Chapter Eight ‘Stripe!’ shouted Twink. She flew for the window without thinking, wrenching it open and flinging herself outside. Stripe clung to a nearby branch, his sides heaving. The bird was poised above him, just about to strike. ‘Leave him alone!’ Twink screamed at the robin. She flew at it in a frenzy, shoving its red breast with both hands. The red and brown bird backed away in alarm as the entire school crowded at the windows, gaping at the scene. ‘Sit down!’ bellowed Miss Shimmery’s voice. ‘Girls! Sit down immediately!’ The robin took off in a flurry of feathers. Twink landed quickly beside the terrified wasp. He was hanging on to the rough bark with all six legs, but as Twink soothed him, he slowly crept into her lap and hid his face. ‘Oh, Stripe,’ whispered Twink, stroking him. ‘What happened? Were you practising flying outside?’ ‘Twink,’ said Miss Shimmery. Twink looked up.
