Free Jess the Lonely Puppy by Holly Webb Page B

black-and-white ball. They had gone to see the litter of puppies at the breeder’s, and Chloe and Will had laughed at the funny little pups climbing over each other and bouncing around their pen. Chloe had been so excited, and when she finally plucked up the courage to stroke the little black-and-white head, Jess had licked her hand with a tiny pink tongue.Chloe had loved her all at once.
    She could see Will and Jess now, playing by the tall trees at the edge of the lake, Jess jumping excitedly at the stick that Will was waving. It was the kind of energetic game Jess loved.

    That was Chloe’s problem. Jess wasn’t just fluffy and sweet. She was jumpy too, and wriggly and loud. Will played with her all the time, and that made her even more excited. She would jump around his feet, barking away, and Chloe couldn’t help looking at her sharp little white teeth. She’d been looking forward to the puppy curling up on her lap for a cuddle sometimes, but Jess just didn’t seem to be that sort of dog.
    Chloe tried to hide it, but even though she wanted to, she was too scared to touch her. And Jess had Will, who loved her so much. Why would she bother with a girl who never stroked her, and pulled away even if Jess just gave her an interested sniff?

Chapter Two
    Chloe was half-reading, and half-listening to Grandad and her parents chatting, when a loud bark made her jump. She watched as the puppy suddenly appeared from among the trees, streaking towards them in a black-and-white blur.
    “She’s running about off her lead again,” she said nervously.
    Mum looked round at Jess. “She’s just having fun, Chloe, don’t worry.”
    Jess stopped a little way away from the picnic rug and barked again anxiously. She needed them to come now, but they were just staring at her. She pawed at Chloe’s leg, but Chloe pulled away with a frightened squeak.
    Jess shook her ears crossly. Why did Chloe always do that? Frantically, she ran back towards the trees a little way and barked again.
    “I think something’s wrong,” Dad said, frowning and getting up. “Where’s Will?”
    Will! Yes, they’d understood at last! Jess whined again, and then wagged her tail as Dad and Chloe finally followed her. Will had told her to fetch them,and even though she hadn’t wanted to leave him, she was desperate to help.
    “Oh, no…” Dad muttered as they got closer to the trees. Huddled at the bottom of one of the taller trees was Will. Dad and Chloe broke into a run.
    “It’s all right, we’re here now,” Dad said, as he crouched down by Will.
    “I fell – I got really high up and a branch broke…” Will said faintly.

    “Don’t worry, we’ll sort you out,” Dad said soothingly. He turned to Chloe. “Go and get your mum and tell her to phone an ambulance. I think Will might have broken his leg.”

    Jess sat in the kitchen in her basket, whimpering every so often. She didn’t know what was happening, but things were definitely not right. And she didn’t know where Will was.
    “Shh, shh, Jess,” Grandad said gently, stroking her head. “Don’t worry. Poor Jess, it must have been very frightening for her, seeing Will like that.”
    “It was frightening for everybody,” Chloe whispered, cupping her handsround her hot chocolate. Grandad had made it for her. He said even though it was summer, there was nothing like hot chocolate when people were upset. But it didn’t seem to be working.
    “I wish Mum would ring.” Chloe stared hopefully at the phone, as though that would make it burst into life. “She promised she’d ring as soon as she knew what was happening.”
    Grandad patted Chloe’s hand, a bit like he’d stroked Jess. “I know it was scary, but Will’s going to be well looked after. A broken leg mends quickly, and Will’s healthy and strong. He was awake and talking to us, that’s the important thing.”
    Chloe nodded. She supposed her grandad was right, but Will’s leg hadbeen all twisted and wrong-looking.
    At