A Forever Home for Bella Read online

  Jack raised his eyebrows as Poppy left. “Poppy is so bossy!”

  “She can be but she’s very good with Bella,” said Grace.

  Jack gave her a thoughtful look. “Could she be a possible owner?”

  Grace shook her head. “I don’t think so. Her mum’s just had a baby. They’re not going to want a puppy as well.”

  “I guess not,” said Jack.

  Just then Poppy appeared with Ms Drew and Ms Clark, the headteacher.

  “I had to come and see this beautiful puppy,” Ms Clark said with a smile, crouching down to say hello to Bella. “I love Labs.”

  Bella wagged her whole body in greeting. “Well, aren’t you a friendly little girl?” said Ms Clark.

  Grace gave the headteacher a hopeful look. “Would you like a puppy, Ms Clark?”

  “If you’re interested we could come and do a home check,” said Jack.

  “I would love to have Bella,” said Ms Clark. “My husband and I are keen walkers and we really want a dog to take walking with us but we’re out of the house all day in term-time and some evenings too. That’s not ideal for a puppy.”

  Grace and Jack sighed. It really wasn’t ideal.

  “It’s a pity people can’t have part-time dogs,” Ms Clark went on with a smile. “Then I’d definitely have her. Oh well, much as I’d love to stay here and cuddle Bella, I’d better get on!”

  After she’d left, the twins and Poppy settled Bella in the reading corner. Then everyone else came in from the playground.

  After Ms Drew had taken the register she asked the twins to tell the class about their puppy.

  “We’ve had Bella for almost a week now. She’s fourteen weeks old,” Jack began. “She started eating solid food at three weeks old. Before that she just drank milk. She left her mum when she was eight weeks old. She’s very clever and she’s already learned the basic commands like sit, stay and lie down. She also tells us when she wants to go to the toilet by sitting at the door and whining.”

  “Puppies aren’t allowed to walk in public spaces until they’ve been vaccinated because they might pick up dangerous doggy illnesses like parvovirus,” Grace chipped in. “But Bella’s up to date with her vaccinations and she’s allowed to go out now.”

  “Can we stroke her?” asked Chloe eagerly.

  Ms Drew went round the circle of children so that everyone could stroke Bella. Janie, who was sitting next to Poppy, squealed when Bella tried to nibble her fingers. She pulled her hands away quickly and shuffled back. Bella bounced after her and Janie shrieked, “She’s going to bite me!”

  “Don’t be silly!” Poppy said as Bella stopped, looking confused. “She’s not going to bite you. She thinks you want to play because you’re jumping around. Here, Bella.” She tapped her hand on the floor. Bella trotted over. She lay down and tried to nibble Poppy’s fingers. “No,” Poppy said firmly, and gently rolled Bella on to her back, tickling her tummy to distract her.

  Ms Drew looked impressed. “You’re a natural, Poppy.”

  “I really wish I could have a dog,” Poppy said longingly.

  Grace and Jack looked at each other and Grace was sure they were having the same thought. Should they ask Poppy if she could give Bella a home? Maybe her parents would say yes despite the baby.

  When everyone had fussed Bella, Ms Drew told them some more facts about puppies. Then it was time for Jack and Grace to take Bella to the reception area where their mum was meeting them to take the puppy home.

  Once the twins were out of the classroom, they faced each other excitedly. “You were thinking that we should ask Poppy if she can give Bella a home?” Grace said.

  Jack nodded. “She’d have to pass our home checks first but she could be perfect. She does a lot of running – Bella could go out with her when she’s old enough. Poppy’s also patient but firm. I’m sure she’d train Bella well.”

  “Their house has a nice big garden that’s fenced, and Labradors are usually good family dogs so Bella should be fine with the baby. Let’s ask her at break time!” Grace said eagerly.

  They reached the school’s reception area. Their mum hadn’t arrived so they waited near the door. Mr Wong, a retired teacher, was sitting on a sofa, listening to a Year Two girl reading. She had her back to the twins. Glancing at them, Mr Wong put his finger to his lips so they knew they should be quiet.

  “The cat and the fox made a w … w…” The girl struggled with a word and then shook her head. “I can’t do it.”

  “Yes, you can, Sienna,” Mr Wong encouraged. “Try to sound the word out.”

  “W… I…” Sienna shook her head. “No, I can’t.” She gave a little gasp as Bella pushed her way round the sofa and looked up at her. “It’s a puppy!” she said in surprise.

  “Sorry!” said Grace hastily, tightening the lead. “Our mum’s coming to pick her up. We brought her in because our class is doing a project on baby animals.”

  “She’s beautiful,” said Sienna, stroking Bella.

  “I think she was enjoying your story,” said Jack with a smile, as Bella nudged the book with her nose.

  “Can I read to her?” said Sienna, looking at Mr Wong.

  He nodded. “If you like.”

  With one hand stroking Bella, Sienna slowly read out the sentence she’d been struggling with: “The cat and the fox made a wish. They wished that they could go on holi … holiday to the beach.”

  She kept reading. Bella lay down and listened, her head on one side. Having her there seemed to encourage Sienna. By the time Mrs Taylor arrived she had read six whole pages and shown Bella all the pictures.

  “Sorry I’m late!” said the twins’ mum. “I hope Bella’s not being a nuisance.”

  “Not at all. In fact, she’s been a great help,” said Mr Wong, smiling.

  “I’ve never read so much in one go before, have I, Mr Wong?” said Sienna. “Can Bella come back another day?”

  “We’ll see,” said Mrs Taylor. She scooped up the sleepy puppy. “It looks like she’s ready for a rest now.”

  Jack and Grace waved their mum off and went back to class.

  Grace sat down next to Poppy.

  “I wish Bella was still here!” Poppy said.

  Grace remembered what she and Jack had been talking about and the words spilled out of her. “Would you like to be Bella’s new owner? Jack and I think you’d be perfect.”

  “Me? Wow! I’d love to!” gasped Poppy. “Mum and Dad promised to let me have a dog when I’m twelve but maybe they’ll let me have one early. Mum’s given up work now she’s had Rose so there’s someone home each day and I’m definitely old enough to look after her.” Her eyes shone. “I’ll ask them tonight!” She grabbed Grace’s hands, her eyes shining. “Fingers crossed they say yes!”

  Grace couldn’t wait to get to school the next day. When she spotted Poppy standing in the playground, she raced over. “Well? What did your mum say? Are you allowed to have Bella?”

  “No.” Poppy scowled and kicked a stone. “Mum said she already had enough to do with me and Rose. It’s not true. She hardly does anything for me since Rose arrived.”

  Grace’s heart sank. “I guess babies do need a lot of attention when they’re tiny,” she said. “I’m sure your mum loves you and Rose just the same.”

  Ramming her hands in her pockets, Poppy said fiercely, “Then why does Rose always come first? Mum said instead of a puppy I could have an extra session at running club. But I don’t want that, I want Bella.” She folded her arms. Her eyes looked bright, as if she was about to cry.

  Grace felt awful. “I’m sorry. I guess at least you get extra running time.”

  Poppy’s face darkened. “She probably only agreed to that so she can have more time alone with perfect little Rose!” She stomped off.

  Jack came over. “No luck?”

  “No,” Grace sighed. “Her mum said no.”

  “We’d better keep looking for a home then,” said Jack.

  Grace nodded sadly. “But Pop
py would have been just right for Bella.”

  “Don’t worry,” Jack comforted her. “A new owner is sure to come along soon.”

  “Mmm,” said Grace. “I guess so. Or maybe we could persuade Ms Clark to work part-time—”

  “Wait!” Jack interrupted.

  His eyes had lit up like they always did when he had an awesome idea.

  “What?” Grace demanded.

  “I might have thought of something,” said Jack mysteriously. “I’ll need to check though.”

  Just then one of the teachers came out and rang the bell. Jack hurried to line up.

  Grace went after him. “What’s your idea?”

  Jack tapped his nose. “Nope, you’ll have to wait! But I might have a brilliant way to let both Ms Clark and Poppy have Bella – and for us to be able to see her too!”

  That morning Jack and Grace’s class were working on their baby animal projects. Grace finished the border of cartoon dogs on the poster she and Poppy were making together. Poppy started off writing some puppy facts down but she quickly got bored and started looking up puppy jokes on the Internet instead.

  “Hey, Grace! Here’s one. What do you call a snowman’s dog? A slush puppy!” Poppy giggled and nudged Grace. “That’s a good one, isn’t it? Maybe we should have a joke section on our poster?”

  Grace laughed but then she noticed Ms Drew looking at them. “We need to write some facts down or we’ll get into trouble,” she said.

  While Poppy found more animal jokes, Grace started to write down facts about puppies. After a while she looked round and noticed that Jack was reading something on one of the computers. She could tell he was excited from the look on his face. She watched as he made some notes. What was he up to?

  “OK, tell me your idea or I’m going to burst!” she said at break time, running over to him.

  Jack opened his notebook. There was a page of notes and at the top he’d written in big letters: SCHOOL DOG!

  Grace stared.

  “School dogs!” said Jack eagerly, waving the notebook at her. “Yesterday when I was looking up stuff for the animal project, I read something about schools that have dogs. They go and live with teachers, like Ms Clark, after school and in the evenings and holidays. A dog in school is supposed to be really good for pupils with anxiety or home issues. Well, couldn’t Bella be a school dog?” He looked really excited. “She’s so friendly and she had a great time here yesterday—”

  “Yes!” broke in Grace. “And she loved it when Sienna read to her. All the little ones could practise by reading to her. And Poppy would be able to see her loads. It’s the best idea you’ve ever had, Jack!”

  Jack looked pleased. “If Ms Clark agrees she really could have a part-time dog!”

  “Let’s go and ask her right now!” cried Grace.

  “That is a very interesting idea,” Ms Clark said to Grace and Jack, once they had told her about school dogs and how the pupils could benefit from having Bella at Greenfields Primary.

  “Bella would have to live with a member of staff when she wasn’t in school,” said Grace. “So you could be Bella’s new owner after all.”

  Ms Clark looked thoughtful. “This might actually work. Thank you both. I’ll do some research and let you know as soon as I can.”

  Grace couldn’t help feeling disappointed as they walked back to class. “Why didn’t she just say yes?”

  “I suppose she needs to talk to the other teachers,” said Jack sensibly.

  “I guess,” said Grace. “I can’t wait to tell Poppy. She’s going to love the idea!”

  However, when she told Poppy that they were hoping that Bella could become a school dog, Poppy scowled. “It’s a rubbish idea. Bella would hate being a school dog. She needs one special person to love her, not a whole school.”

  Grace’s mouth fell open. “I don’t understand. I thought you’d be pleased. If Bella comes here you still get to see her.”

  Poppy’s frown deepened. “I’m already sharing my mum and dad. I don’t want to share a dog too!” she snapped.

  “But that’s just—” Grace had been about to say stupid but Jack saw the unhappiness on Poppy’s face and jumped in.

  “We’re sorry, Poppy. We didn’t mean to upset you,” he said.

  “I want Bella to be mine!” Poppy burst out and, blinking back tears, she turned and ran away.

  “Oh dear, that didn’t go well,” sighed Jack.

  Grace nodded, feeling torn. She felt sorry for Poppy but still wanted their plan for Bella to go ahead. “I hope Poppy gets used to the idea,” she said slowly.

  “And that Ms Clark says yes,” added Jack.

  A few days later Ms Clark called Grace and Jack into her office. Standing in front of the headteacher’s desk, Grace hopped nervously from one foot to the other. This had to be about Bella. What had Ms Clark decided?

  “Well…” A smile broke out on Ms Clark’s face. “After looking into the matter and discussing it with the teachers and the governors, I have decided I would love to rehome Bella and to have her as a school dog, if that’s still OK with both of you?”

  Grace felt like hugging her headteacher. “Yes, it is!” she cried. She tried not to think about how Poppy would react.

  Jack’s eyes shone with happiness. “Normally we’d do a home check,” he said.

  “You’re more than welcome to come round to my house,” said Ms Clark.

  Grace looked at Jack. It would be really weird going to inspect their headteacher’s house! But he nodded at Ms Clark.

  “Thanks. We could come this evening about six? Mum or Dad could bring us round, or Ollie, our big brother, could if they’re busy.”

  “Oliver Taylor,” Ms Clark mused. “I remember he was always breaking his pencils pretending to play the drums on the table. I’ll phone your parents and let them know what’s happening. In the meantime, could you think about what we need in school to make it safe for Bella? I’ll have to do a formal risk assessment, but any ideas you have will help.”

  The twins spent their lunchtime making a list of the things Bella would need, like dog beds and bowls, and the best place to put them so that Bella could have her own safe space. Jack also added to the list covers for plug sockets and two stair gates for the doors – particularly the one into the library so Bella couldn’t chew the books!

  “Bella’s personality test shows that she’s inquisitive so we must make sure everywhere is safe.” Jack consulted his notebook. “She’s also energetic and needs exercise so we could ask Ms Drew to appoint a dog monitor, someone to take Bella outside regularly and to help train her.”

  “Poppy would be a perfect school-dog carer if she’d do it,” said Grace.

  “Do you think she would?” said Jack.

  Grace looked determined. “I’m sure we could persuade her,” she said. “But first Ms Clark needs to pass our home check!”

  At six o’clock Ollie drove Grace, Jack and Bella round to Ms Clark’s house. “I’ll wait here,” he said getting out his phone. “I’m not going in.”

  “Ms Clark’s nice,” said Jack.

  “She’s my old headteacher!” said Ollie, looking at him as if he was crazy.

  Grace took Bella out of the travel crate in the back of the car and Jack rang the doorbell. A tall man with a friendly smile answered.

  “I’m Martin Clark. You must be Grace and Jack and this must be Bella. Come along in,” he said, standing back as the twins traipsed inside. “What a beautiful puppy!”

  Grace was having difficulty holding on to Bella, who was squirming in her arms, desperate to say hello to Mr Clark.

  Ms Clark came into the hall. “Hi there. Is that Oliver?” She looked out of the door and waved at Ollie.

  He went red and pretended not to see her.

  Grace grinned and put Bella down as Ms Clark shut the door. The puppy charged along the hall. They all followed her into the kitchen, a large tiled room with a breakfast bar and glass doors that opened on to a fenced garden.
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  “This is perfect,” said Jack, looking out of the window. “There’s plenty of room for Bella to safely run around outside.”

  Grace nodded, her eyes widening as she noticed a box of chocolate puffs on the worktop. Ms Clark eats chocolate puffs! She giggled.

  Jack shot her a stern look. Grace hid her laugh by pretending to cough.

  “Bella will sleep in here.” Ms Clark opened a door to a smaller room with a sink and a washing machine.

  Bella rushed past Grace and ran to a basket full of washing on the floor. Sticking her nose inside, she pulled something out.

  “Bella, no. Drop!” gasped Grace.

  Wagging her tail, Bella rushed back into the kitchen carrying a sock.

  “She still needs some training,” said Jack hurriedly.

  Grace caught up with the puppy. “Drop,” she said firmly, as she gently began to prise the sock from Bella’s mouth.

  Reluctantly Bella let go and the soggy pink sock decorated with unicorns and stars fell on the floor. Grace felt more laughter bubbling up inside her. Ms Clark also liked unicorns!

  “Good girl,” Grace praised Bella, feeding her a dog treat from her pocket.

  As Bella crunched on the treat, Ms Clark rescued the sock.

  “I’ll get Bella some special chew toys while she’s getting her adult teeth,” she said. “It’ll be fun having a puppy around the house, and when she’s old enough we’ll take her for lots of long walks. Martin and I are sometimes both out in the evenings and we do go abroad in the holidays but I’m sure I can find a puppy-sitter.”

  “That all sounds great,” said Jack. “Your house is perfect.” He looked at Grace and she nodded in agreement. “We’re pleased to tell you that it’s passed the Forever Homes inspection. As soon as the school has been puppy-proofed, Bella can become the school dog and move in with you. I made some notes about everything that needs doing.” He had typed the list up when he got home and now handed the notes to Ms Clark.