Read The Chocolate Dog for Free Online Page B

by the time she got there, breathless, the pond was deserted, apart from the ducks. Amy stared out across the water anxiously, waiting for the ducks to launch themselves off the water with a flurry of furious quacking. That was usually what they did when Choc got too close.
    The ducks were swimming calmly across the water – there wasn’t a dog in sight.
    Her heart thumping, Amy ran right round the pond, calling for Choc and peering into the clumps of reeds. What if he’d fallen in? He could have chased the ducks and gone in, easily. What if he’d drowned?
    Amy started to cry. She knew she was being silly, but the light was fading a bit now, and the trees were shadowed. The quiet, still water was making her feel shivery. It was the sort of place for fairy tales. Maybe a swan princess had lured Choc into the lake with bits of bread. He loved bread.
    â€œThis is stupid!” Amy hissed at herself, and turned away from the water. If Choc wasn’t by the lake, it was because he was somewhere else in the park. She hurried back along the lake path, to where she could get a clear view of the park.
    It was so big, she realized anxiously, as she came out from between the trees. That was why it was Choc’s favourite walk. There was so much space to run. But then usually Dad was there, and Choc did what Dad said, even if he was off the lead. He didn’t get lost for Dad. Amy swallowed. She’d lost Choc.
    She sniffe d, sinking down on the grass and staring out over the park. What was she going to do? Should she wait, and hope Choc would find her? Maybe he’d already gone back to the playground, looking for her. Probably those mums chased him away, she thought, brushing hot tears off her face. She wanted to go home and get Dad, but she couldn’t leave Choc. What if he got confused and went out of the park and just got even more lost? What if he got run over? Amy gasped and put her hands over her mouth.
    She had almost forgotten about running away. It didn’t really matter. She couldn’t care less if Lara was in her room, as long as Choc was at home with them too.
    If she ever found him, that was. Amy buried her face in her arms, tears soaking through to her T-shirt. She was so upset that she didn’t hear the thudding of approaching paws, so she was completely unprepared when Choc leaped at her. He knocked her over backwards and landed on her stomach. Then he licked her ears lovingly.
    â€œChoc! Where did you go? I thought I’d lost you. Stop licking! Oh! Dad!”
    She hadn’t noticed at first that Choc had his extending lead on, and Dad was on the other end of it, running towards them.
    â€œGet off her, Choc.” Dad pulled gently, and Choc hopped off Amy and ran around her in circles. He was obviously very proud that he’d found her.
    â€œDid you come looking for us?” Amy asked hesitantly.
    Dad shook his head. “Mum and I had just worked out that you weren’t sulking in the garden somewhere when Choc dashed in through the back gate. He wouldn’t stop barking, and he kept running up and down the side path round the house. In the end I got his lead and followed him.” He stared down at Amy, still sitting on the grass. “Mum said I was being stupid. She reckoned you were still hiding in the garden. She said you wouldn’t have done anything as silly as run off with Choc.”
    â€œSorry…” Amy whispered. “I shouldn’t have done it. I don’t mind sharing with Lara really. I mean, I do mind. But I know I have to. I won’t argue about it. I ran away because I was so cross, but then I thought I’d lost Choc, and it just didn’t matter.”
    Dad pulled her up. “I can understand you don’t want to share.” He sighed. “I used to share a room with Uncle Matt, you know. I could have killed him half the time. But there were good bits too. It can be fun, having someone else to share a room