“How could you do this to me?” was her reaction when Heidi broke thenews about her fluffy brown and white cavalier spaniel puppy.
“But he’s so sweet,” said Heidi, “and besides I didn’t want to dothis to you. My mother has always wanted a dog, and now she’s working parttime, she can take him for walks.”
“But.. but.. I’ll never be able to come to your house again!” Emilyexploded.
And the next day she got up ten minutesearly to walk to school on her own.
And when Heidi arrived at school, Emilyignored her.
That evening, Emily’s mum asked what wasthe matter. But she did not reply. She went straight up to her room and put herheadphones on.
And while she was lying there she wonderedif she would avoid Heidi the next day. And the day after. And what would shesay if she bumped into her ex-best friend on the street - and what if she hadher little dog with her? How in the world would she keep wearing a ghost facethen?
And then she thought about how they hadplayed together.. since they were just three years old. And how Heidi hadwalked the long way round with her, even when it was raining, even when theywere late for the school bell. Heidi had been very supportive to Emily over theyears and she realised she couldn't lose her best friend over this.
And she got up, went out the front door,and walked round to Heidi's house, a few doors down, and rang the bell. Thefirst thing she heard was a shrill little ‘yap yap’. She shuddered. Even thoughshe could tell from the sound that it was only a tiny little thing that made it- practically a mouse you might have thought - that didn’t help. She felt afamiliar foreboding. Heidi’s dad opened the door. He said, “Oh, hello Emily.Heidi’s in the back room cleaning up some pee with disinfectant. Her mothermade her sign a contract that she would commit to. She’s never been fond ofdogs, but gave in, in the end because she begged her for one so much.”
Emily thought for a moment, “Really?”
“I suppose you’ve come round to see Schumfy?” said Heidi’s dad. “Wecan’t help loving the little scamp, he knows he’s cute and can get away withanything.”
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to giving him a cuddle,” said Emily.It was a lie but not as big as the one Heidi had told.
She opened the door to the back room, andsaw the little thing come bounding towards her.
“Ahh!” She quickly slammed the door.
“Emily, are you ok?” said Heidi’s voice through the door. Emily wastoo busy taking deep breaths to answer. Eventually she said, “Hold his collar.I’m coming in.”
Soon she was facing her fear! Schumfy wasabout ten inches long, had floppy ears, and was scrabbling to be released fromHeidi's firm grip. His claws were scratching frantically on the floor, as hetried to come near enough to greet her. She turned away her head. “All right,let me stroke him.” It took all her courage to say that.
She cautiously pet the little wriggling bagof fluff for at least ten seconds. It wasn’t long. But it was a start.
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