was then that Sookie had slinked out from behind the sofa and looked at me with that awful, superior gaze that all cats seem to have.
‘Well, that’s you done for,’ she’d said. I hadn’t understood, and she wasn’t willing to explain. But ever since, I’d been looking for clues, something to explain what was going on – and ideas on how to make things better.
The next morning, Amy had sat Jack and Claire down and explained things to them. I’d listened in, of course, but all I’d managed to understand was that Jim had gone away, and we all needed to help out and do our bit to keep things together.
Well. That was easy! I would be the most helpful dog they could ever wish for.
I started by checking in on Jack and Claire at bedtime. Sometimes, Claire would be crying when I stopped by her room, so I’d jump up on her bed and snuggle for a while, until she felt better, or fell asleep. (I wasn’t really supposed to go on the beds, but I figured these were special circumstances. Besides, Claire’s bed is really comfy.)
Next, I made a point of helping keep the place clean and tidy by eating up any scraps of food that found their way onto the floor. But then I decided that wasn’t helpful enough, so I started jumping up onto the kitchen chairs to clean off the plates that got left there after meals, sometimes. They were always very clean by the time I’d finished licking them.
Amy didn’t seem to appreciate this as much as I thought she would, and after a while, Jack started putting all the plates in the dishwasher as soon as they’d finished eating. So I started looking for other ways to help, instead.
One big worry I had was that there were a lot fewer walks for me. Jack would take me out to explore the park sometimes, but he usually met up with his mates and made me sit around on my lead while I waited for him to finish chatting. Claire was only allowed to take me as far as the local shop and back on her own, and I already knew all the scents along that route, so it was a bit boring. Also, sometimes Sookie followed us too – I always suspected that she was Claire’s favourite.
Amy didn’t seem to have time for walks at all, any more. But I knew that she always felt better after we’d been out for one, so I started grabbing my lead from the hook in the hallway, then dashing out the front door whenever it was opened, so she’d have to follow and chase me. By the time she caught me and clipped on my lead, and we’d walked home again, we’d both got some exercise and fresh air. Amy never seemed very grateful for it, but I knew it was helping, really.
Still, overall, the atmosphere in the Walker household was not as bright and cheerful as I was used to – and Jim hadn’t been back once. Despite my best efforts, my family were suffering.
But then this morning, everything changed.
Amy sprang down the stairs with a sense of purpose, shoving things into her bag and making sandwiches by the loaf. Something was happening – and I really wanted to know what.
‘Jack! Where’s your blue rucksack?’ Amy yelled up the stairs. I pressed closer to the table by the front door as I watched.
‘Can I take my tablet?’ Claire asked, holding up her electronic device.
‘Definitely not,’ Amy replied. ‘Why don’t you take that new book Gran bought you?’
‘What blue rucksack?’ Jack appeared at the top of the stairs, still wearing his pyjamas.
‘Jack! You’re not dressed!’ Amy’s face was turning a little red.
‘Because I don’t want to go,’ Jack said. ‘I told you that.’
‘Well … tough. We’re all going. It’s going to be an adventure.’ Adventure. I liked the sound of that word! ‘Now, find that rucksack.’
‘What rucksack?’ Jack asked again. ‘And why do I have to go? Take Claire.’
‘I’m taking both of you,’ Amy said. ‘So go and find the rucksack I bought you for your Duke of Edinburgh trip and get dressed.’
Jack stared down at his mother for a long moment. I knew that look. He was deciding if he could push her any further.
Apparently he decided he couldn’t.
‘That rucksack is red,’ he said, grumbling, but he headed back to his room to get ready, all the same.
Which just left me wondering – getting ready for what? Amy hadn’t said. She’d said they were all going on an adventure – but did that include me? I hoped so. And if not … well, maybe I’d just grab my lead and follow after them! I wasn’t going to miss out on what could be the most fun any of us had had in weeks!
‘Well. This looks interesting.’ Sookie brushed up beside me as she sat herself in her usual spot, next to the radiator. ‘What do you think is going on?’
‘We’re getting ready to go somewhere,’ I said, watching Amy as she bustled about between the kitchen and the hall, gathering things together.
‘Obviously.’ Sookie swept her fluffy tail from side to side on the wooden floor. ‘But where?’
‘An adventure.’ I couldn’t keep the excitement out of my voice.
Sookie rolled her eyes, and headed off towards the kitchen. ‘Bo-ring.’ Cats. They have no sense of adventure at all.
Amy reappeared in the hallway again, Claire trailing along behind her.
‘If I had my own phone, I could play on that on the train,’ Claire said. ‘I mean, I am twelve now. All my friends have them, you know.’
‘We said we’d talk about a phone when you’re thirteen.’ Amy didn’t even turn to look at her as she replied. Given how many times they’d had this argument, I wasn’t very surprised.
‘I’m just saying, I’m almost thirteen.’
‘You turned twelve in October. Two months ago.’
‘And a phone would make a brilliant Christmas present,’ Claire went on, oblivious to her mother’s attempt to use logic against her.
Sighing, Amy turned back to look at her daughter. ‘Claire, we’ve talked about this. You know Christmas is going to be a little … different this year. And big presents like that, they’re just not on the cards right now, I’m afraid.’
Claire’s expression turned stormy. She often got that look just before she clipped on my lead and dragged me down to the shops full pelt. I like a walk as much as the next dog, but when Claire is on a full speed sulk there’s no time to enjoy it.
‘Fine,’ she said, folding her arms over her chest. ‘I’ll just ask Dad, then.’
Amy looked away, a sudden sadness in her eyes. It made me want to go snuggle up against her, for comfort. ‘You do that.’
The tension continued as Amy finished packing her bag – and Jack’s red rucksack, after he tossed it down the stairs. Claire sat at the kitchen table, just within eyesight of the hallway, still glaring. Sookie wandered past to weave between Claire’s legs as they dangled down from the chair, but Claire didn’t even reach down to pet her.
I
