The Perilious Tales of Pemberely Pet Shop 7
To read the previous adventures of this mysterious pet shop, go here.
Rather than go home, Birdie carried a sulky Sassy the mile or so to Frankie’s house. By the time she got there, the sunlight had long retired from trickling through the leaves and the chill of early evening was creeping in. Shifting Sassy in her arms, Birdie knocked on the door.
Mrs. O’Neil opened the door and quickly shut it again, hurrying outside on the front porch. “Please don’t tell me you’re here to plead that dog’s case. I’ve got eight children, Birdie, and a husband with a hollow leg. I’m lucky if I get any dinner. As cute as the puppy is, I can’t feed it.”
Birdie shook her head. “This is my new puppy, Mrs. O’Neil. Her name is Sassy. I brought her over to meet Frankie.”
Mrs. O’Neil exhaled, her shoulders dropping as though they had held up the weight of the world. “We’re just about to have dinner. Won’t you come inside?”
Birdie’s stomach growled, but she shook her head. Good manners wouldn’t let her intrude again, especially after Mrs. O’Neil’s confession. “I’ll just introduce them and be on my way.”
Mrs. O’Neil eyed her as her stomach rumbled, louder this time. “You have dinner at home? Your mom will feed you.”
Birdie refrained from snorting. She plastered a lying smile on her face and nodded. “Yes ma’am.
Raising one eyebrow, Mrs. O’Neil pressed her lips together. “I’ll pretend to believe you. But if I don’t see you at the dinner table tonight, I will be calling to make sure someone’s fed you a good meal. You can’t live on tofu and diner food, no matter how good the milkshakes are.”
Birdie’s stomach growled louder, delighted by the idea of a thick, creamy milkshake. Suddenly dizzy with hunger, she nodded. “I’ll eat a vegetable with my hamburger. I promise.”
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head with a snort of laughter, Mrs. O’Neil opened the door and dashed inside. “Ryan, let go of your sister’s hair. Mary Michelle, I said thirty minutes of piano practice, not three. Liesse, if you get near that cookie jar I’m going to whip you. Frankie! Birdie’s on the porch for you! Make sure she comes in for supper.”
Birdie grinned as Frankie flew onto the porch, slamming the door behind her. She exhaled, running her fingers through her frizzy red hair. “I swear, trying to study for an algebra test when your little brother uses your bra as a slingshot for water balloons”– She stopped mid-sentence, cooing at Sassy. Scratching behind her ears, she murmured, “Who is this little beauty?”
“Sassy,” Birdie replied. “You’ll never guess where I found her.” As Frankie ran her fingers through Sassy’s soft fur, Birdie told her about finding Sassy in the bushes, the strange interaction with Percy at the Pemberely Pet Shop and Mr. Harding’s spooked reaction.
“So what are you going to do?” Frankie asked, giggling as Sassy licked her fingers. “She probably tastes the salt from the popcorn I had earlier.”
Birdie shifted Sassy in her arms. “First, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the diner. My treat,” she added as Frankie’s face crumpled.
“Why your treat?” Frankie asked suspiciously. “You treated last time. Because you lost,” she added with relish, a mischievous grin curling her lips.
“I was thinking you could help me out with something,” Birdie replied, her tone light. “I figured a basket of chicken fingers and fries and a big chocolate shake would be a good payment.”
Drool quivered at the corner of Frankie’s mouth. “Mom made stew again,” she muttered, glancing at the closed front door. “I doubt she would mind…” Narrowing her eyes, she glared at Birdie. “Wait a minute. You’re trying to trick me again. What’s the favor?”
Birdie widened her eyes, ignoring her stomach as it complained again. “Why would I trick you?”
Frankie crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “What’s the plan, Birdie?”
Birdie hoisted Sassy up closer to Frankie, letting Sassy’s big brown eyes and crumpled red velvet ears have Frankie’s full attention. “I just thought we might pop by the pet store and see what we find out.”
“The pet shop is closed at seven, and it’s close to seven now,” Frankie replied. “There’s no way we could go to the diner and go to the pet shop on time.” Birdie said nothing. Frankie dropped her fingers from Sassy’s soft fur. “Oh no. I’m not helping you break into the shop.”
“We’re not breaking into the shop,” Birdie argued. “We’re investigating.”
“Investigating a one-way trip to juvie!” Frankie hissed. “Are you crazy? Do you know what my parents would do?”
“Your dad would throw you a party,” Birdie grinned. “And your mom wouldn’t care as long as you didn’t drag home any animals.”
Frankie sighed. “That’s true.” She looked at Sassy, her pout softening. “Fine. I’ll go tell Mom.”
Birdie grinned, burying her face in Sassy’s neck. “Don’t worry, girl,” she murmured, giggling as Sassy turned and stuck her tongue up her nose. “We’re one hamburger, fries and milkshake away from finding out the truth about the Pemberely Pet Shop.”
Sassy growled, her nose crinkling.
“Fine, and fried pickles,” Birdie sighed. She giggled. “I did promise I would eat a vegetable.”
Sassy licked her lips and Birdie’s stomach roared as Frankie bopped outside. “She said as long as you ate a vegetable, it was ok.”
“Then let’s go!” Birdie cried. Skipping the falling evening light, the girls headed off to the diner.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a delicious recipe and Friday, a brand new Dallas Jean! Then Saturday we have all the answers you could ever want about me! Have a question? Ask me in the comments! And ask me anything–if I’m a natural blond, if I really dance all the time, if Queen Bitty is really as mean as I make her out to be…ask away!
February 17th, 2010 at 4:07 am
That Sassy is too cute. Let me know if she needs a home..
February 17th, 2010 at 4:30 am
OOh You had me at fried pickles!
February 17th, 2010 at 6:43 am
That puppy is too cute!! I love fried pickles, my favorite appetizer!
February 17th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Stopping by from SITS to say HI! I have made a promise to myself to visit and comment on all blogs posted to spread the love!
February 17th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Fried pickles go wonderful with a juicy burger. Sounds like she’s about to get into trouble.
February 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am
I’m going to have to come up with a really good question before then.
YAY it’s Pet Shop day! This is my favorite story of yours and this particular installment made me very hungry. Are fried pickles really any good? (That’s not my Saturday question…just was wondering!)
February 17th, 2010 at 7:57 am
I never tasted fried pickles!
What a cute puppy!! a well written story!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Fried pickles? Yum!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Scout and Sassy would make good friends!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:22 am
any kind of pickles and im all over that! lol that was my biggest craving threw my pregnancy go figure my son HATES pickles LOL gags at the sight of them hehe! Love reading your stories Darl!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:22 am
I LOVE fried pickles! There’s a local pub that carries them. I was in heaven.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Lots of fun detail! Well-written. I like fried pickes (I had one for the first time last year, yum)!
February 17th, 2010 at 9:57 am
A husband with a hollow leg.. the mind boggles?
I think people aren’t asking you questions because you have written about it right at the bottom in small italic print?!
So, are you a natural blond?
Where do you get your inspiration for all your stories?
Do you have a publisher or self-publish?
What is your favourite writer and why?
Why did you start a blog?
And why all the pie baking? And how on earth do you stay so slim?
How did you meet your husband?
Describe a happy childhood memory.
Describe a funny moment.
What are your goals for the future?
Well, that should be enough to keep you going!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:28 am
I’ll be back tomorrow to see what happens. I hope she really does have something to eat at home.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Yes, did you know that even kindergarten is optional? Children don’t have to attend school until they are 6 years-old, which is usually 1st grade. 2 of my older kids attended preschool. 2 did not. For the one child, it really was necessary. She had so much social anxiety that she needed to become accustomed to the classroom environment before going to school. She had 2 years worth of preschool. There has been no difference academically in my children between the ones who have gone and the ones that haven’t. I think, personally, it is nice for kids because it gives them something to be excited about. 4 year-old children especially are ready for that type of social interaction and they love it (if the preschool environment is good, that is). My son is really enjoying his preschool co-op and learning a lot. Generally, I think preschool is really good for kids. But kids who don’t go aren’t usually at any sort of a disadvantage.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I must try a fried pickle now. Mmmm.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I have heard of fried pickles but I have never had them!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Very good story! Happy Wednesday to you!
February 17th, 2010 at 11:46 am
That little pup is adorable!
Fried pickles? Never had them but am very, very curious!!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Duckie, I can’t imagine you as anything but a blond, natural or not. You look beautiful the way you are. I love this portion of the story. And I especially love the piture of the elephant in the living room.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Can’t wait to see what they find out!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Fried pickles?! How have I never heard of such a thing? Sounds yummy!!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
O.K., vegetables I can deal with, but I’m not too sure about fried pickles! Loved the Elephant, but I love elephants anyway!
As always, I just love your stories!
February 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Fried pickles? It’s a stretch, but I GUESS it is a veggie!!
February 17th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
French Fries are a vegtable, but adding the fried pickles sounds good too. I can see the elephant!
Mimi
February 17th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
you’re a great writer!
February 17th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I haven’t been by lately. I missed your stories.
I love Sassy, nice addition to the regular cast,lol
February 17th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Oh —I love fried pickles!!!! YUM…..
That Sassy is gorgeous… The ‘eyes’ will kill!!!!! WOW!
You are a fabulous writer, Duckie.
Hugs,
Betsy
February 17th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I love the title. Very creative. Your a good writer. I know your book will do well.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I know what it’s like having a husband with a hollow leg! lol I’m fascinated by the first pic Duckie, where is it from?
February 18th, 2010 at 4:19 am
It’s 6 in the morning and you’ve got my stomach growling.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
This story makes me yearn to be a kid again! And if you were my best friend it would be perfect! We could go on adventures together.
Do you plan out your stories ahead of time? Outline? Do you know what the ending will be when you start? Or do you just start writing and let the story take you where it will?
February 19th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I love when stories turn to the other side of the law! Though I was mislead by the photo to hope we were going to discover the secret of the elephant. One day…
February 20th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I read the story to my little ones. We’re looking forward to what happens next. We can’t wait!