Alfie All Alone Read Online Free

the new baby, and quite often one for Evie too. Everyone seemed to think Sam was very special, and he got fussed over all the time. Alfie wasn’t quite sure why. Sam didn’t do a lot, and he certainly couldn’t do tricks like a dog could. Alfie couldn’t help wishing that things would go back to normal, and everyone would fuss over him instead, but he had a feeling it wasn’t going to happen.
    But at least Alfie had been able to reclaim his place on the sofa, as Mum said she thought it was OK for Alfie tosit there when she was feeding Sam, as long as Evie was careful not to let Alfie lick him.
    “Alfie’s used to sitting there with you, Evie,” she pointed out. “It isn’t fair if he’s not allowed to any more. Just keep an eye on him.” She sat Sam up to get him to burp, and smiled. “Look, Sam’s watching Alfie’s tail wag. I should think he’ll love having Alfie for company.”
    Evie scratched Alfie behind the ears, and he settled down on her lap, keeping a watchful eye on the baby. He supposed he didn’t mind sharing the sofa.

Chapter Four
    “Evie! Evie! You’re going to be late for school!” Mum was calling up the stairs, sounding cross. She had Sam tucked under one arm, and he was grizzling too. “You won’t have time for breakfast!”
    Evie stomped down the stairs looking very gloomy. “I don’t want any. And I don’t want to go to school either. I don’t feel very well. I’m really tired.”
    Evie’s mum took a deep breath and counted to five. “I know. We all are. But it’s Friday, you can sleep in over the weekend.”
    “If Sam doesn’t keep me awake all night, like he did last night,” Evie growled.
    “It’s not his fault, Evie, he doesn’t understand the difference between night and day yet.” Mum was sounding really strained.
    “Well, can’t you teach him?” Evie looked up at her mum and suddenly grinned. “Oh, all right. I suppose not. But I am really, really tired.” She sighed and hooked her finger into Sam’s tiny hand. “Don’t you dare nap all afternoon, Sam. Stay up and then you’ll sleep tonight!”
    It hadn’t been a good week. Evie’s dad was back at work now, and it was harder to get everything done without the extra help. Sam was gorgeous, but he wasn’t sleeping well, and when he was awake he was loud. Everyone’s temper was fraying.
    Alfie was trying his best to keep out of the way, but he never managed to be in the right place. Most days Evie’s mum walked into him about three times just doing the washing-up. When she got back from taking Evie to school that Friday, she tripped over Alfie while she was carrying a basket of washing, and trod on his paw, but she didn’t seem to be sorry. He held it up and whined, but all she did was snap, “Alfie! Not again! Get out of the way,you silly dog!” Alfie limped out of the kitchen, feeling very hard done by.
    He sat in the hallway, thoughtfully chewing on a small teddy bear he’d found on the stairs. He just couldn’t seem to do anything right any more. Things had been much nicer before.

    At that moment, Sam started crying upstairs and Mum dashed past to go and fetch him – and saw the small pile of shredded fur that had once been a teddy. “Alfie!” she wailed, and Alfie gazed up at her. He didn’t know why she was cross – furry toys were there to be chewed, and he didn’t see what the fuss was about. But it looked like Mum didn’t agree, judging by the way she snatched up what wasleft of the teddy and glared at him.
    Alfie was still in disgrace when Gran popped round that afternoon, and he was delighted to see her. At last someone who actually had time to sit and scratch him behind the ears properly! He leaned against Gran’s leg affectionately. For a moment he almost wished that she would take him back to her house. Then he shook his head and snorted. No! He was Evie’s dog. He was sure that she would get over the baby thing soon, and then maybe they could go back to proper walks and