Spy Pups Circus Act

by Andrew Cope

  The blood had started to rush to Star’s head. Her eyes were bulging. Her back legs wobbled a bit and she panicked. The effort of pulling herself back on to the roof was too much. I’m stuck, she thought. Upside down, like a bat! She felt the blood pumping in her face. Her back legs wobbled a bit more and she felt herself slipping. Uh-oh! Not good!

  There was a resounding crash as the puppy hit the floor. Cats are famous for landing on their feet; unfortunately, dogs are not. Star lay on the caravan floor, winded and in pain. The conversation stopped and all eyes turned towards her.

  ‘Hi, guys,’ she gasped in a weird puppy woof. ‘Just thought I’d drop in.’

  10. Hot Pursuit

  Spud watched as the caravan door was hauled open and his sister was thrown out.

  ‘And stay out!’ bellowed Tony Jewell. There was a terrified yowl and Star landed with a thud. Spud galloped to check on his sister.

  ‘You OK, sis?’ he panted, planting a wet slurp across her face.

  Star stood up gingerly. She rolled her head from side to side until they heard a click. ‘That’s better,’ she woofed.

  ‘What did you find out?’ asked her brother, his tail swishing. ‘Any clues?’

  ‘Major clues! We were right that they’re the criminals, but the plans have changed,’ gasped Star. ‘The Partingtons are coming tonight, so the robbery kicks off in a few minutes!’

  ‘What?’ yelped Spud. ‘But the police are ready for Saturday! We’ve got to warn the professor!’

  The caravan door opened and the criminal gang poured out, with Tony Jewell in the lead. The rubber man reached down and scooped up Spud. ‘Are you two pups still on the loose?’ he sneered. ‘You’ve got a crowd to entertain.’

  ‘You too, mutt,’ added the monkey man, grabbing Star roughly by the scruff of her neck and heading off towards the big top. ‘It’s showtime, Precious Puppies.’

  There wasn’t a moment to call for help. The pups waited nervously backstage. They had their sparkly capes on and Jennifer Jewell had given them some sunglasses to complete their stage look. Spud had checked himself in every mirror.

  Pretty cool, he admitted. Even if I say so myself.

  The other performers were stretching their muscles and wishing each other good luck. The show was about to begin.

  The problem is, so’s the robbery! Star peeped out from behind the curtain at the packed crowd. Lord and Lady Partington were sitting in the VIP seats in the front row. Star saw the Cook family and Professor Cortex and waved. Ollie spotted her and gave her a thumbs up.

  Spud tried to point to the Partingtons, but the professor just waved back.

  ‘We have to get a message to the prof,’ woofed Star. ‘There’s a huge robbery happening in the next thirty minutes! What are we going to do?’

  Spud didn’t have time to answer. The puppies were dragged into the centre of the ring, along with all the other performers. The spotlight picked out Tony Jewell, in top hat and Union Jack waistcoat, who puffed his chest out with pride as he introduced the show.

  He’s terrible, thought Spud. So many fibs about how funny the clowns are. I’ve seen them practise and Mr Cook’s new hairstyle is more amusing than them.

  The performers left the stage to huge applause, leaving the clowns and their wobbly fire engine to start the show. Spud and Star strained to see where the gang had gone. Star spotted the tightrope walker disappearing out of a tent flap.

  ‘Quick,’ she woofed, ‘let’s get the professor and give chase!’

  Star checked all around, looking for a way out. There was a small gap under the big top and she went for it.

  ‘This way, bro. Too big for a person, but just right for a spy pup.’ Star fell to her tummy and squeezed out into the night air. The pups sprinted round the marquee to the entrance.

  ‘Mum!’ said Spud, spotting Lara sitting outside. She got to her feet.

  ‘Mum, Mum, robbers!’ howled Star. ‘Robbers on the loose! They’re going to steal the jewels from Lord and Lady Partington tonight,’ she panted.

  ‘We have to stop them,’ gasped Spud, ‘before Tony Jewell notices we’re missing!’

  ‘We sure do,’ Lara barked. She knew there was no time to waste. But I think we’ll need the professor’s help, she thought. He’s got a mobile so he can ring the police. The problem is, he’s in there and dogs aren’t allowed in. Lara stuck her head through the big top entrance and scanned the crowd. Ben, Sophie and Ollie were applauding the clowns. Lara put her paw in her doggie mouth and did her best whistle. ‘Over here, Prof, we need your help!’ But the noise of the band was too loud. She tried again and Ben looked up. He saw Lara waving her paws about and knew something was up. He nudged his brother and sister.

  ‘Look. Lara wants us. Come on, guys, Let’s scram.’

  ‘Just going to get a drink,’ said Ben as he stood and pushed past their mum and dad.

  ‘Me too,’ said Sophie. ‘All this laughing’s making me thirsty!’

  ‘And don’t forget me,’ piped up their younger brother.

  ‘Go easy on the fizz, Ollie,’ warned Mum. ‘You’re excited enough as it is.’

  The children filed out of their row and through the tent flap into the cool evening air. The sound of the performance was muffled and the smell of hot dogs wafted past.

  ‘What is it, Lara?’ asked Sophie. ‘Is it the baddies? Have you caught them?’

  ‘It is the baddies,’ nodded Lara. ‘But we haven’t caught them yet.’ Lara barked instructions to the pups. ‘You go to Partington Manor to keep an eye on proceedings. I’ll stay here in case the baddies return this way. Don’t take any risks, OK? Follow them, observe and report back here.’

  ‘OK, Ma,’ saluted Star.

  ‘Understood,’ agreed Spud.

  The pups bounded off into the night. Lara looked at the No Dogs sign that was hanging at the entrance to the big top. This is an emergency, she decided as she bounded inside to fetch the professor.

  The three Cook children looked at each other, bewildered. ‘What’s going on?’ asked Ollie.

  ‘What was all that barking about?’ said Sophie. ‘What do we do?’

  They looked at Ben. He shrugged. ‘Seems to be more action that-a-way,’ he smiled, pointing after Spud and Star.

  ‘An adventure!’ yelped Ollie, and the children ran off in pursuit of the puppies.

  11. Escape Route

  The pups scampered as fast as their short legs would carry them. The gate to Partington Manor was locked. They noticed a ladder up against the wall. ‘That must be their way into the grounds,’ yapped Spud. ‘But we don’t need that.’ The puppies fell to their bellies and crept underneath the gate, Spud instantly regretting the toffee apples earlier. He got stuck halfway and his sister had to give his collar a tug. Spud dusted himself off and they surveyed the scene.

  ‘Wow, it really is a mansion! Over there,’ said Star, jabbing a paw towards the front of the house. The puppies crept into a nearby bush.

  ‘Look,’ whispered Spud, pointing at three of the circus performers who’d gathered on the doorstep. The tightrope walker and the rubber man were discussing something. Gordon Gibbons was giving the monkeys a banana to keep them quiet.

  How are they going to get in? wondered Star. I guess their secret will be revealed.

  Spud yelped with fear as someone grabbed his collar. ‘There you are,’ whispered Ben. The children had scaled the ladder and joined the puppies in the shadows. All eyes fell on the small gang of robbers. ‘What now?’ mouthed Ben to the pups.

  They watched as the rubber man went through a few stretches and then raised his arms high above his head. He twisted in a very awkward way and Sophie let out a small squeal as the rubber man dislocated his shoulders and started to feed himself, feet first, through the cat flap. ‘No way!’ said Sophie, peering through her fingers. ‘He’ll never be able to squeeze through that tiny hole.’

  She was wrong. It took a lot of wriggling, but eventually the thief was inside the manor. He sp
ent two minutes putting his bones back in the right places and disabling the burglar alarm and then the door opened and in went the gang. The children heard the rubber man adopt a posh voice and say, ‘Welcome to Partington Manor. Do come in and help yourself to whatever you want.’ The other two laughed.

  ‘We have to stop them,’ Spud said to his sister, ‘but Mum said not to do anything except watch.’ He looked at Star.

  ‘But that’s not what a real spy pup would do,’ she said hopefully.

  ‘You’re right,’ he agreed. ‘If we let them get away, then the circus will roll on to the next town. Let’s go!’

  ‘I don’t think the puppies are just going to sit here, do you?’ Ben whispered to his brother and sister as the puppies stared towards the open door.

  ‘No,’ agreed Sophie. ‘Maybe we could sneak up and lock them in a room until the police arrive.’

  ‘We can’t phone them until we’re inside anyway – my mobile is charging at home,’ Ben pointed out.

  ‘C’mon, sis,’ said Spud. ‘No time to waste!’

  Star led the way. The children and puppies crept across the lawn and stood by the side door. Spud peeked in through the cat flap. ‘All clear,’ he wagged. He and his sister crept inside. Ben creaked open the door and soon the children and puppies were standing in the hallway of the fabulous house.

  ‘Wow!’ gasped Ollie, looking at the paintings and vases. ‘The Partingtons are very rich people!’

  ‘Soon to be much less rich,’ said Sophie. ‘When those horrible performers have stolen the gems.’

  ‘I heard them say it was the fourth floor,’ woofed Star to her brother quietly. ‘Come on, team, let’s investigate.’

  Star scampered up the first flight of carpeted stairs, leaving muddy paw prints as she went. Ben, Sophie and Ollie crept along, Ollie doing exaggerated tiptoes like he’d seen in cartoons. He issued a very loud ‘Shush,’ for effect. Sophie waved her arms and did a much quieter ‘Shush,’ to her brother.

  ‘This is serious, Ollie,’ she whispered. Then she turned to her elder brother. ‘Shouldn’t we just wait? Or call the police or something?’

  ‘What, and miss this adventure?’ hissed Ben. ‘No way. Come on, sis.’

  Up and up they went. Spud now led the way, tail as straight as a car aerial. Star followed, nose to the ground, sniffing furiously.

  The children and puppies came to a fourth-floor bedroom. Spud was pointing inside. ‘In there, guys. They’re opening the safe.’

  The Cook children peered round the door. The tightrope lady was rifling through Lady Partington’s jewellery box, picking out the jewel-encrusted earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Gordon Gibbons had removed a painting to reveal the Partingtons’ safe. The children watched as he put on a set of headphones and attached a gadget to the safe. He frowned with concentration. The monkey trainer turned the knob left, then right a bit, then left and right again until there was a satisfying click. The robbers smiled and Gordon gave a thumbs up. He pulled the lever and the wall safe swung open. Sophie held her hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp. There were wads of cash inside. But the burglars didn’t seem interested. Instead, they removed a small black bag, tied with a ribbon. Gordon beckoned the others to the bed. He sat down, untied the bow and emptied the contents of the bag into his hand. A dozen sparkling diamonds glistened.

  Sophie’s hand went to her mouth again and Ollie’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He stepped backwards in amazement, straight into a huge vase. There was a loud clatter as the vase fell sideways. It seemed like slow motion as it rolled across the carpet and thudded down the stairs to the landing below, making a big thump down each stair. Ollie was horrified.

  ‘Whoops!’ he smiled, trying to look innocent.

  Ben took his brother and sister by the hand and started to run down the stairs. The puppies had other ideas.

  ‘Come on, Spud, we have to protect the kids and let them get out!’ The dogs ran into the bedroom, barking as loudly as they could.

  ‘Maximum chaos, sister!’ Spud bared his teeth in an attempt to look menacing. Both dogs had their hackles raised, looking as big and fierce as two cute puppies can. Spud stood on his hind legs and puffed out his sparkly cloak. ‘Beware,’ he growled. ‘Spy pups are on the case!’

  ‘It’s just dogs,’ said the monkey man. ‘Those stupid puppies from the circus. They must have followed us. Let’s stay calm and get this job finished.’ He glanced across at his monkeys. ‘Derek, Clive – get ’em.’

  Spud took a step backwards. I’ve never fought monkeys, he thought as the large one swung from the lampshade and grabbed his cloak. Before he knew what was happening, the monkey had ripped off his cape and returned to the light fitting, chattering and laughing at the puppy.

  You like jewels, don’t you? Spud remembered from the parade that afternoon. Well, come and get this then. He pinched a sparkly watch off the bed and disappeared out of the door. The monkeys screeched with horror and gave chase. Spud leapt on to the banister and started to slide. ‘Whoa!’ he woofed. ‘This is fast!’ The banister curved its way to the ground floor and Spud’s challenge was to stay aboard. He gripped with all his paws, his ears flapping wildly.

  Ouch, my bottom’s getting warm, he thought as he whizzed past the second floor. But this is better than a theme-park ride! He made sure he kept hold of the watch as he careered ever faster towards the bottom. But how exactly am I going to get off at the end? The end of the banister approached and Spud closed his eyes as he flew at high speed.

  Star bounded down the stairs after her brother. As she reached the ground floor she saw Spud lying in a heap, the evil monkeys circling him.

  And now they’re not cheeky, they’re snarling, itching for a fight. Yikes! The monkeys eyed the watch hanging out of Spud’s mouth. The puppy had recovered now and backed away, the monkeys inching forward.

  Steady on, my primate pals, he thought. Don’t mess with me, I’m a black belt. Spud backed into Lord Partington’s office. He glanced around and spotted an open drawer in the filing cabinet. Come and get it, he teased as he jerked his head and tossed the sparkly watch into the open drawer.

  The monkeys had been trained to retrieve jewels. They couldn’t resist and both leapt for the drawer, fighting to be the first to the watch. With a perfectly timed karate kick, Star slid the drawer shut and the monkeys were trapped inside. They hammered and emitted muffled screeches, but the primates were out of action.

  Star patted her paws together in satisfaction. ‘Nice teamwork, bro,’ she woofed. ‘That’s put an end to their monkey business! Now for the real baddies!’

  The puppies bounded back up to the fourth floor and stood in the doorway. They watched as Gordon Gibbons pocketed the diamonds and clicked the safe shut. The tightrope lady closed the jewellery box. It was as though nobody had ever been in the bedroom.

  Star went for the monkey man’s ankles. She darted in and gave him a nasty nip.

  ‘Ouch!’ he yelled, hopping about. ‘That dog bit me!’ He kicked out, but Star dodged and his foot walloped a chair. ‘Ouch!’ he yelled again. Not to be outdone, Spud grabbed his trouser leg and pulled the man off balance. He fell and cracked his head on the bedpost, then collapsed on to the floor.

  ‘Out cold,’ woofed Star. ‘One down, two to go.’

  The tightrope lady rummaged through Gordon Gibbons’s pockets and retrieved the diamonds. Then she followed the rubber man out on to the landing and the pair galloped down the stairs, taking them three at a time. This wasn’t going as smoothly as planned, but at least they had the diamonds.

  Ben was waiting on the next landing, crouching behind a plant pot with Ollie and Sophie. He heard them coming and jumped out at exactly the right moment, pulling the trigger of a fire extinguisher. The rubber man was blasted with foam. Sophie threw the fire blanket over his head and Ollie pushed him down the next flight of stairs. He tumbled downwards with some agonizing crunches of bone. His rubber body wasn’t expecting it and he landed awkwardly, breaking
his ankle.

  ‘Owww! My ankle! Mummy, it hurts,’ he wailed, then went cross-eyed before slumping to the carpet, passing out from the pain.

  ‘He’s been extinguished,’ yelled Ben. ‘One baddie to go. Let’s get her.’ The tightrope lady had retreated back upstairs. She kicked her way past the snarling puppies and locked herself in the fourth-floor bedroom. The children and spy pups gathered outside.

  Ben rattled the door handle. ‘We’re phoning the police!’ he yelled. ‘Hello, police,’ he said loudly, pretending to be on the phone so the lady could hear. ‘We’ve got a criminal tightrope walker locked in a room. Oh, and a rubber man and monkey trainer. We’ve captured them, red-handed, stealing jewels at Partington Manor. Please come quickly.’

  He mouthed to his brother and sister. ‘What do we do now?’

  The lady sounded calm. ‘The police won’t be here in time,’ she shouted back. ‘I’m not hanging around to get caught. See you later, kids.’

  ‘What does she mean?’ asked Ollie. ‘She can’t escape from the fourth floor.’

  Ben instructed Star to run for help. ‘Go and fetch the professor,’ he instructed. ‘Not Mum or Dad, though. Especially not Mum,’ he said, thinking of how she’d told them all to stay out of trouble. ‘Star, you’re the fastest. Now off you go.’

  The puppy scampered down the stairs on a mission for help. But she was back thirty seconds later, her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth. ‘She’s escaping,’ woofed the puppy. ‘She’s tightrope-walking across to the next building. And the diamonds are escaping with her!’

  12. Balancing Act

  Star stood on her hind legs and mimed walking on a tightrope. She splayed her front legs and wobbled across an imaginary line on the carpet. C’mon, guys, you know what this is.