The fox nosed through the rubbish drifting against the scrubby hedge, lifting its head occasionally to sniff cautiously at the air

The fox nosed through the rubbish drifting against the scrubby hedge, lifting its head occasionally to sniff cautiously at the air. It was nervous here in unknown and therefore dangerous territory.

            It had been tempted here because of the plentiful food scraps that overflowed from the rubbish bins along the street and tumbled out of the split black bags dumped carelessly in the alleys along the backs of the many fast food establishments. That bounty would come later, after it had completed the search through the rubbish piled up like a snow drift against the windward side of the hedge. It was always better to wait until dark to enter the city as there were less people on the streets then and the pickings were richer. A half-eaten burger was better than chasing mice across frozen fields just for a small crunchy morsel

            It then saw the vixen sneaking up on its food source. While concentrating on this new threat it didn’t see the speeding Land Cruiser coming. There was a double splat as both foxes instantly died in the multiple collision. James braked hard, stopped and got out with Henry to see what he had hit in the twilight.

            ‘Two fully grown foxes’ he thought, ‘ this is a bonus’ as he slung both bodies in the back of the pick up.

            His next stop was of the Road Kill Café just down the road – strap line ‘ You flatten ‘em, we cook ‘em, no kill refused’. He knew they would take them. His confidence was shaken, they had a big stock in the freezer after that icy few days last week.

            ‘I’ll try the taxidermist next,’ he thought, so off he roared to the other end of town.

            ‘I could do them mounted for £426’ said the stuffing man.

            ‘How much for just shaking hands?’ asked James who thought this was a bit much.

            ‘Get lost’ he said, ‘I only do quality work’

            So James headed off to his last resort to make a few pounds out of his collision, he needed some cash to pay for the dent in the Toyota’s bumper.

            ‘I could make some very fashionable headwear from those furs ,’ offered the furrier in Aden street.

An agreement was reached between the two men and James drove off happy, knowing he could sell the headgear quite easily for a good price.

            Henry’s mobile went with that stupid ring tone he insisted on using.

            ‘What was that all about?’ asked James when the call finished.

            ‘I’ve got a job booked next week in Aughtermoody,’ said Henry.

            ‘Wear the fox hat?’ said James.