With Woody on a loose leash, the pair wandered through the crowds, drawn to the carnival rides. It was exciting with the rattle and hum of the fairground people, and the delicious smells of popcorn and cotton candy made his mouth water. Little kids lined up to have their faces painted with weird and wonderful animals. One four-year-old, his face painted as a dog, growled menacingly at Woody as they went by. Woody growled back, baring his enormous wolf teeth. The kid dropped his ice cream and ran screaming to find his mother. Woody drooled at the sight of the melting ice cream and pounced. When it was gone, he looked guiltily at Nat, who was doubled over with laughter.

Nat was enjoying himself until, after a few minutes, he noticed that Woody had started to behave oddly. He was standing very still, showing his teeth in a silent snarl, saliva dripping from his mouth.

Nat froze. There, sitting by the enormous public address speakers, with a couple of his least attractive friends, was Teddy “The Tiger” Davis.

At first, Nat was horrified, then he relaxed slightly. Davis was spouting off about something or other, his dumb buddies hanging on to every word he said. Nat was pretty sure Davis hadn’t seen them.

Woody’s lip curled again, his eyes flashing.

“Don’t make your eyes go all weird again,” hissed Nat. “Let’s just try to keep a low profile.”

He spotted his family settling down on the grass to watch the dog show and wandered over. The dog handlers from the Temple Cross police department were displaying their talents. Everyone attending the show seemed to be watching, including Davis and his friends. Nat could only hope that they wouldn’t stay for the next event, but they showed no sign of moving from their spot on the opposite side of the ring.

Apple was excited. “Good luck, Nat, show ‘em what you’re made of!”

Mick clapped Nat on the back as they followed the other entrants through to the waiting area. There appeared to be two judges for the “Dog with the Most Appealing Face” competition.

Nat and Woody were in the junior class. Their fellow contestants were a blond girl with a very handsome Doberman, squabbling twins who were showing a Shih Tzu and kept wrestling its leash from each other, and a beautiful golden cocker spaniel accompanied by an earnest-looking boy with matching golden hair and a squint.