CHAPTER 5

Annie parked the car at the end of Cavendish Lane. From the back-seat window, Grover could see a fluffy tail waving back and forth on their front porch.

Mr Tibbles.

‘Oh, that cat drives me CRAZY!’ Grover exclaimed.

‘Cat? What cat?’ Benji asked.

‘Mr Tibbles, the cat from next door,’ Grover said. ‘He’s bossy and rude, and he thinks he can go wherever he wants, whenever he wants. And he’s not even scared of me!’

‘A cat that’s NOT scared of a dog?’ Benji said. ‘How strange. Maybe he’ll be scared of two dogs, if we walk up together.’

‘No offence, Benji, but I really don’t think so,’ Grover said.

The two dogs jumped down out of the car, and crossed the road with Annie. Grover looked in both directions for cars, just like David had taught him. He checked extra carefully this time, now that he had to look after Benji too.

As they w alked up the s treet to the house, Grover told Benji all about Cavendish Lane.

‘My friend Boris the German shepherd lives in this house. He used to be an actual police dog. And my friend Hamish the terrier lives down that street. He has more energy than any dog I’ve ever met!’

‘You’re lucky to have so many friends, Grover,’ said Benji.

‘I know,’ said Grover. ‘Having real friends is the best thing in the world. As well as my humans, Annie and David, of course.’

Grover looked at Benji and suddenly felt bad. Oh no! he thought. Poor Benji. He doesn’t have his human anymore, and here I am talking about how great mine are!

Grover wasn’t sure what to say next, so he didn’t say anything at all.

‘This neighbourhood smells wonderful,’ said Benji. ‘There are so many flowers. My Nancy would have liked it here,’ he added sadly.

Grover felt awful. What should he do? He wished he could ask Annie – she always knew the right thing to say. He looked around for her, but she was standing at the gate, chatting with the neighbour. Perhaps I can talk to her tonight, Grover thought.

Benji and Grover left Annie at the gate and headed towards the house.

‘Head in the clouds again, Dog?’ said a familiar voice. ‘Or are you ignoring me? If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you were trying to hurt my feelings. But wait, I’ve just remembered – I don’t care about you. MWAHAHAHAHA!’

It was that horrible Mr Tibbles.

‘I don’t have time to argue with you today, Mr Tibbles. I’m busy working,’ Grover replied. He leant in close to Benji and whispered that there were three steps up to the front door.

Mr Tibbles looked at the small fluffy dog climbing slowly up the stairs.

‘Got yourself a TEDDY BEAR, have you, Dog? Do you need to cuddle it? Do you need a hug, Dog? HA HA!’ said Mr Tibbles, mocking Grover.

‘My word,’ Benji said. ‘You’re a very rude cat.’

‘Why should I listen to you?’ said Mr Tibbles. ‘You look more like a toy than a real dog.’

‘I am a real dog,’ said Benji calmly, ‘and if I didn’t have better manners I would say something nasty about you.’

‘Just one more step, Benji, you’re almost there,’ Grover said, guiding Benji up onto the porch.

‘What’s with all the directions, Dog? Doesn’t your new wind-up toy know how to get up the stairs?’ Mr Tibbles said.

‘My friend Benji is blind,’ Grover replied. ‘I’m helping him get inside because he’s staying over tonight.’

‘Blind?’ said Mr Tibbles, with a curious smile. ‘Well, Toy Dog, I hope you’re not looking for a new home, because I don’t know a human in the world who would want a dog like you.’

Grover couldn’t believe his ears. It was quite possibly the nastiest thing he had ever heard anyone say.

‘YOU TAKE THAT BACK!’ Grover barked.

Benji lowered his head.

‘Have I offended your little friend, Dog?’ Mr Tibbles a sked, g leefully twirling his whiskers with his paws.

‘RUUUUUUUFFFF!’ Grover gave an almighty bark, but Mr Tibbles didn’t even flinch.

‘Grover, are you barking at that cat again?’ Annie called as she ran up the stairs. ‘Benji, don’t you learn any of these bad habits! He’s a naughty boy for barking at cats. Come on, you two, inside.’

Grover knew he was in trouble, but it was worth it. Annie hadn’t heard what Mr Tibbles had said. If she had, she would have been proud of Grover for sticking up for his friend. Grover was sure of it.