‘Okay,’ she sighed, obviously realising this was a battle she was unlikely to win.
As I trailed behind Jenny up the stairs, I glanced behind me and saw Gail’s eyes were still filled with worry. I knew I had only just arrived in their home, but I did feel my new owner was overreacting a bit. Jenny was right, she had only been in a car for a couple of hours, she had hardly been chasing rabbits all morning.
As we reached her room, Jenny pushed open the door and I gazed in wonder at the posters of Justin Bieber and One Direction that lined every wall. Opposite the window stood a single bed with a patterned bedspread and a big stuffed cuddly teddy bear, which was propped up against the pillows. I glanced to my right and saw the bookshelf on the wall nearest the door was filled with books on horses and ponies. I could see at a glance it was a girl’s room and one Jenny was obviously very proud of.
‘Welcome to my room, Percy.’ She grinned down at me.
‘Thank you for inviting me,’ I barked solemnly.
‘What do you think?’ she asked, whirling around the room.
‘It’s very nice,’ I yapped as she scooped me into her arms and sat us both on her bed.
‘I knew you’d love it, Percy.’ She smiled, settling me onto her lap.
Once we were both comfy, she lay down and I stretched out along her legs.
‘We’re going to have such a good time together, I’ve got it all planned out,’ she said excitedly. ‘We’re going to play brilliant games, and I’m going to be the one that lets you out for a wee every morning. Dad says that even though I’m poorly, I’ve got to learn responsibility, whatever that means.’
I uncurled my tail with pleasure. This sounded wonderful already, and I rather liked the idea of me and this little girl spending some precious alone time together, even if it was just so I could spend a penny.
‘I’ve also made you a special sort of bedroom in the kitchen downstairs, where I’ve put your bed, your food and water,’ she continued eagerly. ‘And Mum’s knitted you a new blanket to keep you warm and Dad’s got you a brilliant new collar with your name and our phone number engraved on it.’
This was getting better and better and I let out a little enthusiastic bark, wanting to show Jenny just how much I approved of everything she was telling me. Javier had never gone to such trouble, but then he and I preferred napping on the sofa to going out too much. Perhaps this spelled the start of more walks and I wondered if Gail might be persuaded to kit me out in one of those cute little coats when winter arrived that I’d seen other pugs wear in the park. My mind wandered as I imagined myself trotting next to Jenny, Simon and, of course Gail, dressed in a checked waterproof jacket that would not only keep me cosy and dry, but complement my glossy black fur. I was so busy imagining myself looking stylish at the park, I lost track of what Jenny was saying and only caught the last part of it.
‘. . . so when I’m in the hospital next month, I’d really love it if you could keep a special eye on Mum, please, Perce,’ she said quietly.
I barked at her again, trying not to sound alarmed. I knew Gail had mentioned something about Jenny being poorly, but hospital sounded serious. I yapped again, trying to get her to tell me more, but just as I opened my little mouth, the door opened and Gail’s beaming face appeared around the door.
‘How are you two getting on?’ she asked.
Jenny smiled down happily at me. ‘Brilliant, Mum. I’ve just been showing Percy my room and he loves it.’
‘That’s great, sweetheart.’ She smiled. ‘But it’s time for a nap now.’
‘No way!’ she protested. ‘Me and Perce are having the best time. I want us to play a game now.’
My eyes met Gail’s and I saw her eyes were still filled with worry. I turned to Jenny and realised she looked exhausted. Her eyes appeared grey instead of a sparkling blue and her skin was sallow. With a start, I wondered if the hospital visit Jenny had mentioned a few moments ago had something to do with the reason Gail was keen for her daughter to take a nap. I wanted to help. If Jenny had to sleep, the last thing she needed was me distracting her. Opening my mouth wide as if to yawn, I slumped my face onto my front paws and shut my eyes as if I were ready for bed. The action was not lost on Gail, who, I was relieved to find, quickly took advantage of my actions.
‘Well, look at Percy,’ she said gently. ‘He needs a nap because he’s had a big day. He’s falling asleep on your legs, so how about I take him downstairs and let him have a little rest in his new bed. Then you can play games and we’ll give him a full tour after you’ve both had a nap.’
‘Okay,’ Jenny replied sulkily.
As Gail picked me up, she planted a kiss on Jenny’s forehead and then mine. Turning back to glance at her as Gail shut her bedroom door, I was delighted to see the little girl was already fast asleep.
Gail drew her head back and regarded me curiously. ‘I’ve no idea if you can understand what I’m saying, but that’s a couple of times now you’ve helped me out of a sticky situation.’
‘I can understand you loud and clear,’ I replied with a soft whine.
As we padded down the stairs together, Gail beckoned me to follow her. ‘Come on then,’ she said encouragingly, ‘time to see where you’ll be sleeping.’
I trotted eagerly behind her and into the big square kitchen/diner. There was no denying it, Simon was right again, Gail and Jenny had indeed created a luxurious corner for me so I could relax. My large new bed was right next to the radiator so I’d be warm, while the bed itself was dressed in blanket after cosy-looking blanket, with a softer than soft hand-knitted patchwork blanket on top. I realised they smelled of Gail and felt instantly comforted, I was so excited to dive right in. I turned around and looked over at Gail and Simon who were standing at the kitchen doorway, arms wrapped around each other, smiling indulgently at me.
‘Go on,’ Gail coaxed, ‘this is your home now, Percy, just shut your eyes for a bit and have a rest.’
Excited, I turned back to my new bed and placed first one paw then another into the blankets. Soft, squishy and oh so warm, it felt like heaven as I walked around in little circles to try to get comfortable. Once I had found the perfect spot, I sank my head into the nice warm space I had carved out for myself. I needed very little encouragement, as I glanced once more at a delighted-looking Gail and Simon, I shut my eyes and immediately fell asleep.
*
‘If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, Gail, we can afford it,’ Simon said, his rasping tones waking me from my slumber.
‘I know you keep saying we can afford it, but I just don’t see how,’ Gail protested, as I opened my eyes and saw her emptying the dishwasher. ‘Holidays are expensive, and I know it’s just a week away in the Lakes but, if we go back down to Barnstaple instead, we can stay with my parents for free.’
‘But then it’s not a holiday, love. We’ll get bogged down seeing friends, looking after your parents and doing the things we used to do when we lived down there. If old Mrs Shand finds out I’m back, she’ll have me servicing her boiler for free and you know I won’t be able to resist.’
‘That Mrs Shand won’t just want her boiler serviced if she finds out you’re back! You’re too kind for your own good.’ Gail grinned, swatting him with a tea towel. ‘And I know we need a proper holiday, love, but now I’ve given up my job in the café to home-school Jenny, every penny counts.’
‘So why did you decide now was a good time to get a dog, if money is such a worry?’ Simon spat.
I felt a stab of alarm as I opened one eye and saw Simon rest his back against the sink, his arms folded in what looked like fury.
‘That’s not