Oscar and the Dognappers. Alan MacDonald

      Mr Trusscot glanced at Oscar who had been watching him suspiciously since he arrived.

      ‘While I’m here,’ he said, ‘you should keep that dog on a lead. It’s for his own good.’

      ‘What do you mean?’ asked Sam.

      ‘The Council’s had a lot of complaints lately about stray dogs causing a nuisance,’ said Trusscot. ‘So we’ve decided to take action. Starting this week, we’ve employed a company to clear them all off the streets.’

      Oscar sat up, suddenly alert.

      ‘But what will happen to them?’ asked Sam.

      ‘Oh I shouldn’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be taken care of,’ said Trusscot. ‘Now I’ll leave you to get on – you’ve obviously got a great deal to do. What are you going to call the place by the way – The Cockroach Cafe ?’

      He went off, shaking his head and squeaking at his own joke.

      Sam thought he wouldn’t mind seeing smug-faced Mr Trusscot sitting down to a big bowl of dog food. All the same he couldn’t help worrying that his Dad had made a risky bet. At the moment the hut looked like somewhere you’d pay to avoid. He looked around for Oscar and found him waiting by the door.

      ‘I’d better go,’ Sam said. ‘I think Oscar wants me to take him for a walk.’