Wellies and Westies Read Free Page A

It was pale blue with gleaming white window frames emphasizing the large sash windows, the front door was pillar-box red and Elsie had placed pots of budding hydrangeas at the edges of the steps.

    Cat let Disco prance up ahead of her, then rang the bell. It took a long time for the door to open, and when Elsie stood in the doorway, leaning on a crutch, her short white bob, cardigan and long skirt as neatly presented as her house, Cat felt her cheeks redden.
    ‘It didn’t go as well as you’d hoped, then?’ Elsie said, looking at Cat’s face before opening the door wide and ushering Cat in, hobbling after her into the airy living room.
    Cat let Disco off the leash, and the puppy bounded to the basket under the window, where Chalky, Elsie’s older miniature schnauzer, was having a mid-morning nap. Disco nuzzled Chalky’s face, yipped and picked up a heavily chewed cuddly pig, then stood expectantly in front of the older dog. Chalky lifted his head, looked balefully at the puppy from under tufty eyebrows, and closed his eyes. Cat laughed, but Elsie was watching her expectantly.
    ‘No,’ Cat sighed, her smile fading. ‘It was even more disastrous than my worst-case scenarios.’
    ‘I told you that Alison wouldn’t stand for it.’
    ‘I had hoped she would come round to my way of thinking.’
    ‘That, Catherine, is a triumph of optimism over common sense, and I’m being kind.’
    Cat stroked Chalky and ruffled Disco’s fur. Elsie lowered herself slowly into an armchair.
    ‘I didn’t want Disco in the house while you went for your check-up,’ Cat said. ‘Puppies get lonely, and then they get disruptive.’ Just like me, she thought. ‘I was going to see what mood Alison was in and then, at break time, bring Disco out to meet the children.’
    ‘But you didn’t get that far?’
    Cat shook her head.
    ‘You know what Alison’s like,’ Elsie said, ‘and you know that dogs are her pet hate – no pun intended. She’s probably more upset that you actively went against her wishes, rather than for any disruption you – and my dog – may have caused. But I am sorry, because you were doing a favour for me.’

    ‘How was the check-up? I’m surprised you’re back already.’
    ‘Oh, it was fine.’ Elsie waved her hand dismissively. ‘The knee’s healing, but slowly. I have to stay off it as much as I can for another few weeks. Nothing I didn’t know already. What’s the damage to you? Suspended? Cut in wages?’
    ‘Fired,’ Cat said. ‘No second chances, no room for manoeuvre. Do you want some tea?’
    She left Elsie gawping in the living room and busied herself in the kitchen, making tea and finding chocolate biscuits. Her insides felt hollow with panic, but already, talking it through with Elsie, she was beginning to feel better. It had only taken four days for Cat to become friends with her neighbour once she’d moved to Primrose Terrace, and what Elsie didn’t know about Fairview wasn’t worth knowing. She’d gone into hospital for a long-awaited knee operation at the end of February, and Cat was helping out, taking Disco and Chalky for walks when she could, cooking for her sometimes, keeping her company.
    ‘I am so sorry, Cat,’ Elsie said when she returned with the tray. ‘I didn’t think she’d go that far.’
    Disco was on the sofa, performing a thorough hunt for any treasure that might be hidden between the cushions. Cat poured the tea and scooped the puppy onto her lap. Disco wriggled, licked Cat’s hand and settled down; a warm, breathing comfort blanket.
    ‘She was furious,’ Cat said. ‘It was a stupid idea, I know. But I just thought that once she’d met Disco she’d realize how wonderful dogs can be. I mean, how could anyone be annoyed at this little thing?’
    ‘Not everyone loves dogs, and some people actively dislike them. They can be smelly and messy and very badly behaved.’
    ‘Yes, but look.’ Disco was breathing softly, her small ears flopped over her eyes, her