bea catches on. “Not quite the perfect country gem you imagined, huh?”
“Eh, this is just the outside,” says Derek with a shrug. “We’ll put up a fence. Or maybe a pool.”
“The house is what we want. So cute. Like a 3D version of a storybook,” says Sarabeth.
The couple head straight for the house. McGregor and Bea exchange a look. Then they see Peter and Benjamin on the wall heading for the back of the garden. McGregor runs off and meets the rabbits at the back door.
As the couple walk toward the house, all seems quiet and empty. It reminds Thomas of when he first arrived, all those months ago.
“Aw, babe, it’s perfect,” says Sarabeth as they enter the house.
“And we got it for a steal, too,” says Derek, his chest puffed out. Just then Pigling Bland drops from the chandelier, right in front of them.
Sarabeth lets out a blood-curdling scream, Derek shrieks, and Pigling shrieks right back before clomping off into the house. Along the way, he passes a room with hedgehog tossing and some animals trying to banister-surf. It’s even wilder than the first party!
The couple take one look and run down the path. As quickly as they can, the pair jump in their car and peel out of the driveway, a cloud of dust billowing behind them. As a final act, Sarabeth tosses the sale paperwork out of the window. They won’t be back.
Chapter Seventeen
A GARDEN IS FOR SHARING
McGregor and Bea watch from the couple leave from the front door of the manor. Then, they turn inside to see what is going on.
“What a mess you made,” says McGregor, his loud voice causing everyone to look up. “What a mess you made,” he says again, a smile spreading across his face. Peter gives him a wink.
“Did you just wink?” asks Bea. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
“There’s a lot of things you didn’t know he can do,” says McGregor. “Do you forgive us?”
“You know if you stay here, they’re going to have the run of the place,” says Bea.
“Nothing would make me happier,” says McGregor, through gritted teeth. He leans in for a kiss.
“No,” says Bea.
“Not even that?” replies McGregor, clearly disappointed. “I do have a lot of work to do.”
Peter jumps into Bea’s arms and goes to nuzzle Bea. She stops him, too.
“You, too,” says Bea. “It’s not that easy.” But she smiles at Peter anyway. Quick as a flash, Peter jumps from her arms as everyone piles out into the garden.
And just like that, it is their garden again. Peter, Benjamin, the triplets, and all the other animals run this way and that, eating everything in their path. Peter is their host once more.
“There you go! Knock that over. That’s the stuff. Eat away. No Tommy, that’s just dirt. Not a vegetable anywhere near your mouth, but knock yourself out.” Peter says, before spotting Mr. Tod. “Come on, you too, Foxy. No, don’t want to? Want to eat me instead? Totally get it—I would, too, if I were you. Just stand around then and watch. Perfect.”
And so, dear readers, take one last look at our hero, because everyone, absolutely everyone, can’t help but fall in love with Peter Rabbit.
THE END
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Peter Rabbit, Based on the Movie Page 9
