by Lyn McNicol
“Try and move your leg now, Dodgy Dave … but easy does it.”
Badger’s neckerchief floated slowly away from Dodgy Dave’s leg and wrapped itself back around Badger’s neck.
“Thanks, ’Chief,” said Badger, tapping it gratefully. “Let’s hope you’ve worked your magic again.”
Dodgy Dave flinched in pain as he tried to stand, but he couldn’t.
“Thanks for trying to help, Badger, but I’m still in agony. My leg is no better. I can’t move it at all.”
Badger sighed heavily and looked at Cheryl sadly.
“I think we found our friend too late. The iron cuff has slashed his leg too deeply for even my trusty ‘Chief to help.”
Cheryl leaned over Dodgy Dave and patted his fur fondly.
“Never mind about the Barking Boogie, I just want you to get better.”
Dodgy Dave tried to smile, then laid his head on the grass.
“Perhaps a good night’s sleep will help,” said Badger hopefully. “Things always look brighter in the morning.”
As Dodgy Dave’s breathing became heavier and deeper, Cheryl and Badger laid down beside their friend, hoping that sunrise would bring good news.
But they were worrying more that it wouldn’t.
It was late afternoon. Cheryl nudged Badger awake, unable to believe that they had all slept for most of the day. She glanced at Dodgy Dave’s leg, forlornly. Then looked again in shock. She gave Badger another shake as she looked at Dodgy Dave’s leg in amazement. The swelling had completely gone and the red wounds had all knitted together.
Badger woke with a start. He had been dreaming of higgledy-piggledy towers of toast. As both dogs sniffed around Dodgy Dave’s clean wound, he opened his eyes.
“Wow!” said Dodgy Dave, getting up. “Whatever your neckerchief did, Badger, it seems to have worked.” He shook both his legs.
Badger touched ‘Chief and quietly uttered his thanks.
“Now I can’t remember which one was sore,” quipped Dodgy Dave.
“Right,” said Cheryl firmly. “Now, no more security guard dog for you! We have a real job to do.”
Dodgy Dave shook his head and said, “I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you remember last night? We told you how Anton Du Bark wanted you and me to go on tour and trip the light fantastic together?” said Cheryl excitedly.
“What? I can’t do that. How could I leave the lane?” said Dodgy Dave sadly.
“You left the lane yesterday, Dodgy Dave. We can now travel the world: Rio, Vegas and Blackpool.”
“But I couldn’t possibly leave my friends.”
“Your friends?” said Cheryl impatiently “If, by your friends, you mean the gang, well they left you.”
“But I won’t know anyone.”
“You know me, and Badger can visit us anytime, wherever we are, in his Wim-Wim.”
“In his Wim-What?”
“Never mind! I’ll explain later. But now we must go, or we’ll miss our chance,” said Cheryl tapping her tiny paw.
“What are you afraid of Dodgy Dave?” asked Badger kindly.
“What if I’m not good enough?” answered Dodgy Dave.
Suddenly, Cheryl piped up, “Remember this?” and she held up his winning red rosette from the Hotpaws Barking Boogie.
Dodgy Dave’s eyes brightened and he smiled.
“How did you get that? I thought the gang took it,” he asked.
“I found it! Just like we found each other,” squealed Cheryl, with outstretched paws.
“Do you really think we can make this work, Cheryl?”
“You better believe it, Dodgy Dave. Come on!”
And Cheryl and Dodgy Dave danced out into the lane together.
Badger smiled, feeling in immediate need of some well-deserved toast.
As dusk fell, Anton Du Bark returned to the lane where Cheryl’s Big Folk, Badger, the Alley Cats and even the sparrow were all assembled to wave them off. The gang, led now by Snif, skulked in the shadows.
“At least that’s Dodgy Dave off our patch now,” snarled Snif.
“Do you think we might see them on TV now that they’re famous?” wondered Pogo Paws.
“Pooperscoopersmellysnooper! I don’t want to see them ever again,” barked Pickle.
“I’ll quite miss Dodgy Dave,” said Lennie sadly.
“Oh get a grip, Lennie,” snapped Snif, leading his gang away from the merriment. As Cheryl and Dodgy Dave stepped on to the waiting tour bus, everyone cheered. The snazzy sequins on Cheryl’s pink collar sparkled, and the red rosette, pinned proudly to Dodgy Dave’s collar, shone.
As the bus trundled off, Badger headed for home, feeling very pleased with himself indeed.
Passing his garden fence, he spotted a poster for the Buddy Bites Doggy Delights tour with Cheryl and Dodgy Dave’s picture in a huge heart shape.
Suddenly, his tummy rumbled.
“Time for toast,” he smiled. “And about time, as this has been yet another Badgical Magical job well done!”
ALSO PUBLISHED BY THE LUNICORN PRESS
THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES
ALSO PUBLISHED BY THE LUNICORN PRESS
THE THIRD BOOK IN THE SERIES
