Content Warning: This section includes discussion of parent illness and death.

To keep others safe from harm, Alfie chooses to face danger alone; for example, he waits up for the tooth snatcher in his bedroom on his own, and he independently scales the elevator cable into the dark mine. Each time, Alfie tries to handle danger alone. However, he learns that assistance from allies brings greater success. Despite Alfie’s caring intentions, the story’s events show that teamwork is more effective in times of peril.

Alfie does not have friends at school before the story begins, but he and Gabz develop a friendship after Miss Root’s school visit. Raj has been Alfie’s friend for longer; he is a kind adult who supplies Alfie and Dad with treats from the newsstand. Both Gabz and Raj, as friends to Alfie, demonstrate that teamwork is beneficial when facing an adversary. Raj joins Alfie on the night when Alfie waits for the tooth snatcher, and though Raj displays fear, Alfie is glad to have his support—especially upon finding the eyeball. Gabz is a supportive friend (despite her occasional sarcasm) in that she shares Alfie’s desire to identify and confront the tooth snatcher.