©GeraldineBanksMarch2025
Tedi looked at the frail little boy that was Tommy and wondered how they were ever going to make it. Still ,Tedi’s homing instinct was very strong, he knew he had to just keep going. It was three O’clock in the afternoon and he knew the right direction to go. Tedi got up and Tommy followed him.
They walked along streets and alleyways heading towards what everyone would know as the North Circular, fortunately there were a lot of cafes and shops along the route where they were going. Food seemed to have been dropped everywhere and now and then Tedi stopped and ate what he found on the ground which was actually quite tasty, there were meat sandwiches, burgers and fries and his favourite fish and chips. Tommy couldn’t eat that , but he was quite capable of going into shops and shop lifting, he knew how to get in without being noticed and he came out with all sorts of things , drinks and food, even a dog bowl to put water in and finally a rucksack to put everything in.
However, one observant shop keeper, spotted Tommy and nearly caught him. Tedi was just having a wee when he saw Tommy running out of the shop being chased by three young men.
” Ooops” Tedi thought” and started running too, Tommy followed him. They crossed roads dodging the traffic and came to a load of abandoned road works, there were lots of signs but no one working on them. Tedi popped behind one of the big orange signs and onto the edge of one of the holes Tommy followed him. They hunkered down and waited for the men to pass.
The men were were quite out of breath, but still managed to talk to each other.
” We should report it to the Police, a little boy out on his own like that with a little white dog. It’s not right.” Said one of the men.
” Yes, poor little blighter , the little boy was skin and bone, ran like the wind though, best report it , someone might be looking for him.” One of the men gasped.
And so Chief Superintendent Napper, got the report of the little dog and a boy who matched the description of Tedi and Tommy and it looked like they were heading West out of London.
” That’s going to make the meeting with the kidnappers very interesting, I think I’ll pop in and see Mr Cross later on today. He’ll be glad to know that I don’t think that the kidnappers have the dog either.” Napper thought to himself, and decided to issue a request for other nearby Police Forces to report any sightings of a small white dog accompanied by a little frail boy.
So Tedi and Tommy sheltered behind the roadworks for a while and then continued their journey. The roads were very busy , it was getting to five o’clock and everyone was going home from work. It would be light until about seven O’clock and Tedi was beginning to feel tired, he knew he’d rather travel at night as it would be safer and less likely to attract attention. Also he needed the stars and the moon to help him navigate, he couldn’t rely on them but if he could see them it would reassure him.
Tedi decided that as they were near some very big concrete roads that they would find a culvert and hopefully find somewhere comfortable for him and Tommy to hide and have some rest.
Tommy was slowing down and he was really grateful when Tedi made a left turn and went under a bridge. Someone had discarded loads of cardboard and Tedi and Tommy were able to gather it up and protect themselves from the hard ground. The traffic was very noisy , but Tommy had something to drink and put some water in Tedi’s bowl and then they lay down, hidden from everyone and they both fell asleep , cuddling each other to stay warm.
They woke up at midnight, much longer than they intended sleeping. Tedi was woken by a paw in his face, it was a large brown mongrel who was fast asleep on the cardboard beside him. Tedi opened his eyes and raised his head to see four other dogs huddled together with Tommy and him. Despite being a chilly night they were all very cosy and all the dogs were snoring gently. Tedi looked at Tommy and saw how comfortable the little boy was cuddled up to the dogs.
Tedi wanted to get up and moved out of the way of the large brown dog, who he later found out was called Bruno. Bruno woke up and in a few minutes both dogs knew each others history. Bruno looked after the other four dogs with him, they’d been strays in London for a long while. Bruno found out Tedi was heading back to the Countryside and Bruno asked him if he and his friends could go with them. Tedi liked the idea immediately and said yes.
Tedi explained that he wanted to set off while it was still dark and his plan was to find shelter, food and water on the way. Bruno told him he knew the best way to get out of London and that there were loads of tunnels under the motorway that they could go through in safety and he knew a lot of the towns on the way to the Countryside. Bruno had had enough of London and it’s business and pollution. He wanted to live like a Lord like Tedi. Tedi said he would see what he could do. He really liked Bruno.
And so , one by one they woke up the little pack of dogs and finally they woke Tommy up who was very reluctant to get up . Tommy yawned, but brightened up when he saw the dogs, and patted each one and said hello. Bruno was nearly as big as Tommy, and Tommy hugged him.
Before finally leaving , Tommy opened up his rucksack and got some water for the dogs and some sausages, and Tommy drank a small carton of fruit juice he’d taken from one of the shops and an out of date bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich for himself which he ate, throwing small bits of bacon to the dogs who were delighted.
So guided by Bruno and the night stars, Tedi, Tommy and Bruno passed underneath the big motorway and began their journey into the Countryside.
thenotsomightyom 