Somehow, Bill had the forethought to tuck his knees against his belly (as close as his physique would permit) then wrapped his arms around them, forming a human cannonball as he hit the freezing surface of the Thames, ejecting a tower of water into the air in his wake. A bystander on dry land described the scene as similar to a small car being dropped into a lake. Bill instantly vanished underwater, his entire form being swallowed up by the river. Within moments, the tower of water evaporated and the Thames returned to its restless flow, leaving no trace of him. The dog watched from the bridge, whined with abject disappointment, then trotted back across the walkway and into the night.
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9781408867631 Knightley and Son K-9 (131i) - reissue - final pass.indd 9
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