The dreadful strangers moved in on a wild and windy Thursday. 'Fudgenuts, ' cursed Picklewitch, adjusting her cracked binoculars to get a better view of the comings-and-goings. 'This won't do at all. I bet they haven't even bought me any cake.'

Picklewitch is, quite literally, out of her tree. She has a nose for naughtiness, a taste for trouble and a weakness for cake. And unluckily for brainbox Jack - winner of the 'Most Sensible Boy in School' for the third year running - she's about to choose him as her new best friend . . .