by J A Mawter
‘Very funny!’ Bryce pulled back and covered his arm. ‘I was bored. That’s all.’ At the look of disbelief on Darcy’s face he added, ‘I’ve stopped doing that stuff.’
‘Close ranks,’ ordered Mio, pointing to the gap. ‘We’ll barricade the dog in. Darcy, you go there, and Bryce, you’re here.’ The dog lay on her belly, cleaning one paw, her pink tongue persistent in its licking. Every now and again she glanced up. Mio continued, ‘Clem, fill that gap.’
‘I know, I know.’ Clem raised an eyebrow as she moved in. ‘You don’t have to tell me. I’m not an idiot.’
‘Gomennasai,’ said Mio with a soft voice. ‘Sorry.’
Step by step the kids closed the circle. The dog started on the other paw, but when the kids got too close she growled and scrambled to her feet.
‘Good doggie. Who’s a good doggie?’ Clem edged forwards, keeping her voice steady.
The dog’s tail gave a tentative wag but her hackles went up. She stood on three legs, the front one raised, ready to bolt.
‘Here, girl.’ Clem edged closer and held out her hand, pretending to have food. ‘There’s a good girl.’ She kept talking, her voice low and soothing. The others watched, knowing not to make a sound. If anyone could catch this beagle, Clem could.
‘That’s right,’ said Clem, gently putting her hands on its back then sliding them down round its belly. ‘We’re not going to hurt you. Where’s your collar?’ She rubbed the dog’s neck and looked around. ‘Must’ve fallen off.’
The dog stood stiff, its tail parallel to the ground, head tilted, nose twitching. Its front paw was still poised for flight.
‘Got you.’ With one hand Clem gripped the dog’s middle and with the other she fondled its head. ‘Such soft floppy ears,’ she said, then she lifted them up and peered inside. ‘Beagles are prone to ear infections,’ she informed the others. Then she scratched under its chin and laughed when the dog’s back legs collapsed and it had to sit down.
The others clustered round, gooing like a gaggle of grandmas. They all patted the dog, including Mio, even though she preferred cats. Mio tried to compare the beagle to her beautiful Japanese bobtail cat, Yuki, but she couldn’t. Yuki was a treasured reminder of her old home. Nothing could come close.
‘Look,’ said Clem, pointing to a tan area on the dog’s snout. ‘Look at this mark. It’s the cutest thing. She looks like she’s been kissed by someone wearing lipstick.’
All of a sudden the dog growled. Before it could run away a loop of chain was slipped over its head and pulled short.
‘Gotcha! Thank you very much.’ The man’s words hacked through the air. He straightened up, then pulled the chain tighter, making the dog’s throat rattle. She started to cough.
Clem snatched for the lead, saying, ‘Don’t. You’re hurting her.’
The man ducked out of Clem’s way and began to drag the dog towards the park. ‘It’s my dog and I’ll do what I like.’ The cough turned into a fit of coughing.
‘You’re choking her!’ screamed Clem as she followed. Without thinking she grabbed the man’s arm. It was what she would do at home to her brothers. ‘Let her go.’
‘Get lost!’ With his free arm the man shoved Clem away, then he started to walk faster. ‘Go away.’ The dog’s head was twisted. She gurgled as though she was drowning. She could barely walk. Her legs flapped along the ground.
‘Stop it,’ said Clem. She hurled herself at the man, her left shoulder smacking into his chest.
Darcy saw the man’s arm come up and called out, ‘No! Clem, duck,’ but his warning was too late. The arm shoved Clem back and she tumbled to the ground.
‘Bully!’ cried Darcy, leaping to Clem’s defence. Bryce and Mio did, too. But they’d only taken a couple of steps when the man swung around, his fist raised. ‘Any closer, and she gets it.’
Darcy, Mio and Bryce froze.
Clem tried to get up. Her ankle was throbbing from where she’d fallen awkwardly and her back was aching. She looked at the small beagle fighting for breath and vowed that the man was not going to get away with this.
‘Abunai!’ Mio called to Clem. ‘Don’t move. He’s dangerous.’ Karate had taught Mio that there were times to attack and times to withdraw. This was a time to withdraw.
Clem stayed where she’d fallen. Her eyes rested on the dog then moved to the man. The ground was hard beneath her, gravel digging into her hands, but she didn’t feel it.
‘Don’t try it again.’ The man jabbed a threatening finger at Clem, then backed away. A spine-chilling howl filled the air. A howl that pealed like church bells at a funeral.
‘Please, don’t hurt her,’ pleaded Clem, staggering to her feet. A lump formed in her throat. ‘Please.’
The dog looked at Clem, its kohl-rimmed eyes deep wells of sadness. More howls ripped the air.
‘No-o-o-o!’ Tears streamed down Clem’s cheeks. The man walked down the street and through the gate to the park, jolting the dog with each step.
Darcy, Mio and Bryce ran over to Clem and Darcy threw his arms around her, making little shush, shush noises. Mio patted Clem’s arm, saying, ‘Baka!’, the strongest insult she could think of, as she watched the man go. Bryce gave Clem a hug. Tears welled in his eyes and he didn’t try to hide them. For once, he was lost for song.
‘Stupid bitch!’ The man had crossed the park and stopped. In a voice loud enough for the kids to hear he yelled, ‘It’s the dog pound for you.’ With a last shake of his fist he disappeared round the corner.
Clem pulled away, wiping her tears on her sleeve. ‘We have to stop him,’ she told the others.
Darcy gripped Clem’s arm and shook her, saying, ‘Are you mad?’
Mio grabbed the other arm. ‘He could’ve really hurt you.’
Clem tried to break free but now it was Bryce who blocked her. ‘We prefer you in one piece.’
A series of howls broke the silence. Every hair on Clem’s body stood on end. She shivered, then thrust out her jaw and pulled herself to her full height. ‘I’m going to find her. And you’re going to help me.’
She held out a shaky hand, palm down. ‘Go the Freewheelers.’ Her eyes dared the others to resist. ‘To freedom.’
Chapter Five
Late Saturday morning, after karate and guitar lessons, Mio and Bryce met at the Jacobs’ place. The kids huddled in the kitchen eating cheese spread out of the jar. Darcy polished off his spoonful in one gulp, insisting, ‘It tastes better this way.’ Bryce took little nibbles and rolled them around with his tongue savouring the creamy taste and texture. Clem flattened her cheese spread against the roof of her mouth, trying not to suck too hard so it lasted longer. And Mio? She licked her spoon tentatively, her pink tongue darting in and out.
‘You look like a kitten,’ said Clem with a laugh. Then she pointed to the cupboard behind Darcy’s head, saying, ‘Pass the phone book, Darce. Let’s look up animal shelters before Mum and the boys get back from the shops.’
‘Yeah. Make the most of the peace and quiet.’ Darcy got the phone directory but said, ‘I’ll look them up and I’ll do the ringing.’
Clem frowned. ‘Nuh, uh. You look them up but I make the calls.’ She held out her hand. ‘It’s my idea.’
‘Let me remind you…’ said Darcy, heading for the portable phone and plucking it from the cradle, ‘…I am the oldest.’
Grrrrr! thought Clem. How many times have I heard that?
‘That doesn’t make you better at making phone calls.’ Clem tried to grab the phone but Darcy sidestepped and she missed, although she did manage to yank the phone book from his other hand. She held it up, triumphant. ‘No phone book, no call.’
Mio, who hated all the bickering, said, ‘Stop it, you two. Stop being so childish. Don’t you want to find the dog?’
‘Yes! Sir!’ Darcy pretended to salute but he wasn’t sure whether he should have his palm facing in or out. So he did both.
Bryce joined in and saluted too, all the while marching on the spot. H
e ducked as Mio pretended to shoot him down.
Clem flipped through the phone book to find the animal shelters. Before long she had a list of places to contact. Clem said a silent prayer. Please let us find her. But out loud she said, ‘Okay, Darcy. You make the calls.’ She read out the name and number of the first one and Darcy dialled.
Darcy cleared his throat before he began. He wanted to make a good impression.
Clem chuckled, then said, ‘You remind me of Dad. He does that, too.’
Darcy rolled his eyes. ‘Far out! I’m not turning into a grump who works seven days a week and yells at his kids when he comes home, am I?’ Darcy hung up and pretended to faint, saying, ‘I’m doomed. Doo-o-o-o-med.’
‘Idiot!’ said Clem. She chucked the phone book at him then ducked as it came flying back.
Darcy put on his serious voice and dialled again. ‘Excuse me, but has a man brought a beagle in today?’
‘A real beauty with a cheeky grin,’ interrupted Clem.
There was a pause, then Darcy frowned. ‘What do you mean by tri-colour? Or lemon?’ Another pause before he answered. ‘Then, yes. She’s a Tri-colour.’
There was a long silence while the receptionist checked.
Clem explained to the others as they waited. ‘A tri-colour means she’s black, tan and white. And lemon means she’s creamy white.’
Bryce whistled, then said, ‘You sure do know a lot about beagles, Clem.’
‘She reads the dog encyclopaedia,’ said Darcy. ‘She should.’
‘Sorry,’ said the man, but Darcy thought he didn’t sound too sorry. ‘No beagles in today. What about a little Jack Russell? They’re as cute as.’
‘No, thanks,’ said Darcy, shaking his head even though the man couldn’t see it. ‘I’m looking for a particular beagle.’ He hung up then pointed to the list and told Clem, ‘Cross that one off.’
Clem drew a line through the Merri Merri Lost Dogs’ Home and Darcy moved to the next one. ‘Excuse me. Was a beagle brought in today?’
He was put on hold but the person forgot to press the button. The voice down the phone was loud enough for all of them to hear. ‘Another missing beagle, Pearl. Bet they don’t find her.’ But into the phone she said, ‘I’ll take down your particulars, young man, and call you if she turns up. You never know.’
‘The dog’s name?’ Darcy looked surprised. ‘Is she microchipped? Ummmm?’ He turned to the others for inspiration. Bryce shrugged. Mio frowned. Clem screwed up her nose. ‘We’re not, um, too sure about either of those.’
Clem gritted her teeth. With determination she grabbed the phone from Darcy and started, ‘There’s this man, see, who comes to our park with this little beagle and he’s mean to her.’ Clem took a breath. ‘He treats her real bad. Anyway, he told us he’s going to get rid of her, put her in the pound, so my friend and I are looking for her because we’d like to rescue her and…’ Clem looked indignant. Two pink spots flared on her cheeks. ‘This isn’t some joke. We’re deadly serious.’
Darcy took back the phone and said, ‘We need you to help us.’ He kept his voice calm, the same voice he used on his baby brother, Drew, when he was coaxing him into doing something he didn’t want to. ‘Thank you.’ Then in quick succession he added, ‘Darcy Jacobs,’ and gave his details. ‘Thanks, bye.’
One by one they went through the list of animal shelters. More and more names got crossed out.
‘Maybe the man didn’t carry out his threat?’ Bryce’s suggestion was met with silence. He pulled a face, then picked up the pen and started slashing at the page of names.
Darcy grabbed the pen, saying, ‘Go easy, Bryce. Instead of “Defacing Public Property”, this time you’ll be up for “Assault on a Piece of Paper”.’
Bryce wheeled round to face Darcy, his face twisted. ‘Can’t resist, can you?’ He clenched his teeth, cheeks bulging as his mind flashed back to that terrifying day in court and the oozing relief when he was handed over to his father instead of ending up in some juvenile detention centre. This time…‘Look, the vandalism ’n’ stuff are in the past! He got to his feet and stormed for the door. ‘When are you gonna get it into your thick head? It’s over.’
Darcy leapt after Bryce and grabbed hold of his arm, saying, ‘Don’t go.’ Bryce tried to twist out of his grasp but Darcy clung on. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m way out of line.’ He held out his free hand. ‘Friends?’
Bryce halted. He stared at the outstretched hand, wanting to slap it away but knowing he couldn’t.
‘Sorry!’
Bryce stood still, resisting.
‘Friends?’ asked Darcy again, cursing himself for being so dumb.
Mio double blinked. Her heart was racing and she broke into a sweat. In her home, arguing was taboo. She couldn’t even remember a time when a voice was raised in anger. She looked at Darcy and said, ‘You’ve got better things to do than fight with Bryce.’ Darcy nodded, looking sheepish.
Bryce took the outstretched hand. ‘Friends,’ he said. And for the umpteenth time he wished he could erase his past.
‘Thank goodness, you two,’ said Mio, awash with relief.
‘Maybe Bryce’s right,’ said Darcy, giving him a half-smile. ‘Maybe the man’s still got the dog?’
‘That’d be worse.’ Clem’s voice sounded strangled. ‘Much, much worse.’
‘I agree,’ said Mio. ‘But don’t panic yet. There’s still one dogs’ home to go.’
Darcy rang the animal shelter, the one at Braxxby. By now he was slumped against the fridge, rubbing his forehead. The phone rang and rang until finally someone answered. ‘Did a man bring in a beagle either late yesterday or today?’ asked Darcy. Suddenly he bolted upwards. ‘He did!’ Darcy gave the thumbs-up sign to the others. They crowded around the phone, straining to hear the voice through the handpiece. ‘Yes, I’m looking for a female.’
Clem jumped up and down, so high that she banged her head on Bryce’s chin. ‘Watch it,’ said Bryce as he pulled back and checked for blood.
Clem mouthed the word Sorry, at the same time rubbing her own head and listening to Darcy.
Darcy’s smile took over his face. He waved his hand about as he said, ‘Yes, a tri-colour female.’
Clem twirled in excitement.
‘We’re in luck.’ Darcy held up his hand for a high five and Bryce obliged. ‘You’ve got one Tri-colour beagle, a girl, brought in this morning. Awesome!’ Darcy paused. ‘Why isn’t she microchipped? I don’t know.’ A tirade could be heard through the phone. ‘I guess someone forgot. Sorry. Now, what time d’you close?’ Darcy pulled a face as he looked at his watch. ‘That’s no good. My sister and I have a hockey game this afternoon. We can’t make it.’
‘Tell them we’ll come tomorrow,’ said Clem, trying to speak into the phone. ‘After we’ve been to Oma’s and Opa’s for breakfast.’ Oma and Opa were Clem and Darcy’s Lithuanian grandparents.
‘We’ll be there tomorrow, before midday,’ said Darcy. ‘You close right on the dot? We’ll be there. You’ll keep her till we get there, won’t you?’ Darcy gave his name, address and contact number. ‘Thanks a lot. Bye.’
He grinned as he told the others, ‘They’ll hold her for us. The lady promised. They close at twelve.’
‘Yes!’ Clem leapt so high that she nearly smacked her head on the cupboard. ‘We found her.’ One by one she gave them all a hug.
Mio pulled away and asked, ‘What will we do with her once we’ve got her?’ She looked at the others. ‘I can’t take her. I’ve got Yuki.’
Bryce turned to Clem and said, ‘Dad won’t let me have a dog either. Not with the baby coming ’n’ all.’ He looked out the window, thinking about how much he’d love a dog, then started to hum the tune, ‘Somebody to Love’.
‘We’ll have her,’ said Clem, beaming at everyone. ‘She’ll live here. I’ll play with her, feed her, take her for long walks.’ She wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Snuggle up on cold wet nights.’
D
arcy’s smile faded as he said, ‘What about Dad? You know how he feels about a pet.’
Clem flicked a strand of hair off her forehead, then tossed her head back. Her eyes seemed to throw sparks. ‘Dad’ll come round. You’ll see.’
‘I don’t know.’ Darcy folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the kitchen bench. ‘Remember Kev, the basset hound? He only lasted two days.’
‘That’s ’cause he ate the hose on the industrialstrength vacuum cleaner. It won’t happen again.’
‘Dad and dogs are not a good combination.’
‘Dad’ll fall for this one the minute he sees her.’ Clem picked up the phone and plunked it on its cradle. ‘You’ll see.’
Chapter Six
The next day after breakfast Clem and Darcy raced to the train station where Mio and Bryce were waiting.
‘Finally!’ Mio stopped tapping her foot and walked up to greet them, wheeling her bike beside her.
‘It’s been the longest morning,’ said Clem, hopping off her bike and pulling some money out of her pocket. ‘I love seeing Oma and Opa but today it dragged.’
After a quick search of his pockets Darcy grabbed Clem’s sleeve and asked, ‘Can you pay for me? I forgot my wallet. Owe you.’ Clem hesitated so Darcy got down on one knee. ‘Ple-e-ease.’
‘Okay,’ said Clem, taking a note from her pocket. ‘But you pay it back—with interest.’
‘Hmmph.’
Bryce jumped off his bike and peered at the timetable, checking in each pocket at the same time. ‘I know I’ve got money. Mone-e-ey, mone-e-ey. Question is, where?’
Clem rolled her eyes at Mio. ‘Men!’
‘I’ve got enough for both of us,’ Mio told Bryce. ‘Pay me back later.’ She took the note from Clem, put it with her own money, then approached the ticket seller. ‘Four return tickets to Braxxby, please.’
‘Trains run every fifteen minutes,’ said the ticket seller as he counted the money and pushed two coins back. ‘Next one’s at 10.40.’
The kids wheeled their bikes onto the platform and propped them on their stands, threading their helmets on the handlebars. Steam rose from the tracks and there was a distinct smell of oil. A pigeon flew overhead and in the distance there was a screeching of brakes, followed by some furious beeping. Mio sat on a bench, then slid along to make room for the others. She kept glancing at her watch then at the indicator board.
