The Lion Man

By John Lock

Nineteen-year old Leo Forbes life changes dramatically when he is savagely attacked by a man-eating lion. Thanks to his father Harry Forbes, Dr. Bill Jones and an elderly, native apothecary, his life is saved by the very beast that attacked him.
As Leo recovers from his wounds he is aware that his senses, particularly hearing and smell have dramatically increased. A keen fitness fanatic Leo has also become aware of a growing increase in his physical strength and agility.
Leo’s recuperation progresses rapidly and he readily gets more involved with his father’s role as a Game Warden; looking after both the wildlife and the human inhabitants of the region.
However, a spiralling course of events see the pair drawn into the dangerous world of slavery, major crime and sadistic mercenaries.
An action-packed thriller from start to finish. Courage, new found skills and determination are some of the qualities that drive Leo onward, but in the end there is one factor that engulfs him – revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Lock
• Release date: Nov 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005844127

John Lock

John Lock was born in Swansea but now lives in Barry, South Wales. He is an extremely effective thriller writer whose novels you just cannot put down. He is married to wife Lindsey with whom they have a grown up daughter Kelly and John also has four other children Catherine, Mark, Daniel, and David.To date, John has written four novels in the Kane Rhodes/Brian Jones series, Presidential Trail, The Shir Khan Prophecy, Treacherous Assignment and Lethal Credentials. Each book has a 'stand alone' story but they do follow on in time. He has the ability to mix fast paced action with diversified story lines but still captivating the reader to find out 'what happens next?'His story lines are well researched and the accurate descriptions of places and content bring a sense of reality to a genre which could sometimes go beyond belief but is definitely not the case in his highly acclaimed novels.

Book preview

THE LION MAN

By

J P Lock

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2021 J P Lock

All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Beginning

Chapter 2 Changes

Chapter 3 Revelations

Chapter 4 Realisation

Chapter 5 Decisions

Chapter 6 New Beginnings

Chapter 7 Reality

Chapter 8 The Way Forward

Chapter 1

The Beginning

Sun-dried leaves snapped and crackled underfoot in stark contrast to the lush, green foliage that reflected the setting rays of the sun. Harry Forbes emerged from a little-used jungle track onto the muddy banks of a small, but obviously well-visited watering hole. He scanned the various indentations, from the tiny tracks of the Wikiwand to the large hoof prints of a Zebra. Bending down to brush away the foliage debris from an old paw imprint, Harry determined it to be from a Sudan cheetah and not the prey he was looking for.

Harry Forbes was an experienced and well-respected game warden with a keen eye for dangerous situations. He had lived in Somalia since the end of 2012 and although al-Shabab had been driven out of all the major cities they were still frequently committing terrorist activities, but he quickly learned where to go, and more importantly, where not to go. His main responsibilities were to look after the welfare of the animals and humans in his region: apart from the civil unrest this was a task made more difficult by the insurgence of ivory poaching and drastically reduced staffing levels. It was becoming more obvious that the poachers were local tribesmen, probably paid or forced into it by various militia gang leaders who were eager to raise their standing and potential wealth within their groups. The increased shore patrols by various governments’ forces, especially the British Royal Navy, had all but extinguished the once lucrative shipping hijacks emanating from the vast Somalian shoreline, forcing them to seek other methods of illicit gains.

Any sign of him? Harry’s nineteen year old son, Leo Forbes, emerged from the brush, flanked by two native helpers and instinctively scanned the surroundings for anything untoward.

No, it doesn’t look like he has been here recently. We’ll check the other banks then head back to the village Harry replied, rising up to his full six foot two inches before slowly edging around the water’s edge, scrutinising every imprint.

Harry had been called out to a local village where there had been three recent lion attacks resulting in two deaths and two serious injuries. Eye witnesses reported a young but extremely large, male lion stalking their compound prior to two of the attacks; tracks at the edge of the village confirmed the size of the man-eater. He had been accompanied on this visit by his son Leo and Dr. Bill Jones, a trauma surgeon who wanted to examine the injured tribesmen that had hitherto refused to be taken to hospital. While Dr. Jones examined the injured, Harry and Leo, with the aid of two villagers, went out to check the local area to ensure the lion was not encamped nearby.

As they headed back to the village, Harry paused and looked back towards the groups of lush, green bushes that benefited from the damp, fertilised soil of the watering hole.

Have you seen anything? Leo asked, trying to follow the direction of his father’s stare.

No, just had the feeling we were being watched. But we did not see any lion signs, so it’s probably me being over cautious. From the tracks by the village compound - he is one big bugger. Harry carried on, leading the foursome back to the village compound, his right thumb releasing the safety catch on his 375 H&H rifle.

They reached the edge of the compound around twenty minutes later and Harry clicked the safety catch back on before entering the busy village. The villagers themselves were former nomadic travellers, partly due to their ancestry but mostly because of decades of civil unrest. In 2012 the new government wanted to instil peace throughout the region and rebuild the near non-existent economy. Agriculture and livestock became the country’s main economic asset and the population were encouraged to cultivate the land, grow produce and raise animals; not only to make the country self-sufficient but also to provide food, skins and primarily, livestock for export. This village, however, was still way behind the times. The makeshift huts were mainly comprised of discarded tarpaulin, old advertising billboards and anything else that would give shelter from the blazing sun of the day and aid warmth during the cold, dark nights. A roughly constructed fence of discarded wood and thorn-bush, offering only a minor deterrent to any inquisitive wildlife, encircled the spasmodic huts dotted around the compound. Leo Forbes noticed an old generator rusting away next to the rough barricade and thought that it had been a while since that had seen any action, a bit like himself, as he recalled his last night in Mogadishu before joining his father for this latest trip.

I’ll check on Bill while you get our tents set up Harry stated. The trackers will give you a hand he continued before turning and making his way towards the temporary ‘hospital.’

Am I glad to see you Dr. Bill Jones stated, as Harry walked into the cramped shelter.

Why, what’s wrong?

Who’s our friend over there? Dr. Jones nodded to where an elderly woman was sitting cross-legged on the floor staring in front of her.

Oh that’s Magan, the village…er…doctor Harry replied hesitantly.

Doctor! Bill Jones replied, looking over to the now chanting figure. Do you mean…witch doctor? he continued, looking back to Harry’s smiling face. I’ve tried talking to her but she just sits there, and every now and again starts singing or humming, whatever it is you call it: gives me the creeps.

Ma nabad baa Magan? Harry addressed his question to the seated figure whom he had met on several previous visits. The old lady nodded and replied in barely distinguishable English.

Magan well difaace she replied.

This is Dr. Bill Jones who has come to help make the men well again.

Doktoor Bill take men away? she asked.

Harry looked at Bill who smiled before answering. This guy has a broken leg which has been crudely, but effectively reset and the open gashes from the mauling they both received have been bound and I am surprised to say, healing rapidly. There is no sign of any infection so I don’t think there is any need for a hospital visit. Bill Jones turned his attention to the old lady Men stay here; no go to hospital then realising his pathetic attempt at pigeon English turned back to the smiling face of Harry Forbes.

You’ll be speaking the language like a local in no time Harry mused.

"I didn’t know how much English she understands so I was trying to keep it simple. By the way, what’s difaace?"

In simple terms it means protector which is what the villagers call me.

"Well, ‘difaace,’ you said we would be staying the night. I take it I won’t be sleeping in a double bed with an en-suite" Bill stated sarcastically.

Leo and a couple of the villagers are putting up your room as we speak Harry replied, indicating to the doorway before walking out into the compound.

Two medium-sized tents had been hastily erected at the inner edge of the compound; one for Harry and Leo and the other for the doctor. Leo was busy tightening the guy ropes on the first tent as his father and the doctor approached.

This one is your room for the night doc, or should I say ‘Doktoor Bill’ He smiled as he bent down to pick a wooden pail off the ground. And here’s your en-suite Harry laughed as he handed him the bucket.

I suppose the restaurant is closed for the evening too. I’m starving, where can we get some food? Bill asked, begrudgingly taking the offered bucket.

Well you only eat what you have caught Harry replied, walking over to his rucksack. Fortunately, I caught these earlier Harry again smiled as he pulled out several tins of beans, frankfurters and what looked like tinned beef burgers. You get yourself sorted and Leo and I will rustle up the food. Dinner will be about twenty minutes – casual dress.

Bill smirked and picking up his bag entered the tent. A single cot bed stretched the length of one side and a solitary, unlit oil lamp hung down from one of the tent supports. Touching the canvas and remembering the sight of the mauling the two men had received, his immediate thought was that the canvas walls would offer little, if any, defence against a marauding lion and instinctively moved the cot into the centre of the tent. Having nothing else to do, Bill walked out of the tent to join Harry and Leo who were busy building up the brushwood on the now roaring fire.

Anything I can do to help? Bill asked, feeling a bit out of place.

No you’re fine mate. We can’t do much until the flames die down a bit Harry answered as he placed a couple of small logs on the fire. You can sit down with us and enjoy our scintillating conversation or you can take an evening stroll around the compound, but I’d take one of the rifles with you; never know what you could meet on your travels.

Leo smiled as he watched the doctor glance furtively around before sitting down next to the fire. The rough barricade, several camp fires and smell of humans, would be enough to keep all but the most adventurous of wildlife outside the compound.

I should have brought my drone Bill stated. Every time I put it up in Mogadishu someone always takes pot shots at it. This would have been ideal to give it a real outing. I have a new video app which transmits real time videos straight to my phone but I’ve hardly had chance to use it.

You should have brought it; it could have helped us track down our lion Leo responded.

So, do you think this lion will come back? Bill asked, moving closer to the fire.

Yes, he’ll be back. He has marked this out as an easy place to get food, a bit like a drive-through. Normally the lionesses will stalk and bring down the kill and the males will join in at the end, but still be first in line to eat. My guess is that he finds the goats a tasty and easy alternative to his normal diet Harry replied.

What about the men he attacked? Has he developed a taste for human flesh? Bill asked.

No, I think he tried his taste buds on his first victim but when there are other delicacies to be had, we are way down his food chain list. However, if there is nothing else available – then that’s a different matter. But the fact is that he sees this compound as an easy way to get the food he wants and having encountered and easily fought off humans, he has overcome any initial wariness he may have had. Because of that, then yes it’s safe to assume he will be back and will always be a threat to human life. Harry spread out the burning embers and placed a frying pan and pot of water onto the fire before continuing. Tomorrow we will try and determine which way he approaches the compound and help the villagers set some traps.

Are you going to try and take him alive? Bill asked.

There’s no point. There is nowhere else we can release him and having lost his fear of humans he would probably attack on sight. Unfortunately, he has to be removed permanently. Harry gently shook his head as he finished the statement. As a warden he wanted to protect the animals as well as the human co-habitants, but in this case, there was only one solution.

The rest of the evening was spent huddled around the fire, eating the slightly over-cooked burgers and frankfurter sausages which, in taste, bore no resemblance to those Bill had enjoyed as a child and he began to wonder just what meat they were made of. Leo collected the dishes and, using a handful of sandy soil for each dish, rubbed away any food residue before dipping them in a water-filled bucket and laying them out on a crumpled blanket.

Well it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow. Harry stated as he stood upright. I suggest we have an early night as Leo and I will need to be up at the crack of dawn if we are going to get the traps set and get you back to Mogadishu by tomorrow night. Goodnight Bill.

Goodnight Harry, goodnight Leo: see you both in the morning. Bill watched Harry and Leo disappear into their tent before allowing his gaze to wander around the deserted compound. The dying embers of several dwindling fires punctuated the darkness. A large fire still burned brightly near the compound entrance but even that was starting to wane. A dull light could be seen inside two of the ramshackle huts as Bill suddenly realised he was the last person in the open compound and quickly got up to retire to his tent, but not before he had placed a few more logs on the fire.

Dawn was just breaking as Harry lay wide awake in his cot. He listened intently but all was quiet: too quiet. He swung his legs out of the cot and standing up strode purposely out of the tent, picking up his 375 H&H on the way. Leo opened his eyes just as Harry disappeared through the open flaps and thought it strange that he had not shook his bed to wake him up as he would normally have done. Sitting on the edge of the cot, Leo pulled on his boots and tied them up. Whilst it was okay to sleep in your clothes, boots could be, and were, cumbersome when you were tossing and turning under a coarse blanket. Ruffling his hair, Leo stood up and exited the tent in search of his father who was already half way down the compound. Harry stopped and slowly scanned from left to right and then back again before turning his attention to the front of the compound. Leo followed his father’s stare and noticing a small object on the floor near the corral entrance moved nearer his father to get a closer look. Hearing his footsteps Harry spun around and on seeing Leo held up his hand, indicating that he wanted him to stay where he was. Leo could just about make out the mangled body of a small goat.

Get your rifle and cover me while I… Harry’s instructions were interrupted by Leo’s shout of DAD as a very large, male lion crept out from behind one of the sheds and bounded the short distance towards his target. Harry spun around just as the lion slammed into him knocking the rifle from his grasp. Instinctively he reached up and grabbed both of the lion’s jowls in his hands, digging his fingers into the beast’s dribbling cheeks; trying in vain to maintain his grip and stop those massive teeth sinking into his neck. Leo ran forward and picked up the fallen gun as the lion shrugged off Harry’s hold and a massive paw shredded the warden’s left arm. Leo fired off a shot which skimmed the beast’s right shoulder causing him to jump off his bloodied prey and momentarily pause before charging off towards his attacker. He quickly fired off another round into the oncoming attack which momentarily stopped the lion in his tracks as he shook his head twice before lashing out and knocking the rifle from Leo’s hands. The bullet had smashed a couple of the attacker’s teeth and gone through his right cheek causing the lion to brush his jaw several times with his paw. Leo had already taken several steps backwards and turned to run back to the tent to get his rifle but the lion had other ideas and in two leaps brought Leo crashing to the ground. The wind had been knocked out of him as Leo turned onto his back and tried, in vain, to defend himself. The powerful claws ripped deep into Leo’s chest as a loud crack rang out, but not before another mauling claw had ripped into his rib cage. A second rifle crack echoed around the compound as the beast collapsed onto Leo’s prostrate and bloodied body.

Harry rolled over onto his knees and with his one good arm pushed himself up to stagger over to where the two lifeless bodies lay in the blood-soaked soil. Bill Jones stood shaking; Leo’s rifle still pointing at the motionless torso of the lion.

Leo…Leo… Harry fell to his knees and tried in vain to push the lion off his son’s body. He struggled with his one good arm, desperately trying to move the lion’s carcass but help was soon on hand as three machete-carrying villagers tentatively rolled the lion’s body off Leo’s tranquil form. Bill…help him…please…

The doctor lowered the rifle and placed it on the ground whilst the enormity of the situation sank in. Gathering his senses he quickly bent down and ripped open Leo’s shredded shirt. His rib cage had been torn open and blood slowly pumped from the tattered remnants of Leo’s heart. Bill covered Leo’s chest with the remnants of his shirt and turned his attention to Harry. Let’s have a look at that arm: you’ve lost a lot of blood.

Never mind me, see to Leo. There must be something you can do? Harry shouted, both in panic and frustration.

Harry, sorry but he’s beyond help. He is losing too much blood and his heart is beyond repair.

You’re a surgeon, you can repair it. Just try, I beg you, please. You can have some of my blood.

Harry from the looks of that arm you probably need a transfusion yourself and Leo would need considerably more than a few pints and that will only work if his heart was intact, which it is not.

What about the villagers, maybe they will donate blood.

There’s no time, we need to get the blood flowing around his body now to get his oxygen levels up and that’s only if I could repair his heart which I cannot.

If you had a supply of blood, that would give you more time yes?

Not really, but anyway we have not got that amount of blood to hand Bill replied, trying to pacify Harry and tend to the gaping wound on his arm at the same time.

The lion Harry stated. Use the lion’s blood.

I can’t, it could kill him Bill quickly replied.

He is going to die if you don’t so please…give it a go at least. What do you need? Harry barked, not accepting no as an answer.

Bill remembered reading about chimpanzee’s blood being closely matched to humans and had a vague recollection of some type of animal’s blood being used in an emergency transfusion where the female recipient ended up with anaemia, but that very thought awoke a glimmer of hope and he instinctively reached down to check Leo’s pulse. It was faint, barely noticeable but Leo was still technically alive.

We would need to take it directly from the lion’s body Bill responded with a sense of urgency. I need some tubes to suck it out from the lion’s veins and link into Leo’s arteries and some way of pumping it around the body and clamps and God knows what else.

I’ll get your stuff from the jeep Harry shouted enthusiastically.

No I’ll get it Bill answered, jumping to his feet and hurrying to the vehicle, scarcely believing what he was about to do.

Bill returned a couple of minutes later and placing a white apron on the floor began to lay out some basic surgical instruments. Looking across at Harry’s concerned frown, he noticed the blood still trickling freely down his arm.

Harry, I need to treat that arm or you will bleed to death.

No, I’ll be fine Harry retorted. You see to Leo.

Before Bill could reply, a voice behind him said "I help difaace" and Magan walked around Leo’s outstretched body to kneel next to Harry’s blood-soaked arm, carefully ripping away the tattered sleeve.

Bill laid out two plastic tubes, originally intended to put fluids directly into the stomach but they were too short to reach the lion. Shit, too short Bill uttered.

What’s too short? Harry shouted, aware that time was running out.

The tubes, they won’t reach the lion, it’s useless Harry; we haven’t got the right equipment, I think we have to accept it’s time to give up.

No it’s not Harry turned to the inquisitive villagers gathered around them and barked out some orders.

Four of the men began to lift the lion’s body and slowly moved it next to Leo. Bill shook his head before turning his attention back to Leo. Moving away bits of torn cloth he wiped the blood from around Leo’s open chest. He quickly determined that the left side of the heart, which would normally pump oxygen enriched blood from the lungs around the body, was so severely damaged that it would never pump the blood around Leo’s body again. He looked up into Harry’s face and shook his head.

What’s wrong? Harry asked, his enthusiasm starting to wane.

His heart is damaged beyond repair. Without the heart we cannot pump the blood through his arteries.

Use the lion’s. It would be like a transplant without removing the lion’s heart. Harry’s voice was not much louder than a whisper.

Bill looked up at Harry, briefly glancing at his patched up arm which Magan had covered in some sort of poultice. Whatever she had put on it had effectively stopped the bleeding.

Harry you know that’s ridiculous. There’s any number of reasons why that will not work.

Well we will never know unless we give it a try Harry pleaded.

Bill looked down at Leo’s ashen face then back to Harry’s. Okay, we’ve come this far so we might as well give it a try. This lion is dead isn’t he? Bill asked nervously as he picked up a scalpel and tried to work out the best place to make an incision. Don’t answer that, I’ll find out soon enough.

Bill quickly opened the lion’s chest and being careful not to damage any main arteries he placed both hands into the opening and tentatively pulled the rib cage apart, snapping off four of the ribs in the process. Next he severed the main artery from the bottom of the lion’s left side of the heart and slid one of the tubes over the stump sealing it with a clamp. Bill then attached the other end to the main artery under the left side of Leo’s heart having first separated it from the left ventricle and sealed it as best he could. Bill studied Leo’s chest, trying to work out what he would need to do to enable the blood to flow freely around Leo’s body and still use his lungs to oxygenate the blood. Taking the remaining tube Bill attached it to the right side of Leo’s heart and the other end to the right side of the lion’s heart. Leo, fortunately, was in a deep coma, oblivious to what was happening. Bill checked the tubes and confirmed to himself that the lion’s heart was now linked in tandem to Leo’s heart. In theory, if he could get the lion’s heart pumping again then the beast’s blood would be pumped around Leo’s body and back into the right side of Leo’s heart to be oxygenated by the lungs. Then he just had the problem of attaching the oxygenated blood back into the left ventricle to be pumped around the body.

Why are you hesitating? Harry asked, noticing Bill’s pensive stare.

Leo’s heart is damaged beyond repair and whilst we may be able to pump the blood around Leo’s body, there’s no way we can get Leo’s lungs to oxygenate the blood and pump it back around his arteries Bill answered softly.

Harry’s head dropped to stare at the floor but his momentary acceptance of defeat was sharply interrupted by Bill’s shouting.

Harry, get them to move the lion a bit closer Bill ordered, as he struggled to get the second tube, which was attached to the right side of the lion’s heart, further into Leo’s chest. Harry quickly barked instructions to the watching villagers who slowly pulled the body right next to Leo. It was only a matter of inches but enough that Bill could eventually attach the second tube to the main artery just underneath Leo’s heart, effectively rendering most of Leo’s heart and lungs redundant.

Now for the moment of truth Bill sighed as he lifted the lid off the small, silver box and pulled out two paddles attached to a defibrillator. Setting the power dial Bill shouted stay clear and placing the paddles either side of the lion’s chest, pressed the button. The lion’s body jumped as did two of the on-looking villagers, but the large heart remained still. Bill put down one of the paddles and adjusted the dial to full output. Clear Bill shouted again as he placed the paddles higher up the lion’s chest and pressed the button. The whole of the lion’s body convulsed, causing all the on-looking villagers to move several feet away. Bill’s eyes widened as he noticed the beast’s heart begin to throb, rhythmically pulsing the blood through the left tube and into Leo’s body.

My God, it’s working Bill stated in disbelief, but then began to panic as he noticed the blood seeping from the ends of the roughly connected tubes. We have to stop the blood escaping Bill shouted as he frantically looked around to find anything that may help before his eyes rested on Harry’s arm. Magan, have you got anymore of this poultice? Bill asked pointing to the thick, green coloured gunk that covered Harry’s wounds. Magan offered up a small bowl which contained the remnants of the poultice which Bill eagerly snatched off her and began to spread onto the end of the tube attached to the lion’s heart. Have you got any more? Bill asked her, noticing blood seeping from the other end of the tube.

Here, take some of this Harry shouted, scooping some of the poultice off his covered wound.

Wait. I’ll do it Bill answered, scraping the mixture off Harry’s hand and spreading it on the other end of the tube. He quickly returned to Bill’s arm and ensuring the wound remained covered, scraped some of the excess poultice from around the edges. More? he again asked Magan pointing to the healing mixture on Harry’s arm. Magan stood up and hurried off in the direction of her hut.

Is it working? Harry asked.

The blood is being pumped into Leo’s body from the bottom of the lion’s heart which kind of looks after the bottom part of the body but hopefully it will mean that there will be blood, and more importantly oxygen, pumped around Leo’s veins. Oh Christ, oxygen Bill shouted jumping up and running towards the jeep. Thirty seconds later he was hurrying back with what looked like a small bellows in his hands.

What’s wrong? Harry asked.

The lungs Bill quickly replied. We have to get the lion’s lungs working and get oxygen into them or they will fill with blood. Can you get the villagers to take it in turn depressing the hand pump?

Harry called to the nearest villager and quickly explained what he wanted him to do as Bill removed the face mask from the end of the resuscitator and inserted a tube in its place which he then located into the lion’s trachea. Bill began slowly squeezing and releasing the bag, building up a rhythm before handing over to the nervous villager. Bill encouraged the villager to depress the bag in a slow but easy rhythm, watching the lion’s chest inflate and deflate with each movement. Turning to his bag, Bill pulled out a small cardboard box and taking out an oxygen saturation monitor clipped it onto the end of Leo’s finger. His pulse rate was very low and the oxygen levels were only eighty nine but that was higher than Bill had expected.

What next? Harry asked keen to keep Bill positive but also seeking his own mental support in his efforts to keep his son alive.

So far we have managed to transfer the lion’s blood into Leo’s veins but I’m not sure how much is reaching his brain or what brain damage has already been done. On top of that, the lion is taking the place of Leo’s heart and lungs so he cannot go anywhere without him. We do not know how his system will react to animal blood or for how long we can keep Leo stabilised Bill glanced down at the finger-tip monitor which showed an oxygen reading of ninety-four. It seems like we have some oxygen flowing through the blood but I have reached the limit of my expertise, in fact, I’m way past it. I really do not know what to do next or what to expect. We have been lucky so far, but we are going to need more than luck before the morning is out. He can’t be moved but there’s nothing more I can do for him. Bill retrieved his mobile phone from the tent and started to dial a number. Just what I need; I can’t get a signal. How did the villagers tell you about the lion attacks?

They probably walked for an hour or so to one of the larger villages where there is mobile signal. Who do you want to call? I can get you patched through from the radio in the jeep Harry answered.

A friend of mine, Dave Edwards, he is a heart surgeon and I need to find out if there is anything I can do to sustain life and maintain both oxygen and blood levels. Bill did not relish making the call and explaining what might be conceived as the futility of trying to keep Leo alive. At the back of his mind Bill had started to think that if he kept Leo alive long enough he could be put on a ventilator or even have a heart transplant, though deep down he knew that the odds of that happening would be minimal to say the least.

Harry keyed up the radio and eventually had the call relayed through to Dave Edwards. After very brief pleasantries, Bill proceeded to explain what had happened and what he had managed to do. Harry listened intently as Bill often had to repeat the actions he had taken to keep Leo alive. Eventually the conversation appeared to turn from obvious disbelief to keen interest. There was a mention of an air ambulance and some sort of temporary surgical procedure and a weird request for some photos of the blood transfusion to keep as a record.

Bill finished the call and climbed out of the jeep and headed back to his patient, closely followed by Harry.

Better get someone to take over from the guy on the resuscitator and arrange for them to be swapped around every ten minutes. We cannot afford to have the lion’s lungs collapse. Dave’s going to organise an air ambulance to drop off some equipment to try and make Leo more comfortable and suggested a couple of things to check on. Bill knelt down next to Leo and checked the oxygen monitor. It was still ninety-four. Magan appeared and Bill noticed that