Big Honey Dog Mysteries HOLIDAY COLLECTION

by H. Y. Hanna

  Ticks. She tried to run faster, eyeing the egg as it rolled just in front of her nose.

  She lunged again. Missed again.

  They were near the bottom of the slope now. Honey could see the river out of the corner of her eye, the water dark and rushing past. The Fabergé egg hit a clump of grass and bounced high in the air, straight for the water. Honey hurled herself forwards and made a last desperate lunge.

  Thunk.

  Her teeth closed around something solid. Honey skidded and sat down on her bum, almost falling into the river herself. Slowly, she stood up again, chest heaving, the egg clamped between her jaws.

  She looked up to see a row of heads at the top of the slope. The humans were staring down at her with their mouths open. The dogs looked jubilant.

  “You saved it, Honey!” barked Ruffster, jumping up in delight. “You saved the Fabby egg!”

  THE EGG THAT HONEY finally dropped into Irina’s hands was pretty slobbery, but that didn’t seem to bother the old woman as she stared disbelievingly at the cracked pink surface. The rough journey down the slope and the drool from Honey’s mouth had removed even more of the lumpy clay covering, and now they could all clearly see sections of gleaming enamel embedded with sparkling jewels. Carefully, Irina picked and peeled the rest of the covering away, then rinsed the egg in a glass of water. Biscuit’s Missus handed Irina a napkin from the picnic basket and they all watched in awe as she slowly wiped the egg clean of all traces of clay, paint, and drool.

  She set the Fabergé egg upright on the table.

  The glossy enamel surface of the egg gleamed in the sunlight, changing from deep sea-green to vibrant aquamarine. A lattice of gold swirls covered the base of the egg, curling upwards like the tendrils of a climbing vine. In the spaces between the swirls, tiny flowers were embedded, their delicate petals glittering with diamonds that looked like dewdrops. And nestled amongst the flowers were more jewels: a brilliant sapphire, a rich red ruby, a shimmering emerald.

  “I... I cannot believe it,” whispered Irina, tears in her eyes. “It is so beautiful... I almost wish I did not have to sell it...” She sighed. “But it must be done.”

  “Does it open?” asked Suka’s Boy. “I thought all Fabergé eggs have a surprise inside.”

  “Yes, you are right,” said Irina, sitting up.

  She looked closely at the egg. At the top was a little gold button, encircled by a crown of gold swirls. Irina reached out and pressed the button. Everybody gasped as the egg suddenly opened, the two halves spreading apart to reveal a tiny pedestal inside. On the pedestal sat a miniature gold bunny, one long ear folded back, the other raised alertly.

  “Hey, it’s got ears like me!” said Ruffster, wagging his tail. “Kind o’ fittin’ that there’s a bunny inside... seein’ as it’s Easter.”

  Between the rabbit’s front paws was a tiny jade carrot. And something else.

  Honey’s heart jumped in excitement as Irina lifted out a thick gold chain with a sparkling red stone attached. It was the ruby from the painting!

  “I thought this was lost!” cried Irina. “I never thought it would be hidden inside the Fabergé egg.”

  “That ruby alone would be worth a fortune,” said Olivia. “You could sell that and have enough money to save your house and live comfortably—and keep the Fabergé egg.”

  “Oh, I cannot believe it!” Irina threw her arms around Mishka and hugged him hard. She looked at them all, her eyes shining. “I feel like I am in a dream.” She laughed and wiped tears from her eyes as Olivia and the others came up to hug her too.

  Still talking excitedly, the humans went back into the house, taking the Fabergé egg with them. Mishka turned to Honey and her friends. His eyes were shining even more than Irina’s. “Thank you. This has become the best Easter we have ever had. Now I hope you will come back to visit me soon. Then I can show you this house as it was meant to be.”

  SIX MONTHS LATER, HONEY and her friends stood with their humans outside Mishka’s house, eyes bright with anticipation. They had all been groomed until their coats were smooth and shining—well, all except Ruffster, since no amount of brushing or shampooing could tame his scruffy coat. They were entering through the front door this time and Honey looked around in awe as they stepped into the grand foyer, dominated by an enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

  Irina came rushing up to greet them, a big smile on her face. She was wearing black again—but a beautiful satin gown this time—and walking proudly by her side was Mishka, his black coat trimmed and gleaming. The dogs circled each other excitedly, sniffing bums and wagging tails, before following their humans down the wide hallway to the back of the house.

  As they entered the living room, Honey almost couldn’t believe her eyes. Rich brocade curtains now framed the windows and the walls were freshly painted, the cracks all gone. Paintings and tapestries now covered the empty spaces. A sumptuous lounge suite overflowing with cushions sprawled over half the room and beautifully carved antique furniture filled the corners.

  “Holy liver treat!” said Ruffster, staring around.

  Mishka wagged his tail proudly. “It has taken time but my Miztress managed to find many of the paintings and things she had to sell and buy them back again.”

  Honey walked over to one painting that had pride of place in the centre of the wall. It was the portrait of Irina’s grandmother holding the Fabergé egg—and in a glass case in front of it was the real thing, nestled on a bed of black velvet. The jewels sparkled as they caught the light. It was just as stunning as Honey had remembered.

  “So many people wanted to come see it,” said Mishka, joining her beside the case. “The newspapers, the TV, the museums, the big jewellery shops... it was crazy! Nobody can believe that we have found another Fabergé egg. One man came from a place called Hollywood—he wanted to talk to my Miztress about making a movie of her mother’s life.”

  “Howling Hyenas, really?” Suka bounced up to them. “Who’s going to play you in the movie, Mishka?”

  “I think the movie should really be about you,” said Mishka, looking around at all of them. “You were the ones who found the treasure.”

  Honey smiled and wagged her tail. “Yes, you’re right, we did. We found a new friend.”

  THE END

  If you enjoyed these stories check out the full length novels:

  Book 1 (CURSE OF THE SCARAB)

  Book 2 (A SECRET IN TIME)

  Here is an excerpt from

  CURSE OF THE SCARAB

  (Big Honey Dog Mysteries ~ Book 1)

  CHAPTER 1

  Something thudded outside the front door. Honey the Great Dane raised her head, blinking in the afternoon sun that streamed in through the windows. She pricked her ears and listened.

  Nothing. Perhaps she had been dreaming. She stretched luxuriously, extending every toe, and yawned. A fly buzzed along the windowsill, but otherwise the house was quiet. She sighed contentedly. Her eyelids drooped.

  That sound again. A faint scuffling, outside the front door. Then voices.

  Who’s there? Honey sprang up with her big, booming bark, just as her human, Olivia, rushed into the room. She smiled at Honey as she headed for the front door.

  “Hey, Honey... have I got a surprise for you!” Olivia said.

  Ooh, a surprise? Honey wagged her tail and followed Olivia to the front door, pushing past her eagerly to see. The door swung open.

  Honey stared.

  A strange woman stood on the doormat, but that wasn’t who Honey was staring at. Sitting next to her was an enormous puppy. A Great Dane puppy with huge, knuckly paws, big ears flopping on either side of a chubby little face, and wrinkles across its forehead.

  “Mama?” The puppy bounced up and wriggled like a happy worm. It ran towards Honey and tripped on the doormat. Picking itself up, the puppy jumped into Honey’s face, panting milky puppy breath everywhere.

  Ugh! Honey staggered backwards, stumbling over the puppy, and they fell
together in a tangle of legs and paws.

  “Aw... aren’t they gorgeous together?” Olivia cooed. “Look at them! Best friends already.”

  Honey pulled her head out from under the puppy’s bum and gaped at Olivia. What? She knew humans could be slow sometimes, but... had Olivia lost her tennis balls?

  “This is great.” Olivia smiled at the strange woman. “I’m sure Honey will be much happier with a pet sitter while I’m away, rather than going into a kennel—especially now that she has little Bean as a playmate! I hope you and Bean will enjoy staying here.”

  Staying here? Honey stared in horror. What did she mean, staying here? I’m an Only Dog, thank you very much! I’m certainly not sharing my home with a puppy!

  “Bean looks just like you did at ten weeks.” Olivia chuckled, fondling Honey’s ears. “In fact, I think your paws were even bigger! Let’s hope she doesn’t end up a monster drooler like you, though.” She smiled. “Aw, I can just see you two cuddling up to sleep together.”

  No way. Honey snorted. That pup was definitely not coming on her bed. And she was definitely not—

  Oomph! Honey staggered again as something hit her, smacking her head against the hall table.

  “Mama!” The puppy bounced around.

  “I’m not your mama,” Honey growled. “Ow! Stop it! That hurts.” She jerked back as Bean grabbed her jowls with sharp puppy teeth.

  Then the puppy saw Honey’s tail. She let go of Honey’s jowls and pounced on her tail instead. “Yummy!”

  “No, not yummy,” Honey said hastily, pulling her tail out of the way. “That’s my tail.”

  “Tail?”

  “Yes, you have one too—look.” Honey nudged the little one’s behind.

  The puppy turned, saw her own tail, and bounced with delight. “Yummy!” And started chasing her own tail in a circle.

  Honey looked at her human beseechingly. You can’t seriously be leaving me with this! But Olivia just laughed as she watched Bean with that silly look humans get on their faces when they think something is “adorable”.

  “Well, I must dash or I’ll be late for my train,” Olivia said, grabbing her bags and turning to give Honey a final pat.

  No! Honey put on her best Sad Dog Eyes and whined.

  Olivia looked solemnly at Honey. “Don’t be silly now. Be a good girl and look after Bean. I’m counting on you.” She kissed Honey’s nose. “Bye!”

  The door slammed after her.

  Honey looked around in dismay. The Pet Sitter had gone into the kitchen, leaving her alone with the puppy, who was now trying to eat the couch. There was a horrible ripping sound as Bean chewed through the outer cover.

  “No, no—don’t do that!” Honey cried.

  Bean stopped and looked up at her. “Why?”

  “Um... because we shouldn’t chew the furniture.”

  “Why?”

  “Because... because good doggies don’t chew the furniture,” Honey said. “You want to be a good doggie, don’t you?”

  “Why?”

  “Because... oh, ticks!” Honey took a deep breath. “Look, just wait there, OK? I’ll get you something you can chew!” She hurried into the study, looking wildly around for a toy. Any toy. Ah—there! Under the desk. An old rubber bone. That would do. She grabbed it and hurried back into the living room, then stopped in her tracks. What was that awful smell?

  “I poo!” Bean said proudly.

  “What?” Honey stared in horror at the big pile of squishy, brown poo on the carpet. “No, no, Bean! You mustn’t poo in the house!”

  “Why?”

  “Because... because... You just mustn’t, that’s why,” Honey said. “All doggies must only poo outside. In the garden or in the park. But never in the house. Do you understand?”

  Bean looked puzzled. “Wee-wee too?”

  “Yes, wee-wee too,” Honey said firmly. “All outside. Only outside.” She looked worriedly at Bean. “Do you want to do a wee-wee now?”

  Bean bounced. “Yes! Wee-wee now!”

  “OK, OK! Just hold it,” Honey said desperately as she turned and ran into the kitchen. The Pet Sitter was standing by the kettle, fussing with a cup and spoon. Honey rushed over and nudged her. The woman looked at her blankly. Honey nudged her again, then walked to the doorway of the kitchen and looked back. The woman grinned and turned back to the kettle.

  Oh, for barking out loud! Honey gritted her teeth. What dog could pull off a Lassie when you had such a dumb human to work with?

  She went back and whined again, pleading with her eyes. It took her five long minutes before the Pet Sitter understood what she wanted, and by the time they came back into the hallway, there was a little yellow puddle next to the poo.

  “Oh, Bean!” The Pet Sitter gasped. “You naughty pup! You bad girl!”

  The Great Dane puppy looked up with big, scared eyes. Hunching over and making herself as small as she could, Bean crept to a corner of the room, hanging her head. Honey watched as the Pet Sitter cleaned up the mess and stomped back to the kitchen.

  It was quiet now. No puppy bouncing in her face, no puppy teeth nipping her skin, no puppy squeals in her ears. How nice to have peace again! Honey told herself. She climbed on her bed and resolutely shut her eyes. But sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind kept straying back to that little shape huddled in the corner.

  Honey raised her head and looked over at Bean. It was none of her business, really. The puppy had been bad and should have been told off. Every dog knows you mustn’t toilet in the house. Still, Bean did look so little and scared.

  Honey got up and went over to the puppy. Bean peeked at her and whispered, “Me bad girl?”

  Honey hesitated, then gave the top of the puppy’s head a quick lick. “No... it was an accident.”

  The puppy looked down at her paws again, the wrinkles furrowing even deeper on her brow.

  Honey tried again. “Er... do you want my chew bone?”

  The puppy’s only response was to sink even lower. Honey looked back at her bed, then at the puppy. She gave her head a shake. I don’t believe I’m doing this. She nudged the puppy gently with her nose. “Would you like to come on my bed with me?”

  Bean brightened and gave a little bounce. It was just a small one, but Honey felt her heart warm. She led the puppy back to her bed and settled back in the middle. Bean snuggled close against her belly. A faint rumble of little snores soon filled the air. Honey looked down at the soft bundle next to her, at the oversized ears and the huge baby paws.

  She’s rather cute, Honey thought with surprise. Gently, she lowered her head down, curving her neck around Bean. It was strange sharing her bed, she thought, shifting around—she wasn’t sure she liked it. Still, she didn’t want to disturb the puppy, so she would just lie here a bit longer. There was no way, though, that she would fall asleep...

  Honey was woken by a thump. She jerked her head up. The space next to her was empty.

  Bean?

  She sprang off the bed, sniffing anxiously for the puppy’s scent. Then she stopped in relief. Bean was sitting by the front door, waiting while a leash was clipped onto her collar. The Pet Sitter held up Honey’s leash too and smiled.

  “Come along, Honey! Time for your walk!”

  IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON—THE time when most dogs like to walk their humans—and the streets were full of canines busily leading the way to the park. As they rounded the corner, Honey caught sight of Ruffster, the mongrel mutt who lived down the street. He was his usual scruffy self, his fur sticking up in odd places and one ear up, one ear down. He wagged his tail as soon as he saw her and dragged his hapless owner over to join them.

  “You heard the news, mate?” He panted as they fell into step beside each other.

  “What news?” Honey furrowed her brow. “You mean about the new pet store?”

  “Nah, mate! There’s some pups gone missin’. That Golden Retriever who lives on the other side of the cemetery—lovely girl, I knew her mother—anyway, her first litter it was
, ready to go to their new homes and all, but when they checked this mornin’... All gone! Real state she was in. Her people are puttin’ up posters everywhere.” Ruffster sat down and scratched his upright ear. “Who’s that little tyke? Your family got a new pup too?”

  Honey swung around and saw Bean, who was trying to eat a lamp post.

  “Oh no,” said Honey hastily, “she belongs to my Pet Sitter. They’re just staying at my house while my human is away.”

  “Better keep an eye on her,” Ruffster said as they all walked into the park together. “Somethin’ weird’s going on. I feel it in my tail.”

  The humans unclipped their leashes as they entered the park and Ruffster trotted ahead towards the pond with Bean scampering beside him to keep up. Honey followed more sedately, pausing to check Peemail on a few bushes along the way. But before she could do more than give a cursory sniff, she heard Ruffster calling her name. She looked up, then hurried over to join him and the group of dogs milling around the pond. Something was wrong. Usually there would have been a flurry of bum-sniffing and tail-wagging, but today everybody stood in a worried silence.

  Ruffster looked at her grimly. “More pups have gone missin’. Two from those houses by the river and three from the pet store.”

  Honey stared at him, then at the other dogs. “Maybe the humans...?”

  “Nah, it’s not the humans. They’re all real upset too.” Ruffster prodded something on the ground with his paw. “Look—they found one o’ these left behind every time pups went missin’.”

  Honey leaned down and sniffed carefully. It seemed to be a big black beetle with a hard, shiny shell. Stiff and dead now, with its legs curled close to its body, it gave off a sickly-sweet scent. “What is it?” She cocked her head.

  “I’ve seen something like it!” A dog spoke up. It was Suka the Siberian Husky, her blue eyes bright with excitement. “When I was helping my Boy with his homework—one of his books from school has a picture that looks just like this. It comes from a faraway place called Egypt. It’s a scarab and it means death.”