The Chocolate Dog by Holly Webb Read Free Book Online Page B

was almost the end of the holidays. They were going back to school on Wednesday – it was Lara’s first day in Reception. It would be nice to have an expedition to the woods before they went back. Maybe even a picnic.
    Then she sighed. Except of course Dad would be back at work today, and Mum wouldn’t be up for a long walk. She wasn’t sure whether to want the three weeks till the baby came to go fast or slow. She wanted Mum back to normal – but from now on normal was going to mean with added baby.
    The bedroom door creaked open, and her dad peered round. “Oh, you’re awake.”
    â€œI thought you were going back to work today?” Amy asked, looking at her clock. It was half-past seven – usually Dad was on a train into London by now.
    â€œI was. But your mum thinks the baby might be coming early, so I’m staying home to go with her to the hospital.”
    There was a scuffling sound, and Lara suddenly appeared out of her flowery tent. “The baby’s coming now? But it can’t!”
    Dad looked puzzled. “Why?”
    â€œIt’s my birthday tomorrow!” Lara wailed. “No one’s ever going to remember my birthday if the baby has today!”
    â€œI promise we will.” Dad gave her a quick hug. “Anyway, I’m going to go and ring Kate. Mum said she had a feeling this might happen, and she spoke to Kate last night. Mum’s arranged for you two to go and stay with her while Mum and I are at the hospital, remember?”
    Amy nodded. That was OK. She liked Kate – she was an old school friend of Mum’s and she didn’t have any children, which meant she didn’t understand the rules, and believed in large bags of sweets all at once. She worked from home, drawing pictures for cards, and she had beautiful pencils and paper that she let Amy borrow. She showed her how to draw things too, sometimes. Until Kate helped, Amy had never been able to get Choc’s legs right when she drew pictures of him. Kate only lived a few streets away, and she came round for coffee with Mum quite often.
    â€œSo can you pack your pyjamas, and some clothes for tomorrow maybe, in case we’re not back? And some books…” Dad suggested vaguely, as he hurried out again.
    â€œI don’t want to go to Kate’s! We can’t take clothes for tomorrow, we have to be back,” Lara told Amy urgently. “Tomorrow’s my party, Amy! My party’s here!”
    â€œOh…” Amy chewed her bottom lip. Mum wasn’t going to be up for a party straight after the baby came, was she? Wouldn’t she have to stay in hospital for a bit?
    Dad could do it. Except … Dad wasn’t great at that kind of thing. Like he was useless at packing. He hadn’t even mentioned toothbrushes.
    Amy sighed. The new baby was doing even better than Lara had. She’d been upset when Mum hadn’t been able to take her to school on her first day. But cancelling Lara’s birthday party would be awful.
    Lara turned round, marched back into her tent, and came out again carrying the pink plastic basket that usually had her dirty washing in. It was full of mermaids, and all the other things she’d taken under the table the day before. Plus a sparkly wand and a cardigan. She looked determined. “I knew I’d have to get back under there. Tell Dad I’m not going,” she said to Amy as she stomped past.
    Amy stared after her admiringly. It was actually a better plan than running away. Staying put…
    â€œDave!” It was Mum, sounding worried. Amy got out of bed and went out on to the landing. “Are you OK, Mum?”
    â€œOh, Amy. It’s all right. Don’t worry, but can you tell Dad we need to go soon?”
    Amy swallowed nervously and hurried downstairs to find Dad. Choc galloped after her. His tail was wagging very slightly, the way it did when he wasn’t sure what was going on and he