Are we friends now?
Excuse me, sir, have you no shame? a customer said, addressing the butcher at the market. Cant you see the little dogs starving? Just look how skinny he is. And here you are, shouting at him instead of helping.
Im not a charity! the butcher snapped gruffly. I sell meat, love, I dont give it away.
Couldnt you just spare him a small piece? Would it kill you?
What, shall I hand them out for free? Maybe give you a free bit too while Im at it? If youre so caring, feed him yourself.
The woman, deciding shed rather starve than buy anything from this rude oaf, marched off towards another butchers stall. The butcher, glaring at the puppy now ruining his trade, left his counter and started walking right at him.
And, believe me, there were no good intentions in his mind. Poor puppy Charlie had no idea what he was in for.
******
Every time Charlie spotted the scruffy black cat on the street, hed barrel over, tail wagging wildly, barking at the top of his puppy lungs, just desperate to
And, before you laugh, his intentions were absolutely genuine.
You see, all Charlie really wanted was to catch that cat and cover him in kisses. From paw to pointy ear, tail to whiskersthe whole lot, if he could manage.
Most dogs would be horrified by such an idea. Everyone knows dogs and cats arent mates. But Charlie didnt care about those unwritten rules. He thought this sad-eyed, scraggly black cat was something speciala kindred spirit, somehow. He just felt it.
Now, some people would call that daft. Dogs and cats, kindred spirits? No such thing, theyd say. But Charlie didnt agree, not for a second.
Charlie believed, as sure as his nose twitched, that dogs and cats could absolutely be friends. After all, he and that black cat had a lot in common. They were both just a couple of straysditched and left to fend for themselves by the people who were supposed to care for them.
Charlie had been tossed out when his old owners realised having a dog was a lot more hassle than they bargained for. Hed grown too big for puppy pads, they got tired of late-night whining, and one day, they drove him miles from home, dumped him out with a chirpy Go on, off you trot, and went home with a clear conscience.
So, Charlie ended up alone on the street. Not even a real dog, just a pup, barely six months old. Nothing, really.
The black cats story wasnt so different. Hed been taken in as a tiny kitten, given cuddles and all the affection in the world, but his luck ran out. His owners thought their little fluff ball would stay small and sweet forever. But a year later he turned into a full-grown cathungrier, louder, and a bit of a bother. That was enough for them. Late one night, they quietly drove him out and left him miles from home. Whod notice someone abandoning a black cat in the dark? No one cared.
And thats how Charlie and the cat both ended up in the same neighbourhood.
Charlie, being friendly to a fault, decided he was going to be mates with this cat. Why? Well, its tough out there, and twos better than one if you want to survive. He was just sure of it.
But the black cathis old owners called him Smokeywanted nothing to do with Charlies plans. Any time Charlie came bounding over, barking and wagging, Smokey was off like a shot, vanishing into alleys or up trees before Charlie could even introduce himself.
Still, Charlie never gave up hope. Hed chase that cat all over the place, giving passers-by a laugh with his mad dashes and puppy enthusiasm.
One day, Charlie couldnt find Smokey anywherenot by the bins, not on the playground, not even up the trees where hed started hanging out. Charlie started to get anxious, but he didnt stop searching. He scouted the streets, sniffing the air, ears pricked for any sign of his would-be friend.
Finally, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a shadow with whiskers near the car parka barely-there black blur. Charlies tail started thumping, and off he went in a flash, barking away, straight to the car where Smokey was hiding.
Good grief, what is with you? Smokey sighed, knowing the dog had found him. Dont you have anything better to do? Shoo!
Smokey knew perfectly well he was safe under the cara puppy couldnt reach himbut the idea of Charlie barking under there until nightfall changed his mind. So, in a flash, Smokey darted out and zipped down a quiet alley, glancing back to see if Charlie was giving chase.
Of course, Charlie was right on his tail, tongue lolling, losing a bit of steam but refusing to let up. He had to catch his friend, no matter what.
Suddenlyit all happened so quickCharlie lost sight of Smokey, whod just shot a withering glare back at him, then…gone! Vanished, as if by magic.
Charlie stopped short, puzzled. But when he got to the spot where Smokey disappeared, he realised what had happenedSmokey had fallen into an open drain cover.
It had been left uncovered for days, and neither of them knew. The scariest part wasnt that Smokey was hurthe was a bit bruised, but nothing seriousbut Smokey had no way of getting out. And Charlie was no help; what was he supposed to do, jump in after him? Not a great plan.
Although…it did mean Smokey couldnt run off this time, so maybe Charlie could finally get to lick his new friend from head to toe.
Dont even think about it! Smokey hissed, guessing Charlies intentions.
Oh, you can talk! Charlie barked in delight. Thought you were the silent type.
Very funny, Smokey muttered.
What do we do now? How am I getting you out? Charlie asked.
I only want to know one thingwhy are you bothering me? Havent you got anything better to do?
I just wanted to be friends, Charlie sighed.
Youre daft, you are. Dogs and cats arent friends.
I think otherwise.
You keep proving how daft you are. Now go away and let me die in peace.
Are you really just going to give up? Charlie was taken aback.
Until today, no. But now, thanks to you, looks like I might have to. Cant you see theres no way out?
Charlies tail drooped. This wasnt how things were supposed to go. He wanted to help, not make it worse.
Pacing around the drain, Charlie thought, Ive got to do something! If someone comes along and shuts this with a heavy lid, thats it, Smokeys done for.
Can you hear me, mate? Still alive down there?
What do you want now?
Dont go anywhere. Ill figure something out. Ill save you.
Oh, Im hardly going anywhere, am I? Just leave me to it, would you?
Charlie peered left and right, saw the nearby market bustling, and bolted off for help.
*****
Charlies heart leapt when he reached the marketloads of people, since it was Saturday. Trouble was, no one paid him any mind. He darted between legs, yapping at people, but everyone had their shopping to do and eyes on the best bargains.
One bloke even shoved Charlie with his shoe when the puppy got too close. It stung, but what did it matter? People only cared for themselvesnot for strays fighting to stay alive.
Stopping near the butchers stalls, Charlie saw a tall man in an apron with a sign outsidea dog in a red circle, crossed with a line. Charlie couldnt read, but he had this feeling the man might help him.
Charlie reached the stall just as the butcher was weighing up a piece of brisket for a customer.
Will this do for you, madam? The butcher sounded grumpy.
Looks fine. How much is it? I need a precise kilo.
Thats one thousand one hundred and twenty grams, he said, plonking the brisket down. Its the smallest piece Ive got. Not cutting it down.
Just then, Charlie came up, distracting both the butcher and his customer.
And what do you want? the butcher scowled. Clear off, mutt!
Really! You should be ashamed, the lady chimed in. Cant you see the little dogs starving? All bones.
Im not running a charity! the butcher barked back. I sell meat.
Well, you could spare a scrap. Just a bit.
Yeah, right. Get lost, he huffed, shooing Charlie away and stomping his foot.
Well, choke on your brisket! the woman muttered, stalking off to another stall.
The butchers face turned beetroot with rage as he glared at Charlie, blaming the puppy for his lack of luck. He stormed over, grabbed Charlie by the scruff, and, holding him at arms length, marched off.
Charlie could tell thered be no help from this man. He struggled, but the butchers grip was iron.
Minutes later, the butcher stopped by the big bins, lifted a lid and chucked Charlie in, then walked off, wiping his hands with a look of disgust.
So much for getting help for Smokey… Charlie sighed, padding around the bottom of the mostly empty bin. At least it wasnt full, or hed be swimming in rubbish. Still, the sides were too high to climb out, so Charlie did the only thing he couldbarked and barked, hoarse and desperate, hoping someone might hear.
After an hour, his voice gave out, and silence took over.
*****
Ben! Are you still on that computer? You havent even had breakfast yet, straight onto your games again. What did I say the other day?
Ben turned, bleary-eyed, towards his mum.
Mum, Ill eat later. Just let me finish this level.
Games, games, and more games. You barely even touched your breakfast.
Mum!
I know this move has been hard on you, love
Yeah, well, I had mates back home. Here Ive got no one.
Ive told you: your dad got a good job offer heredecent salary, we couldnt turn it down. Youll make new friends soon enough.
Sure, he muttered.
Dont just sit here moping. Go get some fresh air, play on the playground, meet someone your own age. And since youre up, take the rubbish out and get me some onions from the market. Ive run out and need them for the stew.
Mum, the bins and market are in opposite directions. Cant I do just one thing? Why do I have to walk all the way around?
Therere bins right by the marketremember, we saw them yesterday. Drop the rubbish, grab some onions, sorted.
So Ben got his shoes on, pocketed a fiver for the onions, grabbed the rubbish, and left.
He planned to be quickout and back, back to his game. What else was he meant to do here? New city, none of his mates, and school didnt start for weeks. He messaged his friends online sometimes, but what could he say? If he told them he wasnt coming back, they might stop talking to him altogether.
He missed Lucy Turner terribly; shed been in his class, and, as these things go, hed fallen for her completely. Hed wanted to take her to the funfair that summer, but his parents had other plansa fresh start in a strange town.
Walking past the open drain, Ben tutteda kid or a dog could easily fall in, especially at night. He got to the bins at the end of the alley, lobbed the bag in, and was just heading towards the market when…
He heard faint whining. Ben stopped, looking all around. No one about, so the sound had to be coming from the bins themselves.
He didnt fancy rooting through rubbish, but the whimpering happened again, and curiosity got him. Peeking inside the bins, one by one, he finally found a closed one, nudged the lidand there was Charlie, wagging his tail with desperate hope.
Charlie barkedtried to, anyway. His throat was shot, so it came out a croaky mess.
Blimey, Ben breathed, staring at the trembling puppy. Whod throw you in here?
A short rescue mission later (and with his hands and jeans covered in muck), Ben freed Charlie. He didnt really care about the messsomething else was on his mind.
What am I supposed to do with you now? he wondered. Leave you here all alone? What if someone bins you again?
Charlie wagged and circled, thankful as anything. Alright then Ben sighed.
He considered bringing Charlie homehis mum had once suggested getting a dog, to help him settle in, so maybe she wouldnt kick off too much.
But as he reached to pick Charlie up, the pup backed off, darting a few yards away. Every time Ben got close, Charlie trotted a little further, leading Ben in zig-zags until they stopped by the open drain.
What do you want here? Ben asked. Charlie peered over the edge, and Ben knelt beside him, staring down into the dark.
Wow, Ben whispered, seeing a black cat blinking up at him. What kind of adventures have you two been on? One in the bin, one in the sewer. Youre quite the pair.
See, mate? Charlie barked, delighted. I told you Id helpand this boys going to get you out.
Doubt it, Smokey meowed. Hes only a kid, just like you. If he hops in, he might not get out either.
Hell manage. I know he will.
True to form, Ben ignored their bickering, climbed into the drain, lifted Smokey up, and got him onto the pavement. Charlie went straight for the big reunion lick, and Smokey rewarded him with a few swats.
Ow! What was that for? I saved you! Charlie yelped.
If it werent for you, I wouldnt have been stuck in the first place. Anyway, goodbye.
What? You cant just leave!
Smokey stalked off towards the block of flats at the end of the road. But he turned back, hearing Ben struggle to get outthe lid of the drain was heavy, the sides tricky to climb. Charlie barked for help, Smokey sighed, and together (by meowing, barking, and catching the attention of a passing council worker), they managed to get assistance.
The worker watched in disbelief as Smokey and Charlie tugged him towards the drain, but eventually, he cottoned on and pulled Ben up to safety.
What were you doing down there? the man asked.
Rescuing a cat, Ben replied, nodding at Smokey, who hovered nearby in concern.
And the dog?
Found him in the bin. Someone locked him in. He brought me here to help the cat.
Youre a little hero, then. The man smiled, ruffling Bens hair. Whatll you do with them now?
Take them home, I suppose. Ill just have to explain things to Mum. Hopefully, she lets me keep them.
Well, good luck, pal.
When Ben got back, his parents were both inhis dad waiting for lunch, mum wondering what took him so long. They took one look at their muck-streaked son and his new animal companions, and the silence was epic.
Benny, I sent you for onions, not strays. Whered you find them?
So Ben told the whole story, start to finish, so entertainingly that even Charlie and Smokey seemed to hang on every word.
And, for once, his parents didnt tell him to take the animals back outsideinstead, while Dad popped to the market for onions, Ben and his mum got to work cleaning up the pup and the cat. By the time they were done, Charlie and Smokey were looking the businessclean, warm, smelling niceand tucking into some well-earned food.
That evening, after a proper heart-to-heart, Ben told his parents quietly, Theyre part of the family nowno ones throwing them out again.
As folk say, every cloud has a silver lining. Charlie and Smokey finally had a home.
Were friends now, arent we? Charlie whispered to Smokey as everyone settled down for the night. Proper friends?
Yeah, yeah, Smokey yawned, curling up. Now get some kip. Its been a mad day.
Youre right, Charlie agreed, drifting off, nose tucked against his new mate.
And Ben? Well, you wouldnt catch him glued to his computer all day any more. Hed got real friendsloyal, loving ones whod never leave him. And hed never let them go, either.
Oh, and when Ben gets older? Hes not becoming a computer programmer like he used to say. Hes decided, after saving Charlie and Smokey, hes going to be a rescue worker.
Funny where life takes you, isnt it?
