Wild Moose Chase Read Free

Queen at the World Cheese Fair, eh? What do you think of that, kids?”
    â€œI can’t believe it!” cried Bert.
    â€œIt’s fantastic,” agreed Cam, “but what about the farm? Was Miss Mold telling the truth?”
    â€œDon’t you worry about that. Everything will be fine. Tomorrow is going to be extra special. We’re going to see the Queen.”
    The twins were excited. Very excited. A competition set by the Queen! Surely Gramps couldn’t say no to that.

The World Cheese Fair
    The World Cheese Fair was held every September at the highest point of Cheddar Gorge. Three slender fingers of rock, known as The Pinnacles, towered hundreds of feet above the winding road below. Huge marquees were erected along the clifftop, following the horseshoe bend and curving round to make an enormous circle of colour and noise. Cam and Bert ran ahead of Gramps, who was carefully carrying his prize cheese. There was no sign of the storm that had sprung up the night before, but every speck of dust had been blown from the sky and the twins could see for miles over the hills. Several hot air balloons rose from the fair, giant orbs of colour splashed against the brilliant blue sky. The twins could just catch faint wafts of music coming from a colossal Ferris wheel soaring above the marquees.
    â€œI’m so excited,” said Bert. “Feel my heart. It’s racing.”
    Cam reached over and placed her hand on his chest. “It’s not as fast as mine,” she said. “Mine’s faster.”
    â€œNo it’s not.”
    â€œâ€™tis.”
    â€œâ€™s not,
    â€œYou’re saying ‘snot’.”
    â€œ You’re saying ‘snot’.”
    â€œCome on,” said Gramps. “Let’s see if we can get through today without an argument, shall we?”
    They wound their way through the food stalls on the outskirts of the fair. One was selling oddly shaped vegetables. There was a five-fingered carrot, a potato that looked just like a famous footballer, a cow-shaped cucumber and a string bean that reminded Bert of Primula Mold. They lingered at a colourful cheesy-sweet stall with jars full of halloumi humbugs, mozzarella marshmallows, feta fizz bombs, cheddar dib dabs and various cheesy chewing gums. Gramps said he would buy them a bag each if they got through the day without fighting. They passed a bizarre pickle stall, selling cheddar chutneys, pickled cheese on toast, and cheesy-toe shavings. The large old lady behind the counter belched loudly as they peered at the cheesy-toe shavings, and they moved on quickly. They marched through a whole street of cheese tents, waving and greeting the various stallholders.
    â€œMorning, Lester,” shouted Gramps to a red-headed man with a kiosk full of orange cheeses. “How’s the wife and baby Belle?”
    â€œFine, thanks, Mr Curd,” said the man. “Let’s have a look at that prize cheese of yours.”
    Gramps wandered over and proudly presented his cheese.
    â€œGramps, can we go and explore?” asked Bert. “We can meet you in the Show Tent later.”
    â€œGo on then,” said Gramps, handing them some money. “And be nice to each other.”
    The twins skipped off. They passed an enclosure full of tiny goats. Bert stopped to stroke one. It rolled over on its back and kicked its legs in the air as Bert tickled its tummy.
    â€œMind my pygmies!” cried a little man.
    â€œJust saying hello,” said Bert. “C’mon, Cam, let’s find the rides and roundabouts.”
    They followed the strains of music coming from the fairground rides and came across an enormous merry-go-round. But instead of horses bobbing up and down, it was giant wedges of cheese.
    â€œROLL UP, ROLL UP, FOR THE MERRY-GO-CHEESE,” shouted the man in charge.
    â€œBagsy the mature cheddar,” yelled Bert.
    â€œI want that one,” cried Cam.
    But Bert had already