Grey Squirrels London

By House S J and Zlaticanin Zoran

A B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree: 

Born under mysterious circumstances, Grey, Pocket, Roots, Dew, Nuts, and Titch are not your ordinary squirrels. Using a tourist map and led by the charismatic Grey, the teenage squirrels embark on a breathtakingly hilarious adventure as they make their way from London’s Greenwich Park to Hyde Park to meet the Wise Owl.
But the squirrels are not alone. As time ticks and darkness beckons, they are being stalked by the dangerous Rat King and his vicious sewer army.
What is the secret of their origins? What did the Wise Owl tell them? And, most importantly, will they make it back to Greenwich Park in time to save their families?                 

• Language: English
• Publisher: S J HOUSE
• Release date: Sep 21, 2019

Book preview

Chapter One

A MAGICAL MIRACLE

December, Greenwich Park, South East London

Leo stared through the window of a Victorian house into Greenwich Park. His eyes were dull within his sad face. Beside him stood a Christmas tree sparkling with colourful lights. Presents lay in abundance beneath its branches while Silent Night played on the radio and candles flickered on the mantelpiece.

Leo studied the sky of scattered stars and the full moon that shone as brightly as the sun. Moonlight cut through skeletal branches, casting shadows over powdery snow. Something darted across the garden wall. Coming to a stop, it considered Leo for a second, making him smile. Then it jumped into the park, where it dug into the whiteness but found nothing.

Focusing on its hunt for food, the squirrel searched again, thrusting its nose down deep. This time, when its snow-covered whiskers popped up, it held a prize nut in its mouth. Leo gave a thumbs-up. The squirrel had finally found its supper! Twitching its nose, it stared at him, then bounced away leaving tiny tracks before vanishing up a nearby tree.

Leo, called a voice from the top of the stairs, it’s time to get ready for bed.

Leo frowned, trying to spot the squirrel again.

Leo? repeated his mother.

Okay, Mum, Leo replied, turning from the window.

Can you switch off the tree lights and blow the candles out, please?

Yes, Mum, Leo groaned. Admiring the beautiful Christmas tree, he knelt amongst the presents and switched off the flashing lights. As he stood again, he saw the photograph of his older brother, Noah, on the mantelpiece. Noah had died last year from an accident on his skateboard. He was only fifteen years old, and this was Leo’s first Christmas without him.

Leo sighed with grief, but his brother smiled happily back at him from within the frame.

I miss you, buddy, Leo said, before blowing out the candles and heading upstairs to bed.

The living room, empty and silent, was bathed in moonlight. Outside, the air was still, without a hint of wind. The park was full of dark shadows and gnarly trees. The green meridian laser line shot across the sky. A fox prowled in the bushes while an owl hooted from a branch.

The squirrel Leo had been watching twitched his nose, the nut still held firmly in his jaw.

Hey, Alfred, whispered Red the fox, you can’t hide up there forever.

A hoot came from above. Alfred, why don’t you hang out with us for a while? The owl blinked, slowly swivelling its head. It’s going to be a beautiful night.

Alfred the squirrel peered down at the fox then up to the owl before springing for his life into a dark hole in the middle of a giant oak.

Darling, I’m home, he said in a muffled voice, unable to speak because of the nut.

Is that you, Alfred? said Mrs Squirrel in a faint voice. Oh, Alfred, come quickly!

Alfred sensed trouble; something was wrong. He dropped the nut, scurrying deeper into their home, while it rolled along behind him.

Peggy? he shouted, hurrying down a dark passage. Are you alright? What’s the matter, darling?

Alfred, come quickly, she squawked.

Oh my, oh my, my, my, it must be time, thought Alfred. But it’s too soon. He raced through the kitchen, then the living room, before bursting through a wooden door leading into the bedroom.

The room was cosy, lit with candles. A wooden bed sat in the middle, plumped with pillows and warm blankets where Mrs Squirrel lay.

Peggy, asked Alfred, pulling on his ears, what is it? Is it time?

It is, said Peggy, in a soft voice. It’s time.

Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my! Alfred panicked, springing around the walls like a crazed cat, blurring as he raced around the bedroom.

Peggy sighed. Calm down, dear. Please.

Alfred came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the ceiling. Letting go of his grip, he crashed to the floor. Oof! He winced in pain before popping his head up at the foot of the bed, his wide eyes focused on Peggy’s weary face, then travelling to her enormous tummy that heaved under the blankets. What do I do? What do I do? cried Alfred, petrified.

Shh, darling. Peggy held a claw to her lip. There’s nothing you can do, dear, so just calm down. Nature will take its course, okay?

Okay, okay. Alfred gave a little hop. I’m just so excited!

Peggy gazed into Alfred’s eyes. I wonder how many? Will they be girls? Or boys?

I don’t care how many—Alfred puffed his chest out—just as long as they’re healthy little baby squirrels with tiny, little fluffy tails and … and big nut-cracking teeth! Then it’s fine by me. Oh, oh, speaking of nuts, I had a nut, a great big juicy one for ya, Pooky, and … where’d it go? Alfred frantically searched himself.

Oh, Alfred. Relax, honey. You’re so funny and sweet. But I’m not hungry, not right now. I love you, you big, grey, fluffy-wuffy fur ball, you!

I love you too, Pooky Wooky, crooned Alfred while they rubbed noses.

Suddenly Peggy groaned. Oh, oh, it’s happening, Alfred. It’s happening right now!

Oh, oh! Alfred panicked again while holding onto Peggy’s paw. Be strong, Pooky. I’m here; I’ve got ya!

Alfred watched in awe as the first tiny baby squirrel was born. Here’s the first one, Pooky. That’s it, keep going. You’re doing great!

Another and then another was born. Alfred gaped in amazement at the astonishing sight. As each baby squirrel was born, a magical glow of light shone from its tummy up to its head. Alfred’s black eyes sparkled, reflecting the magical light.

Peggy asked, Alfred, what’s the matter? Are they healthy? Are they okay? How many? Are they boys? Are they girls?

Alfred studied his newborns, mesmerised by the strange, ghostly aura that shimmered around them. Then he jumped back, frightened by something he couldn’t believe.

Alfred, what’s happening? demanded Peggy.

Though Alfred was lost for words, he didn’t want to scare Peggy. They’re … all fine, he said finally. But … but … I can’t tell who’s who, Pooky. They’re all just pink and wrinkly with their eyes squinted tight like this. Alfred popped his head up, demonstrating to Peggy what the baby squirrels looked like by pulling a funny face.

Peggy chuckled. Silly, you had me worried for a moment. Now, how many?

Er, I don’t know, hang on. Alfred counted them carefully one by one, pointing a claw at each of them. One, two … and … four …there’re six, Pooky. Six! You hit the jackpot! Six little, tiny wrinkly, squintly, pinkly pooky-wookies.

Six? Peggy clasped her paws to her cheeks in shock. Squirrels don’t have six kids, Alfred!

Well, it’s going to be busy around here, Pooky, no question. A nut fest. That’s what it will be. Nut-a-mania. A nut house! A … a … a … hmm. Alfred couldn’t think of another nut word.

We barely had enough for ourselves last winter, Alfie. And you’ve been out late still searching for food. How will we feed six hungry children?

I don’t know, Pooky, but we’ll find a way. We always do. Alfred cuddled the babies into a blanket, then carefully laid them into Peggy’s arms.

They squirmed and wriggled. One opened its mouth, giving a big yawn.

Alfred and Peggy each let out a big proud sigh. Aww.

He’s the biggest, said Alfred. And he’s a boy.

I think you should name him, Alfie.

Really? Alfred’s eyes were alive with excitement.

Yes, really. Peggy smiled, placing the baby squirrel in Alfred’s arms.

Alfred looked down at his son, a proud tear growing in his eye. I’m going to name you Grey, he said. You will be Grey Squirrel.

Oh, that’s just lovely, darling. It will suit him perfectly when he’s all grown up, big and strong. Peggy gazed at all her beautiful babies.

Now, Peggy, you have to name one, too.

She said, They’re all boys except for one. She pushed her paws into the blanket, gently picking up the smallest of the litter. The baby mewed like a kitten. Aww, she’s such a little tiny titch. That’s it. I will call her Titch.

Titch it is. Alfred punched his paw into the air.

Oh, I love you, Alfie, crooned Peggy, yawning. They both sighed with contentment.

It’s getting late, we’ll name the rest in the morning. Alfred blew out the candles then nestled down to sleep in the cosy blankets with his new family.

Goodnight, Alfred. Peggy closed her eyes.

Goodnight, Pooky.

Alfred lay there for a while, staring up at the ceiling, wondering why the squirrels were born so early and thinking about the strange sight he’d seen. What could it mean?

Chapter Two

TODAY’S THE DAY

Eleven months later …

It was a clear day with a cold November sun casting an orange haze over Greenwich Park. The air was crisp with thinning flowerbeds, falling leaves swirled. But still the park bustled with tourists from all over the world. The Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House were full. People stood at the highest point, taking in the spectacular views of London. Queues of people lined up to stand on the Greenwich prime meridian line. It was going to be a busy day.

Amongst the crowds of tourists, squirrels shot up trees headfirst or scurried across the grass, burying nuts in preparation for the fast-approaching winter.

Hey, hey, Grey, shouted a voice. Grey, over here! Quick, look!

Grey, a large squirrel, sat on a garden wall where he had been watching television through a window. He stared down at four other squirrels, who had just taken roasted chestnuts from a group of kids. Dew, one of the squirrels, scurried away with his, trying to eat and run at the same time, his face contorting because the hot nuts burned his tongue.

Grey chuckled as Dew slammed into a bin, his eyes watering in pain.

Tweeting birds circled Dew’s dizzy head.

Grey jumped down from the wall, bouncing over to his brothers.

Leo watched curiously from the window.

Don’t you ever learn, Dew? Grey pushed the others aside with his buff white chest, holding out a large paw for Dew to grab.

Dew swiped several times, missing Grey’s reach, his vision still blurred. With