THE QUIGLEYS
At their best!
In an ordinary city,
In an ordinary street,
In an ordinary house,
Live an ordinary family
Called… THE QUIGLEYS.
Lucy only wants a kitten for her birthday.
Will only wants to finish his science project in peace.
Dad only wants a good night's sleep.
Mum only wants a break in her day.
Lucy's wish
It was the beginning of spring, and it was getting closer and closer to Lucy's birthday. Lucy was so excited she couldn't contain herself. She told everyone on a daily basis.
"Guess what, Will." She would say.
"What?" Will asked, often looking up from the beano.
"I'm turning six in 22 days!" Lucy would squeal with delight. Will would just ignore her.
She told all her friends at school every day. She told her friends at Ballet every Wednesday. She marked off the days on her calendar every morning, knowing that it was one day closer to the big day.
One day, 20 days to Lucy's birthday, as she often reminded them, the family were sitting down to dinner. As they were finishing up, mum and dad asked Lucy what she wanted. Lucy smiled and ran to her room, coming back with a piece of paper.
Lucy had made a list of all the things she wanted. Ever since she started counting down the days (154) she would occasionally write down what she wanted. The list extended to both sides of the paper, with various Barbie products, dream play houses, costumes she saw in catalogues, dolls, a diary, and a new skipping rope that counts the number of times you skip.
"Is this all you want, poodle?" Dad asked after gawking at the list.
"Yes." Lucy said. "Unless I think of any more."
Mum and dad looked at each other, then back at the list, then back at each other.
"This is a very long list, Lucy." Mum said, beginning to clear the table.
"I know that." Lucy said. She thought about this. "But I do have big handwriting, so it really isn't that much."
"This is enough stuff to sink a battleship!" Dad exclaimed. He left the table looking distracted.
"Why don't you just ask for one big thing?" Will asked.
Lucy looked at her list. "Would they rather one big thing than lots of little things?" Lucy pondered out loud.
"Well, they got me my budgies. Maybe if you ask for a playhouse or something you'll get it."
Lucy remembered when Will wanted a bird. He left clues around the house to get what he wanted without bother. But Lucy didn't know what 'big thing' she would ask for. The new Barbie dream house? A cubby? A swimming pool?
Lucy once wanted a kitten the year before. But then, with the help of Will, the new family rule was enforced. "No pets". Lucy didn't complain much back then but now she was thinking once again of a kitten. She had always wanted a kitten. They were small and cuddly and soft, and not the least bit scary, like next doors ferocious dog, Fathom.
That night in bed Lucy stayed up thinking about a kitten. She thought about what it would be like to have one. She would cuddle up in bed with it and it would keep her warm during winter. She would feed it every morning before school and every night before dinner. She would play with it and love it and it would be her best friend. The more Lucy thought about it, the more she liked it, and the more courage she gained to ask mum and dad. She slept that night dreaming of playing with her new best friend.
The next morning Lucy and Will were driven to school by their mum. When she parked the car outside the entrance Will left straight away, saying he had to meet Timothy at the canteen this morning. Lucy was reluctant to leave though.
"Have fun at school." Mum said. But Lucy didn't budge.
"Are you going to school?" Mum asked.
Lucy tried to muster up the words. "Mum, I've decided I only want one thing for my birthday."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"A kitten." Lucy said, with satisfaction. She opened the car door and said "Bye!" before shutting it again and running into the school, with a big smile on her face. Mum was left in the car, rather dumbstruck.
Lucy told Pokehead about her wanting a kitten.
"I want it to be a girl." Lucy said at recess. "And then it could be friends with Fatbrain. He'd have someone to prowl around with."
"That's sounds good. What did your mum say?" Pokehead asked.
"Well, I kinda left before she could say anything, but she didn't look too shocked. I mean, if Will can have a pet, why can't I?"
But when Lucy got home from school her parents did not look too pleased.
"Lucy, we need to talk about your birthday." Dad started, when they sat down with Lucy in the living room.
"About your birthday present." Mum added.
"About my kitten?" Lucy asked eagerly.
"Yes. See, remember last year when you wanted a kitten?"
"Yes. But there's no pet ban anymore."
"Yes I know, but…"
"And Will got a pet for Christmas. 2, actually. And I'm only asking for one."
"Lucy, a kitten is a lot of responsibility. Are you sure you can handle a kitten?"
"Of course!"
"You'll have to change its litter." Dad said.
"I know."
"And you'll have to feed it."
"Yes, I know."
"And you'll have to wash it."
"Yes, I know all that! Stop going on!"
Mum and dad knew she was determined.
"Okay, poodle." Dad said. "You can have a kitten if you prove you're responsible enough."
Lucy agreed. Then she went up to her room, to think about how to be responsible.
Lucy thought about cleaning out the bird's cage. That would be responsible. But she didn't exactly know how to do that. She had to think of a plan to prove she was responsible.
That night when the kids went to bed, Lucy had thought of a plan.
"Will," Lucy said after the lights were out.
"Mm?" Will asked.
"I need your help with something." Lucy said. She explained what her big plan was, and Will agreed to help.
On Saturday, 17 days to Lucy's birthday, flyers went up around their street.
PET CARERS
FREE WASH FOR YOUR PET
FREE WALK FOR DOGS
Lucy had started a free pet business to show how responsible she was. She put up a sign out the front on their house, and an arrow to their backyard. On Saturday 3 people came by with a Chihuahua, a Persian cat and a guinea pig. Mum watched from the kitchen window as Will greeted the customers and Lucy washed the pets. Then, after asking permission, Will and Lucy took Tilly the Chihuahua for a walk around the block.
On Sunday 6 people came, with 3 dogs, 2 cats and a hamster. Lucky for Lucy all the dogs were small and manageable, because Lucy was afraid of big dogs.
The following Saturday, 10 days til Lucy's birthday, even more pets came in. Someone brought in a big German shepherd, which Lucy asked Will to take care of, and all the while mum and dad watched at how responsible their daughter was being.
The next Sunday, 2 days until Lucy's birthday, Lucy was getting very excited about Tuesday. She opened her business for the last time. A lot of people came in that day. 7 dogs, 5 cats, 2 hamsters and a rat. Even Pokehead brought Fatbrain around, and she helped Lucy wash him.
By 4 o'clock they were just about done, so Will said he would go inside. Lucy was packing up when her next door neighbour, Fred, came along with one of Lucy's biggest fears… Fathom.
"Hello, Lucy." Fred greeted. Fathom beared his teeth at Lucy and she kept her distance, but gave a warm smile to Fred. "Hello, Fred."
"I hope I'm not too late. I was hoping you could give Fathom a wash and walk while I went to pick up my son. Is that okay?" Fred asked.
Lucy looked at Fathom's grizzly mouth and stubby tail and rigid fur. He certainly didn't look friendly like Tilly the Chihuahua. But Lucy was determined to get her kitten.
"Of course! You can pick him up in about half an hour or so." Lucy said, and reluctantly stepped forward to grab the leash. Fathom barked and she jumped backwards.
"Thanks! Don't worry, Fathom wont bite." Fred said, handing her the leash. Lucy found that hard to believe. "I'll be back soon."
Lucy was left alone with Fathom. The hairs on his back arched up like a pyramid. Lucy tugged on the lead and pulled him over to the little pool Lucy used for a dog bath.
Fathom stood in the bath as Lucy hosed him down and started to rub in some doggie shampoo, which she bought with her allowance. She thought that would make her look even more responsible. She hosed him down again and let him run around the backyard to dry. When he calmed down the she leashed him up again, his fur and soft and smooth and Lucy was very proud. "That wasn't so bad, was it Fathom?" Lucy said. It was now time to walk him.
Lucy opened the backyard fence and Fathom bolted out with Lucy running behind her.
"Fathom, no!" Lucy shouted. She tugged hard on the leash and Fathom started running for the park. Lucy held on tight and took mighty leaps to keep up with Fathom. Soon they reached the park and Fathom was out of control. Lucy let go of the leash and fell to the ground, and Fathom kept on running until he ran onto the street. A car was coming his way and Lucy watched in horror as it crept closer to Fathom. The car screeched to a stop and Fathom stopped right in front of it, not seeming too fazed. Lucy got up and went to retrieve Fathom when she realized that Fred and his son were in that car.
That night Fred came by to explain to mum and dad what happened to Fathom.
"I know she didn't mean it," Fred was saying, "But I don't think she should've opened a business if she couldn't handle big dogs."
"I'm sorry this happened, Fred." Dad said, looking distracted. "I'm just glad Fathom is alright."
Lucy sat on the stairs and tucked her head through the railing, listening to Fred and dad talking about what happened. She felt terrible. She didn't like the looks of Tuesday, because letting a dog run onto the street was not responsible at all. She went up to her room and hid in between her bed and the wall, with doll pram over her head.
On Monday, 1 day to go, Lucy crossed off the last day on her calendar. Tomorrow was the big day. Her parents were understanding about Fathom, but Lucy didn't think she was getting a kitten tomorrow.
On Tuesday, the day of Lucy's birthday, Lucy woke up very early. Despite what had happened, she was excited. She was six today! She hopped out of bed, shook Will and shouted "Wake up!" and ran downstairs, because every birthday there were some presents wrapped on the kitchen table, and then after school some more before the birthday dinner.
Lucy ran to the table to find mum and dad already sitting at the table. "Happy birthday, Lucy!" They both said, and Lucy sat down in her seat. Will came down moments later, looking half asleep, and yawned the words "Happy birthday."
Lucy opened her morning presents. She got a Barbie and Kelly horse set, a unicorn book, a baby born and the skipping rope that counts the number of times you skip.
At school everyone in Lucy's class sang happy birthday, and Lucy wore the birthday badge Will had given her. All day people said "Happy birthday!" and "What did you get?" Lucy was having a great day.
When she got home she opened some more presents. She got a fairy costume, and new tutu for ballet, some new skirts and tops, a Barbie play house, a diary and a Shirley Barber book. Lucy was having so much fun she almost forgot that she wanted a kitten for her birthday.
During the birthday dinner, everyone sang happy birthday while Lucy smiled at the camera. Mum loved taking photos. The cake was chocolate, as Lucy had asked for. She blew out six purple candles and everyone cheered. "Hip hip hooray!"
Soon it got late and Lucy and Will were sent to bed. Lucy wondered why mum and dad were following her when she walked up the stairs. When she walked into her room though, there was something on her bed…
It was a little pink box, with a red ribbon tied over it. Lucy smiled at mum and dad and rushed over to it. She was about to open the lid when the box moved! Lucy's heart pounded and she looked over to her family with the biggest of smiles, and opened the box to reveal a small kitten.
It popped its head out of the box and looked up at Lucy. It was orange with a little pink nose and ears, and 2 whiskers and each side of her face. It meowed a tiny meow and Lucy gasped with pleasure and picked up the little bundle.
"Mum! Dad! Thank you!" Lucy cried and hugged the little kitten. It purred softly as mum said "What are you going to call her?"
Lucy thought about this for a little while. She looked at the little kitten. "Amber." She said, smiling.
That night, Lucy dreamt happy dreams while Amber slept right by her side, dreaming along side her.
