Alice-Miranda to the Rescue (21 page)

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.

‘That's absurd. What's the meaning of all this?' the man shouted, his handsome face blotched with red. He began to limp sideways, his eyes scanning for the nearest exit.

‘I've been doing some digging these past few months after a tip-off that someone very high up in the dog-breeding world was involved in some under-hand activities. Our investigations have unearthed several interesting facts, one of which is Alistair Foxley's alleged military rank.'

‘This is detestable,' Alistair Foxley snapped. ‘I'm suing the lot of you for defamation.'

‘After Constable Derby arrests you,' Alice-Miranda declared.

The man took a step back. ‘What for?'

‘It's a long list,' Millie said, glaring at him.

‘Cruelty to animals, for one thing,' Alice-Miranda said.

‘Illegal puppy farming,' Millie continued.

‘And dog theft,' Constable Derby added, stalking towards the man with a pair of handcuffs.

‘You have no proof,' Alistair Foxley spat.

Constable Derby raised his eyebrows. ‘What about the confessions of Declan and Damon O'Malley?'

Becca Finchley could hardly believe her ears. The man was a monster.

Alistair Foxley gulped and set off, limping across the arena as fast as he could. All of a sudden, Farrah Fawcett leapt off Citrine's back and rushed at the man, yapping and snarling like a beast possessed. She nipped at his heels as he tried in vain to dodge the feisty poodle.

‘Stop that! Get away from me, you curly-haired rat!' Alistair Foxley roared. He raised his cane in the air but, before he had time to strike, he was laid flat by Citrine. The Afghan hound pinned him to the ground, baring her teeth, and this time she definitely wasn't smiling.

Constable Derby ran across the arena.

‘Arrest that man!' Myrtle Parker shouted, horrified that her show had descended into chaos.

Citrine stood aside as the constable pulled the man to his feet before handcuffing him. The crowd jeered and dogs barked as Alistair Foxley was marched from the building. It took several minutes for things to calm down.

‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, that was certainly … unexpected,' the commentator said, recovering from the interruption. He looked over at Myrtle Parker, who was madly jabbing at her clipboard. ‘But I believe we still have to award our Best in Show?' he said, shrugging his shoulders at her.

Edith Parbury looked at them uncertainly, then cleared her throat. ‘I would like to announce the winner of this year's Best in Show.' The woman walked over to Roberta Dankworth. ‘I don't believe you had anything to do with your husband's brainless act, Mrs Dankworth, and what a fool that man is because, my dear, I'd like to declare Nobel Citrine Best in Show for the second year running.'

Roberta burst into tears and hugged the woman. Citrine flicked her fringe and grinned as her owner was handed an enormous silver trophy.

The crowd clapped and cheered while Roberta, Citrine and Farrah Fawcett posed for the cameras.

Alice-Miranda looked at the clock. ‘The wedding!' she cried.

‘Oh my goodness, we're late!' Miss Grimm stood up and beckoned to the girls and staff. ‘We need to get to the chapel or Miss Reedy and Mr Plumpton will think we've abandoned them.'

‘What about our clothes?' Jacinta called out.

Most of the girls were in their school tracksuits and splattered with mud.

‘We'll just have to go as we are and get changed after the ceremony,' the headmistress said as she led the charge down from the stands.

‘Can you take Fudge, Miss Grimm?' Caprice said, passing the pup to the startled headmistress.

‘Where did he come from?' She cradled the pup, who barked excitedly. ‘Never mind, you can tell me later. Come on, everyone! Hurry!' she ordered, not realising her clarion call had got the whole audience on the move.

A woman with a hyper active shih tzu turned to the fellow beside her. ‘Where are we going?'

‘Beats me, but that lady looks to be in charge and I wouldn't want to mess with her,' he replied.

‘Bridezilla Reedy is going to go nuts,' Millie said as the girls bolted towards the chapel.

It seemed that everyone at the dog show was following them and before long there were people and dogs clamouring to get into the building.

Alice-Miranda and the girls raced upstairs to the organ balcony, where the Winchester-Fayle Singers were warming up.

Mr Lipp stared at the group in horror. ‘What's all this?'

‘Nice of you to dress up, ladies,' Lucas joked, smiling at the girls. He and the lads looked immaculate in their black suits.

‘What happened to you?' Sep whispered.

Millie rolled her eyes. ‘Long story.'

Father Colin walked from the vestry at the side of the chapel. He looked out into the congregation and jumped. Mr Plumpton followed the man and was just as surprised to see the ragtag guests, many of whom were four-legged. ‘Are we in the right place?' he whispered to the groom.

Josiah looked at his watch and at Miss Grimm, who appeared to be holding a puppy that looked just like Fudge. She smiled back at him as if there wasn't a problem in the world. His heart thumped. Surely this menagerie would send his bride-to-be fleeing. ‘Well, it's the right time and the right place, but I suspect we might have the wrong guests,' the man squeaked. Just as he was about to go and speak with Miss Grimm, the sun came out and the silhouette of a tall woman appeared in the doorway.

‘Is that an angel?' George Figworth gasped.

The entire congregation turned around as Mr Trout began to play the wedding march. Light streamed
through the stained-glass windows, creating dappled colours on the floor and illuminating the organza bows and floral arrangements which Miss Reedy had been up since the crack of dawn creating.

‘Is that seriously Miss Reedy?' Millie leaned over and whispered to Alice-Miranda.

Alice-Miranda's brown eyes twinkled and a smile spread across her face as the woman began her walk down the aisle, her eyes fixed straight ahead on her groom. ‘Of course it is. Doesn't she look beautiful?' the tiny child whispered back.

Millie nodded. ‘Plumpy looks like he's about to pass out.'

The English teacher was wearing a floor-length fitted lace gown with elegant long sleeves. Her hair was pulled back into a loose chignon at the nape of her neck, softening her face. Mr Plumpton was resplendent in a grey morning suit. Although the man had taken off his top hat for the ceremony, it would no doubt give him some much-needed extra height for their official photographs.

Upstairs, Caprice was doing her best to ignore a little scratch tickling her throat.

Mr Plumpton stood there, nervously waiting for his bride to realise that the congregation wasn't quite
what she'd expected, but she hadn't taken her eyes off him the whole time.

‘Livinia, you're breathtaking,' Josiah said, taking the woman's arm.

‘You too,' she whispered back.

Mr Plumpton nodded at Father Colin, who quickly got on with it. ‘If there is anyone here who knows of any reason why this couple may not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace,' the minister announced loudly.

Caprice coughed, no longer able to hold it in, drawing an audible gasp from the crowd. ‘What? I've got a tickle,' she hissed, narrowing her eyes at the heads that had swivelled around to glare at her.

Father Colin looked at the girl, then cleared his throat. ‘Right then.' He waited another few seconds before continuing.

‘Look – Plumpy's got a tear in his eye.' Sloane nudged Jacinta, who had just grabbed a tissue from her own pocket. The girl turned to her friend. ‘Are you crying too?'

‘No, it's dust,' Jacinta mumbled, quickly dabbing at her face.

Sloane grinned. ‘Yeah, sure.'

The happy couple completed their vows and Father Colin looked out at the congregation, then back at the bride and groom. ‘It gives me great pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife.' The man nodded at Josiah Plumpton. ‘You may kiss your bride.'

The children craned their necks to see Mr Plumpton lean across and peck Miss Reedy's smooth cheek.

‘That's not a kiss!' Sloane exclaimed, rather more loudly than she'd meant to. A titter of giggles echoed through the chapel.

‘Give her a proper smooch, Mr P,' Figgy called from the choir stalls. ‘You've waited long enough.'

Miss Grimm glared at the lad before the congregation dissolved into fits of laughter. The Science teacher turned to the crowd and then looked back at his blushing bride before he planted a kiss on Miss Reedy's cherry-red lips.

‘Oh, Mr Plumpton!' Miss Reedy gasped.

‘Yes, Mrs Plumpton?' the man replied with a wink, his nose glowing like a beacon.

The congregation went wild, clapping and cheering, and were quickly accompanied by a cacophony of barks and howls. Fudge wriggled out
of Miss Grimm's arms and skittered to the altar, dancing around at Miss Reedy's feet. Mr Plumpton bent down and picked him up. It was then that his bride registered her bedraggled guests and a rather large number of blow-ins.

For a second she felt quite dazed. ‘What's all this?' she said.

‘We didn't think you'd mind, love,' a man with an Alaskan malamute said. ‘We were just over at the show and then that woman up the front there told us to hurry up and get over here.'

‘The headmistress. She's the
headmistress
,' someone said, interrupting him.

‘Well, I love a good wedding as much as the next person,' the man said.

‘Me too, and you look beautiful,' a woman clutching a dachshund called out.

A man with a stumpy bulldog wolf-whistled and the entire congregation rose to their feet. Miss Reedy's face split into the widest of grins as Mr Plumpton raised their hands in victory, while Fudge nestled into the crook of his other arm. As the jubilant newlyweds turned to leave, Mr Lipp nodded at Mr Trout and the choir. Caprice Radford and Figgy stepped forward and the music began.

Mr Plumpton stared up at them. ‘What's that?'

‘Your special request,' Mr Lipp called back.

Mr Plumpton frowned. ‘But I asked for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”'

‘No, you didn't,' Mr Lipp insisted. ‘You asked for this.'

Cornelius Trout huffed and stopped playing.

‘Oh, Livinia, I'm so sorry. There's been a misunderstanding,' Mr Plumpton sighed.

The woman beamed at him. ‘Josiah, don't be silly. I know I'll love it no matter what.' Any trace of bridezilla had well and truly disappeared.

‘All right then,' Josiah said, and gave the man the thumbs up. Within seconds the children had burst into a rousing rendition of ‘Hakuna Matata'. Josiah looked at his bride. ‘No worries.'

‘For the rest of my days,' she said, and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

Mr and Mrs Plumpton (and Fudge too) wiggled their way down the aisle and out into the sunshine, where a photographer snapped away, capturing every joyous moment.