Medal Mayhem (10 page)

Taz was doing a lap of honour, with a Union Jack flag wrapped around his shoulders and a very proud-looking Tim puffing alongside him. I wanted to stay and watch him get his gold medal, but Calvin had other ideas. He squatted down beside me to talk tactics.

“Listen, Harriet, it’s all down to you,” he said, in a serious voice. “Australia topped the medals table last night, but we won the high jump and the discus this morning. If you beat Krusher in the triple jump, we’ll beat them!”

I glanced over to the triple jump pit, where I could see Krusher and Ruby whispering. They kept staring at me and I wondered if they were hoping I would doze off mid-jump. Or maybe they were cooking up another plot to stop me from jumping. It didn’t matter if they were – inspired by Taz’s triumph in the hundred metres, I was determined to show them that Stunt Bunnies were winners, too.

Leaving the skateboard behind, I followed Calvin over to the start of the triple jump. An official checked his clipboard.

“Harriet Houdini?” he said, peering over the top at me. “You’ll be jumping sixth. Best of luck.”

Sixth? That meant all the other animals would jump before me, including Krusher. Calvin and I found a spot at the side of the track to wait for our turn. I hoped Susie could see me from the stands – she’d looked so worried when she’d left me.

The other triple-jumpers were amazing. Just like at the qualifiers, we had three jumps each. We watched a husky from Canada take an early lead, only to lose it to an American toad. Then Krusher took his turn and I found out why he was the Australian champion. His jumps were easily the furthest – I was going to need something extra to beat him.

“Ready, Harriet?” Calvin asked, after the last two competitors had failed to steal the kangaroo’s lead. “Don’t forget to lift up that tail when you land!”

Feeling as though my heart would burst out of my chest, I took my place at the start of the run-up. This was it – I’d never have a better opportunity to prove to Krusher and the rest of the world that size didn’t matter. Concentrating as hard as I could, I prepared for the most important performance of my life.

The shout behind me made everyone turn around. Tearing across the grass towards me was the Great Maldini, his blond wig flapping in the wind! Chasing after him were three big security men.

“Come back ’ere, ’Arriet ’Oudini!”

Trust me, I wasn’t hanging about to see what he wanted! I set off, pounding towards the sandpit. Fear made me run faster than I’d even done before and I didn’t dare look behind me. I hit the board perfectly and hopped high in the air.

“Stop zat bunny!” the Great Maldini yelled.

Ignoring him, I focused on landing and kicking off into a skip. As the track rushed up to meet me, I pushed off into a leap and somersaulted high above the sandpit. Twisting in the air, I spun in one of the biggest, most spectacular bunny backflips I’d ever performed. The crowd gasped as I tucked in my tail to land in the sand. There was a tiny silence before they erupted into loud cheers.

Behind me, there was a crash and a thud as Calvin dived into the Great Maldini and knocked him to the ground. Immediately, the three security guards piled on top in a jumble of legs and arms. I turned to the scoreboard, breathless. Had I done enough to beat Krusher? Would I have to use my other jumps? Was Great Britain top of the Animalympic pops?

The noise from the stands died down as everyone waited to see who had scooped gold. The seconds seemed to last forever, then the distance popped up and I back flipped for joy! Krusher’s name had dropped into second place and mine was top. I’d done it – I’d won the gold medal!

Of course, I couldn’t take all the credit – if the Great Maldini hadn’t chased me, I might not have got up the speed to make my most spectacular jump ever. I wasn’t about to tell him that, though, especially since he was being dragged away kicking and struggling by the cross-looking security guards.

Calvin lifted me high over his head. “Hurray for Harriet Houdini,” he cried. “Animalympic triple-jump champion of the world!”

Standing on the top of the medal winners’ podium, I had to nip my paw to remind myself I wasn’t dreaming. The stadium rang with cheers as the bronze medal was presented to the toad from the USA. The applause got louder as a scowling Krusher received his silver medal. Then it was my turn and the crowd exploded into claps and cheers.

As the gold medal was lowered around my neck, Great Britain’s national anthem began to play. For one horrible moment, I thought Doodle might sing again but there was no sign of her awful out-of-tune howling.

Once the music finished, Gloria appeared next to me. Behind her I could see a smiling Susie and EE.

“Absolutely amazing, Harriet,” Gloria said, beaming a billion megawatt smile my way. “Team Superpets are superstars!”

Susie swept me up in cuddle, her eyes shining with pride. “I always knew you’d get the gold.”

EE grinned and, for once, he didn’t look in the least bit grumpy with me. “Well, what else would you expect from Britain’s Best Loved Bunny?”

Calvin waved a hand at the still-cheering audience. “Oh, I think she’s going to be a bit more than that from now on.”

“What do you mean?” Susie asked, a puzzled look on her face.

Gloria winked. “After today, everyone in the world is going to know the name Harriet Houdini. She’ll be an international mega star!”

EE let out a loud groan. “Don’t tell me – more reporters and fans camped out on our doorstep. At this rate I’ll never get the front lawn mown!”

Everyone laughed and I knew, deep down, EE didn’t really mind. Life with a Stunt Bunny might have its problems but one thing was for sure – it was never boring!