Alfie All Alone Read online

  For Alice, Max and Georgie

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  “Evie, did you put these in the trolley?” Evie’s mum was staring at a packet of rice cakes, looking confused.

  “No. Why would I, Mum, they look horrible.” Evie made a face. “It was you, don’t you remember? You said they might be nice to nibble on when you were feeling sick. But I bet they’ll just make you feel even more sick.”

  Her mum sighed. “You’re probably right. She smiled apologetically at the assistant who was waiting for them to pay. “Sorry. I seem to be a bit forgetful at the moment.”

  The girl smiled back. “That’s OK. My sister’s pregnant and she locked herself out of the house twice last week. How long until the baby’s due?”

  “Another nine weeks.” Evie’s mum sighed. “The time just seems to be creeping past at the moment.” She patted her enormous tummy.

  “Mum, can I go and look at the noticeboard?” Evie asked. She was getting a bit bored with baby talk. Ever since her mum’s bump had begun to show, complete strangers had started talking to them in the street, asking about the baby. They always asked Evie how she felt about having a little brother or sister, and she was sick of having to smile and say she was looking forward to it. She was, but the fussing was starting to get on her nerves. And she had a horrible feeling that it would get a lot worse after the baby arrived.

  “Of course you can. Actually, Evie, see if anyone’s selling any baby stuff. It would be a good way to find some bargains.”

  Evie sighed quietly. Honestly, did Mum ever think about anything else? She wandered over to the big board behind the Customer Service point where they put up the advertisements. You could find some really fun things sometimes. Once she’d spotted an advert for a pair of nearly new roller blades that someone had grown out of – she’d been able to afford them with her pocket money, and they were great.

  She browsed through vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, a girl offering to babysit – and then caught her breath in delight. The next ad was larger than some of the others, and it had a photo attached – a basket of the cutest little white dogs, all clambering over each other. One of them was grinning out at Evie, a naughty glint in his eye.

  WESTIE PUPPIES READY

  FOR HOMES NOW

  REASONABLE PRICE

  Call Mrs Wilson on 295561

  Evie sighed adoringly. That puppy was gorgeous! She had to show him to Mum. She looked back over at the till to see if she was done yet. Her mum was looking round for her, and Evie waved, and then dashed over.

  “Come and see! You’ll love it. Anyway, you shouldn’t be pushing that on your own, Mum, Dad would be really cross.” Evie helped her mum with the trolley, giving her a stern glare.

  “Dad is a fusspot.” Mum chuckled. “What am I looking at?” She stared at the board, trying to work out what Evie was so excited about. “We’re not buying a trampoline, Evie,” she said, grinning. “And we definitely don’t want a speedboat!”

  “No, look, I just wanted you to see this cute photo.” Evie pointed out the basket of puppies. “Aren’t they sweet?”

  “Oh, yes, they’re lovely. What sort of dog are they? Westies…” Mum gazed thoughtfully at the photo. “Westies are quite small dogs, aren’t they?” she mused quietly.

  Evie nodded. “I think Mrs Jackson down the road’s got a Westie. You know, Tyson? He’s gorgeous.”

  “Mmmm.” Evie’s mum nodded. “OK. I suppose you’re going to insist on pushing this trolley now, aren’t you? Actually, Evie, do you want to go and look at the animal magazines – I have to go to the loo again.” She sighed theatrically. “Don’t move from the magazines, I’ll only be a minute.”

  As soon as Evie set off, her mum scrabbled hastily in her handbag for a pen. Then she made a note of the name and phone number from the puppy advert on her till receipt, and hurried after Evie.

  As they drove home, Evie gazed out of the window, day-dreaming about puppies. She had no idea that her mum was sneaking glances at her every so often. Over the last few weeks, Evie’s mum and dad had been worrying about how the new baby was going to affect her. After all, eight was quite old to suddenly have a new baby brother or sister. Evie seemed to be happy about it, but it was difficult to tell. They’d been wondering what they could do to stop her feeling left out, and it was only the day before that Evie’s dad had thought of getting her a puppy. Her mum hadn’t been too sure.

  “Won’t it be a lot of hassle, just before the baby comes?” she’d worried.

  “We’ve got a few weeks. And the point is that Evie would be doing all the looking after – it’ll give her something to fuss over when we’re fussing over the baby.” Evie’s dad was really enthusiastic. He liked dogs, and he knew Evie would love a puppy. After all, a puppy had been at the top of her Christmas list for the last three years. Her parents had always said she wasn’t quite old enough – mostly because Evie’s mum thought having a dog would be a lot of work. But Evie’s dad had been trying hard to convince her, so the Westie ad had turned up at the perfect time.

  “What are you thinking about, Evie?” Mum asked her, smiling. “You’re miles away.”

  Evie grinned. “Just that lovely dog. I know we can’t have a puppy, but if we did, I’d like one just like him…”

  Evie’s dad got home just in time to help make dinner, and Evie told him about the little white dog as she was setting the table.

  “Puppies? For sale now?” he asked thoughtfully.

  Evie saw him exchange a glance with her mum and caught her breath, her eyes widening in sudden hope. She looked back and forth between them. Her dad was grinning. “Funny you should spot that ad today, Evie. Your mum and I were talking last night. We’ve been thinking about getting you a dog and just now seems the right time.”

  Evie could hardly believe her ears.

  “You mean it?” she breathed delightedly.

  Mum nodded. “If you think you can look after a dog properly. It’s a big responsibility.”

  Evie nodded so hard she made her neck ache. “I know, I know. I can!”

  Mum smiled. “So, shall I ring the lady with these puppies? You’d like a Westie?”

  Evie just gaped at them. She’d wanted a dog for so long, and her parents had always said, “Maybe,” and “Perhaps when you’re older.” Then she suddenly realized what her mum had just said and squeaked, “Yes! Yes, please!”

  Evie hardly ate any tea. She watched her parents eating impatiently, and when her dad had swallowed his last mouthful of pasta she snatched the plate away to put in the washing-up.

  “Hey! Evie! I was going to have seconds!” He smiled. “OK, OK. Let’s put you out of your misery.”

  Evie waited anxiously while her mum called the number. What if all the puppies had gone? After all, they didn’t know how long the advertisement had been up there. She sat on the stair listening to her mum. It was horribly difficult to work out what was going on, but eventually her mum said, “Great. Well, we’ll come round tomorrow morning. Thanks!” and then she put the phone down and beamed at Evie.

  “I’m getting a puppy!” Evie gasped, jumping up and down in excitement. “I can’t believe it! I have to go round and tell Gran!”

  Evie’s gran lived a couple of streets away, with her own two dogs, Ben the spaniel, and Tigger, who was a greyhound cross with crazy stripes. Evie heard them barking madly as she rang the doorbell. She grinned to herself. She couldn’t wait to in
troduce Ben and Tigger to her new puppy!

  “Guess what, guess what!” she gabbled as Gran opened the door. “I’m getting a dog!” She didn’t manage to say much after that as Tigger was jumping up and trying to lick her face.

  “Down, Tigger! Stop it, silly boy, it’s only Evie, you see her every day!” Gran shooed the dogs away and went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. “Darling, did you say you were getting a dog?”

  “A puppy! Mum and Dad are giving me a puppy – we’re going to pick one out tomorrow morning.” Evie sighed blissfully. She wasn’t sure she could wait that long.

  Gran looked confused. “But … just before the baby arrives?”

  Evie nodded happily. Then she leaned over the table, lowering her voice as though she were telling secrets. “They didn’t say, but I think it’s to make me feel better about the baby,” she explained.

  Her grandma nodded thoughtfully. “Well, everyone would understand if you found it difficult, Evie, you know that, don’t you?”

  “Gran, you know I’m really looking forward to it.” Evie laughed. “And now I’ll have a puppy as well!” She beamed at Gran, expecting her to be really excited. But Gran was stirring her tea thoughtfully. “What’s the matter?” Evie asked, frowning.

  “Nothing, Evie. It’s lovely news. It’s just…” Gran sipped her tea, thinking what to say. “I’m just wondering if this is the right time. With the baby coming. A new puppy will be a lot of work, you know.”

  Evie shook her head. “Don’t worry. I know about looking after dogs from helping with Ben and Tigger, and Dad knows loads about them too.” Evie bent down to scratch Tigger behind his ears, so she didn’t see her gran’s worried face. “I’ve wanted a dog for so long! I still can’t believe it’s really happening!” Evie gave Tigger an excited hug. Tomorrow she was going to meet her own puppy for the first time!

  Chapter Two

  Evie just couldn’t stay in bed the next morning. She usually loved having a lie-in on Saturdays after getting up for school all week, but today she was much too excited. She hardly ate any breakfast either – she just stirred her chocolate cereal in circles till it looked like mud.

  “You might as well eat it, you know, Evie,” her mum pointed out, slowly buttering a piece of toast. “We’re not going yet. I told Mrs Wilson we’d be there at ten.”

  “But that’s hours away!” Evie wailed.

  “MrsWilson has to feed the puppies and tidy their run and get everything ready,” her mum explained. “We can’t go round before then.”

  “I suppose so,” Evie agreed reluctantly. She trailed upstairs, wondering what she was going to do to fill a whole hour before they could leave. Then she had a brainwave. She’d go and look up puppies on the Net, to try and find out about looking after a dog. Evie settled down and before long was busy making notes. By the time her mum called her down, Evie’s head was bursting with information about feeding, walking, vaccinations and training. It was a lot to think about. But she knew she could do it!

  “Oh, look! He’s all shy!” Evie giggled, and stretched out her hand to the fluffy white puppy who was peeping out at her round his mother. He took a step back, then curiosity got the better of him. Tail slowly wagging, he began to sneak forwards to where Evie was sitting on the floor.

  “He’s a little cutie, that one, probably my favourite,” MrsWilson said fondly. “I’m going to miss him – he’s such a sweet-natured dog.”

  Mum shook her head. “I don’t know how you can bear to see them go. They’re all so gorgeous.” She scratched the puppy she was cuddling under the chin, and the little dog snuff led happily at her fingers.

  “Well, this is the last time I’ll have to, actually.” MrsWilson sighed. “Lady and I are getting too old for puppies! We’re retiring, aren’t we, my special girl?” She patted the puppies’ mother, a beautiful snow-white dog with melting brown eyes. “We’re going to live by the sea. Lady loves walking along the beach. And getting soaking wet!”

  Evie could have sworn that Lady’s eyes sparkled naughtily. That was the amazing thing about her and the puppies – they all seemed so bright and intelligent. Then the fluffy little boy puppy suddenly nuzzled at her hand, and she squeaked in delight. She’d been watching Lady and not noticed him creeping up on her.

  “He seems to have taken a shine to you, Evie.” Dad laughed, watching the puppy chasing Evie’s fingers as she danced her hand up and down.

  Evie nodded, and then looked seriously at both Mum and Dad. “Is it really up to me to choose?” she asked worriedly. “I mean, all four of them are wonderful.”

  “It’s a hard job,” Dad agreed. “But we can’t take them all.”

  Evie giggled as the little boy puppy mountaineered up her jeans, trying to climb into her lap. She helped him out with a boost under his scrabbly little back paws, and he heaved himself up. Then he turned round four times, gave a great sigh of satisfaction and went to sleep curled up tight in a little white ball.

  Evie looked up, her eyes glowing. “This one,” she said firmly.

  “Mmm, I don’t think you had much choice,” Dad agreed, smiling. “He’s definitely chosen you! Now you just have to think of a name for him.”

  Evie smiled. “I know what I’m going to call him. His name is Alfie.”

  Mum and Dad gazed at the little puppy. “That’s a lovely name,” said Mum. “He looks just like an Alfie.”

  It was a wrench to leave Alfie behind, but Evie knew she’d see him again the next day. He’d be coming home with them! Now they just had to get everything they needed to look after him. MrsWilson had given them a list, and Evie studied it in the car on the way to the pet shop.

  “Basket. Food bowl. Water bowl. Collar. Lead. Harness. Chew toys,” she muttered.

  Dad sighed. “Nearly as bad as the baby,” he moaned. “You sure little Alfie doesn’t need a cot as well, Evie?”

  It was so exciting later that afternoon to see the basket with its smart red cushion waiting in a warm spot in the kitchen, and the collar and lead hanging from one of the coat-hooks in the hallway. Everything was ready for Alfie to come home.

  “Oh look, he’s found his new basket!”

  Evie and her parents were watching Alfie explore his new home. He was trotting around on unsteady paws, sniffing at everything.

  “A-choo!” Alfie sneezed and stepped back, shaking his head.

  “Ooops!” said Dad. “I didn’t know my wellies smelled that bad. Let’s leave him to settle in.”

  That night, Evie sneaked back down to the kitchen after her bedtime to check Alfie was OK. He’d eaten all his dinner and seemed to have made himself at home, but she was worried that he would be lonely, as he was used to sleeping with his mum and his brother and sisters. Alfie had been lying awake. He’d been trying to make sense of all the strange things that had been happening that day. His first car journey; the new house; a new basket to sleep in. And new people. They seemed very nice – the girl smelled friendly, which was important.

  The door clicked softly open and Alfie’s ears pricked up. It was the girl, Evie. “Sssh!” she murmured. “We mustn’t let Mum and Dad hear us, Alfie. You’re supposed to stay in your basket, but I bet you’re scared down here on your own. I’m taking you up to my bedroom instead. Mrs Wilson said you were very well house-trained, so I’ll put some newspaper down for you, OK? Mum would be cross if you weed on my carpet!” She snuggled him close as they crept up the stairs, and Alfie settled into her arms. This was much better than a basket, even a nice one like he’d been given.

  Of course, Evie’s mum and dad soon worked out exactly what was going on, but they were so glad that Alfie was settling in, and making Evie so happy, that they pretended not to notice. From that night on, Alfie slept on Evie’s bed every night, snoring gently.

  It didn’t take long for Alfie to become part of the family. He was such a friendly little dog. After a couple of weeks, when he’d had all his injections, he was allowed to go out for walks, which meant he could go to sch
ool to pick up Evie. She loved coming out to see Mum waiting with Alfie on his bright red lead. Usually it was twisted all round his paws and he tripped over it as he tried to race over to her. Her friends were all really jealous, and Alfie got petted and stroked by everyone. Then they’d head home and Alfie would watch TV with Evie on the sofa. He soon decided on his favourite programmes, and he got very good at singing along to the theme tunes in a tuneful howl.

  Mum hadn’t been so sure about getting a dog, but Alfie won her over very quickly. He loved people, and he followed her round the house as she did the housework. He was far better company than the radio! And whenever she sat down, he rested his head on her feet.

  Of course, Alfie didn’t have to work hard to charm Evie’s gran. She was always popping over to see him and Evie, and it was great to have her to ask about dog-training tips. It only took Alfie a few days to learn about asking to go outside and Gran warned Evie not to give him too many doggy chocolates as a reward, as he was starting to look a bit tubby!

  Once Alfie could meet up with other dogs, Evie took him round to Gran’s house to be introduced to Ben and Tigger. Alfie was a little shy at first – they were a lot bigger than he was, especially Tigger – but after half an hour he was chasing them round the garden. Ben the spaniel soon worked out a good way to calm Alfie down when he was being too puppyish and excitable – he sat on him! Evie panicked the first time he did it, but Gran said it would probably be good for Alfie to have an older dog bossing him around, and that Ben wouldn’t hurt him.

  Evie and Dad soon got into the habit of taking Alfie for an evening walk after dinner. It gave Mum the chance to snooze on the sofa in front of the television. Now that the baby was getting really big, she was tired a lot of the time. Dad and Evie always took a ball with them, or Alfie’s favourite, a frisbee. Dad had spotted it in the pet shop and bought it for when Alfie was bigger, but once Alfie saw it, he didn’t want to wait. So what if the frisbee was almost as big as he was? He was very good at catching it – he could do massive leaps into mid-air, twisting and turning and snatching the frisbee as it fell. Then he’d haul it over the grass back to Evie, and sit panting exhaustedly for a minute, before yapping for them to throw it again. A couple of times he’d worn himself out so much that Dad had to carry him home and lay the exhausted puppy in his basket. Evie was so happy that Alfie had become part of the family – she couldn’t imagine life at home without him now.