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Ellie snuggled into her fleecy top, still shaking. At least Megan wasnt angry with her. She whined with pleasure as Megan stroked her ears.
She knew Megan would always be there to look after her.
Chapter Three
Ellie rested her chin on Megans shoulder, as she lovingly stroked her head over and over.
Megan! Mum was calling from inside. Megan stood up slowly, carrying Ellie. She was growing so fast! She had been so small when they got her, it had been easy to hold her like this. But now she was getting to be a real weight.
Oof, Ellie, my arms are going to fall off, Megan teased her lovingly, as she carried her up the garden. She felt Ellie tense up a little as they went into the kitchen to join Mum and Dad. Obviously she remembered Dad shouting at her. Hey, ssshhh, its OK, she whispered. But Ellie buried her nose in Megans neck and whimpered.
Is Ellie all right? Mum asked. She didnt get hurt too, did she?[54]
Megan shook her head. No, I think shes just a bit upset. She didnt know what was going on. Im really sorry she tripped you up, Dad. Hows your ankle?
Dad had it propped up on the chair in front of him, covered by a bag of frozen peas. Ill live. But this has made us think[55], Megan. Mum and I have talked it over, and were sure its the right thing to do now
What is? Megan asked cautiously. From the way Mum and Dad were looking, she had a feeling it was going to be something she wouldnt like.
Ellies really been getting in the way[56] while weve been packing, Megan, Mum explained. Its going to be the same when the removal men are loading up, and when were unpacking at the new house, too. Its just not practical having a puppy around. Dad could have been hurt[57] really badly.
She didnt mean to,[58] Megan pleaded. Shes only little. She wasnt trying to be naughty.
We know that, but were so busy, and no one has the time to exercise Ellie properly right now. So shes even bouncier and sillier than usual! Arent you, hey? Dad reached out very gently to stroke the puppy. Oh dear,[59] I really did frighten her[60], he said sadly, as he saw Ellies eyes widen nervously as he came close. It isnt fair on her.
Megan gulped. She could see that they were right she could hardly argue that Ellie wasnt getting in the way, when Dad was sitting there with a hurt ankle. But what are you going to do? she whispered. Youre not going to make us give her back to Mrs Johnston, are you? Mrs Johnston was the breeder who had sold Ellie to them. She felt tears starting to well up in her eyes. Please dont say we have to give her back! she choked out. It wasnt her fault, Ill be more careful, I promise!
Megan, Megan, calm down! Of course were not sending Ellie back. Mum laughed, hugging her and Ellie. This is only for a few days while we move. We dont want to get rid of Ellie, but when we first started planning the move, your gran said she could help out[61] and have Ellie for a bit if we needed her to. So I rang Gran just now, and she said shed love to have her. Shell drive up and get Ellie, and take her back to Woodlands Cottage until weve settled in[62] a bit, just for a couple of days. Well pick her up on Tuesday.
Were all going to be so busy, youll hardly notice shes gone, Dad said encouragingly.
Megan held Ellie tightly, feeling the warm weight in her arms. She didnt want to send Ellie away. Not when she was already upset. She was sure Ellie would hate it.
She wont understand, she said sadly. I know she loves Gran, but shes never stayed with her[63]. Shes never stayed anywhere without me! Shell think Ive abandoned her Shes really confused with all the packing already, and she doesnt understand whats going on. Couldnt I[64] just be really, really careful and keep her in the garden and not let her get in the way? Megan begged. I know Gran will look after her, but Ellies used to having me. Shell be miserable somewhere else. And Grans got a cat thats not going to work! Sid will hate having Ellie in the house!
Megan looked down at the puppy. Ellie quite liked chasing cats
Im sure your gran will sort them out, Dad said, smiling. Sid and Ellie will probably be curled up on the sofa together by the time we go and pick Ellie up.
Megan shook her head disbelievingly. Please? she whispered.
Mum sighed. Im sorry, Megan. Weve already had one accident. And I nearly squashed Ellie with that box this morning. This just isnt the right place for a puppy right now. And the new house, too. We dont really know what its like there might be all sorts of places where she could get herself into trouble. We need to check everything out first to make sure shes safe.
Ellie gave an anxious little whine. She could feel that Megan wasnt happy, and she didnt like it. She licked Megans cheek lovingly and looked at her with big, worried eyes.
Megan pressed her cheek gently against Ellies soft ears. It wasnt just Ellie who was going to hate this. Megan had been counting on[65] having Ellie to cheer her up over the next couple of days. It was going to be so hard to leave her old home and her best friend. And now it looked like she was going to have to do it all on her own.
* * *
Gran drove up from Westbury later that afternoon to pick Ellie up. Ellie had a special dog cage for travelling, and it just about fitted on the back seat of Grans car. Megan carefully packed up Ellies basket and blanket, and her bowls and food including her favourite bone-shaped biscuits. Then there was a bagful of toys, her lead, her blanket the list went on[66] and on.
Goodness, Gran murmured. How many dogs am I looking after?[67]
Thanks so much for doing this, said Megans mum. Its a huge help.
Ellie was trotting backwards and forwards after Megan as she carried all her things to make a pile in the hall. She was very confused about what was going on, but shed seen Megans dad moving her travel cage into Grans car, so she thought she and Megan must be going somewhere[68] with Gran. They had driven out for special walks in the woods with her before. It must be that. Though Ellie didnt see why she would need her basket and everything else just to go out for the day.
Right. Gran finished her cup of tea. Wed better be off then, if we dont want to get back too late. Well see you all on Tuesday. She hugged Megan. Oh, Im so excited about having you all living so close. Its going to be lovely.
Megan hugged her back. She was excited too, but she couldnt help worrying[69] about Ellie. Gran, you will make sure shes not lonely tonight, wont you? She usually sleeps on my bed, she reminded her anxiously.
Ill do my best[70], Gran promised. I think Sid would leave home if a dog came and tried to sleep on my bed with him, but how about I give Ellie a hot water bottle?
Megan nodded sadly, as she pictured Ellie spending the night on her own.
Its only for two days, Megan, Dad said, putting an arm around her shoulders. Ellie will be fine.
Ellie hopped into her cage happily enough, expecting Megan to come and sit next to her on the back seat. She would probably waggle her fingers through the door and tickle her ears.
But Gran was getting into the car without Megan. Ellie looked around anxiously, and barked to tell her shed made a mistake. Gran looked back over her shoulder, and smiled. Its all right, Ellie. Shh-shh. Dont worry, well see Megan again soon.
Ellie stared back at her. Yes, Megan. Gran must know what was wrong. Why were they going without Megan? She felt the vibrations as Gran started the car and howled in despair. Megan was being left behind![71] Ellie stood up on her hind legs in the cage, trying to look out of the window, but she could only see the side of the car and Grans seat in front.
Megan was clinging to her mums arm, trying to stop herself racing after Ellie and yelling at Gran to stop the car. Oh, Mum, listen to her howling, she said miserably. Shes so upset. Does she really have to go to Grans?