New Tricks for Rascal (4 page)
Read New Tricks for Rascal Online
Authors: Holly Webb
“We need something brilliant to show Mum you’re a genius dog,” Ellie told Rascal, as she took him into the garden on Sunday morning. She wanted to try out the trick she’d found in one of her dog magazines. “Believe me, Rascal, we’ve got a lot of making up to do. You are not Mum’s favourite pet right now. And we only
have
one pet! I still can’t believe she made me pay her back for Jade’s ice cream out of my
pocket money yesterday. I don’t know how I’m ever going to be able to save up to get you a new lead before the dog show.”
Rascal watched with his head on one side, as Ellie took a dog treat out of a packet. “Look, Rascal. Your favourite chicken kind!”
Rascal gave an eager little whine.
Ellie carefully put the treat on his nose. “Don’t eat it! I said
don’t
eat it… Oh well. Let’s try again.”
Rascal licked his chops, as Ellie placed another treat on his nose. This was a good game! He was almost cross-eyed trying to see it, and his tongue was creeping out of his mouth.
“No, no, wait till I say! Oh.” The treat had already disappeared, and Rascal was watching her eagerly for more. Ellie sighed. “I suppose we just need to keep practising.”
Mum was just about to start preparing Sunday lunch, and had called Max, Lila and Ellie into the kitchen. “You will all behave beautifully, OK?” she told them. “This is the first time Auntie Gemma’s brought her new boyfriend round.”
“Yes, Mum.” Max rolled his eyes.
“What’s he called again?” Lila asked.
“Liam. And please make sure the dog behaves too,” Mum added.
Ellie nodded frantically.
“Now, it would really help if you could all stay out of the kitchen while I make the roast.”
Ellie slipped out into the garden with Rascal and his grooming brush, and the dog treats. She was determined to get the trick right eventually.
“I’m sure you kept it on your nose longer that time,” Ellie murmured, as Rascal gobbled down another treat. “Let’s have a break. Shall I make you look beautiful?” She started to brush Rascal lovingly, making sure his white coat gleamed. “We need to
show you off to Auntie Gemma and Liam.”
Just then, Mum called. “Come in, please, Ellie. They’ll be here in a minute. Oh Ellie,” she sighed. “Look at you, you’re covered in hairs! Go and change. I need to change too, actually.” Mum looked down at her apron. “The chicken can just stay on the side and rest. Lunch is all ready, except for the roast potatoes.”
“It smells great.” Ellie sniffed the delicious roast chicken smell, as she headed out of the kitchen. Mum was obviously making a big effort for this Sunday lunch.
Ellie went upstairs to change her top. She was just coming back down when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” she called.
Auntie Gemma was standing at the door with a nice-looking dark-haired man, who seemed a bit nervous.
“Hi, Ellie! Liam, this is one of my nieces. Ellie’s the one who really loves dogs.”
Liam smiled at Ellie. “Gemma tells me you’ve just got a puppy.”
Ellie nodded shyly. “Yes, he’s called Rascal.”
Dad popped his head out of the living room to say hello, and Mum hurried downstairs. “Hi, Gemma. It’s great to meet you, Liam. I’m just going to sort out the lunch, it’s nearly ready.” She disappeared into the kitchen. Then there was a sudden scuffling noise, and everyone in the hallway clearly heard Mum shriek, “Oh no! Bad dog!”
“What is it?” Ellie cried, dashing after her.
But as soon as she got into the kitchen, she could see. Rascal was sitting at the bottom of the step stool Mum used for the high cupboards, looking really guilty. And in his mouth was what was left of the chicken.
“Honestly, I really do love fish fingers,” Liam told Ellie’s mum. “
And
they’re delicious with gravy.”
Mum smiled, but she still looked really upset.
Ellie felt so guilty that she hardly spoke during lunch. She knew how hard Mum had worked on the meal, and then Rascal had gone and ruined it. At least he hadn’t got anywhere near the pudding, which was an enormous chocolate cake.
Mum had banished Rascal outside, and now Ellie could hear him whimpering and scratching at the back door, as she helped her with the washing-up.
“I suppose you’d better let him in,” Mum sighed.
“I’m really sorry,” Ellie whispered.
Mum gave her a hug. “I know. And it’s my fault, anyway. I’ve told all of you so many times not to leave anything where Rascal can get it. I just didn’t think about him climbing the step stool!”
“He’s a master-criminal!” Ellie said, opening the back door for Rascal. But he didn’t look like a master-criminal. He looked lonely and miserable, as if he’d hated being shut out. He slunk through the door with his tail between his legs.
“Oh dear, now I feel guilty,” Mum said sadly.
Ellie shook her head. “He was really
naughty, Mum. I think Liam likes dogs, though. Can I go and show him Rascal?”
Mum nodded, and Ellie called Rascal to follow her into the living room.
“Here, boy!” Liam reached down to stroke Rascal, and Rascal beat his tail on the floor, sitting happily at Liam’s feet.
Ellie gave a sigh of relief. Perhaps Rascal was going to make up for the chicken incident.
“So, how old is he?” Liam asked, tickling Rascal behind the ears.
“About three months——” Ellie started to say, but then she broke off. “Rascal? What’s wrong?”
Rascal was making strange coughing noises, and his little shoulders were heaving.
“Oh no! The chicken!” Ellie squeaked.
“Liam, move your feet!” Max yelled.
But it was too late. Ellie gasped in horror as Rascal gave one more huge cough and threw up the stolen chicken, all over Auntie Gemma’s new boyfriend’s feet.
Ellie was feeling really hopeful about Tuesday’s class. She had been making a big effort with Rascal to try to make things up to Mum after the disastrous Sunday lunch. Whenever she had a spare moment, she walked Rascal to heel, and practised “sit”, “down” and “stay”.
And
she’d been working on their special new trick. Rascal still ate the treat before he was told, but at least he seemed to know
he wasn’t supposed to, which was a start.
So her heart wasn’t thumping quite as fast as usual when she and Dad and Rascal walked into the village hall. Jack waved to her, and Hugo swung his thick tail joyfully as he spotted his friend Rascal.
“Let’s start with our ‘walking to heel’,” Jo called, as the owners and their puppies got in line. “I think everyone’s getting this now, aren’t you? Lovely, Jack and Hugo!”
Ellie watched enviously as Hugo paced round the hall at Jack’s side. He looked so grand and solemn, as though he was thinking carefully about every footstep.
She set off, hoping that they would do just as well. But Rascal wasn’t in a serious mood at all. He was bright, bouncy and full
of energy. Instead of walking calmly on a loose lead, watching Ellie for his treat, like he was supposed to, he was twirling and scampering around her. Ellie had to keep calling him back to his place.
“Ellie, don’t get frustrated with him. You’re doing well,” Jo called. But Ellie felt like crying. Like Jo had said, everyone else was getting it right, but Rascal was worse than ever. How could he be so silly now, when he’d been doing so well in their practices?
Suddenly, Rascal darted around her legs again, and Ellie’s eyes were so blurred with tears that she tripped over his lead.
Ellie landed with a thump. “Ow,” she cried, as she hit her elbow hard on the floor.
Dad hurried over. “Ellie, are you OK?”
Ellie nodded, but her elbow ached horribly.
Rascal crept over to her, looking guilty. He gave Ellie’s hand a lick, as if to say sorry, and then he nosed at Ellie lovingly.
“That dog is so useless,” Ellie heard someone say, and she glanced up to see Amelia talking to her mother.
Ellie rubbed her sleeve over her eyes. They thought her lovely Rascal was
useless.
“Oh, Ellie! You really went down hard there,” said Jo, coming over to check on her. “Are you hurt?”
“Not really,” Ellie muttered, struggling up with Dad’s help, “I just banged my elbow.”
“You sit down,” Dad said. “Have a rest. I’ll take over for a bit.”
Rascal looked confused when Dad took his lead. He sat down, pulling back on the lead, and staring at Ellie.
“Go on, Rascal.” Ellie nodded to him, and reluctantly he got up to follow Dad.
Ellie sat in the corner and watched Dad with Rascal. They were meant to be
practising “sit”, but Rascal wasn’t really watching the treats that Dad was holding over his nose. He would sit nicely, but then spring up to look round at Ellie.
Jo came to talk to Ellie again at the end of the class, crouching down beside her.
“How’s your elbow?”
“Fine,” Ellie muttered. She felt so bad – and the worst thing was that she’d really thought Rascal would be better this week.
“Ellie, I know you’re finding it difficult with Rascal right now, but he will improve, I promise you. What’s brilliant is that you haven’t given up, and you’re still being patient with him. I can tell you’ve been practising, too. That’s really good. You should be very proud of her,” she added to Dad.
Ellie managed a very small smile. Jo was being so nice, but Ellie wasn’t sure she believed her.
Maybe Amelia was right about Rascal.