Free Poacher Peril by J. Burchett Page B

Ben. “Has Gran lost her marbles?” she whispered. The car was lurching wildly over the furrowed ground.
    â€œNearly there,” called their grandmother over her shoulder.
    Now the children could see a helicopter in the field ahead. A young woman jumped out. She was wearing jeans and a thick jacket and her blonde hair was tied in a rough ponytail.
    â€œThat’s Erika,” said Gran. “She’ll be taking you from here.” She bumped the car to a halt. “Have fun and be safe,” she said, blowing them a quick kiss as they got out. “And don’t worry about your mum and dad. I’ll deal with them. See you soon.” She hurtled off across the field.

    â€œThis is so unreal!” Zoe muttered as the woman came forwards to shake their hands.
    â€œGood morning, Ben and Zoe.” The woman had a German accent. “I’m Erika Bohn, Dr Fisher’s second-incommand. I’m here to take you to the Island.” She led the way to the helicopter and settled herself in the pilot’s seat. “Strap yourselves in,” she said. She put on her headset and handed them some ear protectors. She began flicking switches. The door closed and the rotors vroomed into life.
    â€œWhere are we going?” asked Ben, shouting above the noise.
    â€œAny questions will have to wait for Dr Fisher,” Erika told them as they flew north over fields and towns. “He’s bursting to tell you all about it himself and would never forgive me if I let anything slip.”
    Zoe sniffed the air. “What’s that smell? Is everything all right with the helicopter?”
    Erika chuckled. “I forgot to warn you. We use alternative energy sources at Wild. This helicopter is fuelled by chicken manure.”
    â€œYou mean poo ?” said Ben.
    â€œYes,” said Erika. “It’s environmentally friendly. And free – there’s plenty on the Island. But it does take a while to get used to the smell.”
    Now they’d left the land behind and were flying over choppy waves.
    â€œLanding in thirty seconds,” Erika announced.
    â€œWhere?” whispered Zoe.
    â€œLook, there’s a little island ahead,”
    Ben told her, looking out of his window.
    â€œThough that can’t be it. It’s too small.”

    But Erika was bringing the helicopter down on a bare patch of earth among wild grass and bushes. Ben and Zoe jumped down and gazed at their desolate surroundings. Erika appeared at their side. She pulled a remote control from her jacket and pressed a button. Sheets of old wood suddenly rose from the ground around the helicopter and made a shelter. A corrugated roof slid up from one of the walls and slammed down on top.
    â€œNow no-one will know there’s a helicopter there,” she explained. “It’s important for Wild to stay absolutely secret. Follow me and mind where you step.” She dodged round a pile of droppings. “There’s ‘fuel’ everywhere.”
    She led the way through what looked like a chicken farm. There were tatty henhouses and chickens running about freely.
    â€œIt looks a mess,” said Erika, “but that’s all part of Wild HQ’s disguise. And I promise you the chickens are well looked after.”
    â€œLook at the chicks!” cooed Zoe, stopping to watch a mother hen stalk past, followed by her brood. “They’re just like little balls of fluff!”
    â€œGooey overload.” Ben pretended he was being sick.
    Zoe stuck out her tongue at him, as Erika flung open the door of a rickety shed. There was an old-fashioned toilet inside. “In we go!” she said cheerfully. Ben and Zoe exchanged a look. They knew what each other was thinking. This was getting seriously weird.
    It was a tight squeeze, especially after Erika had pulled the door shut and drawn the bolt across. She pulled the chain. Instead of the expected noise of water gurgling, there was a