’We could say there’s been some kind of a chemical spill. Toxic waste, or something. We wouldn’t have to tell the truth,’ Gary said.
’What chemical wagon is going to go up the footpath and spill its load?’ Ernie asked. ‘Think it through, Gary. We’ll have to come up with something better than that for it to be believable. Besides that, you wouldn’t expect to see a homemade sign warning against a chemical spill. It would be the Council or the Police there. Or even the Army! We’ll bring it up to Wee Renee. It’s a good idea, I’ll give you that. If we could save one life I suppose, it is worth it. It might work if we post a couple of us as Moor guards.’
’It would probably take more than a couple to defend something like that. It’s not just the Friarmere entrance, you are talking about the whole Moors!’ Gary said. ‘The fact is that Tommy and Suzanne have seen one. There might be fifty up there for as much as we know. How would two of us cope with that? Even Pat and Wee Renee would struggle!’
’Oh no don’t say that. Please let there just be one,’ Ernie said. ‘Let’s just hope they are singular. And we find him quickly and dispatch him.’
’It’s exciting though isn’t it,’ Gary said. ‘As soon as this one is over, I’ll be hoping for another adventure.’
’I’m with you on that one,’ Ernie said. ‘As long as I don’t have to be the victim or transformed into a nightwalker again. That was boring, and who knows if there will be a cure this time. But Gary, it is great to have a mystery to solve. I tell you what, it beats staying in and watching the television every night.’
The two men got to the centre of Friarmere. It had been raining, but it had stopped now. The pavements were drying; however, it was still not the nicest of nights to be out. Ernie thought this was probably a blessing in disguise, as not many dog walkers or hikers would be up on the Moors, or he hoped not.
The Chip Shop was on the High Street, but very near to the entrance to the road that ran up to The Grange. Every night it was packed. The windows were steamed up, and lots of bodies could be seen inside although the doors were shut.
Gary and Ernie opened the glass door and pushed their way in. They shut the door again and stood at the back of the queue.
’Do you want any fish doing?’ The woman shouted from behind the counter. In this Chip Shop, fishes were all cooked fresh and were ready and waiting before the person got to the front of the queue.
’One for me,’ Ernie shouted. Gary didn’t shout up. He had decided on double sausage tonight.
As they would be now very much overhead, they had ceased their previous conversation and started talking about what was on the television tonight, which seemed to be not very much. Even though, as Gary said, Thursday should be one of the best nights.
’Friday used to be the best night on the telly, but even that’s rubbish now. I remember when I was younger, they used to have a black-and-white horror film on about 6 o’clock on Fridays, do you remember? It was on BBC2. That was brilliant,’ Gary said. ‘And you could bet that you would get a Hammer Horror at about 10 as well. There is nothing like that on now it’s always the alternative comedy scene, as far as I can tell.’
’Don’t I know it,’ Ernie said. ‘I used to have a right crush on Valerie Leon and Madeleine Smith. Oh, and Ingrid Pitt. Lynn would never let me watch them. She knew why I wanted to. Now I can watch them as much as I like, and they aren’t even on. Most of the time I just sit with the Radio on. Even the comedy they put on is an effort to shove politics down your throat. That really gets up my nose,’ Ernie said. Gary gave a firm nod, he thoroughly agreed with what Ernie had said.
The glass door opened again and in walked Matt. Gary knew Matt more than Ernie did. But Ernie was at least on nodding acquaintance with him.
’Alright, Matt?’ Gary asked.
’Yes, I’m here for another slice of haute cuisine,’ Matt said.
‘Same as us. You could do a lot worse,’ Ernie said.
’Any fish love? The lady shouted.
’No thanks,’ Matt said. The queue inched up again. Three ladies were serving so they were getting through the Thursday rush quite quickly. Gary resumed his former conversation with Ernie.
‘Anyway, I am almost sure there won’t be a Hammer Horror for you tonight, Ernie,’ Gary said. ‘Lynn must be pulling some strings somewhere.’
‘Oh Valerie Leon,’ Matt said, with a soppy smile.
‘Exactly,’ Ernie said. ‘Now if you want to see her, you have to buy the DVD’s. Even those wear out.’ Gary looked at Ernie for a moment, a little shocked. Ernie hadn’t realised he had been so honest.
’What are you up to tonight?’ Gary asked Matt.
’I don’t know. After this, I’ll see how I feel. Either put on a DVD myself, you know Bruce Willis, or Liam Neeson. I don’t have any Valerie Leon. Or I’ll go down the pub. You can please yourself when you’re on your own, can’t you? Over the weekend it can get a bit lonely. I’ve got some work to do though so that should take me a few hours on Sunday.’
’You want to take up an instrument. You could join our Brass Band. A lot of weekends we are out,’ Gary said.
‘I wouldn’t know where to start,’ Matt said. ‘I’m not musical at all. I wish I were.’
’Neither is Gary,’ Ernie said laughing.
Andy now entered. He was just on his way home from work, and Liz had called him to pick up their tea. He was a few people behind the others but gave them a wave before shouting loudly at the lady behind the counter.
’Two fish please?’ Pre-empting the lady before she asked him. Gary had now got to the front.
‘Double sausage and chips please?’ Gary said. ‘With a large tub of gravy separate.’
’Open or wrapped, love?’ She asked.
’Wrapped please and plenty of salt and vinegar,’ Gary said. The next lady spoke to Ernie.
‘You’ve got a fish ordered haven’t you, pet?’ She asked.
‘Yes, fish and chips please?’ Ernie told her.
‘Wrapped up?’ The lady asked.
‘Yes please. Salt and vinegar on too,’ Ernie said.
‘Aw, just the same as your friend,’ she commented with a smile.
‘Quite,’ Ernie said. ‘Can I just have my chips now, or is this Mastermind?’ The lady didn’t speak again, only to tell him how much it was. Ernie already had the correct money. He knew exactly how much fish and chips was in there.
’What would you like?’ The lady asked Matt.
‘Rag pudding and chips please,’ Matt said smiling. After Gary and Ernie had paid for their meal, they said goodbye to Matt and Andy and left. There wasn’t much air in the chip shop, and when they came out of the hot steamy atmosphere, it rushed at them cold and frigid.
’Shall we have a beer with our chips tonight, instead of a cup of tea?’ Gary asked.
‘I haven’t got any in,’ Ernie said. ‘If we fetch some, the chips will go cold.’
’I have got some Ernie. Plus, some homebrew. We’ll dine at my house tonight instead. Let’s get home while this is still warm.’
All the way through the rest of the afternoon and distractedly all the way through his tea, Bob had thought about the rustling in the bushes at the back of School. He decided that even though he felt a bit silly about doing it, he would tell Wee Renee about it. He would ask her advice, then it was up to her whether she investigated it. Bob felt that if he didn’t pass it on, something could be missed.
He went upstairs to his Mum’s bedroom, which faced the front of the street. From here he could see Wee Renee’s house just across the road and up a few houses. He could see her living room. The light was on, and the curtains were shut. Bob was sure she was in. He didn’t know whether to tell his Mum and Dad. He decided he would see what Wee Renee thought about it all before he mentioned it to his parents.
’Adam do you want to go across to Wee Renee’s with me and tell her about that rustling in the bushes?’ Bob asked.
’Yeah, I’ll got nothing else to do. I st
ill think it’s a waste of time Bob. I want you to remember that’ Adam said.
Sue and Tony seemed to be engrossed in an episode of EastEnders, so Bob shouted to them from the kitchen, once he had the door open and they had their shoes and coats on so that his parents could do little about it.
’Just nipping out for five minutes, won’t be any longer. Okay?’ Bob shouted.
’Yes, that’s fine,’ Tony said. ‘But not long. You know there’s something about.’
’We’re staying on the street,’ Adam said.
’No problem,’ Sue shouted.
The two boys walked the short distance to Wee Renee’s house and knocked on the door. When Wee Renee saw who was there, she was delighted to have them come in.
’Would you like a hot drink or some pop?’ Wee Renee asked. ‘I might even have some Irn-Bru it’s very good for you, you know. Oh, I know what all you young ones like – a nice wee mug of hot Vimto.’ Bob didn’t know where Wee Renee had heard that, but in his case, she was definitely misinformed.
’Yeah if you’ve got it, I’d like some Irn-Bru, please,’ Bob said.
‘Yes please,’ Adam agreed.
‘Go inside then and take a seat. I’ll bring your drinks in,’ Wee Renee said.
The boys went in and saw that the vista had changed a little bit on Wee Renee’s walls. There were a lot more beast notifications on view. It was also now covering all four walls of her living room instead of the one and a half, the last time they were in.
Wee Renee also seemed to have purchased some kind of a microscope that sat in the box on the coffee table. The instructions were open at the side, she had obviously just been reading them.
’Have you bought yourself a new toy?’ Adam asked when Wee Renee returned with two glasses. Watermelon slices were painted on the side and inside, the contents were orange - the fabled Irn-Bru.
’I have used one before, but it’s been a while. Maybe you two lads could help me in a bit,’ she said. ‘I want to examine the fur, to see if it is a natural creature from this area. See if there is other evidence clinging to it. A haemoglobin molecule or something, from the carnivore or the victim.’ Wee Renee smiled
’Good idea,’ Adam said.
’How are you these days Adam? Are you fully recovered?’ Wee Renee asked.
’Yes, I am, Wee Renee. Thanks for asking. I feel totally normal now again,’ Adam replied.
’That’s great. What can I do for you lads? Or is it that you’ve just come to see your old Wee Renee, for a few laughs about the good old days?’ Wee Renee asked.
’Well, we do have something to tell you. Although we both like coming over to see you anyway,’ Bob said.
’Yes? Is it about our mystery?’ Wee Renee asked.
’We don’t kind of know, but Bob thought we ought to tell you, just in case it’s important,’ Adam said.
’You haven’t been going up to those Moors, have you? Snooping around? That’s very dangerous. Your parents wouldn’t agree with that,’ Wee Renee said.
’No, it wasn’t at the Moors, this was at School,’ Bob said.
’School!’ Wee Renee exclaimed. ‘What has happened there?’
’Nothing yet, or not as we know of,’ Bob said.
’What are you saying? Are you asking me if you’re safe there?’ Wee Renee asked, her eyebrows raised.
’Tell her the story from the beginning, Bob,’ Adam said. Wee Renee moved to the edge of her seat, to hear every detail.
’The thing is we were in Art, and that classroom looks down onto the old donkey path. There’s a really woody part, with loads of trees just the other side of the dry-stone wall and railings. This one part is fully wooded over. You can’t get there from the path, it really is too thick. Or I thought it was. But today I saw the bushes rustling from this side of the wall. It’s just where the all-weather pitch stops, and the tennis courts begin, just in that gap,’ Bob said.
‘Oh aye, I know the place,’ Wee Renee said.
‘Well right there, the bushes were moving and two separate dogs, were barking at it,’ Bob said. He thought that was all the story, he couldn’t see that there was any more.
‘Did you see the beast?’ Wee Renee asked, her eyes large and concerned.
’No, we saw nothing. It was very unusual. I have never seen a bush shake like that unless something was in there. Of course, it might be a fox or something like that, or a badger. That’s what we thought. But considering what has been going on, we decided it was better to tell you,’ Bob said.
’You did the right thing. I’ll go and investigate tomorrow. It might be a struggle getting in, but I’m very supple and used to getting into small places. I’ll see what’s there and report back,’ Wee Renee said, winking at them.
‘We’re not going to tell Mum and Dad until we know that it definitely was something. Me and Adam agreed,’ Bob said.
’Please be careful Wee Renee,’ Adam said.
’I will don’t worry young Adam,’ Wee Renee said. ‘Whatever is there is probably long gone now.’
The beast waited until all the noise of cars, shouting and music had gone from Friarmere. It wanted another peep into the pub, to check that everything was still as it should be.
This place had been useless, it wouldn’t come back here again. Besides that, it was very uncomfortable in the end.
The ground it was on was soft enough, but the space was too tight to sit or lie comfortably, which meant it had to squat the whole time. If it stood up, it could be observed from the other side of the wall. Its fur had got caught up on the branches several times.
It could not tell the time. The beast judged actions on darkness, sounds and safety. It had no idea of what time it was now. The time happened to be 1 o’clock in the morning. A bleak Friday morning.
The streets of Friarmere were empty, and it wanted a good sniff around the Pub. As it walked past another location in Friarmere, it smelled something very interesting. The final, wonderful, missing piece had been here tonight, outside the building. A building that smelled like fish and fat. It liked this place, it could see everything inside.
What it needed had been here for a while. It had been inside, then stood outside. Here finally, was the match. The creature urinated outside. The rain might wash away the scent of the match and then where would it be. It would mark this place in case the match came back.
It followed the scent of the target down to the Pub. If only it had stayed. Both items would have been in the same place at the same time. It might have chanced going in for the both.
The most important thing was that it had found one. The match was not inside the Pub. It was long gone, but there was one at least. There was one, and it would get picked up again. All three components were close by. It did not have one in its hands, but at least it knew it was available. It wouldn’t have to hibernate another year alone. Not now, as long as it could work fast.
7. An Unnatural Specimen
The following morning, which was a Friday, Wee Renee set off to investigate the bushes by the School. There had been no rain since yesterday afternoon, and she was very pleased about this, even though at the driest of times, the donkey path could be quite muddy.
She put on her wellies and after a second thought decided to wear her trainers instead in case she might have to do a bit of navigating in the trees, and wellies were quite cumbersome. She could always throw them in the washing machine afterwards.
Wee Renee put several food bags in her pockets, some tweezers that came with the microscope, scissors, wet wipes, disposable gloves and some kitchen paper. She didn’t know what else she would need. Then as a last thought, she added her swimming goggles. Safety first.
When she got to the donkey path, she walked along until she saw the patch of trees that Bob meant. Yes, this was in between the tennis courts and the all-weather pitch. She looked up from there and could see a classroom that definitely had drawings on the walls. It was clearly the Art classroom. This was it.
The outside pitches were silent at the moment. Perhaps Friday mornings PE lessons were held in the gym.
Wee Renee noticed how thickly the trees and bushes were growing. She wondered how anything had got in, but surely it had, whether it was a regular wild animal or the beast that she sought.
She walked around for a while until she saw the biggest gap. Wee Renee got out her swimming goggles and put them on. After many years of picking blackberries, she had discovered that the best ones were always far away, but that didn’t stop her. What did stop her were branches and brambles that threatened her eyes. So, she always took her swimming goggles now and never had any problems. These would be invaluable today.
Holding her coat tightly around her so that it did not get snagged, she started to push her way in between the trees.
When she started to wade through them a bit, she realised that they were a lot more pliable and passable than they looked. Wee Renee thought that, especially with a fur covered body, it would not be too bad to push in and out of the mini forest. The soft fur on the body would merely slip past and the increased weight of the creature compared to Wee Renee would bend the vegetation even more. She wondered if it had taken exactly the same route as this and this was the reason it had the biggest gap.
The clump of trees and bushes was at least fifteen feet in depth, and sixty in length. It went right from the edge of the donkey path to the School premises. When she started to get closer to the wall she could see that near the edge it became a little clearer. With this area receiving no light due to the high wall, it was sparsely covered. Plenty of soft leaves had fallen and would never have got blown out again.
She started to be able to see the Art classroom again and as she walked closer to the wall. The bushes rustled. She could see how this had happened, and what Bob had seen.
When she looked back to the path, she could not see it at all which meant that no one could see her, only from this side. The wall was just less than five feet high. Even something really tall could hunch down the other side of this and be hidden. Wee Renee could only just look over, and as she reached the wall, she started to look around for interesting evidence
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