Bella and Haggis led from the front. Wee Renee let them do their thing and go up to Moors if they so wished. The two dogs went to a part of the Moors that was not very often visited, a small stone circle that was always a bit creepy. A few people had torches, but they could find nothing and no evidence of the beast.
‘I wouldn’t have thought to come here to find it,’ Wee Renee said.
’It’s not here now,’ Our Doris said, ‘come on, pick up the scent Haggis.’
There was another track away from the stone circle area, and this was where the dogs wanted to go. After about ten minutes, they discovered that they were at the entrance to Bob’s Den. A place they had been forced to stay in a couple of times over the winter.
’Happy memories,’ Wee Renee said.
’Strange that it should be coming past here,’ Liz said.
’There are not many coincidences in Friarmere, I think,’ Terry said.
They walked past this and onto the road that would take them back to where they had just come.
’Where is she going, I wonder?’ Jackie asked.
’We must have just crossed paths,’ Terry said.
’The chances are it will go back to one of the places that we’ve already discovered,’ Joe said. ‘What’s the closest one to here?’
’The Grange?’ Ernie asked.
’Yes, it is, but I don’t know why she would be there,’ Wee Renee said. ‘Let’s try there first. Rule it out,’
When they got to the top of the road going down to the dirt track, both dogs were pulling downwards towards Friarmere.
‘You know what, I don’t think it’s here,’ Ernie said.
’No, it's not,’ Tommy said. ‘It’s quite clear we’ve missed it and it’s going back towards the Village.’ The whole gang started walking back down the bank.
‘What place is next closest to this?’ Bob asked.
’Our house?’ Sue queried.
’Oh no, not again,’ Tony said.
’I don’t think it is actually,’ Wee Renee said. ‘What do you think Tommy?’
’The Primary School amphitheatre, Wee Renee,’ Tommy replied.
‘Yes, and we have got its knife,’ Wee Renee said.
’If it’s looking for the knife, it won’t find anything,’ Suzanne said. ‘What will it do?’
’It could go berserk, but that won’t last long. I didn’t want to leave that anywhere, so I’ve got it with me. We’ll simply return the knife,’ Wee Renee said.
’You think of everything, don’t you Wee Renee,’ Our Doris said.
’I try to,’ Wee Renee said. Even though they were all worried, they also had a kind of excitement. No-one wanted the thrill to last forever though, they still hoped to find The Barbara at the amphitheatre.
Gary was the one currently wheeling the skin in Joe’s wheelbarrow. The bin bags kept blowing off, with the wind. No matter what they did, they kept ballooning around the street. They were there to keep off the worst of the weather, but it wasn’t ideal.
’Do you want me to have a go with that?’ Rick asked.
‘Yes, go on,’ Gary said. ‘I’m going to end up a hunchback after doing this.’
As the dogs got on to the top of Wellmeadow, as hoped, they did not turn down towards Sue’s house, they pulled instead towards Rhodes Avenue and on to the Primary School.
’It’s here,’ Suzanne said.
’Let’s hope it still is when we get there,’ Wee Renee said.
They made an awful lot of noise as they went onto School grounds. Even the sounds of their feet were loud on the path on the way to the playground. They ran over the back playground, still being pulled by the dogs. The dog's noses pointed towards the amphitheatre.
When they got off the tarmac, the wheelbarrow did not go well over the wet grass and kept getting stuck. It was heavy going, but soon they were there. They were disappointed that they did not find The Barbara instantly. The dogs were going mad and staring at some bushes, just the other side of it.
’It’s in there,’ Wee Renee said solemnly.
’Don’t I just know it,’ Our Doris said. ‘The hairs have just stood up on the back of my neck.’
Liz was swallowing hard, her throat and mouth felt parched. She didn’t know how they would hand it over if it were there.
’What are we going to do?’ Pat asked.
‘It’s there, so it’s up to her if she wants it. If she doesn’t come and get it. It will get wet, won’t it? Rick, Gary, Joe and Tony – can you come to the centre of the amphitheatre with me, please? Bring the Pelt,’ Wee Renee asked.
The men walked forward, Rick pushing the wheelbarrow with Wee Renee at the side of them.
‘Bella and Haggis should come too,’ Wee Renee called back to them. Tommy and Our Doris looked a little shocked. ‘Come on then. Don’t you let them dogs go, you pair.’ The two dogs and their owners joined the growing group at the centre of the amphitheatre. ‘You men get the contents out of the wheelbarrow. Put it onto the centre of the amphitheatre. She’s got to smell it.’ The four men got the skin out and put it on the floor.
’Now lift it up,’ Wee Renee said, ‘So she can see it.’ They did this between them, which was still quite a struggle. It felt like it was made of lead. Wee Renee thought it was a very thick skin. Good quality she might even say. It also had a decent portion of flesh attached all the way through it.
When the skin was lifted up, The Barbara stood up amongst the bushes at the opposite side of the amphitheatre. She looked at the skin. The sight had been too tempting, and she no longer wanted to play hide. All games were now forgotten. The Barbara did not move her eyes from the skin.
’I’ve brought you this,’ Wee Renee said. ‘I know you have been after it and I’m hoping now that this puts an end to the silly matters that have been going on. No more killing! You have got what you wanted, now go back. Here is your mate and here is the knife that we took the other day. I will put that on top. That’s enough now,’ Wee Renee said firmly. Like the leader she was. The beast still looked at them but did not move.
‘How does she do that? Just … so easily,’ Jackie whispered to Pat.
‘Cometh the hour, cometh the woman,’ Pat replied simply.
‘Let’s get off while the going is good,’ Wee Renee said to the others. ‘We’ve done the job.’
Wee Renee turned to walk out of the amphitheatre. Liz, Sue and Suzanne were clinging on to one another. Terry stood proudly at the top with a couple of the others in a show of defiance.
When the group got to the top of the amphitheatre to stand with their friends, they turned to see that The Barbara was moving forward. It walked with a lope and seemed to breathe through its mouth and not its nose.
Her jaws were enormous and seemed to curl upwards to her ears. She seemed to have a thick spike of fur that ran from the top of her head and down her back, which they had not noticed on the male. He may have had it but had been viewed from the front. Her feet were large, like the males.
She walked confidently towards the pelt. She did not feel like she was under threat, they could tell, as the hands and arms were held downwards in a relaxed position. In fact, the only thing that she focused on was the skin that was in the middle of the amphitheatre. Never once did she lock gazes with one of the humans.
The Barbara was far stranger and blood-curdling than they had ever imagined.
‘Does everyone want to go?’ Wee Renee asked.
‘Bloody hell, don’t we ever,’ Alan said. ‘How about a trip back down to the pub?’
’Yes,’ everyone said.
When they got onto Wellmeadow, Tommy, Suzanne and Bella said their goodbyes. Wee Renee gave them both a hug.
’What did you think?’ Wee Renee said
‘It was exciting,’ Tommy said. ‘I liked it, but Suze didn’t.’
’No, I didn’t Wee Renee. I mean, it’s really worn me out. Now we’ve done what we need to do, to help you end this, we’re actually going to go to Whitby for a f
ew days. Have a break. We’ll let the sea wind blow this out of our minds before we have to come back and face what might be another monster,’ Suzanne said.
’I don’t blame you, love. You just enjoy yourself and don’t worry if something else happens. Guess what, if it does, good old Wee Renee will be here to help you anyway,’ she said.
Everyone else walked down the pub. Lauren couldn’t wait to get over to the table so that they could tell her what has happened. In some ways, she was gutted and wished that she had been there, but in some way, she was glad that she hadn’t had to face it at all. It was over with. Friarmere would have its luck, and everything could get back to normal.
26. Parents Evening
The next day dawned to be just a normal day. A regular weekday where commuters caught the train, carrying their coffees and shutters were opened on Friarmere shops for the day's trade.
Today wasn’t such a typical day in Bob and Adams School. Tonight, was parents evening, and Bob was trying to persuade his parents to just visit his Art teacher and no-one else.
’That isn’t happening matey,’ Tony said. ‘What have you been doing in other classes?’
‘Nothing,’ Bob replied, defensively. ‘I’m pretty average in them. I know I’m really good at art. I just want you to get the best impression of me you know.’
’Are there any places we should head for with you, Adam? Or avoid?’ Tony asked him.
’Head for maths and avoid PE,’ Adam said. Tony laughed about this but said that he had an obligation to go to every subject and that he would be in trouble with the teachers himself if he didn’t.
Mr Pugh had asked Bob if he could bring a packed tea and help him set up the Art classroom. He had lots of each classes Artwork in files, ready for the parents to see. The best pieces were going to be displayed on the windows and boards around the room. Bob was looking forward to doing this and thought that he would put his pictures in the best position for his Mum and Dad to see.
Today seemed to drag as he was looking forward so much to the late afternoon with Mr Pugh. Adam was staying too, but he wasn’t as excited as Bob. He was just tagging along to hang out. Adam said that he would help Bob for a bit, then go on his phone.
Mr Pugh was going to stick the pictures all over the windows tonight, this meant that it would give him the maximum amount of wall space for all his forms work. He explained to Bob that only the best pieces would go up so that it showed the department to its best advantage.
At 3:20 pm the School bell rang, and Bob's pencil case and books were already in his bags.
’Come on Adam,’ Bob said. ‘Mr Pugh will be waiting for us.’
’The first appointments aren’t until 5 o’clock,’ Adam said. ‘We’ve got ages yet.’
’Time will fly by, and besides that, I want to talk to Mr Pugh. For ages I have wanted to ask him something,’ Bob said.
’All right,’ Adam said. He knew this was very important to Bob.
When they arrived at the classroom, Mr Pugh was already putting things out. He had a huge wodge of blue tack in a lump, ready for Bob and Adam to start putting things on the windows and even more on the walls. There were several boards with each form’s name on them as well, and the best pictures from each class would go on these boards too. Mr Pugh had already pinned these up, as he had been able to get on with it a bit, while teaching all afternoon.
There was still lots to do. They kept asking Mr Pugh questions, and he would tell them where to put this, that and the other. All three of them were getting on with it pretty well.
Even though the first appointments started at 5:00, for some reason, Mr Pugh’s pupils had not booked anything until 5.30. What this meant was that they had to be ready for the opening time but wouldn’t be disturbed for half an hour.
Bob began talking but had forgotten to ask Mr Pugh the questions that he had planned. He got lost in the Art of his fellow pupils. They were all excellent. Bob had a moment of self-doubt. He looked at the names against the other pictures and wondered how he stacked-up against them. He seemed to draw differently than the other people in the School, his work looked more like Mr Pugh’s. Bob supposed that other people might say, by that he meant Art Critics, that Mr Pugh influenced his work.
‘What else have you done Mr Pugh, besides being an Art teacher? Did you do other arty things?’ Bob asked.
’I’ve always taught Bob, right from Uni. Alongside that, I’ve done some comic books. Some front covers for novels, you know and designed labels for beer and candles and things like that. It’s usually Gothic stuff. That’s what I’m known for,’ Mr Pugh said smiling.
‘Do you know Bob, you seem to be a bit like me in your style and tastes. I think you have promise and tonight I’m going to tell your Mum and Dad that I think you should think about doing your A-levels in Art and maybe look towards going to University for it. Your work says to me that you should easily be able to get in, as long as we start on your portfolio soon. That is the problem with Art or Music, it takes so long to get up to the standard they require. And you have to show you have a commitment to the subject,’ Mr Pugh said, genuinely. This was the most wonderful thing Mr Pugh could say.
’I might even be able to see if you can help me with some of my designs. Would that be of interest to you? I know that your drawings are sometimes a little dark and strange. I understand why that is. All our experiences help us to be a better artist whether they are negative or positive,’ Mr Pugh said. Now Bob thought that this really was the most wonderful thing that Mr Pugh could say. He actually felt a little bit choked by it all.
’That’s brilliant, Mr Pugh. Currently, Art is the only subject I’m interested in. I like what we do here, and I also like gaming art. We both play games, me and Adam,’ Bob said.
It was then that they heard the smashing glass
27. Mr Pugh
The Art classroom happened to be near the back doors of their School, just up one flight of stairs. Mr Pugh’s classroom, along with the rest of the Art department, was not situated with the other classrooms. They were in a separate block, and there was just Art, Music and Drama.
Music took up the whole of the downstairs and Art was upstairs with the one Drama classroom at the end. There weren’t many people in this part of the building, there was hardly anyone at all. This was why it was so alarming that there was the sound of stamping heavy feet. Bob wondered what was going on.
Adam thought probably some kid had got a bad report from the teacher. The teacher had finally told the parents about every snide comment and missed homework that the kid had not given in. The kid had gone berserk and had thrown furniture through the window.
Adam sniggered and shook his head. He could imagine it right now. He bet it would be all around the School tomorrow. Adam thought he might have a look down there in a minute when he had finished this game on his phone.
The kid started running up the stairs heavily, Adam could hear the footsteps getting closer. Then from the top of the stairs, the sound of the stamping stopped. Adam looked to see who the culprit was and through the open door, saw the Monster. Their Monster. The Barbara was here.
It seemed the most unlikely setting for the Beast from the Moors. It was dirty and hairy and feral. Ferocious, growling and hungry against the School backdrop, it didn’t seem real.
It was against one of Bob’s paintings. Perhaps between Bob’s and one from a girl in year eight. She had drawn a fluffy rabbit, eating a flower. Everything seemed odd and weird. The Barbara was out of place.
Another weird happening was that Mr Pugh stood up and he didn’t shout, and he wasn’t shocked. He just stood with his mouth open and walked in front of the boys.
The Barbara looked at him he walked towards her. A brief realisation dawned on his face. As Mr Pugh got within arm’s reach of the beast, she hit him, with an almighty smack. The Barbara hit Mr Pugh across the head with all its strength. She never looked at Bob or Adam once.
Mr Pugh immediately fell down, unconscious
. She then grabbed him with both hands, pulling his body behind her. It bumped him all the way down the stairs, away from Adam and Bob. They heard every sickening thump of his head. The Barbara went quite slowly – stairs seemed to be a problem.
They could not believe what they had just seen and knew they were lucky to get away with their lives, not even a scratch in fact. There was another tinkle of glass and Bob ran to the back to see where the creature was.
He quickly removed a picture from the glass that he had just recently put up with blue tack. He must have done it well because it tore, the four corners of the picture remained on the glass, stuck firmly on with the nail.
There was a hole in the fence, and it looked like The Barbara held the flint knife that Wee Renee had given back. It had somehow made a hole in the wire fence large enough to get through. It ran as fast as it could, which didn’t seem to be that fast. It’s run appeared to be a fast lope.
When it got to the fence, it pulled Mr Pugh backwards through it. The whole time Bob watched, he was frozen in shock. Adam still stood looking at the doorway. He had not moved an inch since the second it had reached the top of the stairs.
They did not know what to do. This wasn’t over. It had taken Mr Pugh. It had been inside their School. Their sacred place where they could be safe every day and laugh. Be normal with their friends.
In a dreamlike state, Bob reached down for his bag. He opened it, not really knowing what he was doing. Bob seemed to be working on autopilot. He picked his phone out of his bag and unlocked it, pressing the button that said ‘Mum’.
Sue answered, she was on her way down to the School with Tony. She had put make-up on and everything. Sue wanted to show her best face to all of Bob’s teachers. She had also forced Tony to wear a shirt and tie.
’Hello?’ Sue said as she answered her phone.
Bob didn’t know how to put it. He didn’t know whether to warn her first, as he could tell she was walking. Or tell her that Mr Pugh had been taken. Bob realised that telling her that Mr Pugh had been taken would warn her anyway.
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