Read Online Narrow Minds by Marie Browne - Free Book Online Page B

sit!’ The sheep glowered at him and backed away from the window. John handed me the pile of letters then, gently grabbing me by the arm, manoeuvred me back toward the house. We alternated between staring at each other then back at the car which was beginning to rock with each successive thump, THUMP! As the sheep sought escape, the screams and barking from the front of the car grew in both panic and decibels.
    Graham was almost incandescent, veins stood out at his temples and he continued to hammer on the window. ‘Pack it in you stupid animal,’ he screamed, the sheep just eyed him balefully through the glass. ‘Argh, you’ve pooed.’ He gave the window a mighty thump with his fist. ‘Stop treading in it,’ he shrieked.
    John’s hand closed on my arm and moved me another step into the house, we peered out through the door.
    The sheep, (Ram!) jumped and closing its eyes gave the window one last bash. The lock finally gave way and the glass door snapped upward as the woolly torpedo exploded with a graceful jump out onto the gravel. John swore and grabbed the door as the enraged animal careered toward us, head down and teeth bared (or baaaaaa’d). He slammed the door shut and we both winced as the wood shuddered under the devastating impact. John grinned down at me. ‘He is NOT happy,’ he said.
    Giggling, we both hurried to the window and stared out as Graham stood in shock looking at his boot door. We watched with glee as his expression changed from anger to fear as he realised that the ram was backing slowly away from him, malice evident in its every movement. The screams and barking were now almost painful.
    â€˜I think I’d better get Kevin.’ John sniggered then headed off, through the house, toward the back door leaving me at the window to watch the YouTube-worthy antics outside.
    I dithered, I really wanted to open the door and let the man in but I thought that any movement would attract the enraged ovine. Anyway he had managed to shut his wife up and was just creeping around the car keeping it between him and ‘Ram…bo’, they seemed to have it all under control.
    It seemed like an age, but was probably only a couple of minutes before Huge one and Huge two came plodding around the corner of the barn. The ram narrowed its eyes and backed up a couple of more paces. The brothers looked at each other and grinned, both stepping sideways to give the animal a couple of targets to choose from.
    It really didn’t take him long, putting his head down he rushed at the brother on the left. As he went past, Huge two just stepped forward and grabbed a horn in one hand and wodge of fleece in the other then spun on the spot dragging the confused animal in a circle. Legs scrabbling on the gravel, he tried to struggle but when the other brother joined in and they both had hold of his head he sighed and became as meek as a kitten.
    The brothers grinned at me through the window as they staggered past dragging the now quiescent animal between them. ‘All right, Mrs Browne?’ they nodded.
    Shaking my head at their casual treatment of the evil beastie, I waved and opened the front door, the least I could do was offer these poor guys a cup of tea.
    Marion, sat wide-eyed on the sofa watching Titch, the terrier, exploring the lounge, she could barely hold the mug her hand was shaking so hard. ‘We saw him wandering along the side of the road.’ She took a sip and stared unseeing into the fireplace. ‘It was me that made Graham pick him up; he looked so sweet and lost.’
    I tried to think of something comforting to say. ‘Well it’s probably a good job you did.’ I smiled encouragingly. ‘He could have caused a nasty accident if he’d jumped out in front of a bike or a car, it was a really good thing you got him off the road.’ I stared out of the window and watched her husband as, with a face like thunder, he attempted to