by Jenny Dale
It didn’t take long to find Ridgeview Cottage, the Morgans’ house. Neil marched up to the front door and rang the bell, with Emily and Jake close behind.
A plump, anxious-looking woman opened the door. “Mrs Morgan?” Emily asked politely.
The woman nodded. “That’s right.” Suddenly she caught sight of the puppy peeping out from inside Neil’s coat and her face lit up. “Holly! Thank goodness! We’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she said before Neil had a chance to speak. She held out her hands and Neil placed Holly in her arms.
“It’s all right, girl,” he said soothingly. “You’re home now.”
“She is all right, isn’t she?” Mrs Morgan asked, concerned.
“She seems fine – just a bit scared,” Neil said. “Er . . . why exactly was she out on her own?”
“I let her out in the garden,” said Mrs Morgan. “I thought it was safe. When I went to fetch her a couple of minutes later she just wasn’t there. There must be a hole in the fence.” She hugged the little puppy. “I’ve been so worried about her.”
Mrs Morgan ushered Neil, Emily and Jake inside. “Thank you so much for bringing her home,” she said, leading the way into a large, welcoming kitchen at the front of the house. “My husband’s still out searching for her – he’ll be so relieved.”
A log fire was burning cheerfully at one end of the kitchen, its flickering flames casting an orange glow across the flagstone floor. Mrs Morgan crossed to a large airing cupboard and took out a pink, fluffy towel. Then she sat down in a chair, cradled Holly on her lap and rubbed her dry.
“Would you like to sit down?” Mrs Morgan asked, smiling up at Neil and Emily.
They settled down on the big, comfortable sofa, while Jake lay down by the fire. Neil relaxed. He’d been angry with the Morgans for letting Holly roam free but now it seemed that he’d made a mistake. Mrs Morgan was clearly just as concerned about the Labrador as he was.
“She’s a smashing little pup,” said Neil, watching the Labrador, who had curled up on Mrs Morgan’s lap and was dozing contentedly.
“Yes, Holly’s going to be our daughter’s dog,” explained Mrs Morgan. “We only moved here two weeks ago and a few days before that our dog died.” She sighed. “We’d had her for sixteen years and we all miss her badly, but our daughter Alex is heartbroken.”
They heard a door open at the back of the house. “I can’t find her anywhere,” a man’s worried voice called. “I’ve been all over the ridgeway but—”
“It’s all right, John,” Mrs Morgan interrupted. “Holly’s home. Some kind people have brought her back.” She turned to Neil. “How did you know where to bring Holly?”
“We recognized her and then saw your name on her collar,” explained Neil. “Our parents own King Street Kennels and I remember them saying that Holly’s new owners lived here.”
Mrs Morgan smiled. “You must be Neil, then. Alex is going to be in your class at school. And you must be Emily. Your dad told me all about you two.”
A tall, smiling man came into the room. He was still wearing his coat and hat and his face was red with cold. “What a relief!” He took off his gloves and patted Holly affectionately. She lifted her head and blinked at him, then fell asleep again. “Thanks for bringing her home. Where did you find her?”
“Up on the ridgeway. We were sledging there,” said Emily. “In fact, we’re going back there now. Do you think Alex would like to come with us?”
“It’s kind of you to ask, Emily,” Mrs Morgan said. “I’m sure she’d love to, but she’s not here. She’s been staying at her grandparents’ in Manchester since we moved so she could finish the term at her old school.” She glanced at her watch. “I thought they’d have arrived by now, though,” she added. “Her gran’s bringing her over. Perhaps the snow’s held them up.”
“She doesn’t know about Holly yet,” explained Mr Morgan. “But she’ll be really excited when she meets her.” As he spoke, a red car drew up outside. “At last! Here they are,” he said. “I’ll go and let them in.”
Neil and Emily watched through the window as Alex and her grandmother came up the snowy path, each carrying a suitcase. Alex was tall and skinny, with long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wasn’t wearing a coat and the falling snow speckled her black jumper. She looked just like a Dalmatian in reverse, Neil thought, grinning to himself.
Holly opened her eyes and sat up, refreshed by her nap. Mrs Morgan put her down on the floor. “Alex is coming, girl,” she said.
Holly wagged her tail and gave a tiny bark. Jake stood up, obviously intending to go and make friends with the puppy, but Neil told him to stay and the Border collie sat down again obediently.
Neil heard Mr Morgan say hello to his daughter. “Go through into the kitchen, Alex,” he continued. “We’ve got a surprise for you.”
Alex appeared in the doorway, followed by her dad and her gran. “Hello, love,” said Mrs Morgan, giving her a hug. “Meet Holly. She’s your new dog.”
Alex’s smile faded. She stared at Holly in horror. “How could you? I don’t want a new dog,” she cried, and burst into tears.
3
“If I can’t have Daisy I don’t want any dog,” sobbed Alex. “Don’t you understand that?”
“But Daisy’s not with us any more, love,” Mrs Morgan said gently. She tried to put her arms round her daughter, but Alex pulled away.
Holly trotted towards Alex, her tail wagging and her mouth open in a welcoming grin. “Look, she likes you already,” Mr Morgan said encouragingly.
Alex shook her head. “I don’t want her. I’m never having another dog.” She stumbled out of the room with tears pouring down her cheeks. Her gran followed her, calling to her to come back.
Holly sat down suddenly and stared after Alex, whining. Neil was just about to go to her when Mrs Morgan picked her up. “It’s all right, Holly,” she said reassuringly, stroking the puppy who nestled against her.
Neil knew how Alex was feeling. When his own dog, Sam, had died, he’d been devastated. But at least he’d had Jake, Sam’s son, to ease the pain. He bent down to stroke Jake, running his hand over the Border collie’s coat and letting Jake nuzzle his neck. It was never easy when a dog died, he thought, but in the end you had to move on. There were so many other dogs in need of a loving home.
“Oh dear,” said Mr Morgan, staring after Alex in dismay. “What on earth are we going to do now?”
“I really don’t know.” Mrs Morgan’s shoulders slumped. “I was sure she’d fall in love with Holly the moment she saw her.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Look,” said Neil, “if you like, we could take Holly back to the rescue centre – just for the moment.”
The Morgans exchanged worried glances. “Perhaps it would be best,” Mr Morgan said hesitantly.
“She’ll be back with her brothers and sister,” Neil pointed out.
“And maybe Alex will change her mind,” added Emily. “After all, how could she resist such a gorgeous little pup?”
“I hope you’re right,” Mr Morgan said.
Mrs Morgan shook her head firmly. “I’m sure Alex will realize she wants her soon. She’s probably thinking it over right now.”
“But you know how stubborn she can be sometimes,” Mr Morgan reminded her.
Mrs Morgan bit her lip. “I know. But poor Holly. She’s such a lovely puppy. I don’t like the idea of having to part with her.” She hugged the Labrador tightly.
“We just need to give Alex a bit of space,” Mr Morgan said. He reached out for Holly, and Mrs Morgan handed her over reluctantly. “She may well decide she wants to keep her in a day or two,” Mr Morgan reassured his wife, “but it’ll be best if Holly’s not here reminding Alex of Daisy while she’s getting used to the idea of having another dog.”
Mrs Morgan gave a weak smile. “I know you’re right, John,” she said. “But all the same . . .” She gave Holly one last stroke then turned to Neil. “I’ll fetch
her things.” She hurried out of the room, returning a few moments later with a dog carrier, a soft blue blanket and a squeaky rubber bone.
Emily spread the blanket in the bottom of the dog carrier. “This will keep Holly warm on the way home,” she said.
Neil took Holly from Mr Morgan and put her inside the carrier. “Good girl,” he said as she snuggled into the blanket. He put the rubber bone beside her and shut the door, checking that the catch was fastened properly. “Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of her,” he promised, straightening up. He called Jake to heel and picked up the dog carrier. Then he, Emily and Jake went back out into the snow.
“Thanks for all your help,” Mrs Morgan called after them.
Neil and Emily waved as they set off. Emily pulled both sledges behind her while Neil carried Holly. “Poor thing,” he said. “Let’s hope Alex decides she wants her soon. If not, we’re going to have to find homes for four puppies before Christmas!”
A grey Morris Minor was turning into King Street Kennels as Neil, Emily and Jake arrived home with Holly. “It’s Gavin and Jet,” Emily said. Gavin Thorpe was the young vicar of Compton and Jet, his black Labrador, always stayed at King Street Kennels when Gavin and his wife Susie went on holiday.
“I wonder if he’d like one of the Labrador puppies to keep Jet company,” said Neil thoughtfully.
Emily shook her head. “I shouldn’t think so. Susie’s going to have her baby soon. I can hardly see her and Gavin wanting a baby and a puppy.”
“Yeah, I suppose it would be difficult,” Neil agreed.
The Morris Minor came to a stop on the snowy drive. Gavin climbed out and Jet jumped out after him. “Hello, you two. Lovely day,” Gavin joked, looking wryly at the sky.
“Hello, Gavin,” Neil and Emily said together.
Jet trotted towards them, tail wagging and eyes bright. “Hi, Jet,” Neil said, running a hand over his smooth fur. He put the dog carrier down, opened its wire door and lifted Holly out, still wrapped in her blanket. Jet stretched up to sniff her. She peeped out of her blanket, her dark eyes wary as she looked at the newcomer.
“It’s OK, Holly,” said Neil, giving her a comforting stroke.
Emily crouched down to make a fuss of Jet and he licked her cheek affectionately. Then he turned his attention to Jake. The two dogs touched noses briefly, before launching into a boisterous game of chase that involved racing round and round Gavin’s car and occasionally wriggling underneath it and out the other side.
“Have you come to book Jet in for a holiday?” asked Emily.
“Not this time,” said the vicar. Jet ran back to him and Gavin ruffled his glossy black fur. “Actually I’ve come to ask your dad a huge favour.”
“You’d better come in then,” Neil said. He and Emily ushered Gavin round the side of the house and into the Parkers’ kitchen. The house was warm and bright, and smelt deliciously of spicy mincemeat. A Christmas song was playing on the radio.
Carole was bending over the kitchen table, rolling out pastry. Sarah, Neil and Emily’s five-year-old sister, was helping her, squeezing pastry scraps into Christmassy shapes. “I’m making an angel and Father Christmas and a stocking,” she said proudly, holding up one of the shapes to show them. Her eyes widened as Holly poked her head out of the blanket. “A puppy!” she squealed, delighted. Dropping the pastry, she hurried across to Neil.
Carole Parker looked up. “Hello, Gavin,” she said. “Come and sit down while I see what Neil’s up to.” She shot Neil a questioning glance.
“Thanks,” said Gavin. He unbuttoned his coat and sat down, while Jet settled contentedly at his feet.
Carole pushed a strand of dark hair out of her face with the back of one floury hand, leaving a white streak across her forehead, then turned to Neil. “Where on earth have you got that puppy from?”
“It’s Holly,” Neil said gloomily, and he and Emily explained what had happened.
“You were right to bring her back,” sighed Carole. She brushed flour off her hands then came to look at the puppy. “I wouldn’t like to think of her belonging to someone who didn’t want her,” she added, rubbing the side of the pup’s head with one finger. Holly stuck out a small, pink tongue and licked Carole’s hand. “Poor Alex. I can understand why she’d feel like that. It’s very hard to lose a dog you love. But perhaps she’ll come round.”
“I hope so,” said Neil. He was sure Holly was just what Alex needed.
“We could keep Holly,” Sarah said eagerly, stretching up on tiptoe to stroke the puppy. “She gets on really well with Jake and—”
“We are not having another dog,” Carole said firmly.
“But she’s really sweet—” wailed Sarah.
“No!” said Carole.
“Do you want us to put her back in the rescue centre?” asked Neil. He wished they could keep Holly but he knew it would be pointless to try to talk his mother round.
“Yes, please,” Carole said. As she turned to Gavin, Jake trotted across to her and rubbed against her leg, soaking her jeans. “Jake!” she groaned.
“Yeah, he’s pretty wet from being out in the snow,” said Neil. “Could you give him a rub down, please? And can you make sure his feet are dry.”
Carole laughed. “I do know how to look after dogs, Neil.”
Neil laughed too. “Sorry.”
In spite of the snow outside, the rescue centre felt deliciously warm when Neil and Emily went in. “I’ll prepare a bowl of food for her,” said Emily. “She must be starving after being out in the cold for so long.”
“Good idea,” Neil said. He fetched a towel and gently rubbed Holly’s head – the only part of her that had been exposed to the weather when she’d been out of the dog carrier. By the time she was dry, her fur was standing up in chocolate-brown spikes. Neil smoothed it down, then set the puppy beside the bowl of food that Emily had prepared. She tucked in hungrily.
When she’d finished eating, Neil carried her to the pen that her sister and brothers shared. The pups were in their basket, lying asleep in a contented heap. Holly whined and wagged her tail as she picked up their scent. The puppies stirred.
“Come on, you lazy lot. Wake up and say hello to your sister,” Neil called as Emily unfastened the door. The smallest puppy, a black Labrador who they had named Santa, struggled out from underneath his heavier golden sister, Candy, and darted to the wire. He eyed Holly inquisitively, his tail swinging from side to side.
Neil carried Holly into the pen and set her down. In seconds the other three puppies, two black and one golden, were all around her, sniffing her, touching noses and welcoming her home. Then the four of them plunged into a wild and joyful game of chase.
Neil watched with mixed emotions. It was good that the puppies were pleased to see Holly but he couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. The rescue centre was warm and comfortable but it wasn’t nearly as nice as the Morgans’ house. She’d miss the attention that the Morgans had given her too, Neil thought. He made up his mind to visit her as often as he could.
Gavin, Carole and Bob were chatting and drinking coffee when Neil and Emily went indoors. Jake and Jet were lying by the stove. Jake sprang up and trotted across to Neil, leaping up to lick his face.
“Down, boy,” Neil commanded.
Jake sat down obediently, watching Neil intently, his bright eyes sparkling.
“You’ve got him well trained,” said Gavin admiringly.
Neil laughed. “Most of the time. But he has his moments, don’t you, Jake?” The Border collie barked in response.
“Anyway, Gavin, can we do something for you, or is this just a social visit?” Bob asked.
“I’m after some help, I’m afraid,” said the vicar.
Bob stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I’ll help out if I can, but we’re a bit pushed for time today. Bev and Kate aren’t working and this snow means that simple jobs take twice as long.” Bev and Kate were King Street Kennels’ hard-working and committed kennel maids.
Gavin
nodded. “The snow’s caused problems on the roads, too. I hope it’s not going to take me too long to get home – I don’t like leaving Susie on her own.” He produced a mobile phone from his pocket and checked that it was switched on. “She’s going to ring me if anything happens. The baby’s due in ten days’ time.”
Carole smiled. “You must be really excited.”
“I can’t wait,” Gavin said. “Our first son or daughter!”
“So do you want me to drive you both to the hospital in the Range Rover when the time comes?” asked Bob.
Gavin shook his head. “It’s not that. It’s rather an unusual favour actually.” Neil thought he looked slightly embarrassed. “You see, I’m going to set up a Christmas grotto in the church hall – for children and dogs.”
“That sounds ace!” Neil cried.
Bob laughed. “A Christmas grotto for dogs?” He put down his empty coffee mug. “It’s an original idea – I’ll give you that.”
“We’ve got to raise some money to get the church hall roof repaired,” said Gavin. “There are so many dogs in Compton I thought that people might be willing to pay a small amount to bring their kids and their dogs to see Father Christmas.”
“I’ll bring Jake,” said Neil. “He’ll love seeing all his doggy friends.” He ruffled the Border collie’s ears and Jake’s tail thumped rhythmically on the floor. “Loads of people will come. Doctor Harvey will bring Finn and Sandy—” Neil began.
“And Julie and Ben will come,” Emily chipped in. “And Steve and Ricky.”
“I bet Mrs Jepson will bring Sugar and Spice,” said Neil, with a laugh. “In fact, she’ll probably bring them four times at least.” Sugar and Spice were the most pampered pooches in Compton.
“So where does Bob come into this?” asked Carole.
