Colin liked the vicar. Colin, Joy, Mum and Dad all went down to the family service on Sundays. Colin went to a group at the church on Wednesdays. Simon, the vicar, was good fun. He sometimes came to take a school assembly and would help with almost anything. Colin ran all the way to the main road and met Simon at the corner. He’d been visiting poor old Mrs Roberts who couldn’t get out of her wheelchair.
“Hi, Colin,” said Simon. “Where you off to?”
“To find you,” said Colin, breathing heavily because he had been running very fast. “Dad said I was to tell you… there’s a dog, and she’s ever so thin… I think she’s starving… and the house looks all shut up. Will and I were feeding her, but—”
“Who does this dog belong to?” asked Simon.
“Dad says she belongs to old Charlie,” said Colin. “Dad says you’d best call round.”
“Old Charlie?” said Simon. ‘I know him but he doesn’t like being called on. He’s never let me into the house… Well, let’s go and have a look.”
Colin and Simon climbed the steep lane and turned up the track. It was getting dark in the oak wood and Colin was glad he was not alone. It would soon be sunset but there were no lights in the cottage windows. They stood at the gate and whistled. The dog came rushing to them, whining and pushing her nose through the gate. When the vicar pushed it open she jumped up barking. But she knew Colin and when he got hold of her she quietened down and wagged her tail.
“Feel her ribs,” said Colin, stroking her gently.
The vicar knocked on the front door. There was no answer. He went round to the back. There was a pile of bricks against a rain barrel. The dog jumped up and started drinking.
“At least she’s had water,” said Simon.
He knocked at the back door. Then he tried to open the door but it was locked. He peered in through the windows. “I don’t think there’s anyone here,” he said. “Old Charlie must have gone away. I’d better phone the police and ask them to look into it. In the meantime…”
“I’ll look after her,” said Colin.
“Well, it would be best to take her home,” said Simon. “Would your mum and dad mind?”
“I don’t think so,” said Colin.
“Well, I’m sure we can sort her out in a day or two,” said the vicar. “She’ll just be a lodger.”
“Not if I can help it,” said Colin. “If anything’s happened to old Charlie, I’m keeping her.”
“Well, we’ll see,” smiled the vicar. “Take her home now and give her a good supper. Tell your dad I’ll look after old Charlie. Bye, Colin, and thanks.”
“Thanks a lot,” called Colin. He kept tight hold of the dog’s collar but she didn’t struggle. She seemed glad to follow her new master. They climbed the hill together. When they reached the top, the sun was setting. The farm and the barns stood black against a crimson sky. They reached the house and Colin pushed open the door. The dog walked straight into the big farm kitchen. She began poking her nose into cupboards and whining. The family’s cat arched her back, hissed and ran out into the yard.
“Oh, that’s the dog, is it? You know, I had a feeling you’d come back with her!” said Mum. “Did you find old Charlie?”
“No,” said Colin. “Simon came and he thinks the house is empty. He’s going to phone the police. He told me to bring the dog home, and if old Charlie’s gone away or something, I can keep her.”
“Keep her?” Mum looked doubtful. “We’ve already got a dog! I don’t know what your dad will say… Still, she’s here now and you’d best feed her.’
She found an old bowl. Colin opened a tin of dog food and threw in a handful of dog biscuits. The black dog trembled with excitement and wagged her tail furiously. She seemed to finish the meal in one great gulp and whined for more.
“That’s enough for now,” said Mum. “You’ve already fed her this afternoon. Give her some water and let her be.”
Colin sat down on the mat beside the dog. She laid her head on his lap and fell asleep. He stayed very still for a long time, stroking her. Then Dad came in for a drink and a cheese sandwich. Joy joined them, grumbling about her homework. But mostly they talked about old Charlie and the sleeping dog.
“Dad, if he’s gone away or dead or something, can I keep her?”
“That’s not fair,” said Joy. “She ought to belong to both of us. She’s smaller than Growler and much more friendly. I like her.”
But Colin shook his head. “If you want another dog, you get one for yourself,” he said. “This one’s mine… just mine.”
“Bedtime, Colin,” said Mum quickly, fearing an argument. “Mind you wash properly! And don’t be too sure about keeping the dog till we’ve found out about old Charlie. Anyhow, we haven’t said you can keep her, even if—”
“Oh, Dad, I can, can’t I?” cried Colin.
Dad’s mouth was full but he looked straight at Colin. Colin looked straight at Dad. Dad winked; Colin hugged him and went up to bed.
But not to sleep. Dad had to be up milking at half past four and he and Mum went to bed soon after Colin. Colin waited until he heard them come upstairs and shut their bedroom door. Joy was in her room, finishing her homework.
Colin crept downstairs on silent bare feet. The dog whined, lifted her head and pawed his knees. “You’re lonely in this strange place,” whispered Colin. “You can come and sleep with me tonight.”
When Mum went to wake Colin for school next morning, she nearly exploded with rage. Colin lay fast asleep with his head on the pillow. And, snuggled up against him with her head on the pillow, lay the dog.
