The Tide of Terror

Chapter Two

Chapter TwoThe early morning gathering at the school gate was always the same, with parents and children all milling around, catching up on the gossip. Jenny marvelled at how much the children had to say to one another, but what struck her the most, apart from the noise of course, were the conversations that the parents had. She'd always known that you could learn everything about what went on in school by standing at the school gate listening to the mums. Now, as she stood there, she had another opportunity to experience just how fast things got around their community. As she sauntered up the path that led to the gates, almost everyone's eyes turned to her, then little groups huddled together, no doubt chattering away about how Jenny had had 'words' with Mrs Strickland. This was the main topic, not the rescue of the hedgehog. She could clearly hear the comments. But she didn't react, just kept a dignified silence, smiling now and again at the occasional parent who gave her a somewhat scathing look. People had presumably made up their own minds about what had happened, and who had said what. Mrs Strickland had been a teacher at the school for over seventeen years and was highly regarded by most. Jenny, on the other hand, had barely been there a year. It was obvious where most people's allegiances lay. It wasn't fair, but it was understandable.

“Jenny!”

The veterinary nurse turned and beamed as Leona came running up to her. There's one ally I've got, at least, Jenny thought to herself. Suddenly Tommy and a bunch of other excited children were huddling around. They seemed to have appeared from nowhere and Jenny couldn't help but laugh out loud as they piled on their eager questions. She told them what she could, that the little hedgehog was doing well, was eating, and seemed very happy. She made no mention of what had happened in the night, however. She wasn't even sure if anything actually had happened. Perhaps it was nothing more than her imagination.

“So, can we come and see him again?” asked Tommy.

“Yes. Of course you can. But he really is fine, there's no need to worry.”

“What will you do to with him when he's fully recovered?”

Jenny looked across at Joel Fletcher, a small boy with an enormous clump of unruly blond hair falling over his face. He had asked the question. “Let him back into the wild.”

“But wouldn't he just get attacked again?”

“Well…I'm afraid that's a risk we've got to take. We can't keep him in the rescue centre forever.”

“But why not,” piped in Leona, “at least he'll be safe there?”

“Yes, he would. But it wouldn't be fair – he's a wild animal. He belongs outside.” Suddenly Jenny's mobile buzzed and she gave a smile to the little collection of concerned children. “I have to go,” she looked down at the screen and saw that it was Mr McGregor, the vet, who was 'phoning her. “Duty calls! I'll see you all later on. Bye!”

Strolling back down the lane, Jenny spoke into her mobile.

“Jenny!” It was Mr McGregor. It was rare for him to contact her between visits, unless there was a problem. He was due to fly in the following day. Jenny hoped that he wouldn't be delayed. “How are things?”

“Fine, Mr McGregor. The usual batch of escaped dogs and, oh yes, Mrs Macall's love-birds had to have their claws clipped.”

“No rescued hedgehogs then?”

Jenny almost gasped. How had he discovered that news so quickly? “Er…yes. How did you know.”

“The local press have been on to me, Jen. Seems they want to do an article about it.”

“An article? What sort of article?”

“About the 'hog, what happened, what you did.”

“What I…Mr McGregor, how did you find out?”

“Mrs Fielding telephoned me, after she'd been in touch with the newspaper. Seemed she wanted everyone to know what a good deed you'd done.”

Mrs Fielding, so she was the source of the story! Jenny felt relieved. For one terrible moment, she thought it had been Mrs Strickland who had been in touch with the vet. “Well, I didn't really do that much. He's still with us, just for observation.”

“Pitchfork wasn't it? Some over-eager gardener protecting his cabbages, or so the story goes. Not that hedgehogs eat cabbages, but you know what I mean.”

“Well, I'm not sure how it happened. But he's getting better.”

“Who, the gardener or the 'hog?”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing, just that I know how dedicated you are, Jen. Sometimes you let your passion run away with you.” What did that mean? Mr McGregor carried on quickly, “So, they'll be in touch. The newspaper people. You can let me know all about it tomorrow. Usual time. 'Bye for now.”

Jenny closed her mobile and stood looking out across the bay towards the sea. The morning was still and fair. A few little boats were bobbing up and down at their anchors and occasionally a big seabird skimmed the surface of the water. It was a tranquil scene. But Jenny was feeling far from tranquil. The press! An interview. She didn't like the sound of that one little bit.

Sitting there, in the bright but cheerless surgery, Jenny soon realized that she needn't have worried. The reporter, Josh Stewart, with his easy manner soon made her feel relaxed. Jenny also thought he had a very nice smile, which had nothing to do with anything…or so she told herself. He stood just outside the shop doorway and took her hand, told her his name and appeared very interested with a quiet, confident voice. Not over-bearing at all. Soon they had wandered over to the surgery, as Josh wanted some pictures of 'the workplace'. As they went inside, the smell became over-powering.

“Is that normal?” he asked.

“Quite normal,” she returned and he pressed his face closer to the cage, which held the little hedgehog. Jenny noticed he was holding his breath.

He straightened up. “Cute, isn't he. Apart from the smell. Does that go?”

“I'm not sure, to be honest. I've never had one in captivity before. It's probably got more to do with where he usually lives than anything personal, so to speak. It's not as bad as it was, so perhaps it will continue to improve.”

“And fleas? I hear hedgehogs are alive with fleas.”

“Yes, they are. But not blonds. Blond hedgehogs don't have fleas.”

“Really? That's interesting.” Josh took another look. “He's only little, isn't he? It is a 'he' isn't it?”

“Yes.” She noted his raised eyebrows. “I've checked him.” She almost laughed as his face reddened a little. She hurried on, “And yes, he is quite underweight. That's probably more to do with his injury perhaps. Shock tends to do that.”

“He's lucky to survive, don't you think?

“He certainly is. I'm not sure what would have happened if the children hadn't found him. He's a very lucky little boy.”

Josh chuckled. “To have you looking after him, absolutely!”

Jenny looked away, a little red-faced. “Well, only time will tell.”

“So, this is an albino, yes? A variant of the normal, brown hedgehog, yes?”

“No, not at all. His pigmentation is natural. He's not albino. Many people make that mistake. But look at his eyes, they're jet black, not the sign of an albino. He's a genetic variant, that's all. And he's unique to this environment. We don't really understand why it happened, but they certainly thrive here. No natural predators, and a population that is usually very attentive and caring about them.”

“Usually?” Josh frowned. “I take it from your tone that not everyone is of the same opinion? Do some people not agree with you saving such creatures?”

This was the part Jenny had been expecting, almost right from the beginning. She gave a little shrug and led him into the surgery. She told him the whole story of the rescue, carefully skirting around anything to do with Mrs Strickland and her rather brusque manner. After about thirty minutes of note taking, Josh announced that everything was finished. He took a few more photographs, one of Jenny holding the little 'hog in her hands, and another of the rescue complex, then he left with a smile and a 'thank you'. As Jenny gently put the little creature back in its cage, she wondered what the article would come out like. She actually found herself feeling a little excited at the prospect.