What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
My middle name is Baloncesto, it is Spanish for Basketball.My Grandfather lived in Spain in his early twenties and he started a local basketball team in the small village he had digs in.
It was a time of much turmoil in Spain and Franco was very much in control of everything ,but on Saturday evenings there were basketball matches which my grandfather organized.
The matches led to a league being set up and it was a great way for everyone to get together and it reduced a lot of tension and was good entertainment.
It was something that my grandfather spoke of with pride and when I was born he asked that my middle name be Baloncesto as we would not forget the joy the game of basketball brought to the people.
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.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
Attempting some things and not being able to do them makes me appreciate what I can do and also makes me enjoy interacting with other people who have a different skill set to me.
Tommy and Tedi ran down the street away from the Police Raid. After about ten minutes , they both felt they were far enough away to stop and get their bearings. Unbeknown to a lot of people, dogs have an amazing GPS system, no one knows how it works, but their brains are like supercomputers, in fact probably a lot of animals have this ability. When Tedi stopped, he knew he was free and there was one thing now he had on his mind and that was getting back home. He was going to take Tommy with him.
They were in London, and they had to get to Oxfordshire, and they would have to find food and shelter on the way and avoid busy roads and anybody that might try and capture them. Tedi sat down and Tommy sat down beside him.
” What will we do now little dog?” Tommy said quietly, not knowing what to do himself.
Tedi put a paw on Tommy’s shoulder, Tedi’s brain was processing the information of where they were, he sniffed the atmosphere and realised that there was an awful lot of pollution. So initially scent was not going to help. However, a picture came into his head and he knew exactly where to go. The little boy would help him with the roads and perhaps finding food. They had rested enough it was time to go.
Tedi stood up and signalled to Tommy to follow. Tommy got up and followed him and their adventure began.
Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Napper was on the phone to Cross.
” We had sight of the little dog, but he disappeared during the raid, no one knows where the dog is.” The Chief Superintendent said very disheartingly.
” Do you know if the kidnappers have still got him?” Cross asked .
” We don’t know, none of the people that we arrested seem to have a clue , it could be they are lying but I don’t think so. I think we need to go along with the meeting on Friday. Act as if no one knows anything. Someone is behind all this and that is the person I want.” Napper said firmly.
” Do you think Tedi is still alive.” It was a question that broke Cross’s heart to ask.
” My gut feeling is he is , we haven’t found the little boy who was looking after him, both of them are missing. My feeling is that the boy took him and probably has headed for another safe house. On that assumption then the people you are meeting on Friday still have the dog. “
“OK, well the meeting’s on and I’ve got the money, but I’m not handing it over until I get Tedi back. “
” We’ve got a team of people trained for this eventuality, I’m just arranging for them to go see you , they’ll have the cover of maintenance people, so they’ll be with you tonight. They’ll go through everything with you. “
“I had the usual threat, don’t get the Police involved. ” Cross said
” As far as the raid was concerned it was drugs and animal welfare, bit of a coincidence perhaps, but as I say the ones we have in custody are not the brightest. The ones you are dealing with , may well be a bit brighter, personally I think they’re going to try and pull the wool over your eyes and get the money without giving you anything.” The Chief Superintendent said matter of factly.
” Well in that case , I hope your people can help, so you think they’ll get here tonight? ” Cross felt disheartened , but that he did need help and he wanted to do the best for Tedi he could.
” Oh yes, and they’ll have a lot of monitoring equipment and believe it or not a psychiatrist too, to help you negotiate .” Napper smiled, policing had become so much more than when he started on the beat.
” Thanks Chief Superintendent.” Cross put down the phone gently. He was worried.
Lettie arrived at the House later that evening , and Cross updated her about what had happened, shortly after that the ” Maintenance Team ” arrived and both Cross and Lettie went through with them everything that had happened so far and they looked at the monitoring equipment the Police had and talked through when and where the meeting was going to happen on Friday. Cross said the money was in a suitcase in the safe.
Cross , got James to show the ” Maintenance Team ” around and where to get coffee and tea when they wanted and anything from the larder in the kitchen if Mrs Graham wasn’t around. There were also rooms to set up their equipment and camp beds if they needed them.
All this busyness helped Cross not to worry and also it was good to have Lettie around.
Tedi rolled over onto his tummy on the posh velvet padded chair that was his favourite in the State Drawing Room of the Palace. All the other dogs were asleep and Trinnie was beside him in her favourite chair. Meanwhile the dream Tedi was having continued and he began to growl and his paws flicked backwards and forwards as if he was indeed running.
Tommy and Tedi had heard the man and woman downstairs who came to look at the puppies. Tommy got washed in the bathroom and signalled to Tedi that he would bring him outside. They walked down the stairs and passed by the couple who were looking at the cages where there were a number of female dogs who had either recently had litters or were about to have them.
” Oh , do we need to get a puppy? Look at that nice little dog , can’t we get that one, look he’s house-trained and he’s walking so nice with that little boy”. The detective said out loudly , turning around to pet Tedi.
The two detectives realised who Tedi was.
” That one’s not for sale, he’s the little boy’s dog, special he is , Tommy wouldn’t be parted with his little dog would you ? Tom.”
Tommy looked up and shook his head, he wondered who the man and woman were who were looking at the puppies.
The dealer who was selling the pups said. ” Now rung along , you let the dog out in the garden and get some breakfast, good lad.”
” Shame, he would have been ideal. ” The two detectives looked at each other.
Tedi and the little boy disappeared downstairs and out through the back of the house.
Back at Police HQ, the detectives who had been looking at the puppies and had indeed purchased two of them were now in the meeting room.
” You’re not getting those on expenses!” Chief Superintendent Napper said gruffly.
“No Sir, we just wanted to keep our cover straight, and anyway I couldn’t leave them there, some of those dogs are in a hell of a state. We need to raid the place.” The puppies licked the police officers faces.
” Well, looks like we know where our little Lordship is and there’s nothing to stop us now. ” The Chief summarised the situation. ” We best move quickly as we don’t want to lose them. Lets put our plan into action.”
So just after lunch, the kidnappers had a knock on their door and all hell let loose.
The plain clothes officers who entered the building, knew exactly where to go, they had weapons because the police knew that this group, as they were involved with drugs, as well as illegal puppy farming could be dangerous and sure enough once the criminals realised that it was the Police all hell let loose. They ran into different rooms and into the garden trying to hide evidence and escape if they could.
Meanwhile Tommy and Tedi were upstairs in Tommy’s room looking out into the garden below.
Tommy heard the word “Police” and said to Tedi, “We got to get out!”
In the chaos , Tommy and Tedi ran by everyone on the stairs and out the front door and down the street. Tommy was so small and the Police and the gangsters so big and everyone was fighting that no one saw them leave.
Back at base, once the raid was over and the relevant agencies contacted. Chief Superintendent Napper was not happy.
” Great Job on animal welfare, rubbish job on solving the kidnapping, where is the little dog now?”
” We’ve checked the cctv and the bodycams , it looks like Tedi escaped down the street with a little boy. None of the others we arrested will say anything about who the boy is and they won’t admit that the dog is theirs either. We’ve got a description. Should we go public?” One of the officers said.
“Great !” The Superintendent said exasperated ” The Police are after a little boy and his dog, the News will have a field day. What a mess!” Chief Superintendent Napper barged out of the room. Thoughts raced through his head. No he was not going public, but he knew he had to get hold of Cross and tell him what had happened. What would the kidnappers do now? Would they still try to get the money off Cross? That was a possibility. No , no publicity. He quickly turned around and went back to the room.
” Guys, we need to keep the lid on this a bit longer, I’m going to speak to Cross , in the meantime let the uniforms and anyone else you know in London keep an eye out for the little boy and the dog. Great if we find him, but if not the kidnappers are going to still be looking for him. We need to find them first, or keep the kidnappers sweet, they’ve got to think that we still think they’ve got the dog.”
What experiences in life helped you grow the most?
Well I know the fashion is not to dig, but use layers of cardboard to insulate the soil and encourage the little critters that live in it to thrive while keeping weeds at bay.
But ….I like digging,it’s very therapeutic and experience has taught me that my kind of digging breaks up a clayey soil and with thorough weeding creates that loam that is ideal for starting seeds and growing on plants.
That and my foot action on the fork, it doesn’t take much pressure when you put the fork in at the right angle,so no need to do your back in. I do look out for worms though and rescue them regularly as they are the powerhouses of my plot.
Lettie found Arthur in his local pub and it didn’t take her long to get the whole story. Arthur’s loose tongue had led to Tedi being kidnapped and it was now very serious as they had no idea where the little dog was. She realised, while she was talking to him, that he was very unhappy and needed help .She changed her approach.
He wanted his old job back and he knew he had blown it, she knew he meant it. Lettie needed someone to start collating the photographs and researching the archives of the House for Tedi’s biography.
” I don’t want this to have a sad ending”. Lettie said.
” Neither do I , Lettie, you’ve got to believe me, I don’t know who that man was I talked to , but you’re right , it is my fault, and I’ll do anything to get that stupid dog back, and get a job. I can’t go on living like this.” Arthur put his elbows on the table and pushed a half finished drink away from him.
OK, well , I don’t think there’s anything you can do at the moment, to be honest. I can’t say much, the less people who know the better about what is going on, but when we get him back , it’s going to be quite a story and you are a good photographer, start writing a list of the equipment you’ll need and in the meantime I’m going to send you some archive files which I want you to start collating and getting into order for the book….. oh and Tedi is not a “stupid dog” far from it. In fact ,he might just save you , if we can save him.”
This took Arthur by surprise, but he smiled; ” It’s too early for thanks but I’m not going to mess up this time.” They both stood up and gathered their things .
Lettie looked him straight in the eye. ” No , Arthur something tells me you won’t.” They left the pub and went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Napper was presenting his plan to his group of handpicked detectives. The House where they suspected Tedi was being held had been watched by a number of Crime Agencies in the past, covering drugs, and illegal dog breeding and now kidnapping. They had enough evidence to raid the place, although they could not be sure that they would get Tedi out without harming him. They wanted the little dog back safe and unharmed. Not finding him alive; was not an option ; so they would hold off until they were sure they could rescue him unharmed.
” How can we know for sure? Should someone go in undercover, maybe looking to buy a dog, or a puppy whatever?”
“Best try the internet, Facebook or whatever, then get someone to send you to the address, that ‘d be a good cover.”
“Sounds good” said Chief Superintendent Napper. ” Get on to it. First one who gets an appointment at that house, I’ll buy them a pint. You can toss who does the visit.”
By the time the detectives had done their searches and finally got the appointment, it was too late in the evening to do anything and they needed some rest. The appointment was booked for the morning. They were all pleased with the result and they made some more preparations before they went home, they had to be ready if they managed to find Tedi.
The phone rang as the Chief Superintendent picked up his car keys from his desk, it was Cross, he had received a call from the kidnappers, they wanted to arrange a meeting to hand over the money and get Tedi back.
Napper immediately said “When?”
” They want to meet on Friday, it’s Tuesday now. “
” What did you say ? I said I’d have the money by then, I want Tedi back.”
” Interesting, that’s OK. Thanks for letting us know, we’re working on something tomorrow, but to keep them sweet, we’re up for the Friday meeting. Can you text me the details of what they want and where they want to meet. I’ll update you tomorrow. “
” Great Chief Superintendent, speak to you tomorrow.” Cross felt relieved something was happening, the waiting was awful.
So Tedi spent another night in the strange house with it’s comings and goings at all hours. The little boy , whose name was Tommy, would pop into the room and bring Tedi some food and biscuits and refill his water bowl.
Tommy even managed to bring Tedi up to his bedroom at night, it seemed that the person who was supposed to be looking after him had been taken unwell from something he’d eaten or drank or worse and Tommy had been asked to look after the little dog.
Tommy was delighted and his regular visits cheered Tedi up. When Tedi followed him up the stairs to the little room at the top of the house and hopped on top of Tommy’s bed, he snuggled up to the little boy. The bed clothes smelt stale and unwashed and the boy’s bedroom was very neglected , Tedi couldn’t see any toys or books, but nevertheless Tommy found a little rag for him and Tedi to play with. Still Tedi felt safe with Tommy and he hoped Tommy felt safe with him. They both fell asleep in each others arms.
thenotsomightyom 