The Beast of Bracksley Woods by Doreen Hayward Read Free Book Online

outside Bedford. You can tell me what happened on the way.”
    Gratefully Debbie obeyed. While Kevin made Trigger as comfortable as possible in the back of the van Debbie tried to get a grip of herself and wipe the tears from her eyes. She was still shaking with shock as Kevin got into the driving seat and started moving. “Okay. Let’s have it. Do you think you can tell me what happened?” he said sounding kinder.
    Debbie described what had happened adding that during her attempts to rescue Trigger she had got bitten by the crazy animal. I suppose I will have to find a doctor and get a tetanus injection. I haven’t been here very long and I haven’t registered yet.”
    “Ah well ’un all, we can soon fix that. Doc Phillip should suit you down to the ground. Sure, he is very popular with the ladies round here you know. He’s young and very good looking by all account. I here he likes a pretty face ’un all so he’s bound to like you,” he grinned.
    Debbie made no answer and shortly after they drew up outside the Vets surgery. Kevin jumped out of the van and carrying Trigger in his arms he told Debbie to go ahead and open the door for him. As soon as they were both inside Kevin went to the surgery door and knocked. There was an answer from inside and Kevin went in.
    Debbie sank down into a comfortable armchair in the waiting room. She could hear the murmur of mail voices coming from inside the room where Kevin had taken Trigger. Debbie felt utterly miserable. She didn’t know how she was going to tell Greg that his dog had been badly injured while in her care. What was more – how on earth was she going to pay the vets bill? She had always heard from other people who kept pets that vets charged an arm and a leg for treatment. Well, it was her fault that Trigger got hurt, she should have been watching him more carefully. She was liable so she would have to find the money somehow.
    Earlier that morning Debbie had been so fired up with her new business venture she had even forgotten to think about Mike. How soon life kicked you back to reality. She wasn’t the right person to look after dogs, she thought miserably. I did warn Greg I didn’t know anything about keeping dogs. Debbie was so deep in her own misery that she failed to notice the door of the surgery opening. She looked up to find a tall, well-built individual in a white coat standing in front of her with the bluest eyes she had ever seen and a mop of dark curly hair. When he spoke Debbie felt immediately calmed by the silky tone of his voice and drawn towards him like a moth towards a light.
    As he began to speak he placed his hands gently on her shoulders. His voice was quiet and full of sympathy as he spoke to her.
    “Hello Mrs Richards. My name Is Paul Norton and I am the local vet around here. I hear you’ve been looking after Trigger for Greg Turner. Well, I know Greg quite well. Now, you must stop worrying because that little chap in there,” … he paused and looked at the surgery door, “will be up and running about before you can say Jack Russell.” He chuckled at his own joke. “I have just examined Trigger and apart from a few stitches here and about and a rather nasty gash on the bottom of his leg, we can fix him up pretty well with no scars. The only thing is that he is pretty well traumatised at the moment so we would like to keep him here overnight just to monitor him. I’ll be giving him a sedative so he will be very sleepy for the next few hours.”
    Paul stopped speaking and sat down in a chair next to hers. “Let’s have a sit down while you tell me what happened. If you can remember, give me a description and the colour of the dog’s coat. Kevin is going to try to find the dog’s owner because the animal sounds quite nasty and ought to be stopped before he inflicts a serious injury on a child. So … Let’s see if you can help?”
    “I can’t give you much help, I only know it was a big dog. I think it may have been one of