Polar Meltdown by J. Burchett

want south.”
    â€œYou’re such an expert.” Ben grinned. “The Inupiat people will be begging you to stay.”
    Zoe stuck out her tongue at him. Then she checked her little charge and laughed. “Nosy has no idea what we’ve been through for her,” she said. “She’s fast asleep.”
    â€œSo’s Guzzle,” replied Ben. “At last!”
    â€œLet’s find out where to take them,” said Zoe, hitting the hot key on her BUG for Wild HQ.
    â€œHello there!” Uncle Stephen’s eager voice boomed out. “What’s been happening?”
    â€œWe’ve found two cubs,” Zoe told him. “And we’re heading back to the mainland now.”
    â€œGood show!” cried their godfather happily. “There’s a polar bear rehabilitation centre a few miles down the coast from Fairwood.”
    Zoe’s BUG vibrated and a set of coordinates flashed on to the screen.
    â€œThat’s where it is,” said Uncle Stephen. “It’s called the Puyuk Shelter. It’s a wonderful place and has great success with orphans, I’m told. They get the bears back into the wild without making them dependent on humans. You can take your little charges there.”

    â€œWhat’s our cover story?” asked Zoe. “We can’t tell them the truth.”
    â€œHmmm.” She could picture her godfather rubbing his chin as he thought about this. “I believe it’s time for the ‘leaving on the doorstep’ scenario. Put the cubs by the entrance, ring the bell and run like billy-o!”

CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
    A bright morning sun was shining on the Arctic ocean as Ben and Zoe walked along the beach back to Fairwood. As soon as they’d made sure that the cubs were safely in the Puyuk shelter they’d sneaked back to their kayaks and paddled away out of sight. Erika was on her way now and was going to meet them in the village.
    â€œHi there, kids!” came a familiar voice. “You’re up early!”
    It was Lukie, dragging his kayak down the beach to the water. The children ran over to him.
    â€œI see you’ve got your backpacks,” said Lukie eagerly. “Going off on an adventure?”
    â€œWell…” said Zoe.
    â€œJust being here is an adventure!” Ben said quickly. “It’s a fantastic place. I wish we had longer, but our mother will be whisking us off any minute.”
    â€œWhere are you going next?” asked the fisherman.
    Ben looked blank so Zoe jumped in. “Mum likes to surprise us,” she said with a smile. “It’s a sort of mystery tour.” She glanced at the gear in his boat. “Are you going fishing?”
    â€œI am,” said Lukie. “I’m really glad I didn’t risk it yesterday. That was one hell of a storm that came over. Did you hear it?”
    â€œWe certainly did!” said Ben, giving Zoe a quick glance.
    â€œYou wouldn’t have wanted to be out in it, I can tell you!” declared the fisherman. “Very dangerous. But today’s perfect for fishing.” He jerked a thumb towards the road that led down to the water. “I think your taxi’s here.”
    Ben and Zoe looked round. A dog sledge was gliding along the road towards them, driven by Charlie. Erika was waving at them from the back.

    â€œHave a good trip!” said Lukie.
    â€œAnd you,” replied Zoe.
    â€œHope you don’t meet any more bears,” added Ben.
    â€œSo do I!” laughed Lukie, as the children ran off towards their taxi.

    Later that day, back at Wild HQ, Ben and Zoe watched anxiously with Erika as Uncle Stephen called up the Puyuk Shelter website.
    They were wasting no time in checking on the progress of the cubs.
    â€œI won’t ever forget that moment,” said Zoe as the site loaded. “When we put the cubs down and rang the bell…”
    â€œâ€¦and then we realised they were still in their