As a brand new day dawned, Pickle was now on her own, mooching down the lane, idly kicking tin cans and bin lids. She sniffed the fresh breeze. The storm had finally passed. As she reached the crack in the fence of Badger’s garden, she heard a huge commotion coming from his shed.
Goodness, she thought. What on earth is the Mystical Mutt up to now?
She scrambled into the garden and rapped sharply on the shed door.
“Er … Badger? Hello? Is everything okay?” she asked.
The door burst open. Hundreds of wellie boots and multi-coloured balls flew out, whizzing and whirling around the garden, knocking Pickle to the ground.
“Sorry about that,” said Badger apologetically. “I was practising my latest wellie boots and balls trick. Only it didn’t quite work.”
Pickle looked at Badger bewilderedly. Badger looked at Pickle sheepishly.
“Well, at least I’ve made you laugh,” giggled Badger.
“Pogo Paws would have loved that;” said Pickle brushing herself down, “all that bouncing around. I really miss him, Badger.”
“I know,” said Badger gently.
“I got what I always wanted. I’m now sole leader of the gang, except I haven’t got a gang anymore. Everyone’s left, and I don’t fancy bossing myself about much,” she said forlornly. “In fact, I haven’t got anyone now. Pogo Paws was my best and only friend.”
Badger gave her a cuddle.
“Although,” she added, sniffing, “I picked up a p-mail from him yesterday. He must have sent it before he left. And it was like I could hear his voice again.”
“Our loved ones never truly leave us, Pickle,” said Badger kindly. “And I’m sure you’ll get more p-mails from him.”
Then he rubbed his white tuft on the top of his head and thought for a moment.
“Maybe you can use your position as gang leader for good, for a change?” suggested Badger.
“Good? I don’t think I’ve ever been good. The mirror in the circus showed me that,” said Pickle.
“Being leader isn’t about being bossy and horrible. You could make a difference to lots of cats and dogs on the lane, if you used your position as leader to give a helping hand now and again,” said Badger.
“Oh, I don’t really know” said Pickle frowning. “That’s not the way I usually do things.”
“Yes, but everything has changed, Pickle. Nothing is usual anymore. How about I help you to round up some of the old gang, and set up a new bunch; a good crew?” offered Badger.
“I don’t think any of them will talk to me ever again. I was so nasty,” said Pickle.
“I wouldn’t be so sure. I got a p-mail from Dodgy Dave and Cheryl recently. They’re due back from their tour of Blackpool soon. Hamish and Top Dog are still here, up the lane, and Snif and Timmy are doing a fine job at PLOPP, the drop-in centre round the corner. Even my cousin, The Earl of Doodlepoppington, is flying in from Persia to pay me a visit shortly. It’ll be just like old times.”
“I’ll still be the one that no one wants to talk to,” said Pickle glumly.
“Not if you show them you’ve changed your ways. Believe me, we dogs and cats don’t hold grudges for long.” Badger scratched his chin and added, “Well, actually, maybe cats do …”
“Timmy isn’t like a normal cat though,” laughed Pickle.
“Too true, too true,” Badger chuckled. “So, it’s up to you, Pickle, but you know I’ll help however I can.”
“As far as getting the old gang back together … it won’t be the same without Pogo Paws, will it?” said Pickle.
“It won’t be quite the same, no. But a different kind of same perhaps?” suggested Badger wisely.
“Okay,” said Pickle, a little befuddled. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“Marvellous! Now, would you like some toast? It’s been quite an exhausting badgical-magical time recently,” said Badger sighing.
“Actually, I’ve got to go and chase some pesky birds off my patch. See you later, your Mystical Muttness!”
Pickle saluted Badger, and slipped through the crack in the fence.
Badger shook himself and mulled over the idea of trying to bring Pogo Paws back for a gang reunion. He shuddered slightly at the thought; not of Pogo Paws alone, but of all the gang! Individually was one thing … but together? Top Dog, Dodgy Dave, Snif, Lennie, Pickle and Pogo Paws?
And as he lay his head down on the slightly damp grass, he wondered just how chaotic his next adventure would be.
