Since he was only about during the day, it meant that the pair of foxes were usually roused from their sleep by one or two of his great barks, summoning them to join him. They tried to be friendly, but Rollo’s visits were not always welcome, particularly if they had exhausted themselves hunting for food the previous night. The turn of the year came and went. The winter weather had not been too cruel. Food was available – not plentiful – but, working in concert, Bold and Whisper usually found enough to eat. Towards the end of January the mating season for foxes arrived. The pair had already established a firm bond in the period they had been together and so this extension to their relationship was quite natural. Bold still wondered from time to time about Whisper’s choice of mate, but dismissed his thoughts almost as soon as they took shape. When Whisper knew she was carrying Bold’s cubs she decided it was time to put the next part of her plan into operation. The winter was entering its final phase and there was no time to be lost.
