Lucy the Poorly Puppy Read Online Free Page B

Buster, and didn’t really say much. Lauren was just hoping that they might go soon – surely they must have loads of unpacking to do? But then her mum nudged her, and said meaningfully, “Why don’t you show Sam round the farm?”
    Lauren frowned. It was nearly time to feed Lucy, and she didn’t want to anyway! 
    Her mum glared at her, and she gave a tiny sigh and turned to Sam. “Come on, then. You can bring Buster, if you like.”
    Sam nodded, and followed her out into the yard. “He’s really nice. Is he your favourite?”
    Lauren shook her head.
    “Don’t you have a favourite? He’d be mine, he’s great.” Sam snuggled Buster up under his chin. 

    Lauren didn’t know what to say. It would sound stupid to admit she’d hidden Lucy away. “I like them all,” she said, a bit vaguely.
    Lauren trailed around the farm, showing Sam the orchard, and the old barn on the other side of the yard. There were a few bales of hay in it still, and she liked to hide out in there sometimes.
    “This is cool. I bet the puppies would love it in here,” said Sam.
    Lauren nodded. “They haven’t been outside much yet, but Dad’s making a wire run so they can play in the orchard.”
    Sam looked up. “Oh, that’s my mum calling. I suppose we have to go and unpack.”
    He handed Buster to Lauren, and they headed back to the farmhouse. Lauren supposed Sam was OK really – at least he liked the puppies – but she didn’t think they were going to be best friends or anything, which was obviously what Mum was hoping.
    “He was nice, wasn’t he?” Mum asked, as they waved goodbye to Sam and his mum. “Gosh, look at Buster!” She tickled the puppy under the chin. “He’s huge. I must see about putting an ad in the local paper about new homes for the puppies. And there are a couple of good puppy websites too.”
    Lauren swallowed. Her heart seemed to have suddenly jumped into her throat. New homes! She had almost forgotten about that – she had wanted to forget.
    “But they’re only a month old, Mum!” she cried.
    “I know. But puppies go to their new owners at about eight weeks, and people don’t just turn up and take a puppy home. We’ll have to let them come and see the puppies – and we need to meet them to make sure we like them.” She hugged Lauren. “We’re not going to give Bella’s lovely pups to just anyone, sweetheart, don’t worry.” 
    Lauren nodded. “But – but not Lucy?” she asked quickly. “She isn’t big enough yet, Mum.”
    Mum nodded thoughtfully. “You’re probably right. Lucy will have to be a bit older than the others when she goes. Not much though, I shouldn’t think. You’ve done so well feeding her, she’s catching them up.” She looked at Lauren. “I know you really love Lucy, and it’ll be hard for you to say goodbye, but you’ll still have Bella, remember.”
    Lauren buried her nose in Buster’s soft fur. She loved Bella, of course she did. But Lucy would have died if Lauren hadn’t woken up that first night. It felt like she and Lucy belonged together. But Lauren just didn’t think she could explain that to Mum. 
    She put Buster back in the puppy pen, and ran upstairs to fetch Lucy. When she opened her bedroom door, Lucy scrabbled at the side of the box with her claws, squeaking frantically.

    “Oh, I’m sorry. I went off and left you, didn’t I?” Lauren scooped up the puppy, her eyes filling with tears. “I didn’t mean to.” She sighed, feeling Lucy wriggle and squirm against her neck. “I don’t ever want to leave you. But I’m not going to, am I? You’re going to leave me. Oh, Lucy, I don’t want you to go!” 

    The summer holidays seemed to have gone by so quickly, Lauren thought. She could hardly believe there was less than a week to go until school started! She supposed it was because she’d been busy all the time looking after Lucy and Bella, and the other puppies.
    Lucy’s brothers and sisters loved the little outdoor run that