“It’s OK, Monty. Come on,” Amelie said, holding out his lead. “We’re going to the park – it’ll be fun!”
“Ready to go? I’m looking forward to this.” Dad came out of his office, rubbing his eyes. “I’ve been at the computer for too long.” Dad was about to go away for a conference, so he was working all hours trying to get everything done before he went. “Josh, are you sure you’re not coming?”
“Homework,” Josh growled from upstairs.
Dad got Monty’s lead and clipped it on, and Monty followed Amelie and Daisy out of the front door. He could tell from the way they turned that they were going down the alley to the back entrance of the park and his walk got bouncier. Were they going to the field? Maybe Amelie would run with him.
But then Dad led the way on to the path round the lake instead. Monty tugged at his lead, trying to pull towards the field, but Dad just said, “Heel, Monty,” and kept going. Monty followed, looking back regretfully at the long grass in the field. It was a warm day and the grass looked so cool and inviting.
Lots of people came over to make a fuss of Daisy – the park was full of dog-walkers since it was a Sunday. They were mostly people who’d seen Amelie with Monty before and they wanted to hear about the new dog. Amelie and Dad kept stopping and starting, and Monty was bored. He felt all fidgety, as though his paws were itching. He wanted to chase something.
Dad was holding him on a loose lead while they chatted to a lady with a spaniel when a pigeon walked past, right in front of his nose. Monty felt so full of energy he couldn’t resist. He leaped after it, barking loudly and almost pulling the lead out of Dad’s hand. The pigeon fluttered away with an indignant batting of wings. Dad stumbled, caught off balance, and put his foot down heavily right next to Daisy’s back paw. Daisy yapped sharply and cowered backwards in fright.
“Monty, no!” Dad snapped, pulling him back, and Monty hunched his shoulders apologetically. Wasn’t he supposed to do that? He was just so sick of standing still.
The lady with the spaniel smiled sympathetically at Monty. “He looks like he wants to get going. Good luck with them both.”
“I suppose we’d better get home.” Dad sighed. “Haven’t you got that project to get started on, Amelie?”
“Do we have to, Dad? We were going to go for a proper long walk.”
“I know, but look at Daisy. Monty really scared her.”
Amelie nodded sadly. Daisy was hiding behind Dad’s legs, shivering. It wasn’t fair to make her walk any more if she didn’t want to. “OK. Come on, Monty.”
Monty stared up at Amelie in surprise. They were going home? Already? Was it because he’d chased that bird? Reluctantly, he plodded after Dad – that had hardly felt like a walk at all.
“Daisy’s definitely starting to settle in,” Amelie told Ella when she saw her at school on Monday. “We got Grandad to talk to her on the phone a few times over the weekend and she looks a lot happier now. She even came out for a walk with us yesterday.”
“That’s amazing.” Ella beamed at her.
“We didn’t go out for very long, though.” Amelie sighed. “Monty tried to chase a pigeon and Dad tripped over and nearly trod on Daisy.”
“So does Monty get on with Daisy OK?” Ella asked. “He wasn’t being naughty because he’s jealous of you fussing over her?”
“Of course not! Anyway, I don’t fuss over Daisy more than I do over him.” Well, maybe a little more, a small voice inside her said. But I have to – she’s been so upset… Amelie shook her head firmly. “Monty’s fine. How’s your project going? Did your mum help you with the sewing?”
She was glad when Ella rolled her eyes and started telling her about the dress disaster she was having. That little voice was still niggling away inside Amelie, telling her that maybe she had been neglecting Monty a bit…
Everyone in the class was excited about their projects – Miss Garrett said she was going to send a note home inviting parents in to see them all on Friday after school. Amelie was determined that her mosaic was going to be perfect. She had printed out a picture of a real Roman mosaic from the Internet – an under the sea scene with all sorts of fish. Amelie had decided to make just one big fish, otherwise it would take too long. Dad had gone to the craft shop and got her a big sheet of card and lots of colours of foam. It had taken ages to cut out all the little squares but now she just had to finish sticking them on top of the colour printout.
When she got home from school she laid out her box with all the coloured squares on the kitchen table and started to stick them down along the delicate arched fin on the fish’s back – it was almost the last bit. She was so focused on the task that she didn’t notice Monty getting up out of his basket.
The puppy had been sleeping off his dinner but he woke up feeling bright and bouncy, and spotted Amelie sitting at the kitchen table at once. He wanted her to fuss over him – or, even better, take him for a walk. He’d had a quick run with Dad that morning but he’d been in the house most of the day and Amelie hadn’t taken him out when she got back from school.
Monty laid his muzzle in Amelie’s lap, gazing up at her with round, hopeful eyes. He expected her to reach down and stroke his ears, like she usually did.
Instead Amelie squealed and jumped – she’d been concentrating so hard, she hadn’t heard Monty coming. She caught the box of foam squares with her elbow and it went flying, pieces of foam scattering everywhere.
Monty skittered backwards. He didn’t like the tiny pieces, and he snapped and clawed at them as they fell on his nose and ears.
“Oh no, Monty. Stop it!” Amelie grabbed his collar but Monty pulled away and accidentally barged into the table. Amelie’s glass of water tipped over, spilling right across her picture.
“My mosaic!” Amelie wailed, letting go of Monty and trying to snatch the mosaic out of the way. But it was too late – the water had gone all over it.
“Look what you’ve done! Monty, you bad dog!” Amelie yelled.
Monty wriggled backwards across the kitchen, crouching low and watching Amelie out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t understand what he had done but he could tell that she was angry.
There was a thumping of footsteps on the stairs and Dad hurried in. “What’s the matter?”
“Look!” Amelie sniffed, wiping her hand across her eyes.
“Oh dear…” Dad picked up the mosaic, trying to brush off the worst of the water. “How did that happen?”
“Monty bumped the table,” Amelie said crossly. “It’s ruined. The card’s going all wrinkly.”
“I reckon we can rescue it.” Dad looked at the mosaic thoughtfully. “I’ll get your mum to pick up some more card on her way home. We can cut out the bits you’ve already stuck down and put them on that.” He swept the stray pieces of foam into his hand. “I’ll help but first I’ve got to finish packing for this trip tomorrow. Why don’t you help me squash everything into my bag and we’ll work on it later, OK?”
Amelie nodded and followed him upstairs, leaving Monty in the kitchen, gazing sadly after them. He didn’t remember Amelie ever shouting at him like that before. He ducked his head as Daisy got out of her basket and came to sniff at a couple of craft-foam pieces that Dad had missed. Then she pattered over to him, her tail gently wagging. Monty licked at his muzzle nervously but Daisy didn’t snap at him this time. Instead she gave his nose a friendly lick. Monty leaned down, nudging at her gratefully with his muzzle. Finally, somebody who wasn’t cross with him!