The Beast of Bracksley Woods

by Doreen Hayward

  As soon as surgery finished that evening Paul drove out to Debbie’s cottage in Bracksley. He noticed a strange car sitting on the drive and hesitated while deciding to get out of his car and ring the doorbell. As he watched the front door opened and a young man came out followed by Debbie clad in fur coat and carrying a suit case. She put it in the Boot and got in beside the driver. Paul could hardly believe his eyes as they drove straight passed him.

  Debbie didn’t even look in his direction. Angela must have been right then, he thought bitterly. How could she do this. He felt utterly sick with misery. After all that had gone on between them – How could she be so fickle? Well. If that’s the way she wants it, I’d better keep out of the way, he decided grimly. He called in at the farm to see Greg while he was in Bracksley only to find that he too was out. He took the opportunity to have a quick look round the new kennels. Satisfied that the work was almost completed, he went back to town.

  Debbie did not return home for a further two weeks. Tony left them soon after the funeral but promised to keep in touch. During the time she stayed over with Jeff she sorted everything out for him then took him back to Bracksley with her. She hoped a short time away from his home would help him get over his loss. She hardly had time to settle before there was a knock on the door and on answering, Debbie found Kevin standing there. “Hello Debbie. There’s a sight for sore eyes. I spotted the car in the drive so I hope you don’t mind me giving you a quick knock.”

  “Come in Kevin. Don’t stand there. Come and say hello to Jeff. I am afraid we have had some sad news. I had to leave in a hurry and I have been up to my eyes ever since.” “What on earth has been happening to you me dear lady ’un all. We’ve all been worried about you.” He said.

  “I am afraid Sheila passed away rather suddenly and I have been helping Jeff. He is going to stay with me for a little while until he gets used to things again,” she explained.

  “Well, ’tis sorry to hear that Jeff, Oh dear, sure I am,” Kevin said looking really concerned at Jeff. “Of course you must stay. What a terrible loss to you. My sincerest condolences to yer Jeff my friend.”

  “Stay and have a cup of tea,” Debbie offered.”

  “No thanks. I can’t stop. I really called to see if Paul had spoken to you about the kennels. Whether you thought the job offer over. I know Paul was going to speak to you. Can we expect a decision pretty soon because we open in two weeks?” he queried.

  “Yes, Paul did speak to me. I think I would like to take the job on. I expect quite a lot of help from all of you though. You do understand that I haven’t a great deal of experience when it comes to animals,” she said making sure Kevin understood what she was saying.”

  “Sure ’un all, we’ll bear that in mind me dear Debbie. You will be surprised how quickly you will get used to animal welfare matters. I am on my way over to see Paul now so I’ll tell him you’re back and also that you have accepted the position as Kennel Manager. Welcome aboard,” With that he gave a little wave and left.

  When Kevin reached the surgery and gave Paul the good news that Debbie was back and that she was going to accept the job of Kennel Manager a look of relief spread over Paul’s face. “I’ll call round later to fill her in with the details. We will have to give her a contract so I had better speak to Greg as well. Part of the kennels will be for boarding and that’s his input into it so I shall have to consult with him. Of course, I will keep the bills down for the RSPCA as much as possible. I know how hard it is but if we write it into the contract, Debbie will be able to help with fundraising for those animals that need rehoming.”

  “Sounds good to me ’un all,” Kevin grinned. “So grateful to Greg and you for the facilities items,” Kevin said seriously. “See yer soon,” he turned and left the surgery. Later that evening Debbie popped up to the farm to see how Greg was doing. She had left Jeff in the sitting room sitting by the gas fire with the TV on. She gave him a book if he didn’t want to watch TV and told him she wouldn’t be long

  She found Greg well and very cheerful looking forward to getting back to work. “things were coming together beautifully,” he told Debbie waving at the window meaning the kennels. Paul had called him and told him Debbie was going to accept the job as manager.

  “I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew,” she said laughing at her own joke.

  “We are all here for you. There is no need for you to worry,” Greg said kindly. “We know you will make a good job of it because you are that kind of person.” “you are an old flatterer,” she said laughing at him.

  Debbie was somewhat surprised a few days later when Jeff said calmly over the evening meal “I have been thinking about my future, my dear,” he began. “I can’t stay here forever, it wouldn’t be fair on you. You have a job to do now and I would rather do something for myself. I have always loved visiting other places so I have decided to do a world cruise. Maybe you could help me prepare for It before you get too involved with your own business.” There, what do you think of that?” he finished.

  Debbie sat aghast for a minute then gathering up her thoughts she said “Oh Jeff, what a lovely idea. Then smiling she said I hope you haven’t been thinking that I haven’t been looking after you properly or that I haven’t enough time for you. You mustn’t think that. Don’t run away. I am very fond of you. You are my last link with Mike. Isn’t that right?”

  “Of course I don’t think that at all, Debbie. You have been one in a million. I’ve always wanted to do a long cruise but Sheila never did like the sea very much so we tended to fly to other countries. I am not running away, I shall be back when I am more settled in my own mind,” he stopped and gazed at Debbie. “You do understand don’t you my dear.” “Yes, of course. If you want to do a cruise then I will help you all I can. Have you any idea of how long you are likely to be away. I may need to contact you in case you need important information and what do you intend to do about your house?”

  “I thought about three months for a start but I may extend that in order to visit friends in various countries around the globe. I would be more than grateful for you to look after things at this end. I shall probably need to take a trip over to Sandy and make arrangements for the house. I don’t really want to leave it unoccupied for too long. It makes sense to rent it out but first of all let’s get the booking settled and take it from there.”

  “Okay, I will take you into the travel agent’s in Bedford tomorrow and sort the booking out.”

  From then on it seemed to Debbie that all systems go. Jeff was booked on the Queen Elizabeth and would set sale on the 5th March. That only gave them two weeks to get ready. They had already secured the house so a few quick phone calls to the Solicitor informing him that he was to contact Debbie in Jeff’s absence, informing the police that Jeff would be away for some time and asking them to keep an eye on the place, along with various other personal calls, tied up a few lose ends. At last Jeff was ready and Debbie drove him down to Southampton and waved bon voyage to him as he left for pastures new.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Debbie was off to a flying start. Before she took up her position as Kennel Manager she had already prepared several posters advertising the kennels and the new RSPCA rescue facilities which she had placed in strategic places. Debbie took the first one down to Mrs Harrison at the village shop who was especially pleased to see her. “Hello my duck. We haven’t seen you in here for a while,” She greeted Debbie cheerfully. “What can I get for you?”

  “I have been away for a little while but I’m back now. I just popped in for a few bits and to ask you if I can put this poster up,” she asked showing her the art work. “That looks lovely,” she said enthusiastically, “I heard Greg was opening kennels at the farm. Some of the folks in the village are hoping the dogs won’t make too much noise barking. Sound carries so much in open country, doesn’t it my duck,” she said seriously.

  “I don’t think you need to worry about noise,” Debbie assured her. Dogs only bark wh
en people are around disturbing them. You won’t hear much of them in the day time. They’ll all be out having runs and being taught obedience.”

  “Well, that’s all right then. You go ahead and put your poster up. Oh my,” she said glancing at the print, “You asking for volunteers my duck.”

  “Yes, that’s right. Part of the kennels is for animals rescue and the RSPCA can’t afford to pay wages I am afraid.”

  “Oh well, The RSPCA is a very good cause and I daresay there are plenty of young people willing to walk dogs as long as they are not irresponsible kids,” Mrs Harrison said seriously. “You will have to be a bit careful who you choose my duck,” she said knowingly, “You know what some of these youngsters are like.”

  “We will be very careful never fear,” Debbie assured her sincerely, “After all, a great many of these poor animals will be quite traumatised and will need careful handling. You may be sure we will give all the volunteers proper training.”

  “Oh yes, I agree with you there my duck,” Mrs Harrison said handing over Debbie’s change from her purchases. The posters asked for volunteers to help out at the kennels and also to walk dogs. Her first job was to interview the volunteers and choose her team. She finished up with a party of about six volunteers who were all very keen to help. She had been assigned a small office at the gates of the farm. This had been converted from an old shed and made fit for purpose by the builders. There was young Simon. A lad of about fourteen whose mother wouldn’t let him have a dog so he thought he would do the next best thing and look after other peoples. He was a keen naturalist. He never went anywhere without his camera. Debbie smiled as she told Greg about him saying Simon was all set to become the second David Attenborough. Not only did he study wildlife closely, he was also knowledgeable about birdsong. He told Debbie he had made recordings of lots of birds and could identify each species. He was a good lad and never minded doing whatever he was asked.

  Then there was Tracy who thought there may be a pony at the farm that she could ride. She was a member of a pony club and had high ambitions of becoming a star show jumper. Tim Browne, Betty Browne’s eldest boy of sixteen, looking for a career in football. Emma, a girl of fifteen doing a work experience stint and hoping to become a Vet one day, and Caroline, Emma’s friend who couldn’t keep her eyes off Tim. Apparently, Caroline’s parents bred dogs and Caroline hoped to study animal welfare and animal behaviour. there was also Jenny, the one with all the experience sent on loan by Paul from the Vets’ practise as a veterinary nurse. Of course, there was also Greg and herself to make up the work force when necessary. Debbie thought that would be enough for the time being.

  The first client to arrive was a Mrs Butler who wanted to look round the place to make sure it was suitable for her two dogs and two cats. She was going away for a month and needed to kennel her animals while on holiday. Greg was delighted to escort the lady round and proudly show her all the new kennels. She went away satisfied that her pets would be well looked after. She would bring their own beds because they never slept anywhere but in their own beds. She would also bring their food because they would only eat certain things. The cats had to be kept together she ordered. They hated being apart. When Greg assured her that he would make sure all her animals wants were taken care of Mrs Butler made a booking starting from the day before good Friday. The next visitor to arrive was Kevin bringing in his van which he called the animal ambulance, a rabbit rescued from a trap a lost kitten up a tree and an injured puppy left alone on the road with deep cuts on his legs which Paul had stitched. He needed to be watched in case he tried chewing them out. He was some kind of terrier but he wasn’t chipped and wasn’t wearing a collar so he had to be renamed. They found him a kennel and christened him Digby. A notice was placed on the farm gates advertising that a terrier had been brought in and if anybody had lost one to inquire at the office. Notices were sent to the local press and posters put up on lamp posts and other strategic places informing people where there lost pets could be founds. Every effort was made to trace owners. Where these failed, attempts to rehome a pet suitably were made. After that, animals seemed to be arriving at an alarming pace. Greg and Debbie were kept busy looking after them until the volunteers arrived. Paul called in the following day to check on Digby. He seemed to be avoiding Debbie as she went over to him to ask how the dog was doing. As soon as she started towards him he walked away very quickly in the opposite direction and got back into his car. Every time he came near the kennels, it was the same. He would simply ignore her. She wanted to tell him all about Sheila and how she had stopped over at Sandy to look after Jeff’s affairs. She couldn’t say any of these things because he wouldn’t even look at her. It was just the same if she tried ringing or texting him. He just didn’t answer.

  Debbie felt mortally wounded by his attitude. She felt cheap and used. She began to feel quite angry at his treatment and when the opportunity arose, she was determined to have her say and tell him just what she thought of him. Until then however, she put all her efforts into making a success of the job.

  Debbie was kept busy on the computer making up files for each animal and placing instructions on the cages where necessary. She soon got into the swing of things and hardly had she started when she thought she might have picked up some kind of bug. She was feeling rather sick and unwell. Surely, she hadn’t contracted something horrible from one of the animals. She thought she might get an appointment and see the doctor just to make sure. When the sickness didn’t stop but returned each morning. Debbie began to feel uneasy.

  By the end of the week Debbie was seriously worried. Could it be that she was pregnant, she asked herself. As soon as she could she would stop off at a chemist and buy a pregnancy test kit, she promised herself.

  Debbie’s hands shook as she placed the test on the basin in the bath room that evening. She hardly dare watch as the five minute waiting time ticked away. At last time was up and with trembling hands she picked the container up. She gasped as she saw the blue line that meant she was pregnant. Debbie didn’t know whether she felt horrified or pleased as she looked down at the offending blue line. All the years she had spent with Mike avoiding getting pregnant so that no offspring would get in the way of his career and now this – Just the one night of passion … here she was in a situation she was going to find hard to explain … How the hell was she going to tell Paul since he would hardly speak to her.

  Dejectedly, Debbie made her way down stairs and got herself a cup of coffee. She would sit down in the sitting room in an armchair by the fire and think the whole thing over. With Snicker on one arm and Kitcat on the other she sank down into a comfortable armchair to decide what to do about the situation she found herself in. The question was should she continue with the pregnancy or should she have an abortion. Quickly, she decided that abortion was not an option. She examined her feelings closely. Although she was angry with Paul for his treatment of her the plain fact was that she still felt the same attraction to him. She had only just started a job. A job which she was beginning to enjoy. Did her pregnancy mean that she would have to give it up? She worried briefly as the two kittens climbed onto her lap purring deeply. The last couple of months might be a bit tiring but that wouldn’t be until the autumn. At least she would be able to manage the opening day in comfort and have the rest of the summer to prepared for the baby.

  Thinking about it quite calmly Debbie thought how lovely it would be to have someone to love. Someone she could focus on completely. Someone all her own. She made up her mind that she wouldn’t say anything to Paul. Not yet, at least. She would have to face him at some stage but the last thing she wanted was for him to start offering her money or worse still, offering to marry her just because she was pregnant. She had her pride she thought shrugging her shoulders. If Paul didn’t want to speak to her right now, she would have to find a way of approaching him sooner or later. The next day she drove into Bedford to pick up some groceries. As she pulled into the car park at the supermarket, who s
hould she see but Paul and Angela leaving in Paul’s car. Angela smiled and waved. Debbie’s heart missed a beat. So that was it. Paul had found someone else.

  The sickness lasted for the next few weeks. Debbie bravely battled her way through. She simply put her head down and got on with the work. During that time Debbie saw them again heading for a restaurant, she passed them again one evening in Bedford on her way to keep an appointment. They were entering a popular pub much frequented by the fashionable crowd in the town.

  There was plenty to keep her busy at the Kennels. There was the opening day to arrange. The purpose of the day was to raise funds for the RSPCA rescue kennels and Debbie put all her efforts into organising it. A fete was arranged for Easter Monday. A grand marquee was booked to be put up in one of Greg’s fields where certain of the events could take place. A dog show was planned and certain doggy competitions arranged for the marquee. If the weather turned wet all the other stalls could be quickly transferred undercover. Debbie was to take care of the catering. That was good. Catering was right up her street. She would bake all kinds of pies and cakes to sell. She booked an ice cream van for the children and a plant stall for the gardeners. She found someone willing to demonstrate country crafts and sell a few items as well as a book and CD and cassette stall. She was even lucky enough to find someone with a pony and trap to give rides to the kids. Skittles, a fortune teller and guess the weight of a tin of sweets, and anything else Debbie could think of. All this took time and great skill in organising. All the funds were to go towards the RSPCA rescue kennels and Debbie particularly wanted the day to be a success. It looked like being a very busy day as well as a lot of fun.