Alice-Miranda to the Rescue

by Jacqueline Harvey

  ‘Puppy farms are illegal, you know. You can’t keep dogs like this. It’s immoral!’ Daniel yelled at them.

  ‘Puppy farm?’ Millie mouthed, her mind reeling. ‘What monsters.’

  Alice-Miranda nodded. ‘Those poor animals.’

  ‘Who’s your boss?’ Daniel shouted.

  ‘Why should we tell you?’ the shorter lad snapped. ‘Though, it would be a nice surprise.’

  His brother grinned a yellow smile. ‘More like a shock.’

  ‘Come on, Declan, let’s go or we’ll be in some major trouble,’ the shorter man chuckled. ‘Get it? Major trouble? I’m a genius.’

  Alice-Miranda gasped and looked over at Millie, the pair reading each other’s minds. They jumped into action and pushed against the shed door, which scraped like fingernails down a chalkboard.

  ‘What the?’ The taller of the two lads rushed towards the entrance. Suddenly, the pup wriggled free from his captor and leapt to the ground. He raced through the narrow opening to freedom just as the door clanged shut. Millie quickly slammed the bolt across. Alice-Miranda grabbed the padlock and secured it.

  ‘Fudge!’ Millie picked up the pup and cradled him close. The pup licked the tip of her nose.

  ‘Sit tight, Daniel,’ Alice-Miranda called. ‘We’re getting help!’

  ‘We can get out of here, you know,’ one of the men yelled, banging against the door.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Millie shouted back. She’d checked either side of the shed. There were no windows and the back half of the building was wedged into the hillside.

  ‘Alice-Miranda, I think the van’s full of dogs,’ the boy shouted.

  ‘Got it!’ the child replied, and rushed over to the vehicle. Sure enough, there were cages of the creatures as well as two boxes of tiny writhing puppies.

  Millie almost threw up at the sight of them. ‘What should we do?’ she said, looking around. ‘We can’t leave them in the van.’

  Alice-Miranda thought for a moment, then ran to the next shed and pulled open the door. An awful smell of damp dirt hit her, but at least it didn’t reek of animal waste and fear. Millie put Fudge on the ground, then picked up a box of pups from the back of the van, and carried them carefully to the shed. Alice-Miranda followed with the other one. They returned to the van and opened the cages inside. The adult dogs, though cautious, followed the pair to the shed.

  ‘Sorry, guys, but someone will be back to get you soon,’ Millie promised as she closed the shed door.

  Fudge danced around at Alice-Miranda’s feet. ‘You’re coming with us,’ the girl said, bending down to pick him up. She stuffed the pup down the front of her sport’s shirt and zipped her jacket.

  ‘Good thinking,’ Millie said as the two girls raced over to their ponies and took off down the hill.

  Becca Finchley glanced at the kitchen clock as Vera brushed Siggy for the tenth time that morning.

  ‘I’m sorry, dear, but we have to go if we’re to make it in time,’ the older woman said, patting Becca on the forearm.

  ‘Can we give him another ten minutes?’ she asked.

  Vera Bird shook her head. ‘Afraid not.’

  Becca had woken up early and had been surprised to find Daniel gone. She was used to his early morning runs but she hadn’t expected he would head out this morning – not when they had the show. Now, two hours later, she was beginning to worry. She wondered if he couldn’t face going back again today. There had been so many memories for both of them.

  ‘Why don’t we drive over to the school and, once we’re sorted, I can come back and pick him up?’ Vera suggested. ‘We can leave a note so he knows that’s what’s happening.’

  Becca nodded. ‘That’s probably the best idea.’ She wheeled herself to the sideboard and hastily scribbled him a message, then folded the paper in half and propped it up on the middle of the kitchen table.

  ‘I’ve got the dog bag packed in the car,’ Vera said. ‘I added another spray bottle too. I noticed Siggy’s coat was a bit dry yesterday, so I’ve got a Listerine mix.’

  ‘You’ve been doing your homework. That’s an old trick,’ Becca said as she rolled herself out the back door to Mrs Bird’s car.

  Vera put Siggy into the dog carrier on the back seat, which was strapped in safely. ‘Well, dear, this is it. I wonder if we can do it again,’ Vera said, shutting the door.

  Becca frowned. ‘Do it again?’

  ‘Oh, I meant I wonder if you can win Best in Show again,’ the woman corrected herself.

  Becca took one last look across the field, hoping to see Daniel jump over the style, but he was still nowhere to be seen. She sighed and wheeled herself around to the passenger door.

  ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, what a wonderful day,’ the announcer’s voice blared through the speakers.

  Ophelia Grimm didn’t quite agree with his assessment. Charlie Weatherly had already pulled two bogged cars from the bottom of the oval and the school was beginning to resemble a pigsty. The rain had eased off for about half an hour but it was now coming down heavier than ever and Ophelia had just heard from her husband that there was some imminent flooding of the local creeks and rivers. All she could hope for now was that the crowd would be gone by half past three as Myrtle Parker had promised.

  Vera Bird and Becca Finchley had arrived half an hour ago, having sat in traffic outside the school for the best part of forty-five minutes. They were now inside the gymnasium, which smelt like a rather nasty combination of wet socks and damp fur.

  ‘I’m afraid I haven’t got time to go back and get Daniel now,’ Vera said, glancing at her watch.

  Becca nodded. ‘I don’t know why he had to go out this morning. He was supposed to help me present the Finchley Award too.’

  Vera looked past the woman’s shoulder and caught sight of Major Foxley ambling over to them. She quickly turned away and began busying herself with Siggy. ‘Becca, dear, I think I’ll take her for a walk. She needs to loosen up a bit and I’ll give her coat a spray.’

  ‘Good morning, Becca,’ the man said. ‘All set for a big day?’ The brass buttons on his double-breasted jacket gleamed.

  ‘Hello Alistair. What a shame – you just missed my neighbour, Mrs Bird,’ Becca said, gesturing to the woman hurrying away. ‘I couldn’t have done any of this without her. Her sister used to show dogs, and breed them too.’

  ‘Really? And what was her name?’ he asked. He squinted at the old lady, a cloudy memory scratching at the back of his mind.

  Becca hesitated, her forehead puckering. ‘Isn’t that funny? I’ve never thought to ask her that,’ she said.

  ‘And where’s your boy?’ the man asked.

  ‘Daniel wasn’t feeling well,’ she lied.

  ‘Oh, what a pity,’ the man said, patting her on the arm. ‘I do hope you’re still planning to present the Finchley Award for Excellence. Your husband would be so proud.’

  Becca smiled. ‘Yes, of course.’

  At the other end of the sports hall, Roberta Dankworth’s stomach was in knots. She had located a power point and was now fluffing Citrine’s coat with her supercharged hair dryer. ‘This wet weather is wreaking havoc on your fringe, baby girl,’ she mumbled, wondering if there was time for another round of hot rollers.

  Barry ran over and passed his wife a spray bottle. ‘Here you are, darling,’ he said. ‘Sorry I took so long.’

  ‘Where have you been?’ she hissed. Ever since they’d arrived Barry had kept disappearing and, quite frankly, she was fed up. She snatched the bottle and furiously pumped it all over Citrine’s coat, then pulled out a large round brush and started up the hair dryer again.

  ‘How are you feeling today, Roberta?’ a voice shouted over the wail of the hair dryer.

  ‘How do you think I feel?’ she snapped. She looked up and realised that it was Darius Loveday and his crew. Her angry face instantly melted into a smile and she flicked her hair. ‘I mean, it’s a bit tricky with the weather and the last-min
ute change of venue but we’re excited about the competition. Aren’t we, baby girl?’ She kissed Citrine on the nose and grinned at the camera.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ the announcer boomed, ‘it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Best in Show will be starting in ten minutes’ time, so take your seats and get ready to cheer for the prettiest pooches at this year’s Chudleigh’s Dog Show!’

  Alice-Miranda and Millie turned into the driveway and trotted as fast as they dared. Fudge had stopped squirming long ago and Alice-Miranda wondered if the rhythm of Bony’s movement had put the little fellow to sleep.

  ‘Hey!’ Sloane called out, waving to them. She and Caprice had been keeping watch for the past hour. ‘We called Constable Derby. He said that he’d go and have a look as soon as he got back from another job over at Downsfordvale.’

  ‘Thanks, but I need to talk to him right away,’ Alice-Miranda said, slipping down from the saddle. ‘Can you take Bony?’ she said to Millie as she unzipped her jacket and reached under her shirt.

  ‘Fudge!’ Sloane and Caprice gasped in unison at the sight of the puppy. ‘How did you get him back?’ Sloane asked.

  ‘Did they just hand him over?’ Caprice weighed in.

  The child shook her head. ‘Not exactly – we’ll tell you about it later. I need to call Constable Derby.’

  ‘Do you want me to look after him?’ Caprice asked, stepping forward.

  ‘Yes, please.’ Alice-Miranda smiled and passed her the puppy.

  ‘I’ll meet you back at the gym as soon as I put these two away,’ Millie said, gesturing to Bony and Chops.

  ‘I can give you a hand,’ Caprice offered.

  Millie nodded.

  ‘I’ll come with you then, Alice-Miranda,’ Sloane said.

  As the girls took off towards the school office, Alice-Miranda relayed everything that had happened to a wide-eyed Sloane. There was no one about but it didn’t take long for them to locate Constable Derby’s number. The man was already on his way back to town and couldn’t believe his ears when Alice-Miranda told him what was going on.

  ‘What’s he going to do?’ Sloane asked once the girl hung up the phone.

  ‘He’s coming straight here but he’ll call for back-up from Downsfordvale to go and get Daniel and arrest those villains,’ Alice-Miranda replied. In the meantime, we need to find Mrs Finchley and tell her what’s happened.’

  Sloane chased her friend across the quadrangle, heading for the gymnasium.

  Alice-Miranda and Sloane tore along the path and raced inside. The stands were packed to the brim and it looked as if the contestants were lining up for the final event. ‘There she is,’ Alice-Miranda said, spotting Becca Finchley off to the side.

  Meanwhile, Vera Bird had just sprayed Siggy with the water bottle when a terrible smell rose up and thwacked her in the nostrils. ‘Siggy, was that you?’ she accused the dog, who stared at her with doleful eyes.

  Vera pulled a brush out of her doggy bag and ran it down Siggy’s back. Instead of giving it a beautiful sheen, her coat suddenly looked dank and greasy.

  ‘What on earth?’ Vera unwound the lid of her spray bottle and sniffed. ‘Fish oil!’ the woman exclaimed. ‘How did that happen?’

  ‘Oh, pooh, what’s that dreadful smell?’ yelped the woman beside them. Her Scottish terrier sneezed and turned around to escape the stench.

  Vera gulped. It was too late to do anything about it – the dogs were being called onto the arena. She took a deep breath and pranced out from under the archway, with Siggy striding alongside her.

  Edith Parbury, the judge for the division, wrinkled her nose as they went past.

  Barry Dankworth watched on from his front-row seat. He was clutching Farrah Fawcett, who Roberta had insisted on bringing along as their lucky charm. The little poodle was hopping around on his knees. She sniffed Barry’s hand and pulled her head away sharply.

  ‘Mrs Finchley!’ Alice-Miranda called from the barrier. She and Sloane were waving madly to get the woman’s attention.

  Becca turned around and looked in the direction of the girls. ‘Hello Alice-Miranda,’ she called back, pushing her chair towards them.

  ‘Mrs Finchley, Daniel’s all right,’ the child began, then kicked herself for being so insensitive.

  The colour drained from the woman’s face. ‘What do you mean he’s all right? Did something happen? Where is he?’

  ‘It’s a long story but we’ve found your dogs.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Becca said. She looked from one girl to the other in bewilderment. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘In the old army bunkers on the property next door to you. They’ve been right under your nose the entire time. I’m afraid you’ll be quite shocked when you see them,’ the child said.

  ‘Why? What’s the matter?’ Becca felt sick to her stomach. She would have collapsed if she weren’t already sitting down.

  ‘It’s a puppy farm,’ Alice-Miranda said.

  Tears filled the woman’s eyes. ‘My poor babies,’ she sobbed.

  ‘The police are heading out there now to arrest the men responsible and to free Daniel,’ the child explained.

  ‘Oh my goodness, he’s up there with them?’ Becca said, clasping her hand over her mouth.

  Millie and Caprice raced into the hall with Jacinta, who had been on her way to watch the final event when she ran into them. Caprice was holding Fudge tightly in her arms.

  Becca glanced over to the ring, where Mrs Bird was leading Siggy around.

  ‘What’s happened to her fur?’ Sloane said. The dog’s coat had completely lost its sheen and she was looking more like an oily teenager than a beauty queen.

  Edith Parbury ran her hand over Siggy’s back and blanched as if she were going to be sick. ‘Madame, this dog stinks!’ she gagged.

  ‘It looks as if there is a problem with little Siggy,’ the commentator said, and the entire audience seemed to lean forward in their seats.

  ‘Someone has replaced my water bottle,’ Vera protested. ‘We’ve been sabotaged!’

  ‘Aha!’ Alistair Foxley stood up from his chair in front of the commentary booth. ‘I know where I’ve seen that woman before. You’re not Vera Bird. You’re Phyllis Mould, the most despicable woman to have ever graced the dog show circuit.’

  Vera Bird looked up like a deer in headlights and began to shake all over. ‘N-no, I’m not,’ her voice trembled.

  At that moment Becca felt as if her whole world was caving in again. ‘Phyllis Mould?’ she echoed. ‘You can’t be. I heard that story from my husband – she was a dreadful woman – but you’re nothing like that.’

  ‘I’ll bet that she sabotaged Siggy on purpose, because it was your father-in-law, Becca, who banned her for life for cheating,’ Alistair Foxley declared, looking very pleased with himself.

  Barry Dankworth’s jaw dropped. This was better than anything he could have hoped for.

  ‘Becca, please, it’s not true,’ Vera began. ‘I love Siggy. I would never have …’

  From the corner of the arena, Darius Lovejoy held up his hand. ‘No, it wasn’t Mrs Bird or Mrs Mould or whatever her name is,’ the man said, striding into the show ring. The cameraman and sound technician scampered after him. When he was sure he had everyone’s attention, Darius spun around and pointed at the front row. ‘It was Barry Dankworth!’

  A gasp went up around the arena.

  ‘What? I didn’t do anything!’ the man shouted. Farrah jumped down from the man’s lap and raced into the arena, leaping onto Citrine’s back.

  ‘Barry! What’s he talking about?’ Roberta thundered.

  The man gulped.

  ‘Don’t try to deny it, Dankworth,’ Darius said. ‘I planted a camera in your house. I’ve got it all on tape.’

  Barry looked at Roberta and instantly gave up pretending. ‘I did it for you, Roberta. It was always for you. I know how much you wanted to win and you said that the only competition was Siggy. I’m sorry, Becca, but you don�
�t know what it’s like living with her if things don’t go the right way.’ The audience gasped as Barry confessed all. Reg Parker was sitting in the stands, shaking his head. He knew Roberta was tricky, but poor Barry must have been desperate to have gone this far.

  Alice-Miranda turned around to see Constable Derby flying through the door. ‘He’s over there!’ she said, pointing across the arena.

  The policeman nodded and ran over to Becca Finchley. ‘Daniel’s safe,’ the man assured her. ‘He’s with some of my colleagues and Dr Davidson is up there now. He’s going to take all of the dogs back to his surgery.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Tears streamed from the woman’s eyes and she reached out to grab Alice-Miranda’s arm.

  ‘Come with me, you two,’ Constable Derby said, then strode into the show ring with Alice-Miranda and Millie by his side.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Miss Grimm said. She was with her husband and most of the staff in the stands. It seemed that pretty much the entire school had turned out to watch the last of the events but were being treated to something completely unexpected.

  The police officer looked at Barry Dankworth and shook his head.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Barry wept. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking. I just love Roberta so much and I know how hard she works. It didn’t seem fair to have it all taken away from her.’

  ‘Mr Dankworth, you’ve done a disgraceful thing, and I’m sure that you will be dealt with by the relevant authorities, but we’re not here for you,’ Constable Derby explained.

  There was another gasp from the audience.

  ‘Well, who are you here for?’ the commentator blared, completely forgetting that he was live on air.

  ‘That’s him,’ Alice-Miranda said as she pointed at Major Foxley.

  ‘What are you pointing at me for, you little upstart? Don’t you know who I am?’ the man roared.

  ‘Yes, you’re Major Alistair Foxley,’ Constable Derby said.

  Darius Loveday stepped forward. ‘I think you mean Private Alistair Foxley,’ he said, and the crowd drew a collective breath.