Tenterfield (updated Nov23)

While negotiating the tenancy Alison had said Pippa would not be allowed upstairs. The little terrier was well trained and obedient. Come Christmas, however, when the boy Ari was away with dad, the dog was nowhere to be seen. Disappeared. Left alone when the pair went out, it sat on the front porch eyes peeled for the first sign of the blue streak on the street. Ears immediately pricked at any possibility. The Mazda’s appearance pulling up out front instantly had her outta the chair and over to the gate, wagging her tail furiously. Once the slow, careful entrance was made, the almost inaudible reversing begun, Pippa's strangled whine started up, a cry like tyres angling for a park on slick bitumen—squealing, scraping, squeezing out the moisture beneath. Ari was very sweet with the dog too; his mum more understated.