Chapter 3
The days leading up to next Saturday could be summed up in with two words; tensed and miserable. Tensed because both Patch and Penny were constantly anticipating Baldrick to receive further news from the Radcliffes', and miserable because both found themselves keeping silent and even avoiding each other most of the time from all the anticipation.
And this wasn't limited to just between them; Baldrick had been rather quiet most of the week too. He would just wake up in the morning, prepare breakfast for himself and the Dalmatians, go to work, come back and then prepare a bit of dinner before retiring into his bedroom. There was no playtime with the Dalmatians, which he would normally have after coming back from work, and no tv time either, where he would sit on the wooden settee with Patch and Penny at each of his side as they watched an episode of Canine Careers on certain evenings.
And it appeared that the weather throughout the week seem to resonate the gloomy atmosphere within the household, as the skies were constantly overcast and it tended to rain throughout the day.
As the week dragged on, Penny felt increasingly strained. She didn't like the fact that her relationship with her brother seemed to drift further apart by the day; Patch started eating his meals at odd intervals by himself when they had always been eating together from the same bowl; and for the last few days, he had even started sleeping on the wooden settee instead of sharing the sleeping basket with her. Penny was sure he slept uncomfortably through most of the nights as his grumpiness and moody demeanours the following day became evidence to that.
But what really frustrated her was that none of these were caused by some major fight that she had with him; they rarely fought since even before they were weaned. Rather, all the unnecessary tension was built up just because they were waiting for further news from their family about their plans to move.
After what felt like an eternity, Saturday morning finally arrived. Usually, Penny and Patch would have slept in up to mid-morning when their human pet would wake them up by drawing the curtains, as he had done so last Saturday. But that day was different. Penny found herself stirring herself awake much earlier in the morning, about just several minutes after sunrise. Still curled in her basket, she looked around. The flat was still dim as the curtains were not drawn yet. She looked in front of her, expecting to see Patch's silhouette laying on the settee, but somehow, he wasn't there. Penny immediately sat up and began frantically looking around for him, but mentally sighed in relief a few seconds later when she spotted him sitting on his haunches in front of Baldrick's bedroom, whose door was still closed.
After a brief debate with herself, she got up from the basket and slowly made her way next to him. Patch briefly glanced at her when he realized she was beside him but then returned to gazing at the bedroom door.
Penny had already expected him to remain silent and not acknowledge her presence in the slightest bit, so she mustered the courage to greet him first. She decided that Patch and herself shouldn't be ignoring each other for so long over unnecessary tension. "Morning, Patchy," she said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Morning, Penny." He mildly said without looking at her.
Penny mentally let out a disappointed sigh, but at least he actually bothered to respond to her.
A pregnant silence soon engulfed the two siblings as neither said anything else after that. However, much to Penny's surprise and delight, Patch looked at her several minutes afterwards and started talking, "Hey, Penny... out of curiosity, do you think Roger and Anita have already moved our family to that new farm without bothering to tell us?"
Penny considered his question for a moment before telling him, "No, Patch, I don't think so. Roger and Anita have always been great and kind to us. I don't think they're that heartless to move out without giving us a chance to say goodbye to our family."
Her brother silently nodded, having agreed with her. "Yeah... you're right. I'm sorry, it's just that- not hearing anything from them this week made me think of all sorts of negative possibilities." He paused to look directly at her. "Also... I apologize for being so cold and distant with you the whole week, sis. I was just so anxious that I wasn't being myself."
Penny smiled softly and gave her brother a brief rub against his body as her show of forgiveness. "It's alright, Patch. I understand exactly how you felt. Truth be told, I... I was feeling just as anxious as you did, you know, waiting for Baldrick to receive a phone call that never came. So, I really can't blame you."
She and Patch then spent a brief moment to exchange fond smiles with each other, both glad that they were now back on good terms. Then, the doorknob turned and Baldrick, still clad in his sleeping gown, appeared through the bedroom door, catching the siblings' attention.
Their human pet was visibly surprised to see them waiting for him just outside his door. "My... you two are up early this morning." He said before glancing at the clock that hung above the tv.
"7.30 in the morning..." he muttered before shifting his gaze back to the Dalmatians. "Well... since you're both awake, might as well leave the house early then. Give me 10 minutes to get ready, alright?"
With that, he went back into his room and shut the door.
Patch and Penny looked at each other in confusion. Baldrick had always made it a point that they only leave the house after 9 a.m. when they visited their family's home so as to not disturb Roger and Anita if they happened to sleep in. This left them wondering why he suddenly agreed to leave the house earlier than usual that morning. Perhaps something was happening today...
True to his word, Baldrick reappeared from the bedroom 10 minutes afterwards, dressed in his best tweed suit. He put the Dalmatians on their leashes, grabbed his flat cap and they all left the flat at exactly 7.45 am.
Once they were on the streets of Kensington, both Patch and Penny kept mummed as they walked, though both were asking themselves a barrage of questions in their minds. Penny wondered if they were really on their way to their family's or if Baldrick was taking them somewhere else, given the unusual hour that they left the house. Patch meanwhile was wondering if anyone would even be at the Radcliffes' house, assuming that Baldrick was actually taking them there. He felt bad about doubting his two former humans' kindness, but he just couldn't help himself at the moment.
Not long later, both soon found their answers. They eventually found themselves walking up the street leading up to the flat where the Radcliffes lived, so that put Penny's doubts to rest. And as they got closer to the house, they actually saw some of their siblings exiting the house while Anita and Roger were seen talking to each other on the sidewalk. Patch was just about to let out a sigh of relief when he realized that his siblings that he saw exiting the house were now queuing up in a line behind a huge lorry parked next to the curb and jumping into the lorry's cargo area one-by-one. In fact, he realized that there was actually a line of five lorries parked outside the flat, and his siblings' excited barking and yelping could be heard from at least three of those lorries.
Several men clad in overalls suddenly appeared from the house, each carrying pieces of furniture as they exited before unloading them into the first two lorries parked in front. Patch and Penny's ears drooped as they witnessed the busy scenery unfolding before them as they realized what was going on; their entire family were in the process of moving out.
Roger noticed the arrival of his friend and his two Dalmatian companions mid-conversation, and immediately waved at them as they approach. "Oi, Baldrick! You alright, mate?" he cheerfully greeted.
Baldrick waved back at them and flashed a cheerful smile once they had reached next to the Radcliffes'. "Good morning, Roge! And good day to you, Anita!"
The three humans then started talking away about something that Patch and Penny couldn't quite overhear as the loud rumbling of the lorries' engines suppressed their voices. It didn't matter to the Dalmatians anyways, as their attention were narrowed on the last three lorries that seemed to carry all of their 97 other siblings. The cargo areas of these particular lorries were built to resemble large wire cages, each with a single door as a point of entry. Tarpaulin covers covered the top and sides of the 'cages' to protect the Dalmatians inside from the wind.
The last lorry at the back still had its cargo cage door open, which led Patch and Penny to believe that they were still waiting for someone else to board into it. Penny's heart started racing at the thought that perhaps they were actually waiting for Patch and herself to join them!
At that very moment, two familiar Dalmatians emerged from the house, catching the siblings' attention.
"Mum! Dad!" Patch excitedly called out to them.
Pongo and Perdita immediately hurried over to them when they heard him.
"Oh, my two children! You two are finally here!" Perdita almost cried out as she immediately gave each of them a long, loving nuzzle.
Pongo chuckled as he gave Penny a brief nuzzle while greeting Patch with a friendly paw-bump. "We're so glad we're able to see you two this morning," he said as he greeted them.
"You guys are moving out, aren't you?" Penny finally asked them when she broke away from her mother's embrace.
Perdita hesitated for a brief moment, unsure how to respond. "Yes, Penny. I'm afraid so," she eventually sighed after deciding that she should be truthful with her daughter.
"And... you guys were waiting for us to arrive, right? That's why the lorry's cargo door is still open... isn't it?" Penny again asked, sounding even more hopeful.
Perdita was truly at a loss for words at this point. She glanced at Pongo with an unsure look, not realizing that this brief exchange immediately answered Penny's questions. When she glanced back at her daughter, Penny's ears flattened and all looks of hope had already vanished from her face.
"Um... Penny... I think I need to spend a few minutes to talk to you. Is that alright, dear?" Perdita asked, trying to put on a more comforting look.
Penny's disappointment became even more evident by the second and all she could do was give a single nod as her response.
At this point, Roger noticed the Dalmatian parents were talking to their children, and he pointed it out to Baldrick. "Mate, I think Patch and Penny would appreciate it if you could remove their leashes for a few minutes."
Baldrick looked down in surprise before immediately removing the leashes on the Dalmatian siblings. "Sorry about that, lovelies. Completely forgot that I haven't unleashed you two yet."
Once her daughter was free of the leash, Perdita motioned for Penny to follow her away from the humans, which Penny silently complied.
Patch and Pongo watched them leave and observed from afar as Perdita was seen slowly talking to a dismayed Penny once they were out of earshot.
"You guys are moving out to that new farm without us, aren't you?"
Pongo froze for a moment when he heard this question and turned to see his son now throwing him a questioning look.
With a sigh, he defeatedly admitted, "I'm afraid so, son. Your mother and I had been dreading for you and your sister's arrival this morning. We... we just didn't know how to break this bad news to you."
Patch closed his eyes and silently nodded. His father felt terrible seeing him like that.
"How did you know?" Pongo asked him.
"Penny and Lucky overheard them talk about it last week," Patch said, nudging his head towards the three humans talking beside them. "We didn't really want to believe it at first. Our whole week had been tensed because we just didn't really know what to make out of it. And it really didn't help that Penny and Lucky also overheard Baldrick mentioning that he could only afford to bring us to visit you guys only twice a year."
"Oh... so you found out about that too..." Pongo sighed, to which Patch nodded in confirmation.
Patch's gaze then lowered to the ground and his ears drooped with dismay. Pongo couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He decided now would be the best time to give a few encouraging and fatherly words to his oldest son. "Patch... I know it's extremely hard to be left behind in London when the rest of the family is moving out. But, perhaps... instead of viewing it as if you were getting left behind, try to think of it as if you and Penny are the ones going off to fulfil your duties."
This indeed caught Patch's attention and he immediately looked at his father with a confused look. "Duties? What duties are you talking about, Dad?"
"Your duties of taking care of Baldrick, of course." He explained. "Baldrick has adopted and lovingly raised you two well, hasn't he? Don't you think you owe him a duty to take care of him back? He's alone and doesn't have any other companions aside from the Radcliffes and of course, the both of you."
Hearing his father talked about them being much-needed companions for Baldrick reminded Patch about the conversation he had with Penny last week about the same thing. Patch glanced upwards at the human next to him who was still talking to Anita and Roger. He then recalled how Penny and himself had to stick up for their human when his rude boss came barging in their house and verbally abused Baldrick the previous week. "Well... I guess when you put it that way..." Patch eventually sighed. "I guess what you say is true. I don't think I have the heart to abandon him either after all that he's done for us."
Pongo rubbed a paw on his son's back to comfort him. "I'm glad you see it that way, Patch." He then went closer to Patch and continued in a lower tone, "I'll do what I can on my end so you can visit us more than just twice a year, son. I was thinking of convincing Roger to have us visit you in London instead."
Patch was surprised at his suggestion but he was equally sceptical about it. "You sure you can pull that off, Dad?"
Pongo chuckled, "Well... I pulled off quite a few a things that were considered impossible. Getting Roger to marry Anita was definitely one of them." Patch grinned good-humouredly at this. "Whatever it is, I'll definitely try my best so we get to see you and Penny more often."
Patch nodded, feeling somewhat reassured by his father's words. "Thanks, Dad." He said, with an appreciative smile. That was when he realized there was still an important he had yet to ask him. "Dad... where exactly is this new farm located?"
"Sorry, I honestly have no idea, son," Pongo admitted with a sigh. "Roger keeps repeating the obvious fact that it's in the countryside, but he never mentioned which part of England the farm's at. Could be anywhere, really, but certainly nowhere near London."
Well, that's helpful, Patch murmured sarcastically to himself.
Their attention was then diverted when they heard Perdita consoling Penny, who had began to sob quietly. Pongo drew out a breath as he watched his daughter weep.
"Patch... I need you to do a big favour for me," he suddenly said, rather solemnly.
"What do you need, Dad?" Patch asked, though he had a rough idea of what it was.
Pongo looked at him, directly into his eyes. "I need you to be a stronger brother for your sister, son. Penny is very attached to our family, and... with us gone, she's really going to need you for support. You're the only family she has in London now."
Patch shifted his gaze to his sister in the distance as he took in his father's solemn words. He didn't like seeing her weep like that, and seeing her in such a state made him determined to be a better brother for her. "Sure. I will," was Patch's simple reply, though he meant every word.
Just then, a voice from the cargo of the last lorry in line called out to him.
"Hey, Patchy! Over here! Aren't you joining us?"
Patch looked up to see Dipstick, Rolly and Freckles waiting at the edge of the cargo, tails wagging eagerly.
"Do they know about...you know?" Patch asked.
Pongo shook his head. "No, we didn't get the chance to tell them yet. Perhaps you should inform them, Patch."
Patch was hesitant at first, but eventually made up his mind when he made his way to the back of the lorry. He was mentally debating with himself on how he was supposed to break the bad news as he leapt onto the cargo platform and... instantly found himself being swarmed by his brothers and sisters.
"Patchy!"
"Glad you finally made it, Patch!"
"What kept you, bro?"
"About time you got here, Patchy!"
Patch soon forgot about his internal debate and couldn't keep himself from chuckling out loud when his siblings showered him with loving nuzzles and 'kisses'. "It's definitely great to see you, guys!" he chuckled in the midst of the affection that he was receiving.
"Alright, come on, you lot! Give our brother some space!" he heard Freckles' familiar voice called out and the nuzzles and licks eventually died down.
Patch grinned his widest grin as he took in the sight of the excited and happy faces of his siblings, all clearly elated by his mere presence. Standing at the front of the pack were his biological siblings; Dipstick, Rolly, Freckles, Cadpig, Two-tone, Jewel and... Lucky.
Patch raised his brows when he caught sight of him. Unlike the others, Lucky didn't seem to share their jovial mood. A hesitant look had marred his face instead. And Patch could certainly understand why. Still, he felt that he should at least try to cheer him up one last time.
Patch made his way to him to greet him personally. "'Sup, Lucky!" Patch said cheerfully. "Am I glad to see you this morning!"
"Hey, Patch," Lucky meekly said while clearly straining to put on a more uplifting face. "Great to finally see you." Patch beamed at his younger brother before giving him a brief nuzzle.
"Hey, Patch. Isn't Penny supposed to be with you?"
Patch turned to see that it was Cadpig who had meekly asked the question.
"Yeah, she is, she's just uh... having a talk with Mum right now," he replied, looking at Cadpig's direction.
Dipstick chimed in, "Well, someone should tell her to hurry things up a bit. We obviously can't leave without her!"
Patch bit his lip before briefly turning to Lucky, whose feigned happy look had turned solemn as he nudged his head towards their other siblings' direction. Patch sighed as he understood what he was trying to say.
"Um, Dipstick... just to let you know..." Patch paused briefly, hesitant on continuing. "Penny isn't going to move in with you guys..."
Patch felt uncomfortable as he noticed that all his siblings (except Lucky) had their eyes widened with shock as they gazed at him. Patch swallowed the lump in his throat. "... and, quite truthfully... neither am I. We won't be joining you all."
This time, he noticed some of his siblings had their jaws gaped wide open when he concluded his admission. Everyone in the lorry was completely silent, and all that could be heard was the rumble of the lorry's engine and the distant barking of their other siblings in the other two lorries.
The silence was soon broken by a spiteful scoff from a frowning Freckles, "Come on, Patch. You know we don't appreciate these kinds of insensitive jokes one bit. It's not funny." He said, sharply.
"I certainly wish it were a joke, Frecks, but it's not," Patch retorted back while trying to maintain a cool head. "Unfortunately for us, Baldrick can't be moving to the countryside with our family, so we have to stay here in London with him."
Freckles could only let out a disappointed "Oh..." as he and the rest of his siblings had hoped it was only a cruel joke on Patch's part. Now, every one of them remained silent as they struggled to accept the fact that their older brother and sister won't be joining them in their new home.
"Will- will we ever see you and Penny at all after this, Patch?" came Cadpig's meekly voice.
Patch drew out a breath. "Well... we will still be able to visit you guys, Cadpig, but... um... we certainly won't be able to visit every Saturday like we used to," he explained, deciding to refrain from divulging about the fact that they could only visit twice a year.
Cadpig was just about to press him on this when Penny suddenly hopped onto the cargo, landing next to Patch. Everyone remained silent at her presence, mainly because they noticed her eyes were red from her weeping, and it was clear that she was trying her best to mask that fact by putting on a feigned cheerful look.
"H- hey guys," she said, her voice audibly coarse.
For a few brief seconds, nothing was heard at all as her siblings seemed to continue staring at her in silence. But an instant later, they all started surrounding her in droves, all wanting to nuzzle and comfort her at the same time, taking Penny herself completely by surprise in the process.
"We heard the news, Penny," she heard Dipstick's shaky voice as she was bathed in a sea of nuzzles and comforting licks. "We've no idea that you won't be with us."
"I really can't believe they made you and Patch stay back in London," she heard Two-Tone's whine somewhere near her left.
"I'm really going to miss you, Penny," came Cadpig's sniffly voice from her right.
Penny was quite overwhelmed by being hugged and nuzzled by so many of her siblings at once, but the tenderness of the moment touched her heart and she tried her best to return each of their loving embrace at the same time. "I'm going to miss you guys too," she said, failing to hold back the tears that once again dripped from her orbs.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Patch joining in and trying to nuzzle her as well. She could only smile tearily to herself, grateful that she had so many brothers and sisters who clearly thought the world of her.
The touching atmosphere was interrupted when their parents suddenly hopped on board onto the cargo platform. Pongo and Perdita couldn't stop themselves from smiling at the sight of their children nuzzling lovingly together. But their smiles faded an instant later when Pongo had to inform them the sad news: "The workers have already hauled up the last of the furniture, so... we're about to leave now."
Patch and Penny exchanged looks with the rest of their siblings.
"I guess... I guess this is goodbye, then..." Lucky sighed as he approached them.
"I guess it is..." Penny softly said as she gave him one last proper nuzzle.
Patch meanwhile gave his three biological brothers one last paw-bump each, "Gonna miss you guys," he said to Dipstick, Rolly and Freckles, trying his best not to sound too emotional.
"We'll save you some chickens for you to chase after when you visit," Rolly said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Patch grinned back good-humouredly, "Thanks, Rolls. Long as you don't turn them all into nuggets first, though."
He left the trio as they all snickered at his reply.
Cadpig, Two-Tone and Jewel were next to crowd around him, and they instantly pulled him into a group-nuzzle.
"Goodbye, Patch. Please don't ever forget us," Cadpig tearily said as she pressed her muzzle deeply against her brother's side.
"Of course not, Cadpig. That'll never happen," he softly assured her as he beamed at the three of them. "I'll never forget any of my siblings, Cadpig. Especially my wonderful sisters."
They all managed to crack a small smile at his compliment, even Cadpig couldn't resist a grin despite the tears streaming from her eyes.
Jewel then let out a sigh, "You know, Patchy... I honestly feel sorry for you not being able to join us. It's bad enough that you and Penny only get to see us on Saturdays. Now..."
Patch nodded, understanding what she was trying to get at. "Yeah, I get what you mean, Jewel. I guess... sometimes, you just have to accept the way things are as they happen. There's really nothing much we can do about it."
Jewel eventually nodded understandingly. "Sure, Patchy. We're looking forward to see you and Penny when you get to visit us."
Patch gave her a smile in acknowledgement before moving towards Penny and Lucky.
"Gonna miss you the most, Lucky," Patch said as he embraced his younger brother. "Sorry I couldn't keep up with my promise last week to hang out with you."
"No, it's okay, Patchy," Lucky insisted as he smiled at his older brother. "You couldn't have known what was going to happen today."
Finally, both Penny and Patch turned to bid their parents goodbye.
"You'll always be in our hearts every day, sweetie," Perdita tearfully said as Penny deeply nuzzled her.
"Please be a good and strong brother for your sister, Patch," Pongo reminded his son as they nuzzled too.
Patch nodded while trying his hardest to prevent the tears that was swelling up in his eyes from trickling down his muzzle. After a while, he and Penny let go of their parents when Baldrick suddenly appeared into view.
"Sorry, lovelies. The workers are done with the furniture and are all revving to go now," he said, peering into the cargo area at Patch and Penny.
"What a useless git," Patch suddenly heard Dipstick mutter under his breath as he stood beside him.
Patch gave his brother a slight nudge to his side. "Come on, Dippy. That's uncalled for."
Dipstick wanted to retort something back but refrained himself, out of respect for his older brother.
Patch let out an acknowledging bark towards Baldrick before he and Penny hopped off from the cargo area of the lorry and onto the road.
The Radcliffes and Nanny had entered a car a few feet away while a worker closed the cargo's door, putting a lock to secure it. Patch and Penny held back their tears as they saw their siblings gather near the door and barked their goodbyes at them.
The car the Radcliffes' were in let out a beep of its horn as Roger waved goodbye through the driver's window. "Take care now!" He said, as the convoy of lorries in front started to take off.
Baldrick waved back at them as the Radcliffes' car started following after the lorries, "Will do, Roge! Safe journeys!"
Patch and Penny remained silent as they watched the convoy travel all the way down the main road before they disappeared from their line of sight.
A deep feeling of loneliness soon overcame the siblings as they remained in their place, staring deeply down the road where they last saw the convoy. That was it, they were now officially separated from their family with God knows how many hundreds of miles between them.
They heard Baldrick let out a long breath before he knelt down to put their leashes back on, "I'm very sorry you can't be with them, lovelies," he said softly before giving each a comforting ruffle on their heads. "I promise I'll make it up to you two."
Patch and Penny didn't respond. They felt their human lightly tug at their leashes, indicating that it was time to turn towards the opposite direction of the road, and they both decided to oblige. They took a few steps in the opposite direction back towards their house, but Baldrick paused midway to have a last glance at the Radcliffes' now emptied house before they continued on their way.
As they walked, Baldrick sensed the Dalmatian siblings' downheartedness, and decided to make up for it. "You know what, my lovelies? I think we could do with some time at the park. The Sun's out and all, might as well take advantage of it, eh?" He said, trying to sound cheerful.
Going to the park would usually bring a sense of relief for Patch and Penny, but they felt anything but that this time around. Patch glanced over at Penny beside him and saw that her gaze was toward the ground as she walked and her lips curved downwards in a sulk.
"Be a good and strong brother for your sister, Patch," his father's words suddenly rang in his mind.
Patch glanced at her for the second time and gave her a slight nudge, "Hey... you feeling okay, sis?" He asked in a friendly tone.
Penny responded with her gaze still toward the ground, "Yeah, I'm okay," she sighed, though it was blatantly obvious that she was feeling anything but. A moment later, however, she looked up to him directly in the eyes and asked, "Patch... may I know how you plan to survive the next six months without seeing our family?"
Patch was surprised by her sudden question but still decided to give it a thought. "Hmm... well, I'd probably do plenty of things to pass the time until we get to visit them, I guess."
"Things like what?"
"Like uh... hang around the park more frequently, get Baldrick to bring us on longer walks..." He paused to flash a sly grin, "Being twice as annoying with you just to see you get your fur in a twist..."
Penny rolled her eyes. "Right... exactly what I need, you being a top-notch bonehead just to amuse yourself. That's something I can really do without, Patch."
Patch snickered good-humouredly, "I'm just kidding, sis. Well, for the most part." He paused for a moment before continuing in a more serious tone; "You know, when I saw that you were crying when Mum broke the news to you, I actually thought of suggesting something to Dad... y'know, so that you can be closer to our family when they move."
"And what was that?" Penny asked, deeply intrigued.
"Heh. Well, I thought of asking Dad to let you go with the rest of them to the countryside while I stayed here in London with Baldrick."
Penny reacted by looking horrified, as if he had just committed murder. "Why on Earth would you suggest such a thing, Patchy? Even if I'm with the rest of the family, I'd still won't be able to sleep at night knowing that you're not with us! If you can't be with the family too, then I'd rather stay on in London with you so you'll still have a family to be with."
Patch wasn't expecting such a reply and he felt his cheeks slowly starting to blush. He felt genuinely touched that he clearly meant a lot to his sister. "Oh... that's... extremely sweet of you, sis," he said, stuttering slightly before letting out a brief chuckle, "You know... hearing you say how you prefer being in London with me brings back memories of how Mum and Dad used to tease me about it when we were younger."
"Wait... they teased you? About what?" Penny asked in surprise.
Patch grinned at her. "About how I'm always never a-Penny apart."
This time, it was Penny's turn for her cheeks to turn crimson. This usually happened whenever someone brings up her closeness with her brother Patch, even if it was Patch himself who brought it up. Penny tried to suppress her embarrassment by letting out an annoyed "Ugh," and looked away from him, although she still smiled to herself after that.
Patch merely snickered at her after seeing her reaction and considered his mission accomplished as his sister was no longer sulky. For the time being, at least.
Several minutes later, they found themselves entering through the gateway of Holland Park. While Baldrick was whistling a tune as he walked, Penny realized that they were heading towards the bench where their human always liked to seat, and she couldn't refrain herself from letting out an exasperated sigh. She was certained that once he was sat down, Baldrick would make them listen to him reading one of his unamusing books that bore them to death as he had done so last week.
Great... just my idea of a perfect time at the park, she sarcastically thought to herself.
An idea of an escape then flew into her mind, and she glanced to her right where Patch was walking beside her. She then gave him a nudge, "Patchy, can you do me a favour?" she softly asked, trying to sound as sweetly as possible.
"As if I'm ever given a chance to say 'no'," he said with grin. "What is it?"
"Do you mind covering for me and spend your time with Baldrick? I... need some time to myself."
Patch raised a brow at her, "You planning on doing anything specific?" He quizzed.
Penny shrugged, "I don't know... perhaps I'll take a walk around the park or something. Whatever it is, I promise I won't be long."
Patch eyed her for a few more seconds before letting out a defeated breath. "Fine." He grumpily replied. He certainly wouldn't have let her have her way if he wasn't trying to keep her mind off about their family.
Penny's face brightened immediately and she gave him a nuzzle against his side as her way of thanks.
Soon, they arrived at the particular unoccupied steel bench under a barren tree. Baldrick knelt down to unleash the Dalmatians, first Penny and then Patch.
"Alright, lovelies, now that we're here, I happened to bring along this new book that Roge had just given me just now on-"
He stopped mid-sentence when Penny suddenly took off away from them in the opposite direction. Baldrick stared after her in surprise. "Huh... must be looking for that golden retriever friend of hers," he remarked before looking down at the lone Dalmatian beside him. "Oh well, looks like it's just you and me again, Ol' Patchy-boy!" he cheerfully said as he sat down.
Patch heaved a long, exasperated sigh. Not because of the fact that he would spend the next half hour being bored to death by Baldrick's reading, but rather, because he had just realized what his sister's true plans were all along.
Over at the opposite end of the park, Penny finally slowed down her pace once she was satisfied that there was more than enough distance between herself and her brother and human pet. Walking along the main track that went around the entire park, she started sniffing the ground as she walked, trying to pick up a specific scent.
About five minutes later, her sharp nose registered the very scent she was looking for and followed it. It didn't take no more than a couple more minutes for the scent to eventually become much stronger, and she soon looked up to see a familiar dog with a bright golden pelt sniffing about within some bushes just a few feet off from the track.
With a brightened smile, Penny made her way to the particular dog.
End of Part 3