“Good morning Mum,” greeted Willow as she came downstairs for breakfast.

“Oh, good morning dear, your up unusually early”, replied her mother. “I thought I’d have a go at making breakfast for the whole family,” Willow said. She reached for the cereal but it dropped on her head.

“Yes Mum, fine, don’t you worry”, Willow said reassuringly. Willow gave up on cereals and put some doughnuts on the table.

Her father came down the stairs half asleep. Aaron now had to do everything! Look after Comfrey, Willow and Gromwell, take them to school and nursery, and, to top that off, he had to run the business by himself!

Just at that moment, Gromwell arrived with the fresh bread he had got from Percy Beagles bakery.

“Good morning dear,” said Sorrel to her son.

“Oh, thanks for getting the bread,” thanked Willow.

“Good morning mum, that’s okay Willow,” blurted out Gromwell as fast as he could. Sorrel slowly lifted herself up from her comfy chair.

“Darling, take it easy,” said Aaron caringly.

“I’m afraid not,” replied Aaron. “You and your sister are supposed to be helping me in the restaurant today.” Meanwhile, Willow was trying to feed Comfrey, but Comfrey was refusing to eat anything his doting sister was giving him.

“Dad, Comfrey won’t eat anything at all”.

“Try giving him a sugar doughnut” Gromwell laughed. Funnily enough it worked!

. A few days later, Sorrel had to stay in the hospital because the baby was ready to be born. When the children came back from school and nursery there was no one to look after them. Aaron had to hire Belinda Brighteyes to baby-sit them when they came home from school .That was a lot of money to pay!

“You know, that new restaurant out of town looks pretty good”, said Kate, the mother of the Periwinkles. At that moment, Aaron knew he needed to do something big, if the Periwinkles, a family that had been friends with the Cottontails for years, wanted to try the new restaurant, there was something going wrong!

The next morning, Aaron had lost lots of sleep. Comfrey had been crying all night. As soon as Aaron awoke, he picked up the phone and rung round to see if anyone wanted a temporary waitress job. He ended up with Ivy Timbertop, a young teenager who had just finished school. In fact she was brilliant, and helped regain a lot more customers. Of course, taking more workers on board was a lot of money.

Aaron had time some off , that was unusual, so he went to pick up Comfrey from the Kindergarten.

“Hi Comfrey”, replied Aaron. “ I think I might cook carrot stew tonight,” said Aaron.

“Yummmmmmmmmy, that’s my favourite!” replied Comfrey. That night, the Cottontails had a lovely meal and invited Ivy to eat with them.

“Oh, I do love working at the kitchen restaurant, I hope to work there for a long time!” explained Ivy.

“Oh yes, thanks for reminding me, I was getting carried away,” she said rather gloomily.

That night, Ivy walked home feeling rather stupid and disappointed. She loved working there and did not want to leave. “What ever is the matter?” asked Taylor as Ivy stepped in the door.

“Oh nothing," said Ivy.

“Like I don’t know when my little Pumpkin is upset”.

“DAD!” Laughed Ivy.

The next morning, Aaron opened the shop extra early. He felt sorry that he couldn’t keep Ivy on, although she got back all his customers.

As he got inside, his jaw dropped to the floor. The shop had been broken in to! There was food lying everywhere and chairs knocked over. Aaron immediately knew who did it! ‘IVY’. How could she. She knew Aaron was struggling enough already, but to do this was outrageous!

“Hello Aaron” said rose who was startled at their early visitor.

“Is Ivy in?” asked Aaron.

“I think she’s slee…” said Rose before being interrupted by Ivy.

“Hello Mr Cottontail” said Ivy brightly.

“Ivy, why did you break into the shop last night!” screamed Aaron crossly.

“Excuse me!” said Ivy, offended by this sudden accusation.

“Don’t you dare deny it young lady” shouted Aaron getting rather irritated.

“Now, now, now you two, let’s settle this over a cup of tea why don’t we”, said Rose, rounding up the argument. After they sat down, Aaron continued the conversation.

“So what were you doing last night Ivy?"

“Well I’m going to the police station to sort out this mess, speak now and I won’t have to,” said Aaron.

“I’ve got nothing to say,” said Ivy.

Aaron marched out the door into the winter morning, the wind pushing him in all directions. He walked straight to the police station to find P.C Bobby Roberts sitting in his chair, eating a big fat doughnut.

“Good morning,” he said through the food he had in his mouth, spitting some out when he talked.

“Good morning”, Aaron said uneasily. “Last night, my shop got broken into and I think I know who did it!” Aaron said quickly. Bobby nearly fell off his chair hearing this news.

“Anybody we know?” he said after swallowing.

“I have an idea,” said Aaron quietly.

“WHO, I mean, who do you think did it?”

“Ivy Timbertop, sir!”

“That’s complete rubbish, Ivy’s as good as gold!” protested Bobby, surprised at this accusation. Aaron told him about the night before and how he couldn’t keep her working in the restaurant.

“Oh, I see, but that still doesn’t seem like Ivy to me,” said Bobby.

“Will you come over to see her,” asked Aaron. Bobby and Aaron walked to the Timbertop’s house. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. This time Ivy opened the door.
“Good morning Dear” said Bobby politely.

“Now what do you want!” she said nastily.

“Now Ivy” said Bobby, “I want to question you on your whereabouts last night”.

“I came home and went to bed,” she said.

“What time?” he asked her.

“Arrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhgggg!!!!!!!!!!!” she screamed. “ I came home about ten o clock and went to bed, my dad was there!” she said. Just at that moment, Taylor walked in the room.

“Now, I’ve heard about this nonsense and Ivy wouldn’t do anything like that!” he bellowed.

“Let’s have a good look inside shall we?” suggested Bobby. They all stepped inside.

“Hey, look over here,” said Bobby. In the corner, curled up, was Gromwell, fast asleep.

“Well I never,” cried Bobby.

“Oh, he must have been sleepwalking!” said Aaron, going slightly red in the face. “Ivy, I guess I owe an apology,” said Aaron uneasily.

“It’s okay Mr Cottentail,” she answered. Soon after, Baby Angelica was born. Aaron also let Ivy keep on working in the restaurant, and she was extremely happy!