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

pleasant sensation she forgot all about being annoyed. As she walked towards Greg she took in Paul’s smart grey suit and white shirt. His polished shoes and his smart silk blue tie. as he stood by the bed. He looked so tall and handsome with his dark curly hair, completely different from when she had seen him earlier that morning.
    They were deep in conversation obviously discussing plans for the new kennels as Debbie reached the bedside. “Are we any further forward with the Kennels Greg?” Paul asked.
    “Oh yes. We have planning permission and the work will be starting just after Christmas. I hope to be ready to open in about March. It isn’t going to take that long to put up a few kennels, will it?”
    Paul turned from answering Greg as he saw Debbie joining them. “Hello my dear. So you managed to make it.” He turned to Greg saying “I have already met this charming young lady this morning Greg.”
    “You seem to be getting around quite well, my dear,” Greg remarked and gave a little smile and winked at Paul. Debbie felt suddenly hot with embarrassment looking away so that Paul did not see the blush that rose to her face.
    “I am afraid my meeting with Paul was not a very happy event. You see, I have a confession to make. I have to tell you that Trigger got badly mauled by a large dog this morning while I had him out running. Mr Norton has patched him up and is keeping him overnight just to make sure he doesn’t suffer any lasting effects.”
    “Is this true?” Greg asked immediately alert.
    “Now you must not go blaming Debbie for what happened. It could have happened to anybody. Kevin has gone out looking for the dog because this is far from the first animal that has got injured. Something has to be done about it before real damage is done,” Paul looked really angry as he explained what had taken place. “It makes me so angry when I come across this sort of thing. Ignorance! sheer ignorance!”
    “If Mr Norton sends me his bill, of course I will pay it,” Debbie said miserably. I really think you ought to look for someone else to look after your dog Greg because I don’t seem to be making a very good job of it.”
    “What utter nonsense. Kevin has told me how good you are with him. You just carry on as you were and everything will be fine,” Greg told her patting her hand.
    “Don’t you worry about the bill,” Paul said, “Let’s just concentrate on finding the hound of the Baskerville,” Paul chuckled trying to lighten the atmosphere.
    “That’s good news. It will help me with any extras I get in,” Paul smiled turning his attention back to Greg from where it had wandered to Debbie as she approached.
    “Ah! Here she is at last,” Greg greeted her. We were wondering where you had got to.”
    “Well, I’m sorry but there was a breakdown on the way here,” she explained.
    “This young man is Paul Norton, our Vet,” Greg told her by way of introduction.
    “Yes, I know, I have already met him.”
    “Really, You didn’t say Paul. Fancy you getting acquainted so quickly.”
    “We only met this morning,” Debbie said screwing up her courage to continue. “You see, Trigger has had a rather nasty accident. I took him out this morning for a run and he got set on by a huge dog and bitten badly. Fortunately, just as I was struggling home with him Kevin passed me in the van and took me straight to the Vets because Trigger was bleeding so badly.”
    “Oh dear! My poor Trigger. How is he now. Have you left him on his own?”
    “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I don’t think I am the right person to look after your dog Greg. I feel so guilty that he should have got hurt so badly while I was looking after him.”
    “Stop beating yourself up young lady. It was NOT your fault. The dog was loose, left to roam with no owner in sight. Trigger is perfectly okay now Greg. He has been treated and sedated for shock. I am keeping him under surveillance for the night and as soon as I am