Jess the Lonely Puppy Read Online Free Page A

up.
    Jess hung her head sadly. She’d only been playing…

    “I think she was bored, Mum,” Chloe said quickly. “Don’t be cross with her, please. She misses Will, and all the walks he and Dad used to take her on. And now Grandad’s not staying any more, she’s hardly getting any exercise at all.”
    Chloe stroked Jess, feeling her shiver. It was obvious she hated being shouted at. Chloe frowned. “Mum, could me and Maddy take Jess for a walk? Just to the park. We could run around with her and work off some of her energy; I’m sure she wouldn’t be so naughty then.”
    Mum shook her head. “You’re not old enough, Chlo. And I thought you were terrified of dogs! And Jess is such a handful. But you’re right, she does need more exercise.”
    Chloe helped her try to fill in the earth around the camellia again. “Mum, you let Will walk me to school all last year, and he’s only a year older than me. And I’ll be with Maddy, too! She’ll help me with Jess. We’ll be fine!”
    Her mum sighed. “Well, it might be worth a try. I’m sure she’s only being naughty because we’re not spending enough time with her.”
    Chloe threw her arms around Mum. “Excellent! I’ll go and ring Maddy!”

    “This is great, Chloe. I can’t believe you aren’t nervous of Jess any more.” Maddy was looking admiringly at Chloe walking with Jess on her lead.
    Chloe smiled. “I can’t either. But it’s brilliant.”
    Jess was scampering along happily, sniffing the interesting smells and hoping they were going to the park so she could run really fast, like she did with Will. She still wished he would come back, but Chloe was her person now, too. Chloe had looked after her during that horrible, frightening night, and that made her special.
    They raced all over the park for a whole hour, until the girls were exhausted, although Jess was still bright and bouncy.
    “She’s not tired at all!” Maddy panted, collapsing on to a bench. “Look at her, she wants to dash off again!”
    Jess barked excitedly. She could see asquirrel scurrying along between those trees, and she loved chasing squirrels. She looked up hopefully at Chloe and tugged on the lead.
    “Sorry, Jess, we’ve got to get home. I promised Mum we’d be back by five.” Chloe turned to walk Jess out of the park, and Jess gave the squirrel a last longing look and followed her.
    But then the squirrel changed direction and started to run along the grass almost in front of Jess’s nose. It was too much to bear. She gave an enormous bark and flung herself after the squirrel.
    Chloe gasped as she felt the lead almost pulling out of her hand. “Hey! Jess, no. Come back!”
    Jess was so strong. Chloe trieddesperately to get her under control, but she was only just managing to hold on as Jess dragged her after the squirrel. They galloped over the grass, and then Jess cut across one of the tarmac paths that ran through the park. Chloe tripped on the edge of the grass and went flying, finally letting go of her lead.

    Jess sped up. She was going to catch a squirrel at last! But the squirrel had made it to the trees, and all Jess could do was bark crossly at it as it disappeared into the leafy branches. Disappointed, she turned to go back to Chloe.
    Chloe! There she was, lying on the path. She was crying! Jess let out a terrified whimper and raced over, throwing herself on to the ground next to Chloe and whining miserably.
    Chloe had scraped her knee on the tarmac, and blood was dripping down her leg. Maddy was trying to wipe it up with a tissue, but it was a nasty cut.
    “Oh, Jess, it’s OK.” Chloe sniffed. “Don’t be upset.” She could see why Jess was frightened, and she felt so sorry for her. Will had been hurt, andhe’d gone away. Now Jess thought that she was going to go away too.
    “Are you all right to walk?” Maddy asked, helping Chloe to her feet.
    “I’m fine,” Chloe said. “Let’s go home.”
    Maddy took Jess by the lead. “Just don’t go too