video editing software,?Adelaide explained. T'll putting together a press pack. Were already e-mailed the BBC and all the other big media organisations with a batch of still photographs we took inside the kennels. Now I'll editing together a ten-minute film that we can upload to the Zebra Alliance website.?
While Miranda spoke, sher flipped the screen to some video footage taken inside the stable. It showed Lauren from the back, frantically scrubbing one of the pups before transferring it from the disinfectant bowl into the final rinse.
Cool,?Lauren said. T didn't see you filming.?
Miranda smiled. Tou were so into it that you didn't hear me coming up to the stable doors and I didn't want to disturb you because the image of a young girl helping to scrub the dogs is just perfect.?
慠yant on parole you know, if someone recognises him 厭
Don't worry about that,?Miranda smiled. T take every bit of footage and pixelate the faces. Then I destroy the original tapes and wipe the hard drives of the laptop. Just to be extra safe, the Alliance has a media lawyer who watches every video and photograph. Then he gets one of his assi
Eo when will pixelated me be uploaded to the Zebra Alliance website??
Less than three hours, hopefully. Were got magnificent footage of the filth inside the kennels. Lou even videoed a couple of puppies that had died from infected wounds in their enclosures.?
Boor little things,?Lauren said sadly.
Ttt sad that the animals were so badly treated,?Miranda nodded. But the upside is that we can notify the RSPCA and the local council as soon as their offices open. Those kennels will have their dog-breeding licence removed and be forced to shut down.?
Cool,?Lauren said. And I bet no other kennel will want to supply Malarek with dogs.?
Adelaide nodded. Tf they do, theyr better keep it secret from us.?
Lauren drained her cocoa and clonked the empty mug on the table. Tell,?she said. Tr better get back out there so Ryan can take his coffee break. I think theret less than a dozen dogs left to clean now.?
As she stepped outside, Lauren could see the sun rising behind a line of trees. She glanced back inside at the kitchen clock and was stunned to see that it was quarter to five in the morning.
21. MEATBALL
Ney,?Ryan said, as he gently brushed his fingertips against Laurent cheek to wake her up. His hairy chest was bare and he wore a set of Lout jeans that were several sizes too big for him.
Lauren opened her eyes and realised that she was on a sofa, squeezed up inside a Bob the Builder sleeping bag. Sunlight blazed through the curtains.
Annat making you lunch,?Ryan said.
Lunch,?Lauren gasped. That time is it??
Ten past one.?
Blimey. Does Zara know where we are??
Tre spoken to her,?Ryan nodded. Ehet fine about last night and everything. Shet on her way down in the car to pick us up.?
As Lauren unzipped the sleeping bag and sat up, the events of the night before came flooding back. Once the last batch of dogs had been dealt with, everyone had headed into the house to clean themselves, but the hot water had run out. After a freezing cold shower, Lauren had towelled off and changed into an oversized T-shirt and shorts that belonged to Miranda.
As Lauren wandered through to the kitchen, her arms and shoulders ached from the effort of scrubbing the dogs.
Nello,?Anna said brightly, moving across to the dining table and pouring Lauren a glass of orange juice. Now does vegan French toast sound??
Eounds great,?Lauren grinned, hitching up her massive shorts as she sat down. She looked around and noticed that everything was spotless, with no trace of the paraphernalia theyr used the night before. Are all the dogs gone??
Ryan nodded as he sat next to Lauren. Lou took some, Adelaide and Miranda left with the rest.?
Mh,?Lauren said, feeling sad because she would have liked a chance to see them all cleaned up and happy.
Annat French toast came dusted with icing sugar, strawberries and slices of melon on the side. The hot, sweet bread was exactly what Lauren felt like after the exertion of the night before.
Tr better be going, Ryan,?Anna said, once sher switched off the oven and rinsed the baking tray under the tap. Tre got to pick Cat and Polly up from school at three. Would you mind washing Laurent dishes and locking up? You can hand the keys back to Phyllis; shet always up at the protest site on the weekend.?
So problem at all,?Ryan nodded. Don't