THE WORTH OF ONE - A CHRISTMAS STORY

By Tessa Harvey

    Matron Alissa Smith had been calling Brutus for some time. He was never usually late for an evening meal of meat scraps from the canteen, quite often chicken.

    Slowly he emerged, limping from the darkness of some bushes, looking tired and dishevelled. Ignoring the food, the elderly cat headed for his water bowl and drank thirstily for several minutes, then gulped down some food.

    The whole school had been searching for Veronica under strict orders not to leave the grounds. The principal came and knocked on the matron's door.

    "One last check of the woods and we call the police," she said, wearily, "though what is tied around our cat's neck?" It was a very thin piece of sky-blue ribbon. Alissa lifted the animal. "He smells of hart's tongue fern."

    The cat was struggling to get down, then made for the door, crying and looking back.

    "I know where that fern grows," added Maureen, excitedly. "It liked being near ash trees."

    "Yes, there is a short cut if we go through Pearson's farm," commented matron. "Shall we take Simon, your nephew? Veronica may not answer us, but she does like Simon."

    Assistant-matrons and a few live-in staff stayed to supervise the boarders, making sure Augustus was not disappearing to look for his friend.

    A small group set off for the farm. Simon held Brutus, speaking calmly and stroking him around his ears.

    Simon was a tall, dark boy and this was his final year at school. His sister, Nicola was holding a bottle of water and some protein bars.  Maureen was driving her car, a Toyota Corolla.  First aid was also packed in a neat pack. Would they find Veronica? Night was deepening and it was getting colder.