Until the Road Ends
Beau, a tired and hungry street dog, is saved from the wheels of a lorry by Peggy, who persuades her parents, her brother Wilf and his grumpy cat, Mabel, that they should give the dog a home. Peggy and Beau become inseparable. While Mabel remains aloof, Beau is soon befriended by Bomber, a homing pigeon who is named after his excremental habits as well as his ambition to be a soldier. Bomber is inspired by his heroic World War One ancestors, who carried messages across battle grounds. His wish looks soon to be fulfilled as the Second World War breaks out and society mobilises. Beau’s worries become a trauma of separation as Peggy and Wilf are evacuated to Dorset without Beau and Mabel, who then narrowly escape the mass euthanasia of family pets recommended by Chamberlain’s government. Beau accompanies Peggy’s father on his ARP duties and proves himself an expert search and rescuer, digging Blitz survivors out of the rubble. But when tragedy strikes Balham High Street, Beau, Mabel and Bomber begin a quest to be reunited with Peggy and Wilf. On the road, they meet with many perils: a wild crocodile caged for entertainment, brutalized hounds, fox hunters and aerial battles.
Readers of Phil Earle’s earlier wartime stories will be familiar with his exploration of compassion, sacrifice, courage and resilience in overwhelming circumstances – qualities which are not only experienced by human animals. The journey on which Beau, Mabel and Bomber embark is reminiscent of Russell Hoban, as they must adapt emotionally to survive a world which seems profoundly indifferent to their suffering. They never cease in their quest to be reunited with their human friends; but by the time the road ends, they have also realised their best selves. Very highly recommended.
