At the next day, the Heelers and Pat visited the city London, visiting as many places as they could. Fortunately, they had the underground to travel around quickly. Thanks to it, they visited the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, with them even seeing it opening, something that was said to give good luck. They also came to look the Big Ben and even took a ride on the London Eye, through where they were able to see a great deal of the city from above. After lunch, they took a walk on Hyde Park and then went to visit the British Museum, much to Bandit's excitement. They even went to the Buckingham Palace, where they were able to get a glimpse of the Queen, a fact Rad said was due to the fact they saw Tower Bridge opening.
After dinner, they returned to the hostel, where they prepared themselves for the party that was about to happen. When they come to the room where the party was taking place, they got impressed, as they saw many dogs talking and laughing, while eating from the plates of food that there were on the tables, while drinking glasses of champagne. There was also a background music that also allowed for the dogs there to dance and a television that was there for the countdown of the New Year.
"Now this is my kind of party" Rad said. "Oh, we're going to have a lot of fun."
"I can already predict you're going to get wild, Rad" Stripe told. "You always get like that when you drink a little too much."
"Yeah, so try to get hold on yourself" Pat seconded.
"Come on, guys, this is time to celebrate" Rad said, while putting his arms around his youngest brother and Pat's shoulders. "Let's not be too contained."
The two of them thought for a moment and Stripe said:
"I guess you're right. Just one crazy night won't do any harm."
"Yeah, why not do that?" Pat told.
"And the same goes for you, Bandit" Rad said, while going to rub his fist on his younger brother's head. "No pouting around, okay?"
"Don't worry about that" Bandit said. "I intend to have some fun, tonight. However, I better remain alert… just in case. After all, I know what kind of troubles we four tend to get into."
And they all shared a laugh.
At the other part of the room, Chilli was talking animatedly with Trixie, both holding a glass with champagne. Trixie then noticed the Heeler brothers and Pat.
"Look over there, Chilli, that dog from yesterday is over there" she said.
"So?" Chilli asked.
"Come on, are you going to tell me you don't have a little interest?" Trixie asked. "He is cute. Actually, those four are all cute… especially the big one with the nice hair."
"You know I don't have much experience with boys" Chilli said. "What if something goes wrong?"
"The only thing you have to do is go there and talk with him" Trixie said. "The hardest part is always breaking the ice, but once that is done, you'll see everything will come naturally."
"If you say so…" Chilli said, while looking to Bandit who was heading to the food table with the others.
As they started to serve themselves, Bandit saw something he liked very much.
"Oh, look at that!" he exclaimed. "Sauerkraut! I love sauerkraut!"
"Be careful with that, you know what sauerkraut does to you" Stripe warned to his brother.
"Oh, I can handle a few burps" Bandit replied, while serving himself of some sauerkraut.
"Suit yourself" Stripe said, while pouring some champagne on a glass.
Rad took a sip on some champagne and then said:
"Okay, guys, let's have some fun!"
And he advanced to the dance floor where he started to dance, all while trying to woo some girls that were there as well. Pat and Stripe didn't take long to follow him as well.
As Bandit ate the sauerkraut, he started to give some burps. That was a thing he didn't like about his allergy to sauerkraut, as he loved it, but he wouldn't let that get in the way. Noticing the pepper nearby, Bandit went to put some on the sauerkraut, as he loved spicy food. But then some of it came to his nose, causing him to start sneezing. He put down the bowl with sauerkraut and tries to get some of the pepper out of his nose.
"Hello…" a voice said.
Bandit paralyzed when he heard that voice and then turned around, to find the red heeler from before. He then noticed that she made a strange face when he turned to her. Bandit then realized he had his finger in his nose and hasted to take it out.
"Sorry, this is not what it looks like…" he said. "I mean, I did had my finger in my nose, but… It's just a misunderstanding. You see, I was putting some pepper on my sauerkraut and then…"
But before he could say anything else, he released a burped, caused by his allergy to sauerkraut. Seeing her confused face (and a little disgusted), Bandit said:
"Sorry, it was the sauerkraut… You see, I'm allergic and… Oh, forget it. Sorry about that, it's just… I didn't want to cause a bad impression. But I guess it's too late for that."
Despite finding Bandit a little too odd for her taste, she couldn't help but feeling moved by his humility and sincerity.
"You know… I think first good impressions are way too overrated" Chilli said, causing Bandit to make a slight smile. "My name is Chilli… Chilli Redler"
"I'm Bandit… Bandit Heeler" Bandit replied, while extending his hand, but soon noticing then it was then same hand he used to get the pepper out of his nose. "Sorry… I better clean this hand."
He went to get some paper towel to wipe his hands. That caused Chilli to drop a chuckle.
"So… what brings you to London?" Chilli asked. "Came to welcome the New Year?"
"Not exactly…" Bandit said. "Actually, this was my brother Rad's idea. He thought I needed this trip to… overcome certain issues of mine."
That caused Chilli to drop a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" Bandit asked.
"It's funny because my friend Trixie dragged me into this trip as well" Chilli replied. "She thought I needed to…"
"Have a crack?"
"Yeah… that's exactly it."
"So… I reckon we have something in common" Bandit said.
"I reckon we can say that…" Chilli added.
The two traded a smile with each other, but then the moment was interrupted by one of Bandit's burps.
"Sorry… That sauerkraut… is really doing a work on me."
"Then… what about going to the terrace?" Chilli asked. "For what I can see, there's no one there… That way, you don't have to feel yourself ashamed of burping."
Bandit couldn't help but make a smile of gratitude to Chilli. He gave a quick look to his brothers and best friend and saw they were worried having too much fun to even notice him. He then nodded to Chilli and the two of them went outside.
"Wackadoo! It's a little bit chilly…" Chilli said.
That caused Bandit to drop a laugh. Chilli, noticing the pun she had used with her own name, also laughed.
"So, where are you from?" Bandit asked. "I mean, I know we're both from Australia, but it's a big country after all…"
"I'm from Scenic Rim" Chilli revealed.
"Really?" Bandit asked. "I'm from Brisbane! We're practically neighbors."
That caused Chilli to laugh again and asked:
"Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch?"
"Well, that depends on one's perspective" Bandit replied.
"Yeah, I guess you're right" Chilli said.
There was a pause, where the two of them just came to contemplate the view.
"Wow, London is really something else" Chilli said.
"I know…" Bandit said. "I wanted to come here for some time… but with school, I never got the chance."
"School, hein?" Chilli asked. "What are you studying?"
"Archeology" Bandit replied. "How about you?"
"I'm at law school."
"Does that mean I have a future lawyer before me?"
"I'm more turned to private security" Chilli replied.
"Really?" Bandit asked. "And here was I thinking you couldn't get more interesting."
That caused Chilli to blush a little, while making a timid smile that Bandit just found adorable.
As time passed, both Chilli and Bandit started to share more and more about themselves. The talk between them was so engaging that made them loose course of the time.
"No way!" Bandit exclaimed. "Your dad was at the Army?"
"Yeah, he says it is the noblest job one can ever have… I mean, after being a father" Chilli replied.
"He reminds me of my dad" Bandit said. "He was at the Navy."
"Who would have thought we both would have fathers that were both military?" Chilli said.
"I know, looks like we have much more in common than we initially thought" Bandit commented.
At that moment, they started to hear some noise coming from inside.
"What time is it?" Chilli asked.
Bandit went to see his watch and said:
"We're seconds away from midnight."
"Wackadoo!" Chilli exclaimed. "Time has really passed, didn't it?"
"I know…" Bandit agreed. "You know what? I haven't feel like this for a long time."
"I haven't felt like this in… never" Chilli replied. "It feels… good."
"Yeah, it does…" Bandit replied.
They looked at each other's eyes, as the dogs inside started the countdown for the New Year. However, to both Bandit and Chilli it appeared like time had just stopped, that there was nothing else but them. As if they were attracted to each other, the two of them went into a kiss, as the New Year just arrived and everyone else cheered, with fireworks exploding at the sky.