Щенок Элли, или Долгая дорога домой / Ellie the Homesick Puppy - страница 4

‘Hi, Megan! Mum said I could come round and help you pack, if that’s OK with your mum and dad?’ Bella looked hopefully at Megan’s dad, who was struggling into the hall[31] carrying a massive box of china[32] from the kitchen.

‘Umph! Fine by me,’ Dad said, putting down the box carefully. ‘But make sure you do pack[33], girls, OK? Not just chatting.’

Bella stared around Megan’s room. ‘All these boxes!’ She slumped down on Megan’s bed sadly, and Ellie scrambled up after her to lick her face. ‘Oof, not so much, Ellie! Oh, Megan, I’ve known for ages you were going[34], but it seems so real now.’

Megan sat down beside her, and Ellie wriggled happily between them. ‘I know. Packing makes it seem as though it really is happening. The day after tomorrow…’ Megan’s voice wobbled, and Ellie turned to lick her too. What was the matter with them both? She looked worriedly from Megan to Bella and back again, making her big puppy ears swing. Something was definitely wrong. Ellie stood up with her paws on Megan’s shoulder, and stuffed her cold black nose firmly into Megan’s ear. That always made her laugh.

Megan did laugh this time too[35], and so did Bella, but somehow they still sounded sad.

‘I suppose at least we can send each other emails,’ Bella said, reaching out to stroke Ellie, and Megan nodded.

‘And we can phone.’ Megan laughed. ‘Mum said she thought they might have to get me my own phone line[36], or they’d never get to use the phone themselves! It won’t be the same as taking Ellie to the park with you, though.’

Ellie stood on the bed, listening to them with her head on one side. Something was definitely going on[37].

‘I’m going to miss her too,’ Bella agreed, tickling Ellie’s ears. ‘You know Mum still won’t let me get a dog because she says we haven’t got the time to look after one. Now I won’t even be able to share Ellie with you. And she’s growing so quickly. I probably won’t recognize her soon.’

Ellie wagged her tail delightedly as Bella fussed over[38] her.

‘I’ll email you loads of photos,’ Megan promised. ‘And you’re coming to stay.[39] Mum and Dad are going to get me a sleepover bed that slides under mine. Ellie can be half your dog again then.’

‘You’d better record her bark for me[40], too,’ Bella reminded her. ‘I’ll never get out of the house for school in the morning without Ellie barking outside the gate.’