Free Snow Dog by Malorie Blackman

Chapter One
    Grandad’s Idea

    NICKY LIVED WITH her mum and her dad in a beautiful house with lots of rooms. The house had a big garden at the front and an even bigger garden at the back. But Nicky was miserable. She didn’t mind not having any brothers or sisters, but there was one thing she wanted more than anything else in the world.

    “Mum,
please
can I have a dog?”
    “You must be joking, sweet pea,” sniffed Nicky’s mum as she hunted for her handbag.

    “Why not?”
    “Because a dog would make a mess of our carpets,” said Nicky’s mum, as she searched in her handbag for her front door keys.
    “We could make a kennel for it in our back garden,” Nicky tried.

    “In the garden?” Nicky’s mum was horrified. “Where it could dig up my tulips and my pansies and my roses? Are you crazy? I don’t think so, poppet.”
    And Mum rushed off to work.
    “Dad, can I have a dog
please
?” Nicky pleaded, as Dad came downstairs.

    “I’m afraid not, precious.”
    “But why not?” Nicky was trying not to cry.
    “Because, my apple dumpling, your mum and I work during the day and you’re at school, so who would look after it?” said Dad.

    “I would when I got home from school,” Nicky replied eagerly. “No, honey muffin. Dogs need to be exercised regularly – through rain or shine, snow or hail. You’re too young to take a dog for regular walks and your mum and I are too busy. It just wouldn’t work.” Dad rummaged through the notes and letters on the hall table looking for the shopping list. “Ah, there it is!” Dad tucked the list into his shirt pocket.

    “Couldn’t we try, just for a while?” Nicky pleaded.
    “No, angel lips. I’m sorry, but no.” And Dad headed out of the door to do the shopping.

    Tears started to stream down Nicky’s face. Grandad, who had been watching everything from the living room, came out into the hall holding the biggest hankie she had ever seen. Grandad’s hankie was almost the size of a tablecloth!

    “Never mind, Nicky. Use my hankie to dry your eyes. Don’t worry, it’s clean!” And Grandad dropped the whole thing down on Nicky’s head. It covered her face like a huge and very floppy hat.

    “Grandad!” Nicky laughed as she pulled it off. “I haven’t got twenty eyes spread out all over my head!”

    “That’s my girl,” Grandad grinned. “Cheer up, treasure.”
    “Oh Grandad, I wish you lived closer so that we could see you more often. Then maybe Mum and Dad would let me have a dog – if you could be here to look after it,” Nicky sighed.

    “Don’t worry, sweetie. Dry your eyes and I’ll tell you about my idea.”
    “What idea?” asked Nicky, wiping her eyes.
    “Do you really and truly want a dog?” asked Grandad.
    “Mum and Dad won’t let me have one.” Nicky sniffed, her eyes itching with fresh tears.

    “They won’t buy one for you, but I know how we could get you a dog of your very own.” Grandad’s eyes were twinkling.
    “How?”
    “We could make one!” said Grandad.

Chapter Two
    Waiting
    “ MAKE ONE?” NICKY stared at her grandad.
    “That’s right.”

    “How on earth can we make our own dog?” asked Nicky.

    “Come with me.” Grandad led the way into the living room. “Now then, where did I put it?”
    “Put what?”
    “My bag,” said Grandad looking around.

    “It’s over there, next to the telly.” Nicky wondered how Grandad could miss it! His bag was gigantic and Mum and Dad were always complaining that it looked like Grandad was carrying a huge scatter cushion on his shoulder.

    “Right then, stand back!” Grandad bent down and buried his head in the bag. It looked like he was diving right into it. Nicky watched as Grandad started throwing out all kinds of things , like a yellow lampshade and an electric kettle and a half-eaten packet of chocolate biscuits. Several books, a few CDs and a computer keyboard flew across the room after the biscuits.
    “Ah! Here it is!” exclaimed Grandad at last.