He came around a corner of the path and pulled up short, staring at the wider verge at the edge of the little lane that led into the woods. He knew this! He was sure of it, even though he hadn’t crossed the stream again. This was just a little way along from where they had left their car. But the space they had parked in was empty.
They had gone without him!
Chapter Five
Toby sat down on the path, miserably. He’d been about to find Ruby, he was sure of it. But it looked like she’d left without him. He couldn’t understand why she would go away and leave him. Didn’t she want him back? Was she cross because he’d frightened Anya?
He whimpered, staring across the lane at the space where the car should have been. Then he whirled round, his tail tucked in, and a tiny growl beginning in his throat.
Behind him was a tall man who’d come jogging down the path, his big white trainers shining, even in the gathering dusk.
“Hey, it’s all right. I almost trod on you, didn’t I, poor little thing? Sorry, I didn’t spot you there. I was just running, and not really looking.” The man crouched down, panting, and stared at Toby, smiling. “You might just be the smallest dog I’ve ever seen.”
Toby glared back at him suspiciously, remembering the lady who had told him off before.
The man held out a gentle hand, and Toby sniffed at it. The man smelled of another dog, which wasn’t good, but apart from that, Toby felt as though he could trust him. And he didn’t know what else to do.
“Who do you belong to? Hey? You’re not a stray, you’re too well-looked after. Lovely shiny coat, and you’re not skinny, even if you are a tiny thing. Where’s your collar? I bet you’ve slipped your lead, haven’t you? Little devil. Someone’s going to be really worried about you.”
Toby backed away slightly as the man’s hand went to his pocket, but all he did was pull out something in a crinkly wrapper and open it. He broke off a piece, and held it out to Toby.
“It’s not really the best thing to give a dog, but a little bit won’t do you any harm. You try it, pup. It’s good. I like them anyway, when I’ve been out for a run. Energy bar, that’s what it is.”
The thing smelled sweet and sugary, and it was making Toby hungrier than ever. He darted forward and snapped it out of the man’s hand, bolting it down in one gulp.
“Nice, isn’t it? Want some more? I wonder who you belong to. You must have come here on a walk with your owners, there’s no houses close by, and you’re too little to have come far.” The man looked around thoughtfully. “So where are they, mmm? I wouldn’t leave you galloping about the place on your own, and it’s starting to get dark.”
He stood up again and looked around. “Hello! Anyone lost a dog?”
The shout echoed through the trees, but no one answered. The only sound now was a light pattering, as it began to rain.
“We’re going to get soaked.” He looked down at Toby, who was shivering and pressing himself back against the bushes. “Sorry, pup. Did I scare you, shouting like that?”
He broke off another piece of the cereal bar, and this time Toby nibbled it out of his hand, and let the man stroke his head and pet his ears. “Yes, you’re a lovely little boy, aren’t you?” He sighed. “What are we going to do with you, that’s the question. There’s no cars left, and I can’t hear anyone else around. I can’t just leave you here, all on your own. You don’t look to me like you’ve got any road sense at all…”
He stretched out his hand again, and this time Toby sniffed it eagerly, hoping for more food. But the man picked him up instead, very gently, but firmly enough that Toby didn’t feel as though he was going to be dropped. He snuggled against the man’s warm hoodie, feeling a tiny bit better. Of course, the man wasn’t the same as Ruby, but he was warm, and friendly, and the sugary stuff was very nice.
“Come on then. You’d better come home with me, while I ring up the dog shelter.” The man tucked Toby in the crook of his arm, and set off down the lane.
Toby stared back at the trees, and the greenish gloomy darkness that was settling between them. He didn’t like it here. But what if Ruby came back for him and he’d disappeared? He wriggled in the man’s arms, and howled. He had to stay and wait for Ruby! Surely she was going to come back? And now he wouldn’t be there for her!
“Ssshh, ssshh, I know. But I can’t leave you here, pup. Don’t worry. We’ll find your owners, I promise.” The man frowned. “Well, I hope so, anyway…”
On her way back to the woods with Dad, Ruby peered anxiously out of the car window. She’d read so many stories about dogs finding their way home that she half expected to see Toby trotting down the road towards them.
“Dad!” She pointed to the grass verge. “We parked here, and went up that path.” She looked at her watch. It had been an hour since they’d left. She’d had to wait for Dad to get home, and then they’d driven all the way back. Toby had been missing for two whole hours now.
Her dad parked the car. “Come on then.” He got out, and peered into the darkening wood. “Don’t worry, Ruby. He’s probably just hiding from the rain.”
Ruby shivered. Somehow the wood looked much less welcoming than it had straight after school, when the autumn sun had been bright and friendly. But she straightened her shoulders, and marched determinedly up the footpath, calling for Toby. He had to be here somewhere.
“Can you remember where Anya fell?” Dad asked, rushing after her. “He might have had the sense to go back to where you left him.”
“I think so. It wasn’t far from here, just the other side of the stream.” Ruby hurried on, crossing over the bridge, and looking anxiously from side to side, calling until her throat started to hurt.
“I can’t understand why he isn’t coming,” she told her dad, stopping at the top of a little slope, and staring around them hopelessly. “I know he’s naughty, but he usually comes if I call him in the garden. He knows I’ll give him treats, and cuddle him. Why doesn’t he want to come back to us now?” She leaned against her dad, trying hard not to cry. If she started, she knew it would be hard to stop.
“Ruby, don’t worry. This place must be full of amazing smells for a dog…” Dad hugged her. “He’s bound to be off chasing a squirrel or something. And remember what he was like when we met that German shepherd in the park. He might have chased off after another dog.”
“We did hear another dog barking.” Ruby nodded. “But it sounded a long way away. Dad, he could be anywhere,” she added. “What if he ran on to the road?” she whispered.
Her dad sighed, and hugged her tighter. “I don’t think he’d do that, Ruby. He’s never tried it before, has he?”
“He’s only been on a couple of walks,” Ruby pointed out miserably. “And if he saw another dog he might.”
Her dad shook his head. “There’s no reason to think he went on to the road. He’s probably sitting under a tree waiting for you. He’ll be cross that you left him, knowing Toby!” Dad was trying to be cheerful, Ruby knew, but it wasn’t really working.
She kept walking and calling, but still no Toby, or even an answering bark.