CHAPTER 15

It is just on dark when I head outside to feed Mischief, but she is not on the verandah where she usually waits.

Come to think of it, she wasn’t scratching at the door to be fed, either. And that is most unlike Mischief. She is like an alarm clock when it comes to dinner time.

‘Mischief?’

I walk down the verandah steps and take a quick look around the garden, but there is no sign of her – not a head, nor a paw; not even a little waggly tail.

Suddenly I notice a thin line of light beneath the garage door. Hang on … why is the garage door closed? And why is the light on?

Mischief’s familiar bark sounds from inside.

I head straight over and am just about to barge in when I hear Ted’s unmistakeable voice.

Ted? What is he doing in there? I press my ear to the door.

‘Now Mischief,’ I hear him say. ‘This is a lion; the king of the jungle. And this is a bird. They’re those things that make nice music in the mornings.’

What? Is Ted for real? Honestly! I think he is taking this bonding thing with Mischief a bit too far.

I yank the door open to find Ted holding two cards up in front of Mischief. As soon as he sees me he quickly puts them away, then pulls out a dog treat and feeds it to her.

‘No wonder she wasn’t scratching at the door to be fed,’ I sigh.

‘Brain …’

‘Ted? What the heck is going on here?’

‘I … er … I was just … well …’

‘Yes, Ted? I’m waiting.’

‘I was just teaching Mischief to play SNAP! You know, that card game.’

‘Ted, Mischief is a dog. Or had you forgotten?’

‘Yes, but she could be a very famous dog if she learns how to play SNAP! now couldn’t she, Brain?’

I roll my eyes. The things Ted dreams up!

‘How about we forget all about teaching Mischief SNAP! and go inside and watch Money Bags? I promise I’ll keep my mouth shut and let you try to answer the questions. You won’t even know I’m there. Of course, if you get stuck, you only have to ask and I’ll be more than happy to …’

‘Er, sorry Brain, can’t.’

‘What do you mean, you can’t?’

‘I told Harriet I’d call her at 7.30 pm on the dot.’

‘She’s got you twisted around her little finger, Ted. It’s not good.’

‘I’m not twisted around her little finger,’ Ted fires back indignantly.

‘And what about Money Bags? Where does that fit in?’

‘Money Bags, Money Bags, Money Bags. That’s all we’ve been doing lately. You worry too much, Brain, that’s your problem.’

‘Well, yes I do worry. You’re my best mate, Ted. And best mates look out for each other.’

‘Um Brain …’

‘When you’re up there on stage you want to be confident that what is going to come out of your mouth is a knowledgeable answer and not some word that accidentally slips out and embarrasses the heck out of you. I’ve been there and done that, and believe me, it’s not a very pleasant experience.’

‘Brain I think …’

‘That’s just it, Ted. You think about things too much. You have to learn to relax and make the best of the situation.’

‘Brain, I really …’

‘Oh for goodness’ sake, Ted, what is it?’

‘Over there,’ he whispers, then he points across the road.

‘What? I don’t see anything. Just a parked car.’

‘Exactly,’ says Ted. ‘I think we’re being watched.’

I sigh. Ted sure can be melodramatic at times.

‘Watched? I don’t think so, Ted. Just because a person is sitting inside a car parked across the road, it hardly means we’re being watched.’

‘But it doesn’t mean we’re not,’ says Ted. ‘Why would someone be sitting in the dark, anyway?’

‘They could be waiting for someone, or have a torch that we can’t see and be looking in the Melways for directions.’

‘I s’pose.’

Suddenly Mischief lets out a low, throaty growl.

‘That’s enough of that,’ I say sternly.

But Mischief is on the alert, hackles raised. She races over to the front gate and growls again; this time more loudly.

‘Oh for goodness’ sake, Mischief, stop that! You’ll have Mum and Dad out here any second.’

‘Not to mention the neighbours,’ chips in Ted.

But Mischief is not listening. Her eyes are fixed on the car across the road.

‘See,’ says Ted. ‘Even Mischief thinks it’s strange that a car is parked there.’

‘Rubbish. She’s just protecting her territory, that’s all.’

‘Oh well, I guess I’d better be off,’ says Ted.

‘Yeah, it wouldn’t do to keep Harriet waiting.’

Ted doesn’t even answer, but bends down to give Mischief a pat as he reaches the gate.

Normally Mischief would lap up the attention, but she’s still obsessed with the car parked across the road.

‘Catch you later,’ I say as Ted heads out the gate.

‘Yeah,’ says Ted. ‘Catch you –’ and he stops mid-sentence as Mischief bolts through his legs.

‘Mischief, come back,’ I call after her, but she doesn’t listen. Which isn’t all that unusual. She can be one pigheaded dog when she wants to be.

Suddenly the car engine starts up, and my heart skips a beat. Mischief is heading straight for it!

‘Mischief!’

But my voice is drowned out by the sound of tyres screeching, as the car speeds off, barely missing her.

‘Mischief!’ I scold her as I scoop her into my arms and hold her close. ‘Don’t you ever do that again. You could have been run over!’

‘Oh well,’ says Ted. ‘At least we’re not being watched any more.’