Part 17 (1/2)

'Whats that supposed to mean?

We set off the next morning. Thomas and I were still discussing his Chariots of Fire performance.

'Im so excited, he said, as we climbed into Russells recently rescued Land Rover.

'Me too.

Shame we never got there.

We bucketed down narrow lanes, taking what Russell called 'the scenic route.

'Hes lost, said Thomas. ' How did he manage that? Its not difficult, for crying out loud. You drive west for twenty minutes until you get wet and then you stop because youve fallen into the sea. Tchah!

I was about to comment on 'Tchah! when Russell, whod coaxed a reasonable speed from his rust-bucket, slammed on the brakes. Landscape whirled past the windscreen and the seat-belt dug painfully. We fishtailed across the lane and skidded to a halt in a shower of gravel. I bounced against my seat, sat stunned for a moment, and then rubbed my shoulder and neck.

Thomas hadnt moved.

Russell was halfway out of the door when he remembered he was married to his pa.s.senger.

'Are you all right?

I nodded. I could talk later.

He disappeared.

'What on earth ...? said Thomas.

I released my seat-belt, thanking G.o.d Russell was too poor for air bags. We were on the wrong side of the road but, by Russells standards, safely parked. I followed my galloping husband on slightly wobbly legs. He climbed over a gate and disappeared.

'Jenny, Im so sorry. I think I may have encouraged you to marry a madman.

'Yes, were going to be discussing this later. Oh.

We reached a dilapidated gate, set in a straggly, sickly looking hedge.

On the other side was one of those awful, overgrazed fields you sometimes see from a train. An old railway truck slouched in the corner. There was no gra.s.s anywhere. After all the rain, everything was just a sea of mud.

For a moment, I could see nothing, but Russell was heading towards the back corner where a lump of mud moved and became a large dog.

No, not a dog. A very small donkey, now struggling to escape away from him. He walked slowly towards it and stopped a few yards away, talking softly. It was pitifully thin. Bones stuck out everywhere. There was absolutely no sign of food or water anywhere. The poor thing was so hungry it had chewed on the wooden rails. I could see lighter wood showing through.

I climbed over the gate.

The little donkey showed signs of panic, so I stood still and Russell moved away and went to investigate the old railway truck.

I said to Thomas, 'Can you do anything?

He said, 'I think so, and went to stand close by, hooves sinking into the mud. Lowering his head, he nuzzled behind her ears. She stood still, not knowing why. Her ears drooped and her eyes closed.

'Well done.

'I dont think thats me. I think shes just too weak to put up any sort of fight.

Russell came out of the truck, his face tight and angry. He took my arm. 'You dont want to go in there, Jenny.

'Oh.

'Im afraid so. Come on, lets go and look at the one we might be able to save.

Thomas had done his work well. She stood quietly, head lowered, too weak and too distressed to struggle.

Russell stood for a moment, looked thoughtfully over his shoulder at the gate and then at me.

'Of course, I said. 'Need you ask?

'Right then, I dont think she can walk, so ...

He stepped forward, put one arm under her tail, another around her chest ,and lifted a very surprised little donkey off the ground. She hung, legs dangling, and tried to eat his jacket.

'Can you get the gate?

He set off, staggering slightly in the mud and I squelched along behind, a fully-fledged accessory to donkey-napping.

The gate was padlocked.

Carefully, he set her down and she immediately started to eat my coat. Thomas lowered his head again.

'Sometimes, said Russell, 'you can get these gates off their hinges. Can you give me a hand? We got our shoulders under the top rail and the gate fell apart, so we could add property damage to the charge sheet.

He picked up the donkey again and we all set off down the road.

I said, 'Should I put the gate back?

Im quite law-abiding.

'No point.

Russell isnt.

He was angry, but not with me, so I hurried after him.

'Jenny, Im going to put her in the back. Will you sit with her and just try to keep her calm? I dont think youll have any problems. Im sorry, shes covered in mud and worse, but I cant see any other way and I want Andrew to see her as quickly as possible. Do you mind?

'No, I said, truthfully and scrambled in. He heaved her over and Thomas was there as well.

I heard him speak briefly on his phone and then the engine started up. She had a bit of a skitter, but Thomas worked his magic and we got back to Frogmorton mostly unscathed.

We backed into the yard and both Kevin and Mrs Crisp came out to see why we were back so early. I dont know what they were expecting, but it probably wasnt this.

Russell appeared and I pa.s.sed her over. He stood with her in his arms, her legs dangling again as everyone gawped.