smallhobbit

The werewolf tipped his head to one side and looked puzzled, before thoroughly shaking himself.  He repeated the process and then went to sit expectantly by Jo’s desk.

She laughed.  “All right, I’m ready.  Come on then.”

They headed out of the building and Jo started to look for a cab.  The werewolf shook his head, and she sighed.  “Very well, we’ll take the bus.  Just remember you’re not allowed to sit on the seat.”

Fortunately there was only one person ahead of them in the queue who went and sat downstairs.  The werewolf bounded up the stairs and leapt onto a seat.

Jo followed.  “At least move up so I can sit next to you,” she complained.

The werewolf huffed and shuffled over.  He spent the journey happily looking out of the window, only moving once Jo said they were nearly at their stop.

Once they had left the bus, they crossed over and entered a modern glass fronted building.  They were greeted by a smartly dressed receptionist who looked at the werewolf and began, “I’m sorry, but…”

“He’s an assistance dog,” Jo said.

The werewolf tugged proudly at the edge of a bright orange neckerchief he was wearing.

“Oh, yes, of course,” the receptionist said, with a smile as fake as Jo’s description of the werewolf.  She indicated where Jo’s class was being held.

Jo entered the room, the werewolf at her heels.  She was greeted by a middle-aged woman who said, “I’d like you all to give Jo a very gentle welcome.  Jo’s here for the first time this week and has brought her assistance dog with her as support.”  The woman hesitated, and then said, “He’s a bit bigger than I expected.”

Jo put her hand on the werewolf’s head.  “He’ll be fine and if anyone is nervous, we’ll keep away from them.”

“That’s lovely.  And what’s his name?”

“Ambrose.”

“So everyone, a very gentle welcome to Jo and Ambrose.  And now, Jo, if you like to find a mat and lie down, we can all begin our relaxation.”

Jo found a space and lay down, with the werewolf beside her.  Some soothing music began, and Jo fought hard to keep awake.  The relaxation class had been ringing alarm bells on the Grid and Harry had wanted someone to take an inside look.  It wouldn’t do for Jo to fall asleep.

The werewolf had no such concerns and began to snore gently.  A couple of the other class members giggled, and Jo reached out her foot to nudge him in the ribs.  The werewolf grunted, got up and padded over to the corner of the room, where he sat down close to the door.  Jo half-expected someone to complain, but when no-one did, she settled back into her relaxation pose.

When the class was over, she left promptly sensing the werewolf was keen to go.  Outside the building the werewolf sat down and waited until another member of the class emerged.  She crossed the road and the werewolf made to follow her, practically shaking in his excitement.  Jo put a hand on him to restrain him.

“It’s possible I might be able to shadow her,” Jo said, “but with the best will in the world you are rather conspicuous.  However, I am taking photos of her so Malcolm can run a check for us.”

Someone else came out of the building and the werewolf again tried to follow her as she turned into a side road.

“That leads to a small park,” Jo said.  “No reason why we shouldn’t go there, so I can give you some exercise before we get the bus back.”

They followed the woman to the park and watched as she walked through and out the other side.  Suddenly the werewolf gave a yip and dashed over to a litter bin, putting his head in, and shaking the contents everywhere.

Jo hurried after him and hastily began to replace the rubbish in the bin, but pocketing a small USB stick she had also found.  An elderly woman tutted, and Jo said, “Sorry, he was after a burger wrapper,” as she finished the job.

The werewolf instantly stuck his head back in the bin.  “Get out!” Jo ordered.  “I’ll buy you a burger when we get back to the Grid.  You know you can’t eat it on the bus.”

The journey back to the Grid was uneventful, Jo just stopping to buy a burger once they were off the bus.  On the Grid she gave Malcolm the USB stick plus the photos of the two suspects and passed the burger to Adam to unwrap.

“Were you successful?” Ros asked.

“Very.  And I have a feeling one of our suspects works for the CIA, so may be involved in their leak.”

“Great work, both of you,” Ros said, before adding, “You bought him a Happy Meal?”

“Of course,” Adam said.  “He’s collecting the little penguins.”