Precious and the Mystery of Meercat Hill (9 page)

Although they had very much enjoyed the fat cakes, there was still enough room for their normal dinner, although nobody needed very large helpings that night. Then, after the
meal, it was time for them to go to bed. Pontsho went off to his shelter at the back of the house, and Precious and Teb each laid out a sleeping mat in the corner of the kitchen where Teb normally
slept. Teb’s mother lent Precious a spare blanket so that she could wrap herself up and keep warm for the night. Although Botswana is a hot country, the nights themselves can be cold, as they
often are in deserts and other warm places.

As she lay there in the darkness, thinking of the events of the day, Precious felt happy that everything had worked out so well. The cow was safely back and in due course she would have her
calf. In fact, although nobody knew it at the time, the cow was due to have twins. That was very welcome news for the family, as it meant that they would have two calves to sell rather than one.
And it meant, too, that they would be able to buy shoes for Teb and Pontsho, which was a very good thing.

Teb must have been very tired, as she dropped off to sleep almost straightaway. Precious, though, remained awake a bit longer, and she was still awake when a small furry creature crept through
the door and made his way to where she was lying. The first thing she knew of him was the feel of his tiny moist nose sniffing at her cheek.

She did not say anything to Kosi, as she did not want to wake Teb. So she simply stroked the tiny meerkat gently and allowed him to cuddle up to her. He was tired too, and after a few minutes
she felt his breathing change and she knew he was asleep. In nature, meerkats sleep together in a burrow they make underground. They lie with their tiny arms about one another – a whole
family of meerkats – safe and sound in their underground house. Above them, in the moonlight, there are all sorts of dangers – owls and snakes and other enemies – but they are
safe down below, huddled together for warmth.

Precious drifted off to sleep eventually. She dreamed that night of cows and meerkats and tracks in the sand. She dreamed, too, of fat cakes and happy people and of her friends and of how good
it felt to have been able to help them. Because helping other people
is
a good thing, whether or not you are a detective.

And in the morning, do you know, Kosi was still there, his paws under his chin, his bright black eyes closed. But the sun came up, floating slowly up into the sky, and all three of them awoke at
much the same time when the kitchen filled with light.

“Another day,” said Teb, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Yes,” said Precious, sitting up on her sleeping mat. “Another day.”

And Kosi, of course, said nothing, but as Precious looked at the tiny meerkat, she was sure that he was smiling.