Read The Beast of Bracksley Woods for Free Online Page B

“In the meantime, I had better make the best of this weather while it lasts. I’ll take a packet of boiled fruit sweets while I’m here, and also this women’s magazine please Mrs Harrison.”
    “Yes my duck. Off to take that young feller for a walk? Just because the sun is out and it feels warm, you still need to wrap up well,” she advised. Warm days usually mean frost at night, you know so you ought to make sure you keep warm. Isn’t that Greg Turners dog? How is he getting on my duck? Emily Fisher was telling me the other day that she saw you and Mr O’Sullivan visiting Greg in the hospital. See, her Hubby is in there with a bad chest infection and she was telling me all about the accident. Poor old Greg, what a shame. Fancy that happening. Will he be out in time for Christmas? He is such a lovely man you know. Ah well now,” she said sighing heavily, you never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next, do you my duck.” Mrs Harrison stopped long enough to draw breath before adding “Have a good day,” she said in a sing songy voice in imitation of an American accent.
    Debbie laughed and left the shop feeling more light-hearted than she have for a long time. As they passed the farm Trigger did his utmost to head through the gate but Debbie was firm and kept going towards the field where she knew she could let the dog go off the lead to give him a little playtime. She had his toy in her pocket to throw for him having been warned about the dangers of small balls getting caught in a dog’s throat. She found a nice warm spot where she could sit and browse through her magazine while keeping a good watch on Trigger as he dashed round running off his pent up energy
    Debbie was never quite sure in what order events happened a few minutes later. Trigger had brought the toy back to her ready for her to throw it for him again. She gave a good impression of bowling a cricket ball and the toy went spinning away. Off went Trigger scampering after it barking with joy. Debbie took little notice and continued to study the magazine she had just purchased from Mrs Harrison. She suddenly became aware of a deeper throatier barking and the high-pitched yelping of a dog. She looked up alarmed. For a minute she saw nothing. She started to run towards the sounds of barking then with horror she saw what was happening. A large dog had Trigger in its jaws and was shaking him and snarling. Debbie rushed towards the fighting dogs screaming as she ran. Yelling at the attacker Debbie attempted to pull Trigger away from the bigger dog only to receive a bite on her arm. She ignored the pain and aimed another blow at the dog’s face and tried again, this time with more success. Still growling and showing its teeth, the big dog backed off and fled leaving Trigger in a heap on the ground.
    Poor Trigger was shaking. Debbie gasped with horror as she looked down at him where he lay. All she could see was blood. Hardly able to believe what she had just witnessed she gathered Trigger in her arms and started towards the road that led back to the village.
    She could hardly see where she was going through the tears that streamed down her face. Bravely she stumbled on until she neared the farm gate. She had almost decided to stop there and let herself in with Greg’s key and use Greg’s telephone to call a vet but just as she was making up her mind a van stopped and a familiar voice called to her. “Debbie! Holy Mary! What is it! What’s the matter … are you hurt?
    “Kevin … Trigger has been attacked, I … I.. have to get help,” Debbie sobbed through her tears.
    In a flash Kevin was beside her. He took charge saying firmly “Here. Give him to me. Get in the van and I’ll run you home.”
    “No. I need a vet,” she choked out.” Kevin examined Trigger briefly and turning to Debbie ordered once again, “Get in the van and I’ll take you up to Paul Norton’s place. Sure, It won’t take a minute, his practise is just