The Beast of Bracksley Woods

by Doreen Hayward

  “My sentiments exactly,” Greg joined in enthusiastically. Turning to Debbie he stretched out his hand to lay it on top of hers where it lay on the counterpane and gave it a little squeeze. “Let’s not worry about old money bags and his bills, we will sort that little matter out when I get home. You just stop worrying about not being able to look after Trigger well enough. You have Paul to advise you and also Kevin. They are both very good friends of mine and would help you in any way possible.”

  Debbie gulped back tears of relief and also gratitude. In such a short time she had made three new friends. Where was this leading her, she reflected.

  “Time to go, I am afraid,” Paul suddenly said getting up. “Soon be time for evening surgery and I believe this young lady has an appointment with doc Phillips, for a tetanus injection. I made the appointment on the phone this morning and forgot to mention it. Never mind, Nigel will fix you up quick as a flash so cheerio Greg, I’ll call in again when I have a minute. Don’t worry about Trigger, we’ve all got our eye on him.” So saying Paul moved towards the door with Debbie right behind him.”

  As soon as the door shut behind them Paul turned to Debbie saying “Let’s go and have a cup of tea in the cafeteria. Angela, my partner can look after one or two things until I get there.”

  “No, no. I ought to be getting back,” Debbie answered hurriedly.

  “Not even to keep me company for a minute?” Paul said winking cheekily at her. Debbie laughed at the face he was pulling and gave in.

  “Okay, you win,” she agreed as they headed to where they could hear the hub of conversation and the chink of cups.

  “So – how are you liking Bracksley? You seemed to have made quite a stir in the village. As you know, I don’t live down there but I certainly know what goes on. Kevin keeps me well informed. He’s gone after the dog that is causing so much trouble. Did you know?”

  “He said he was going to. If you ask me I hope he gets the mad creature before it does some real harm.”

  “We all hope that. I know I have only just met you but I wondered if you would do me a favour. I have a spare ticket for a Christmas concert for next week. I was supposed to be taking my Aunt but she is not well and said that she didn’t fancy going out. The ticket is going spare and it’s a shame to waste it.”

  “That is very nice of you to ask,” … Debbie paused trying to think of a plausible excuse. “What about Trigger? You also need to remember that Greg will be home very shortly. I am just starting up some kind of a business of my own so I really can’t commit myself.”

  “OH WHAT A SHAME!… and there was I looking forward to spending an evening with a lovely young lady. I am SO disappointed.” How about if I call you on Thursday next week and you can tell me if you are free.”

  “Well, okay. That sounds about right.”

  They got up and left the cafeteria.

  I’ll see you tomorrow,” Paul Norton called as he got into his rather smart rolls Royce and drove out of the car park. Debbie climbed into her plush Mercedes and followed him smiling to herself. The cheek of the man. Thought he could pick me up just like that, she gave a little giggle. I’m not that easy matey she grinned. I must admit that he’s a hunk … we shall see, she mused as she made her way home.

  On reaching home after her visit to the Doctor Debbie found two messages waiting on her answer machine. One was for an order of a Christmas cake and the other for a private dinner party. Both asking for quotes. Things must be looking up, Debbie thought as her spirits began to rise.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kevin had done his afternoon visiting and was now making his way up to the woods which lay above the common and spread along the side of the M1 on a hillside for two or three miles. The wood was ideal cover and according to Albert Pike the gamekeeper, he had reported to Kevin that he suspected something very shady was going on under cover of darkness. He hinted to Kevin that badger bating or illegal dog fighting or something equally as abhorrent was possibly going on under their noses. It was not unknown that these dreadful practices still persisted in certain circles and If Kevin found out that this was the case, Kevin was going to root it out and make sure the criminals responsible paid the price for their wicked cruelty. If there was one thing Kevin hated above all others it was blood sports. When any of these such activities turned up on his patch, he would not hesitate until he put an end to it.

  Albert Pikes, the game keeper had given him a good idea where to look. Albert would know where the set was and had noticed a lot of disturbance on the ground which certainly hadn’t been made by men. Kevin was prepared to spend the night on watch if necessary despite the weather conditions. It was very cold but he had come prepared. He was well wrapped up in scarf and gloves. He had a flask of coffee with a little drop of something to keep out the cold and he had a flashlight and his mobile phone on him. He had arranged with Albert to contact him immediately if he needed help. When he found the right spot, he was going to keep watch until the bastards turned up. One way or another, he was determined to stamp this cruelty out whatever it might cost him. Did they imagine an RSPCA Inspector was going to let them get away with this kind of deliberate blood sport. He would not allow an animal to fight to the death on his watch.

  From a very young age, Kevin had a deep rooted love for all animals. He had been working in Devon as a farmhand where he had met Nancy, the farmer’s daughter. They had fallen in love and Kevin had married her after courting for two years. They stayed living on the farm with Nancy’s parents and in due course Nancy became pregnant. Unfortunately, things went wrong and the baby was born dead. Nancy suffered a massive haemorrhage and died shortly after the birth. Kevin was heartbroken at the loss of his wife and child. After much thought Kevin decided to leave the farm and find himself another career. He had enquired about the RSPCA and his vet had been very helpful in passing him all the necessary information. He applied and was soon serving in Devon after achieving the required qualifications.

  He had enjoyed his time in Devon. It had been full of excitement and at times quite dangerous. He didn’t really mind the loneliness of the work. It gave him a breathing space where he could think properly and grieve in peace. Many a time he had been called upon to rescue a lamb caught on a cliff ledge, pull a wandering pony out of a bog on Exmoor. Find homes for lost kittens and puppies, close down kennels for failure to obtain the right licences for their operations. He had made plenty of enemies but many good friends. In due course he asked for a transfer inland and had been offered a place in Bedfordshire. The work was mostly the same although there was no rescuing lambs from ledges and the like but He had made it his business to go round all the farms in his area and introduce himself since he took up his position in Bedfordshire. He had also made himself known to all pet shop owners and visited boarding kennels and catteries and breeders inspecting premises and keeping an eye generally on anything to do with animal welfare. As part of his job he was often called upon to go into schools and various other organisations to talk about his work and hopefully to teach the children the right way to look after their pets. On many of these occasions he would take his own dog with him and show the children how to teach their dog to sit or stay, or even lie down. Danny was a star. He would do whatever Kevin asked of him. He was a great favourite with the children. They loved Danny because he was so gentle and when they tried it for themselves, thought they were being real trainers. He had to warn them however, never to rush up to a dog in the street especially if it was lose because not all dogs were as friendly as Danny. The real purpose of these lectures was of course making sure pet owners knew how to care for their pets whatever the variety. All in all, he was a very busy person and chasing the likes of the kind of low life he was hoping to catch was only a portion of the many aspects of his busy workload. As soon as anyone turned up and started acting suspiciously, he planned to get Albert up for backup, before calling the police in if necessary. He had Albert’s mobile number and he knew that Albert was just as keen to see th
ese murdering bastards put away as much as he was.

  Kevin remembered vividly being taken into the woods one evening by his father when he was a young boy. His dad had been a gamekeeper in Ireland for a big estate. He had taught Kevin all he knew of the countryside and wild life. Taught him about the plants that grew in the woods and along the river banks, the trees and what happened in the changing seasons. Kevin admired and loved his dad. He remembered his dad showing him where there was a Badger’s set one night and they sat very quietly watching when the four cubs came out to play together in the twilight hour before it went dark. Kevin had cherished that picture in his mind all these years and tonight that long ago picture jumped into his mind.

  Young animals playing with mother looking on. Later, some boys had told him about the badger bating that went on and what happened to them. Kevin was aghast! He could not imagine anyone being so cruel. For weeks after he would cry himself to sleep but as he grew older he made a resolution to do whatever it took to try and stop people being so cruel to fellow creatures. Unfortunately, there would be no cubs tonight. Wrong time of year and far too cold, Kevin reminded himself. Just the kind of night poachers and their like according to Albert who had suggested to Kevin that he might stand a chance of catching the gang on such a cold dark night like tonight. Albert himself was also going to patrol the woods for a poacher who’d been pestering him on his patch. “He wasn’t having it,” he told Kevin angrily. He had found gin traps in the woods and Albert detested these things and always made sure that he destroyed them whenever he came across them. Kevin found himself some cover in thick undergrowth and settled down for a long wait.

  There was no moon and Kevin peered through the total darkness trying to adjust his eyes. He had a flashlight with him of course, and his flask of hot coffee to help him keep awake. The chill in the air was quite sufficient to keep him awake he found but the coffee would come in handy to warm him. sufficiently and waited. He became drowsy round about midnight but jerked awake when he heard a loud crack under a heavy boot. Cautiously he raised his head and stared into the darkness. He held his breath as he barely made out the silhouette of a man standing by a tree. He studied him carefully. He thought he could make out the outlines of a rifle the man was carrying. He watched carefully and was slightly shocked to see the man drop the rifle and pee against the tree.

  “Right you bugger, I’ve got you!” Kevin whispered under his breath. The man picked the rifle up and turned to go but Kevin leapt to his feet and dived towards the man. With a fierce oath the man turned on Kevin and caught him a heavy blow on the shoulder with the rifle. Kevin reeled from the blow and staggered against the nearest tree while the man crashed away through the undergrowth and trees. It was a minute or two before Kevin could get himself together and start moving around to get his circulation going readying himself for a chase. Although he stamped his feet and rubbed his hands vigorously to warm them he was too late. He heard the man blundering his way through the woods.

  Remembering his flask he hunted round in the dark forgetting his flashlight in his pocket. during the mad dash to apprehend the poacher he hadn’t been able to use it of course, but now he Finally remembered it and pulled it out. He soon retrieved his flask and warmed himself as he tried to recover from the blow he had received on his shoulder. “Bloody poacher!” Kevin exclaimed angrily. As he got to his feet there was a sudden fierce growling coming from where the man had disappeared. Before Kevin had a chance to register where the noise was coming from he was lifted off his feet by a rugby tackle and severely bitten on his rear and the right leg. The dog had him pinned down and only let go on hearing a loud whistle. Struggling to his feet once again Kevin stumbled towards his van. He heard the sound of a vehicle start up somewhere nearby. Eventually, he managed to reach the safety of his van where he collapsed gratefully in the driving seat.

  Kevin pulled out a packet of cigarettes and lit one to calm his nerves. His shoulder hurt like hell and his leg was bleeding,” and where the hell was Albert!” It was then that it occurred to him that Albert had set him up to catch the poacher – the cunning old devil – Kevin thought. He muttered furiously. Feeling bitterly disappointed with the night’s failure he pulled out his mobile phone and rang Albert. “Well! Did you hear that? Your bloody poacher caught up with me and so did his dog. So where have you been mate … asleep? Sure ’un all,” Kevin said angrily, “We’ve learnt one thing.” Kevin told Albert, “It’s this bugger whose got the dog doing all the damage round here. If I catch it I’ll shoot it,” Kevin said angrily. Do you know you old devil, the bloody thing’s bitten me. I’ll have to go to A. and E. now to get the bite stitched because my leg Is a real mess.”

  “I’ve been out patrolling all night and I’ve not seen anything,” Albert answered. Sorry to hear you got attacked. This animal has got to be caught and that bloody poacher put under lock and key.”

  “I wish you luck with that one mate. Just don’ ask me again to help you.” Kevin answered as he started up his engine, “See you around, I’m off to casualty to get me leg fixed.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  The next morning was bright and sunny but with a bite in the air. The address was in Bedford and with a mounting feeling of excitement, Debbie made her way to meet Mrs Lomax with all the details of her dinner party service neatly tucked away in her briefcase. Feeling very business-like and not to say a little nervous after all her brainstorming hard work getting it altogether, she rang the doorbell. The door was promptly opened by a lady Debbie judged to be in her sixties. She greeted her Warmly

  Saying “Good morning, you must be Mrs Richards Debbie smiled in acknowledgement and followed her into a brightly decorated and comfortably furnished sitting room. The sun was streaming in through the window making the room feel cosy and warm.

  “Please sit down and make yourself comfortable, Mrs Lomax invited with a friendly gesture towards an armchair placed conveniently near a small table. “Thank you for sparing the time to come and discuss my requirements. I have invited a few very special guests for a celebratory dinner on Friday evening next week. I want to make it a real occasion. Once upon a time I might have been able to manage a small dinner party with the help of my staff, but times have changed I am afraid and I can no longer see very well, apart from the fact that I have no live-in staff now. I hope you understand you will have to manage the cooking as well as the waiting and serving at the table. Do you have your own helpers? I take it you have brought some menus with you that I could look at, my dear,” she finished. “there will be about twelve guests. Have you got your own staff or do you work alone?” I have to point out that I cannot be much help to you. You will have to organise yourself. Can you manage that number?”

  “No problem,” Debbie assured her. I can give you a complete rundown on menus and prices. If you would allow me a quick look at your kitchen and cooking facilities and also your dining room after we’ve had our little talk, that would be most helpful As I am only just setting up my catering service, I will be working alone at the moment. Obviously, as soon as I am able, I shall be employing some casual help where necessary.”

  “Exactly,” Mrs Lomax answered seeming satisfied with what she was hearing. “You can explain it as we go along.” I will make notes as we go through the arrangements. You just leave everything to me and I will make sure your dinner party is a resounding success,” Debbie assured her first client.

  Two hours later Debbie had the whole thing organised. Now all she had to do is deliver the goods. Things were looking up, she told herself.

  In the afternoon, Debbie made her usual visit to the hospital and found Greg in a very cheerful mood. On her early visits to Greg, whenever she entered the ward Debbie would feel her heart start beating. Her gaze would pass over each bed expecting to see Mike’s pale face lying back on the pillows so still. She would hold her breath in fear of what she might find. Mike was the love of her life but gradually, as she grew better acquainted with various other patients in addition to
Greg, these reactions had not been so immediate. Now, she did not look round automatically as she had once done on her earlier visits. She began to notice that the awful feelings of emptiness and loneliness were not so intense as they had been and Debbie began to hope that her depression was passing. During the time Greg had spent in hospital, Debbie had made friends with several of the other patients. They all seemed to look forward to her visits especially as she had taken to supplying little treats to go with the afternoon cup of tea. Debbie smiled to see Greg so cheerful.

  “What do you think young lady?” he asked as she approached. “I am being discharged tomorrow morning,” he gave a waved to his fellow patients, “So it’s goodbye to this lot.”

  “Well! That is good news. I think you may find things a little difficult at first especially not being able to walk very well until your leg comes out of plaster.”

  “Ah well. What about our little agreement. Will you come and look after me dear lady?” Greg pleaded.

  Greg looked so forlorn that Debbie couldn’t help smiling to herself at the way he wheedled. You old spoofer. Don’t let him think you are a pushover. Toughen up Debbie Richards, she told herself before answering, Let’s get this straight right from the start. “Yes, of course I will help you but I am not going to become your housekeeper. There will be times when you will have to manage on your own. I want to make sure that you understand that because I am about to launch my own little enterprise. We will talk about arrangements when you have settled in and discuss your immediate needs then.” Debbie told him firmly. We must discuss the hours I am available and also, the kind of help I will be able to give you. This is not the best place to have this kind of conversation you know. All you need to know is that everything will be ready for you when you get home and I will be there to meet you and make sure you are comfortable before I have to leave you. How does that suit you?“ she asked looking at him seriously. “I will call in and put the heating on and make you a meal ready for when you arrive. then we will talk it over properly before we go any further. Don’t worry, you will not be neglected,” Debbie added in case Greg needed reassurance.