I can’t just sit here feeling sorry for myself. Spud had decided to give himself a pep talk. I need to get reinforcements.
Spud knew that Lara and the rest of the family were in London somewhere; all he had to do was work out how to find them.
He dodged out of the way as a young man, talking loudly on his mobile phone, almost tripped over him. That’s it! Ben always has his phone with him!
Spud looked around. There was a public phonebox further down the street but he probably couldn’t even open the door, let alone reach up to the keypad. Maybe I could borrow someone’s phone. It is an emergency, after all.
He walked slowly along, looking up at the people. They probably all had phones but they all seemed to be safely tucked away. As he passed the door of a jeweller’s shop, he noticed a man and a woman just inside, looking at a gold bracelet.
‘Darling Pumpkin,’ cooed the woman. ‘It’s beautiful! But it’s far too expensive!’
‘Nothing’s too much for my little Cupcake,’ said the man. ‘And it is Cupcake and Pumpkin’s first Christmas, isn’t it? Go on, sweetie – try it on!’
Oh yuck! thought Spud in horror. How soppy! Then he thought again. As Cupcake tried on the bracelet, she put her expensive handbag down on the floor, and there, sticking out of it, was a small gold-coloured mobile phone.
Here goes! Spud dashed into the shop. Just as he reached the phone, it started to ring. Cupcake bent to pick it up and saw Spud standing guiltily beside her bag.
‘Oh, Pumpkin, look, a sweet little puppy-wuppy!’ she gushed as ten pink polished nails reached down to lift Spud up.
Oh no, you don’t! Spud ran out of the shop as fast as he could go. That was close!
Inside the stockroom on the fourth floor, Star too had been doing her best to continue their mission. The first thing she did after Strange had left the room was run to check on the unconscious Santa. It took her a while but she managed to chew through the ropes around his wrists and then carefully do the same with his gag. After that she gradually pushed and pulled until she managed to get him into the recovery position.
I’m glad Mum gave us those first-aid lessons, she thought as she turned the old man over on his side on the floor and made sure his airways were clear.
She tried barking for help but soon realized that no one could hear her. The shop was busy now and Christmas music was playing loudly on every floor.
Star had a good look round to see if there was another way out, but the stockroom had no windows and only one door and the lock was one she had no chance of picking.
All she could do was keep an eye on the casualty and wait. But it’s OK, thought Star, because my brother’s out there and he won’t let me down!
Spud’s narrow escape in the jeweller’s had given him an idea. I have to think like a thief, he said to himself. I’ve got no choice. He remembered the force that Strange had used to hit the back of poor old Santa’s head, and shivered. It could even be a matter of life or death.
He trotted along the street until he came to a cafe. Two teenage girls – one dark and one fair – were drinking smoothies and chatting. The one with dark hair had put her handbag safely under the table. At least she thought it was safe. She didn’t notice a small black pup slithering on his tummy towards her. Being very careful not to touch their feet, Spud pushed his nose into the bag, searching for a phone. Yes! He picked it up gently in his mouth and pulled it slowly out of the bag. If this one rings, I’ve had it! But the phone didn’t ring. Like an experienced pickpocket, Spud was out of the cafe in seconds. No one had noticed. If they see that on closed-circuit TV later, they’ll get a shock! chuckled Spud.
He ducked into an alleyway and found an old cocktail stick lying on the ground by some dustbins. Exactly what I need! Pups’ paws aren’t designed for mobile phones.
Holding the stick in his mouth, Spud tapped out Ben’s number and waited. It was ringing.
Please, answer, Ben! Don’t let it go to voicemail!
