Alfie All Alone by Holly Webb Page A

her mum was sneaking glances at her every so often. Over the last few weeks, Evie’s mum and dad had been worrying abouthow the new baby was going to affect her. After all, eight was quite old to suddenly have a new baby brother or sister. Evie seemed to be happy about it, but it was difficult to tell. They’d been wondering what they could do to stop her feeling left out, and it was only the day before that Evie’s dad had thought of getting her a puppy. Her mum hadn’t been too sure.
    “Won’t it be a lot of hassle, just before the baby comes?” she’d worried.
    “We’ve got a few weeks. And the point is that Evie would be doing all the looking after – it’ll give her something to fuss over when we’re fussing over the baby.” Evie’s dad was really enthusiastic. He liked dogs, and he knew Evie would love a puppy.After all, a puppy had been at the top of her Christmas list for the last three years. Her parents had always said she wasn’t quite old enough – mostly because Evie’s mum thought having a dog would be a lot of work. But Evie’s dad had been trying hard to convince her, so the Westie ad had turned up at the perfect time.
    “What are you thinking about, Evie?” Mum asked her, smiling. “You’re miles away.”
    Evie grinned. “Just that lovely dog. I know we can’t have a puppy, but if we did, I’d like one just like him…”

    Evie’s dad got home just in time to help make dinner, and Evie told him about the little white dog as she was setting the table.
    “Puppies? For sale now?” he asked thoughtfully.
    Evie saw him exchange a glance with her mum and caught her breath, her eyes widening in sudden hope. She looked back and forth between them. Her dad was grinning. “Funny you should spot that ad today, Evie. Your mum and I were talking last night. We’ve been thinking about getting you a dog and just now seems the right time.”
    Evie could hardly believe her ears.
    “You mean it?” she breathed delightedly.
    Mum nodded. “If you think you canlook after a dog properly. It’s a big responsibility.”
    Evie nodded so hard she made her neck ache. “I know, I know. I can!”
    Mum smiled. “So, shall I ring the lady with these puppies? You’d like a Westie?”
    Evie just gaped at them. She’d wanted a dog for so long, and her parents had always said, “Maybe,” and “Perhaps when you’re older.” Then she suddenly realized what her mum had just said and squeaked, “Yes! Yes, please!”
    Evie hardly ate any tea. She watched her parents eating impatiently, and when her dad had swallowed his last mouthful of pasta she snatched the plate away to put in the washing-up.
    “Hey! Evie! I was going to have seconds!” He smiled. “OK, OK. Let’s put you out of your misery.”
    Evie waited anxiously while her mum called the number. What if all the puppies had gone? After all, they didn’t know how long the advertisement had been up there. She sat on the stair listening to her mum. It was horribly difficult to work out what was going on, but eventually her mum said, “Great. Well, we’ll come round tomorrow morning. Thanks!” and then she put the phone down and beamed at Evie.
    “I’m getting a puppy!” Evie gasped, jumping up and down in excitement. “I can’t believe it! I have to go round and tell Gran!”
    Evie’s gran lived a couple of streets away, with her own two dogs, Ben the spaniel, and Tigger, who was a greyhound cross with crazy stripes. Evie heard them barking madly as she rang the doorbell. She grinned to herself. She couldn’t wait to introduce Ben and Tigger to her new puppy!
    “Guess what, guess what!” she gabbled as Gran opened the door. “I’m getting a dog!” She didn’t manage to say much after that as Tigger was jumping up and trying to lick her face.
    “Down, Tigger! Stop it, silly boy, it’s only Evie, you see her every day!” Gran shooed the dogs away and went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. “Darling, did you say you were