Free Finding Elizabeth by Louise Forster

the back seat.
    The moment Katherine started the engine, Bubbles howled like a dog possessed. Katherine stopped the car, turned the ignition off and tried again. It made no difference. The din was so loud she turned the volume up on her CD player, but that made matters worse. It had turned into a competition between Bubbles and Carreras. Katherine turned the radio off and her new dog was quiet.
    “What!” Katherine swung around. “You don’t like opera?” She switched CDs. Bubbles was quiet for a while until Cold Play hit a certain note and she began to howl again. Katherine sighed, turned the music off, adjusted her seatbelt, and headed back to the Lodge.
    Before getting out, she gave Bubbles’ head a rub and told her not to eat the car seats. Walking into the lodge she found Jack talking to Aileen at reception.
    “Hi,” Katherine said. “I’ll just go and have a word with Peggy.” She hurried down the hall.
    She knocked on Peggy’s door. “Come on in. The crisis is over,” said Peggy.
    “Well, that sounds a lot better,” Katherine said. “And you’re smiling.” She took a closer look. “Smiling and crying. What’s going on?”
    “The shelter rang me and said Bubbles had a new forever home. I hope they treat her well.”
    “Yeah, I sure will,” Katherine nodded. “Surprise. Meet the new owner.”
    “You—you have Bubbles?”
    “Yes, she’s in the car waiting for me to take her home.”
    “Oh Katy, you’re always there for me. Can I see her?”
    “I don’t see why not. I’ll arrange it with Aileen.” Katherine kissed Peggy’s cheek, and said, “I’ll come around to your window.”
    Katherine trudged through snowdrifts trying to hang onto Bubbles, who forged ahead with large, hairy feet that were a real asset. When they came to Peggy’s window, she was waiting. Bubbles went berserk, yapping and jumping. Peggy laughed and cried and motioned towards the entrance.
    “Yeah, see you there,” Katherine mouthed.
    Dragging the one-hundred-and-fifteen pound dog from her owner’s window was, Katherine quickly discovered, impossible. She dropped the lead and moved away, hoping Bubbles would follow. The dog looked confused; her saviour was leaving and her loyal owner had disappeared again. She sat in the snow and howled. Katherine coaxed her to come and, ears flat, Bubbles reluctantly padded over. Together they headed for the front doors. “When we get there I want you to sit like a lady. No bouncing and charging.”
    A nurse helped Peggy with her coat and warm boots. Rugged up against the cold, Peggy came out, and Bubbles shivered and whimpered with excitement. Katherine closely watched the scene unfold before her.
    “You’re a good girl, Bubbles, yes you are. So well behaved,” Peggy crooned and cuddled her dog. “You’re Katy’s now. And I know you’ll have a loving home.” Bubbles licked the tears on Peggy’s face.
    The news attracted everyone from within the Lodge. They lined up, peering through the glass doors to see what was happening. Judging by their smiles, they were happy for Peggy.
    Jack stood to one side, a big grin on his face.
    “You are blessed,” Peggy said. “Bubbles will look after you. I lived alone for decades, didn’t like it one bit, always worried, especially at night. Soon as Bubbles came into my life, I never had another worry. You’ll be good for each other.”
    “Thank you, Peggy. I love her already. You’re starting to shiver, please go inside. I’ll come by often with Bubbles.”
    “Thank you.” Peggy reached up and kissed Katherine’s cheek, and the top of Bubbles’ head before the nurse helped her shuffle indoors.
    “And you’d better have dinner or there’ll be hell to pay!” Katherine yelled.
    As the doors closed behind her Peggy waved a dismissive hand.
    Katherine signalled to Jack, making driving motions. Jack bundled up in his cold weather gear and came out.
    “You’ve created quite a buzz through Happy Lodge.”
    “Are you being