Free Gatwick Bear and the Secret Plans by Anna Cuffaro Page A

Little Sister.
    â€œAnd we’ll look after you!” added Gatwick.
    Mama cheered up a little to hear such tender words. She went on: “The place is very difficult to reach but it is so secluded that it can’t even be seen from the air. There’s a little sparkling blue lake up there: Bertie’s and mine – our secret lake – now it’s yours too”.
    Gatwick could not hide his excitement. At last, he would have the chance to go fishing with his rod. He was a bit of a show off when he was fishing. He loved to have an audience, Little Sister and Mama could watch and admire him. They could go: “Ooooh”, when he caught fish. With that in mind the climb didn’t seem as tiring as it would have done otherwise.
    It was true. The lake was simply stunning, it sparkled like Little Sister’s diamonds in the morning sun. The ripples moved gently, and softly lapped against the banks. All around, they were surrounded by the deepest silence – not a whisper. The shadows on the lake and green, gree n mountains made gliding patterns, which Little Sister and Mama watched intently as they breathed in the freshness of the morning air and felt the warmth of the day’s new sunny beams on their bodies. What delight! Gatwick had already begun fishing.
    At midday, they ate a trout each, which Gatwick had caught amid much joy (and showing off). When tea-time came around, they indulged in a box of chocolates between them, followed by the berries and nuts Mama had brought up with her in her apron pocket. They were a new-found family. They were happy.
    It was nearly time for the last train to go down. Mama could tell the time by the length of the shadows spreading down across the valleys. Soon all the tourists would leave; the mountains would be all theirs again. They could go back to their den. Slowly, but surely, they made their way back following Mama down the winding and dusty track. She was an expert mountaineer – only she knew the way. So many were the bends and tracks shooting off in all directions that keeping to the right pathway meant expert knowledge. Neither Gatwick nor Little Sister had any hope of remembering the way. They finally arrived back in their cave and Mama started getting dinner ready. That evening she would make blackberry crumble like she used to make for Bertie. He had loved blackberry crumble because it brought back fond memories of his native England.
    Stirring was another of Gatwick’s favourite activities, so he ran to get his wooden spoon because he wanted to do all the stirring that there was to do. Soon Gatwick had flour all over his head and waistcoat. Mama sent him out of the kitchen and ordered him to go out to play for a while. She would call him when dinner was ready.

23  Gatwick Goes Out to Play
    Gatwick was fascinated by the helicopters buzzing around in the evening sky. He started jumping around waving his wooden spoon and shouting “Hello”. Then, he ran and ran, trying to chase them. He had gone a long way from the cave without realising it. Where was he? Now he started getting a bit worried. But, the helicopters were coming his way; they were moving the air so much that all Gatwick’s fur blew back, he nearly lost his grip on his wooden spoon as he fell over backwards. One of the helicopters landed. A man in uniform marched up to him. “Gatwick, we know it’s you. Don’t resist us. Drop your wooden spoon and put your paws behind your head, then get up very slowly”. Gatwick did exactly as he was told. He had no idea what was happening. He had never seen these men before. What did they want? Maybe they would like to take him for a ride in their helicopter. The men ordered Gatwick to get into their helicopter and to sit still. One of them picked up his wooden spoon and threw it in the helicopter. They were taking him to the police headquarters where he would be questioned by the Chief of Police. The helicopter took