by Evelyn James
“If you need any advice concerning the pup, just give us a call,” Marjorie grinned at Tommy. “You are welcome here any time.”
Tommy realised the intensity of her stare and had the decency to blush.
“That’s very kind,” he said.
He cast a glance at Clara to indicate a hasty retreat was in order. They said their farewells and with Pip ragging the lapel of Tommy’s coat for all she was worth, they departed to the car.
“I think Marjorie rather liked you,” Clara smirked at her brother as they entered the car.
“She was just being friendly,” he answered swiftly, then he cast her an urgent look. “You won’t mention it to Annie, will you?”
Clara chuckled.
“As if I would!”
~~~*~~~
They arrived at Three Pigs Farm to say their farewells to Annie. Pip was getting restless and Tommy put her down as they entered the house. She scampered into the kitchen and pounced on Patch who had been soundly asleep by the range. He awoke with a start and looked upon the newcomer with astonishment. Pip started to maul his ear, and with a ruff of resignation, Patch rolled over and began to play with the puppy.
Annie was making scones at the table. She paused and stared at the black imp who had suddenly burst into the kitchen. As Tommy entered so she looked up at him with an accusing glare.
“Another dog?”
“She was a gift,” Tommy said firmly. “You can’t turn down a gift. Her name is Pip.”
“I leave you alone for a few days…” Annie started.
“Think of it this way Annie, better that all we got up to while you were gone was solve a murder and get another dog. In contrast, had we not had these distractions, we might have spent a lot more time in the kitchen cooking.”
“Heaven help me,” Annie cast her eyes upwards. “You didn’t attempt porridge again, did you?”
Clara looked sheepish.
“No,” she lied.
Annie was about to say more when something Clara had said caught her attention.
“Did you say you had solved the murder of Mr Beech?”
“I did,” Clara grinned at her. “The murderer is in custody as we speak.”
“Dare I ask who the culprit was?” Annie said.
“Mrs Spinner,” Clara shrugged. “And it had nothing to do with witchcraft. It was about money, pure and simple.”
Pip bit too hard on Patch’s ear and the terrier gave out a yelp, then snarled at the puppy. Tommy hastily retrieved the dog.
“Doesn’t know her own strength,” he cringed.
Annie was still giving him a hard look for bringing another dog into her life. Clara was sure she would forgive him swiftly. Annie might appear stern, but she was actually soft-hearted.
“How is Gus?” Clara asked.
“Ah, now at least there is good news,” Annie’s frown lifted. “He turned a corner this morning and has been improving all day. The doctor has seen him and is cautiously optimistic that he is on the mend. With any luck, I shall be able to return home in a few days.”
“I am very pleased to hear Gus is improving,” Clara smiled. “I was rather worried.”
“I think we all were,” Annie sighed. “Ellen looks so much better herself. Her colour has returned. Soon everything will be back to normal.”
As she said this, Annie unconsciously put out her flour-coated hand. Pip leaned over from Tommy’s arms and licked her fingers.
“Ah! She likes you!” Tommy said gleefully.
Annie stared at the puppy as she cleaned her fingers.
“Oh, joy,” she said in a droll tone.
Clara grinned. It wouldn’t take long for Pip to ingratiate herself with Annie, of that she was sure.
“Well, are you staying for a bit?” Annie asked. “I need someone to test my first batch of scones.”
“How could we refuse an offer like that?” Tommy laughed.
Annie snorted.
“In that case, is someone going to ask Jones to come in? I assume he is sitting out in the car,” she said.
Tommy said he would go and summon him. Clara turned to Annie once he was out of earshot.
“There was no way this case was going to end without him having a puppy, you know.”
“Pip and Bramble,” Annie put the names together. “Easy enough to remember. But this is the very last addition to the household.
Annie wagged her finger.
“Certainly!” Clara assured her.
But neither of them quite believed what they had just said.
