Dognapped! Read Online Free Page A

Dognapped!
Book: Dognapped! Read Online Free
Author: Karen King
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Children's Fiction, Crime Fiction, Interactive & activity books, Podcasts
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off at Gran’s, then stake out Mrs Brewson’s house. If Fluffy is in there, I’m going to get her back!’
    I could hear Gran and Mr Winkleberry talking to someone in the guest lounge, so shouted out, ‘I’ve left the shopping in the kitchen, be back soon,’ and made a quick exit, pretending I hadn’t heard Mr Winkleberry shout for me to come back. He was only a guest, I didn’t have to take orders from him.
    Max was waiting for me at Gran’s back gate. ‘What’s the plan?’ he asked.
    I thought for a moment. Max lived nearer to Mrs Brewson, so it would be easier for him to keep an eye on the front of the house. ‘You watch the front, pretend you’re playing in the garden or something, and I’ll watch the back,’ I told him.
    Max sneered. ‘I’m too old to play in the garden.’
    I ignored him. ‘If we see or hear anything suspicious, we make a note of it. Then we compare notes later. Oh, and if Mrs Brewson goes out, let me know right away. Okay?’
    ‘How long do we watch the house for?’
    ‘As long as it takes.’
    I went around the back to try and find a spy hole in Mrs Brewson’s fence, but there wasn’t one. I couldn’t see into the back yard at all, so I decided that I’d be better off watching from my bedroom window. I had a pretty good view from my attic room. But as soon as I went inside, Mr Winkleberry collared me. ‘Your gran’s having a lie down, so you can help me prepare the dinner.’
    ‘But I’ve got things to do,’ I protested.
    ‘Really? As it’s your fault that your Gran’s so upset, I’d have thought you’d want to help her.’
    Talk about blackmail. I had to peel the potatoes and prepare the cabbage while all Mr Winkleberry did was shove a few pork chops in the oven. If the doorbell hadn’t rung, I’m sure he’d have had me scrubbing the floor and vacuuming as well.
    It was Max. ‘Where have you been?’ he demanded. ‘You’re supposed to be watching the back of Mrs Brewson’s house.’
    ‘I was, but Mr Winkleberry made me help him do the dinner,’ I explained. ‘What’s up?’
    ‘I’ve just seen Mrs Brewson go out,’ Max said. ‘And guess what?’ He paused dramatically.
    ‘What?’
    ‘I’ve just heard a dog bark inside her house.’

Chapter 5
Cornered
    ‘So, she has got Fluffy. I knew it! Well I’m going to get her back,’ I told Max.
    ‘How?’
    ‘I’ll have to find a way of getting into Mrs Brewson’s house. You stay here and keep watch. Warn me if Mrs Brewson comes home.’
    ‘How?’
    Honestly, Max really was annoying sometimes. I searched in my pocket for the whistle I always carry, and handed it to him. ‘Just blow on this whistle three times.’
    Knowing Mr Winkleberry would collar me to do another job as soon as I set foot in the kitchen, I sprinted around the corner to the back of the houses. I stood outside Mrs Brewson’s gate and peered over the top. The yard was empty apart from Kittikins curled up under a bush.
    I tried the latch and was relieved to find the gate open. Cautiously, I stepped inside, closing the gate behind me before creeping up to the house. I pressed my head against the wall and listened intently. I was sure I heard a quiet whimpering – the sort of sound a dog would make if they were left alone in a strange place. I was certain now that Fluffy was in there. I had to get her out.
    I tried the back door, but that – as expected – was locked. So I scanned the house for an open window. There was one half-open on the second floor. If I climbed up the drainpipe I should be able to slip my hand through and open it just wide enough to climb in.
    The drainpipe wobbled and clanged. I was terrified that it would either come off and hurl me crashing to the ground or someone would hear the noise and come out to see what was going on. I wasn’t sure which was the worst scenario. Either way, my life wouldn’t be worth living.
    I was halfway up when I heard someone come out of the house next door to Max’s. Looking
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