Evie Scruffypup’s Big Surprise

Chapter Two Blossom Day

“What’s Blossom Day?” Lily asked.

“Once every year,” Goldie explained, “all the trees bloom. Doesn’t it look gorgeous?”

“It smells gorgeous, too!” said Jess. “Like honey and plums and jasmine all mixed together!”

“It’s even better at Petal Hill,” Goldie replied. “That’s where we celebrate Blossom Day. Come with me!”

On the way, Jess and Lily gazed up at the dazzling petals that covered the trees.

“Those ones are so pretty!” Jess said in wonder, pointing out a cluster of purple blossoms that looked like fluffy pompoms.

Lily spotted some white flowers trailing down from the branches. “Look, they’re like beautiful strings of pearls!” she said.

Soon they reached a round hill, dotted with blossom-covered shrubs.

At the foot of the hill was a rambling den with blue walls and a steep red roof. Yellow and white striped curtains billowed at the open windows. All around it was a garden, filled with colorful flower beds, tall trees—and lots of their animal friends!

“Hello, everyone!” called Lily and Jess.

There were squeaks, quacks, and squawks of delight from the young animals.

Bella Tabbypaw the kitten hugged them, purring loudly. Molly Twinkletail the mouse and her nine brothers and sisters called ten greetings. Lola Velvetnose the mole hugged Lily’s leg.

“Girls!” said Goldie.

Jess and Lily turned to see Goldie standing with a family of dogs with thick fluffy black-and-white fur, pointed ears, and madly wagging tails.

“Meet Mr. and Mrs. Scruffypup,” said Goldie, “and their daughters, Evie and Hattie.”

The excited pups hugged the girls.

“Hello!” said Hattie. She was as tall as the girls’ waists and had a blue bow on her head.

“Hello, Lily! Hello, Jess!” said Evie and hugged both of them, her tail wagging. She had dark, sparkling eyes and was wearing pink glasses. She was smaller than her sister and her fur was much scruffier, sticking up in little tufts.

Mr. Scruffypup laughed as the pups jumped down. “We’re glad to meet you, Jess and Lily,” he said. “We’ve heard about how brave you’ve been, standing up to Grizelda. Come in, come in! Everyone wants to see you!”

A tiny golden hamster ran toward them, and Jess scooped her up. “Hi, Olivia Nibblesqueak!” she said.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” the little hamster said.

“Me, too,” said Evie eagerly. “We’re going to start the blossom-drop hunt soon and you can join in!”

“That sounds fun,” said Lily, with a laugh, “but what is the blossom-drop hunt?”

“We have it every Blossom Day,” Mrs. Scruffypup explained. “Blossom drops are special tasty treats—the Nibblesqueak family makes them in their bakery, from honeysuckle blossoms. Mr. Scruffypup and I hide them all around Petal Hill and everyone tries to find as many as they can!”

Evie bounced up and down with excitement. “Can we start the hunt now, Mom? Please?”

“Please! We can’t wait!” cried the other little animals, gathering around Mr. and Mrs. Scruffypup.

Mr. Scruffpup chuckled. “We can’t start just yet,” he said. “We need Mr. Cleverfeather to get here first. I wonder where he could be?”

Jess gave a cry as she spotted an old owl, wearing a waistcoat and monocle, hurrying toward Petal Hill. Under one wing was tucked a machine that looked like a mini vacuum cleaner. “Here he comes!” she said.

“Lorry I’m sate,” panted the owl as he reached them, mixing up his words like he always did. “I mean, sorry I’m late. I’ve got my Peffal Putter,” he said, patting the machine, “so we can start the hunt!”

“He means Petal Puffer,” Goldie whispered to the girls with a grin.

“Thank you, Mr. Cleverfeather,” said Mrs. Scruffypup. “Now when the Petal Puffer puffs, the hunt for the blossom drops begins!”

Lily, Jess, Goldie, and the little animals lined up excitedly in front of Mr. Cleverfeather. Evie was holding on to her big sister’s paw, her tail wagging with excitement.

“Petals ready! Puffer steady! Go!” Mr. Cleverfeather hooted.

He pressed a button and the Puffer whooshed thousands of petals high up above them. They drifted slowly downward like colorful confetti. With squeals of delight, the animals ran off to hunt for blossom drops. Lola Velvetnose and Olivia Nibblesqueak ran into the den, while Bella Tabbypaw darted over to search in a flower bed.

“Look!” Bella cried, holding up a little package made of leaves. “I’ve found some blossom drops!”

“Let’s search in the tree house,” said Hattie. “It’s this way!”

The girls and Goldie ran after the two puppies as they bounded over to a huge old apple tree. Built all around the trunk, and reaching up into the branches, was the most amazing wooden tree house they’d ever seen.

“Wow!” gasped Jess as she stared up at the different levels. There were curtains at the windows and pretty flowers painted all around the door.

“Dad made it,” said Evie. “Me and Hattie have lots of fun in here. Let’s see if there are any blossom drops inside!”

Evie and Hattie climbed into the tree house. Then they vanished from sight!

“Where are you?” Lily called up to them.

“Surprise!” Evie giggled, popping up at a third-floor window.

“Hi!” cried Hattie, looking out a door on the second level.

Evie disappeared for a moment, then leaned out of the topmost window. “Boo!”

Laughing, the girls and Goldie followed them inside. More flowers were painted on the walls, and they went up a wooden ladder to the next level, where Evie and Hattie were searching through a huge pile of toys.

Evie give a yip of excitement, and from inside a box of wooden animals she pulled out a small packet made of leaves tied with grass strands.

“Surprise!” Evie called. “Blossom drops!”

She handed the package to Lily, who opened it. Inside were lots of oval, honeysuckle-scented treats.

“Mmm!” Lily said as she ate one. “It’s gooey in the middle! That was a surprise.”

Evie giggled and Hattie pulled her into a hug. “Evie loves surprises!” Hattie said, ruffling her little sister’s fluffy fur.

They all jumped when they heard a terrified squeal.

“Eeeeeeeek!”

It came from the Scruffypups’ den.

“What was that?” asked Goldie, her tail twitching with worry.

They hurried out of the tree house. Little animals were bursting out the front door of the den, scurrying to their parents. The girls and Goldie ran over. Through the windows, they could see a rat, a crow, a toad, and a bat charging through the den, chasing the frightened animals.

“The creatures from the Witchy Waste!” cried Lily. “They’re stealing all the blossom drops!”