Otter Chaos!. Michael Broad

around on. The chamber was lit through gaps in the twigs above and led off into many other tunnels, into which the Browns scampered excitedly to explore.

      “Look at the size of these bed chambers!” gasped Mama, dashing with Papa from one room to the next, patting the mud-caked walls as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. “The pups really can have one each!”

      “I take it we’ll be getting rid of the beaver droppings?” said Grandma Maple, poking her head in after them and frowning at the mess on the floor.

      “And there’s a whiff of wee that’s making my eyes water,” said Grandpa Bruno, flapping a paw in front of his nose. “Though it doesn’t smell like any beaver I’ve ever encountered.”

      “It does need a good clean, but I think it’s wonderful!” said Mama, kissing Papa on the nose and giving him a cuddle. And because the grandparents were also secretly thrilled despite their gripes and grumbles, they did the same.

      The four of them made their way back to the central chamber just as the pups returned from their own explorations. The little ones were wide-eyed and breathless, exhilarated by what they’d discovered.

      “There’s a mooring pad and a log slide at the back!” yelled Woody, jumping up and down with excitement.

      “And there are stepping stones leading all the way to the bank,” gasped Coco. “So we don’t always have to swim outside and get our fur wet needlessly!”

      “There’s loads of storage for food!” said Beanie, grinning broadly.

      “And we’ve chosen our rooms!” cried Nutmeg and Chestnut, who ran out of two different tunnels and started dancing together, holding paws. “And they’re so far apart we won’t be able to hear or smell each other at all!”

      “So you all like your new home?” asked Mama and Papa.

      “WE LOVE IT!” cheered the otters, and they all joined in with Nutmeg and Chestnut, holding each other’s paws and dancing round the pool. Mama danced with Papa, Grandma Maple danced with Grandpa Bruno, Woody danced with Beanie, while Coco danced by herself, flicking her fur dreamily and trying to keep it completely dry.