Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE 'Timmy is very good at investigating, George said proudly as Timmy wagged his tail. 'What's your name?' Julian asked. 'Simi. Are you here to take Treacle?' she asked nervously.

'Who's Treacle?' Dick asked. Simi looked down at the dog. 'Ah, Dick said. Where did you find Treacle?' 'Two days ago in Tidy's Garden. She looked frightened and lost. She was hiding under some bushes, so I brought her here.'

'Why didn't your parents try to find her real home?' asked George sharply. She didn't approve of dogs being taken from their owners.

'Because they don't know, Simi admitted sheepishly. 'Your parents don't know that you have a dog!' Anne exclaimed.

Simi nodded. 'I hid her in the shed where I've made a little bed with cushions, and I gave her water and some biscuits every day. We moved here a few weeks ago and I don't have any friends. Mummy and Daddy are busy with the bakery. They have to make sure all the cakes and buns are freshly made and sold. But Treacle is my friend! I don't feel so lonely when I'm with her.

George suddenly felt very sorry for the girl. It must be awful not to have friends. 'Do you go to Tidy's Garden to play?' Julian asked kindly. Simi buried her face in the dog's fur. 'I do, but I don't know any of the other children and they never ask me to play.'