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Amelia Smart is an investigator of all things strange, and is aided by her trusty sidekick Chuckles. In this story, Amelia and Chuckles look into the case of a boy who has somehow been transformed into a chicken nugget! The adventure is split into four parts which we'll be running all this week. Make sure your children read the story and tell them to watch what they eat ... * * * Chapter 1 Hi, I’m Smart. Amelia Smart to be precise. I’m an investigator of all things weird, which means I’m usually very busy. Not that I go out looking for weird things, you understand. They just seem to happen when I’m around. This one all started one home-time when my trusty sidekick Chuckles and I were finishing another day at Frambaldus Wood Primary. ‘Miss Smart! Is that you?’ called a voice, as we were heading over to the school bus. I spun round. ‘That’s right.’ ‘Amelia Smart the investigator of all things weird? Amelia Smart the one I’ve read so much about in the school magazine and local newspaper?’ she said, her eyes growing enormous with excitement. ‘Yes, madam, it is I,’ I said, halfway through a yawn. Being a child wonder and an investigator of all things weird means I do have lots of fans. ‘Amelia Smart the school girl who has seen ghosts, goblins and ghouls?’ ‘Yes, yes, madam. All me. I am the one who laughs in the face of fear. I alone have solved many a weird mystery.’ Chuckles gave a little cough and stared up at me with those big brown eyes. ‘All alone?’ he said quietly. ‘Well OK. Sometimes I’ve had a little help from Chuckles here.’ ‘Chuckles…what an unusual name,’ said the woman. ‘Well, he’s an unusual boy,’ I said. ‘His real name is Charlie Cheston but because he’s so serious I lightened him up by nicknaming him Chuckles.’ Chuckles blushed. ‘Anyway,’ I looked for a pen in my school bag. ‘We’d be pleased to give you our autographs, but we’re busy people. We can’t hang around. There’s a bus to catch.’ ‘Please, Miss Smart,’ the woman begged. ‘I don’t need an autograph. My name is Mrs Humphries. I’m absolutely desperate for your help.’ Chuckles squirmed beside me. Another weird mystery was waiting round the corner ready to shout boo! The bus driver revved his engine. ‘Please, Miss Smart,’ the woman’s eyes were round and pleading. ‘My son needs your help. No one else will believe me.’ ‘Amelia,’ Chuckles hissed. ‘The bus is about to go. My mum will be fuming mad if I’m not home for tea.’ ‘Chuckles, you’re thinking with your stomach. Clearly this is a time to think with your head. Can’t you see that a weird mystery has found us again?’ ‘That’s what I’m afraid of,’ he said, as the bus pulled away from the school gates.
The woman smiled. But she had tears in her eyes. ‘Thank you for waiting to hear my story,’ she said. ‘I know you can help us. I’ve brought my son along to meet you. Only then will you understand.’ Chuckles and I looked up and down the road. Cars sped away one by one from outside the school gates. ‘I don’t see anyone,’ he said. Mrs Humphries hopped around nervously. ‘Just a minute,’ she said. ‘I’ll introduce you now.’ Mrs Humphries reached into her coat pocket and took out a white tissue. It had been folded over again and again. Slowly she began to unwrap the small bundle. Then she held out her hand. Both Chuckles and I leaned forward. Mrs Humphries coughed nervously. ‘Ben, this is Amelia Smart and Chuckles. They’re here to help you.’ She looked to me and Chuckles and said, slowly, ‘This is my son, Ben.’ Both Chuckles and I looked at each other in disbelief before staring back at the unwrapped parcel in Mrs Humphries’ hand. ‘Impossible,’ I snapped. ‘Why is it impossible?’ Mrs Humphries looked as though she were about to cry again.
‘Because the object in your hand is a chicken nugget. It is impossible for your son and a chicken nugget to be the same thing, Mrs Humphries.’ ‘Please, Miss Smart, you must believe me,’ she said. ‘No one else will. He hasn’t always been a chicken nugget. Not so long ago he was a little boy about your age.’ Suddenly the woman kissed the golden chicken nugget in her hand. ‘Don’t worry, baby,’ she whispered. ‘It’s all going to be just fine.’ ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Chuckles, staring at the dotty woman. ‘I really should be going home. Ben will need his bedtime story before sleep. He seems to get sleepy earlier now that he’s only a little nugget.’ She thrust her hand forward. ‘Say bye for now, Ben.’ Chuckles’ eyes widened. GRRRRRRR! went his rumbling stomach. ‘It’s not wise to hold out a chicken nugget in front of Chuckles when it’s so close to his tea time,’ I told her before I gave Chuckles a disapproving look. ‘Back, Chuckles! Back!’ ‘Oh,’ Mrs Humphries wrapped the nugget back in the tissue. ‘It really is time for Ben and me to go home.’ ‘Well be careful you don’t drop your son,’ I said. ‘Like under the grill or in the frying pan.’ ‘Don’t make fun of me, Miss Smart. I thought you would be able to help.’ She buttoned up her coat pocket. ‘But if you think you’re not good enough to help my son then I will find someone who is.’ Chuckles and I gazed at each other. ‘Not good enough!’ I snapped. ‘Mrs Humphries,’ Chuckles started. ‘Amelia may have a heart of stone. She may never have a kind word to say even to her closest friend. But she’s the cleverest person I know. If she can’t solve this mystery then no one can.’ I patted good old Chuckles on the back. ‘Well said, Chuckles. That’s probably the most sensible thing to have ever come out of your mouth.’ ‘Well if you really are that clever, Miss Amelia Smart, I ask you to help me.’ This time she reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. ‘Here is my address. I need to take Ben home now and get him ready for bed. But if you really are as good as everyone says you are, you will try to help us.’ ‘I enjoy a challenge. Have no fear, Mrs Humphries,’ I said. ‘I really am that good. Chuckles and I will visit you soon to begin the investigation.’ Will Amelia uncover the truth about the Chicken Nugget boy? Will Chuckles get his dinner? Log on tomorrow to find out! Written by Marie Day | 
