Lucy on the Loose Read Free

don’t have to ask them all. There’s a loudspeaker in the store. I’ve heard it. We just have to ask the clerk to make an announcement. Everyone in the store will hear it.”
    The boys hurried into the store.
    Bobby looked over at the checkout counter. A friendly-looking lady was at the cash register. She was busy ringing up customers.There was a long line. It would be hard to interrupt her.
    But Bobby had to do it. He had to do it for Lucy. He walked up to the woman.
    “Excuse me,” Bobby said very softly.
    The cashier didn’t hear him.
    “Excuse me,” Bobby said more loudly.
    The woman looked down at him. “Yes?”
    “Hey!” A grouchy man was waiting at the counter. “Get in line!”
    “But … but …” Bobby stammered.
    “Is something the matter?” the cashier asked.
    “I’m-looking-for-my-dog.” Bobby said it all in one breath. “She’s lost.”
    Several people heard Bobby. “Lost dog, lost dog.” The news went up and down the checkout line.

    “Could you make an announcement? The kind that everyone in the store can hear?” Bobby asked the cashier.
    “I suppose,” the cashier said. “Tell me what your dog looks like.”
    “Be quick about it,” the grouchy man added.
    Bobby tried not to look at all those grown-ups waiting in line. He turned toward the cashier. But he could feel his cheeks getting red anyway.
    “Her name is Lucy. She’s a beagle, white and brown with black spots. She was chasing an orange cat. They were running toward Main Street.”
Whew!
    “Is she wearing a collar?” asked a teenager.
    “Yes,” Bobby said. “Her name and phone number are on her collar.”
    The cashier picked up a microphone and clicked it on.
    “Shoppers!” she said. “Please be on the lookout around town for a brown and white beagle named Lucy.”
    Bobby tugged on the woman’s sleeve. “She has black spots, too,” he whispered.
    “A brown and white beagle with black spots,” the woman added. “She’s lost and was last seen chasing an orange cat. Her name and phone number are on her collar.”
    “Thank you,” Bobby said. “Thanks a lot.”
    “No problem,” the cashier said, “but now I have to get back to work.”
    Bobby had felt happy when he heard the announcement. But no one in the store came up to them and said they had seen Lucy. He and Shawn were going to have to keep looking.
    “You’ll find her,” the teenager said.
    “Have you checked the butcher shop?” asked a woman. “Dogs like bones, you know.”
    Even the grouchy man called, “Good luck” as the boys went out the door.
    “Now what?” Shawn asked.
    Bobby shook his head. He was feeling low. “I guess we could try the butcher shop like that lady said.”
    Shawn shrugged. “Can’t hurt. It’s right across the street.”
    Bobby told himself not to worry. There were still lots of places to look for Lucy.
    But he couldn’t help it. He was worried anyway.

6
Mrs. Agatha Adams
    The boys waited at the light to cross the street. Shawn said, “Maybe we should tell your mother about Lucy. She could drive us around town.”
    Bobby thought about telling her Lucy was lost. He could hear his mother saying, “Keep Lucy on her leash. Shawn’s yard doesn’t have a fence.”
    Bobby sighed. She would say he was careless. She’d be mad. Bobby couldn’t blame her. He was mad at himself.
    “Let’s just check out the butcher shop,” Bobby said. “Then I’ll call home and tell my mother about Lucy.”
    They were about to enter the store when a familiar voice stopped them. “Hey, you’re going in the wrong place. The ice cream shop is next door.”
    The boys turned around. There was Bobby’s friend Candy, licking away at a chocolate ice cream cone.
    Candy was another new friend of Bobby’s. They met at dog obedience school. Candy’s dog, Butch, was the worst dog in the class.
    If the teacher said “sit,” Butch stood. If the teacher said “fetch,” Butch lay down. He flunked the class.
    Candy didn’t mind. She