AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Shoo!” Lily screeched.
Henry looked up in alarm at the sudden disturbance. He gave a little squeal and took off at a trot down the sidewalk, breaking into a run as the women gained ground on him.
“Get in front of him,” Bec gasped. “You’re faster than I am.”
Lily bolted alongside Henry until she could turn and stand directly in his path. Breathless, she stood still and waited. Henry stopped, looking confused.
Bec looked around wildly. “We need food,” she puffed. “I don’t think chasing him will work. We’ll have to lure him back to the yard.”
“I’ll stay here with him,” Lily said. “You get the food. Hurry!”
While Bec sprinted back home, Lily stood in front of Henry. Having lost the urge to run, he ambled over to the nearest lawn and flopped down in the shade of a bush. Lily stood silently, desperately hoping that the grumpy neighbor who lived there didn’t happen to come out and see a pig on his lawn.
It seemed to take Bec forever to come back with the food. Lily cringed as a car came along the street, shrinking back against the bushes in an attempt to remain invisible. Henry’s little tail twitched contentedly as he enjoyed the cool grass beside the bush. At last, Bec reappeared, jogging along the street with a bag of food and some vegetables in her hand.
Henry looked up with interest as she approached.
“It’s bad news, I’m afraid,” Bec said breathlessly. “I took a quick look in the yard, and he broke through the fence and made a bit of a mess in Winifred’s yard before he came out to the front.”
Lily groaned. “That’s all we need. Trouble with the neighbors. This wretched pig will be the death of me!”
“Let’s get him home again,” Bec said urgently. “Then we’ll worry about Winifred’s yard.”
“I’m amazed that the neighbors aren’t all out watching. There seems to be no one around at the moment.”
“We might get away with it if we’re lucky.” Bec shook the bag of food near Henry. “Come on, old man. Time to go home.”
Henry heaved himself to his feet and Bec gave him a piece of carrot as a reward. He started after her, only to stop and stare down the street.
“Come on,” Bec urged. “You know you love treats. What’s the matter with you?”
Henry took a few more steps then stopped again. Bec held out another treat and he moved forward once more.
“Oh, I get it,” she said. “You’ve worked out that you have the upper hand here. If you stop, I try to get you moving again with a treat. You’re not dumb, are you?”
Lily grinned. “No, but the neighbors will no doubt think you’re crazy if they hear you talking to a pig.”
Bec rolled her eyes. “That’s an established fact,” she said. “I was born that way.”
A car turned into their street. Lily and Bec looked up in alarm. There was nowhere to hide, and Henry was the most obvious thing in the entire street.
“Stand in front of him!” Bec said frantically. “Maybe they won’t notice.”
“Let’s just hope it’s no one we know,” Lily said grimly as she moved to block the driver’s view of Henry. “With a bit of luck, they’ll just drive on.”
But luck was not on their side. As the vehicle approached, it slowed, and as it did, Lily felt her heart sink. This was it. They were going to jail.She couldn’t look at the driver.
“Do you ladies need some help?” asked a familiar voice.
Lily gasped and jerked her head up. It was Ashton! Bec’s face went pale, and she looked as if she might faint. Speechless, they both stared at Ashton as he got out of his truck.
“Wh … what are you doing in our street, Ashton?” Bec’s voice sounded quivery with fear.
He looked at her. “I could ask what you’re doing with my pig,” he answered.
He held out his hand and Henry trotted over for a scratch behind the ears.
“See, he’s missed me,” Ashton said.
