Badger the Mystical Mutt and Daydream Drivers (9 page)

Badger had just finished his daily patrol of the lane and sniffed the freshly delivered p-mail. He grinned when he read it. The Earl would be delighted to hear this piece of news.

He ran all the way back to his garden where his cousin was still asleep.

“Doodles, wake up, wake up! Your mother has replied. She’s sorry to hear about your father, but thrilled to hear from you,” said Badger eagerly.

“What? What? Already? What else did she say?”

Badger caught his breath. “Wait for this. She said she now owns a worldwide chain of pooch parlours, and wants you to go over there and manage everything for her!”

“This is fantastic, Badger. Not only will I be able to see my mother, but I’ll be able to earn money, which, of course, means I can pay all my dogs to rebuild your lane.”

Badger sighed contentedly.

In the lane meanwhile, Lennie and Louie were deep in conversation.

“Why don’t you come with me?” asked Louie.

“But I don’t know the first thing about travelling?” said Lennie frowning.

“Are you kidding me? When you told me about your trip in the flying machine and your visit to the fairground and the Crystal Cave, what did you think that was, if it wasn’t travelling?” said Louie, gobsmacked.

“I suppose it would be an adventure,” mumbled Lennie.

“So come with me then. I’ve got a bit put aside. We’ll call it the
Worldwide Woof Walk
. We can go to the famous Dog Alley Boutique in Seattle’s Pike Place market, the Fantastic Caverns in Missouri, and Hobie Cat Beach in Puerto Rico. I’m sure there will always be a home for you here, if all else fails. What have we got to lose, Lennie?” asked Louie.

“Epic! Okay, I’m in. When do we go?”

“Tonight,” said Louie confidently.

“Right, I’ll go and see if Badger has a knapsack we can borrow. And erm … I’ll need to resign my role and appoint a new gang leader.”

“Good luck with choosing between Pogo Paws and Pickle. I’m not sure who’s worse,” chuckled Louie.

As Lennie ran off to find his gang, the Earl had already begun work on the lane. He’d re-hired all his team and paid them up-to-date. They shovelled the sand back into the sandpit, filled in all the trenches with the piles of earth, re-laid all the pipes, removed the scaffolding, and even added a few extras. On the Earl’s orders, they had built a spa bath, an adventure play ramp, and installed automated drinking water taps.

“Superb!” said Badger, in admiration, who was watching excitedly on the sidelines. “You didn’t have to do all that, Doodles.”

“Ah, but yes, my dear boy, I think I did. You’ve all shown me such kindness when I really didn’t deserve it. And you, Badger, have reunited me with my mother. I think it’s the very least I could do after all the upset I’ve caused.”

Badger high-fived the Earl, and said: “I’m proud to be related to you again, Doodles. Of course, I’ll be expecting a free nail trim and ear pluck, the next time I’m Persia-bound.”

“Of course, of course. Send me a p-mail. I’m heading off now, actually,” said the Earl, who smiled genuinely for the first time since he’d arrived.

Badger hugged his cousin and waved him off fondly. As he strolled back down the lane, he saw Lennie in a huddle with Pogo Paws and Pickle.

“Hello you lot. What are you up to?” asked Badger pleasantly.

“Lennie’s leaving us,” said Pogo Paws.

“You too?” said Badger, turning to Lennie.

“Yes, I’m leaving now with my brother. We’re off to trot the globe on Lennie and Louie’s
Worldwide Woof Walk
,” said Lennie proudly.

“I wish you all the luck in the world, Lennie, you deserve it. But who will lead the gang while you’re away?”

Pogo Paws and Pickle looked at Lennie. Lennie looked at Badger.

“Well, that’s just it. I can’t decide.”

“Perhaps they could share the responsibility?” suggested Badger

Pogo Paws and Pickle stared at each other in horror.

“What a great idea, Badger! Yes, that’s it! I hereby bestow the role of gang leader on you both. You are joint leaders. And Pogo Paws, my old box on the lane is still there if you need a break from Pickle’s nagging,” winked Lennie.

Pogo Paws and Pickle ran off, bickering all the way.

Badger turned to Lennie and said, “Cheerio, my friend. I’m glad your nightmares have gone, that you’ve met up with your brother again, and that you’re heading off on a massive adventure with him. I’ll miss you though.”

“I’ll miss you too, Badger, and thank you so much for all your help. I’ll never forget that trip to the Crystal Cave. But I’ll try and forget the Back of Beyond and the Dream Dodgems.”

“Yes, that was the bumpiest ride I’ve ever had,” chuckled Badger.

“At least the lane will be here, as I know and love it, when I return,” added Lennie.

“Sometimes, good things have to fall apart so that better things can fall together,” said Badger wisely.

Lennie left with Louie to start his new life on the road. As Badger settled down in his garden with a very well-deserved higgledy-piggledy tower of toast, he thought:
What a badgical magical job well done all round. But how on earth will Pogo Paws and Pickle lead a gang of none?