A Puppy Called Hugo
Following hot on the paws from the bestselling A Pug Like Percy, the nation’s favourite pug is back! And this time, Percy has puppies…Percy the pug has found a loving home with Gail, Simon and their daughter Jenny. But now it’s time for Percy’s new puppies to fly the dog bed, and become a companion to someone in need – which turns out to be closer to home than the family first think…On a visit to Gail’s parents, Percy begins to suspect that all is not well with Eric, Gail’s father. And when he suffers a nasty fall and is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Percy knows just who to send to the rescue – adorable pup Hugo.Can Hugo help Eric through the tough times, and grow into the kind of Pug to make Percy proud?Warm, charming and uplifting, A Puppy Called Hugo is perfect for fans of A Street Cat Named Bob and Alfie the Doorstep Cat.
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FIONA HARRISON has been a freelance journalist, writing for a wealth of publications including the Sunday Mirror, Daily Express, Prima, Woman and Grazia for several years. Originally from Cornwall by way of Bath, this is her second novel, following on from A Pug Like Percy. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and when she is not writing can usually be found devouring other people’s novels.
A Pug Like Percy
For pug loverseverywhere
Contents
There is nothing I enjoy more than catching the odd forty winks during the daytime. I am more than happy to curl up in most places, but my favourite has to be the large sunny kitchen at the home in Perivale I share with my gorgeous owner, Gail. It’s there I have a lovely basket placed between the oven and the door so I’m never too hot or cold. And it’s there I can always enjoy an undisturbed nap safely out of anybody’s way, complete with the blanket Gail lovingly knitted for me when she first adopted me.
Now, I was in my very favourite spot enjoying a cosy few minutes of sleep when an ear-piercing crash, bang and wallop had me jumping out of my skin. Getting uneasily to my paws, I looked up at Gail’s twinkling blue eyes, heart pounding.
‘Was that what I think it was?’ I barked, trembling.
Gail shrugged, her long, straight chestnut hair skimming her shoulders as she did so. ‘Only one way to find out.’
Together we trooped out of the sunshine-filled kitchen and into the hallway where the slightly sickly sweet fragrance of dried flowers assaulted my senses. It didn’t take long to discover the cause of all the trouble. There, by the front door, was my beautiful but mischievous four-month-old son, Hugo, surrounded by what could only be described as chaos.
My owner let out a gasp of horror as we both took in the mess that stood before us. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. Scatter cushions had been ripped to shreds, the stuffing from their innards covering the hessian carpet that lined the hallway. Elsewhere the vanilla and lime potpourri had been thrown across the doorway like confetti at a wedding, while large cream pillar candles had been chewed to nothing, wax deposited all over the wooden banisters and carpet. Quickly, footsteps raced towards us as Gail’s husband Simon, clutching their baby son Ben, and their teenage daughter Jenny appeared.
‘Is it Hugo again, Mum?’ Jenny piped up.
‘What’s he done this time?’ Simon sighed, his chocolaty eyes full of concern as he peered over Gail’s shoulder.
Gail turned to each of them, despair written across her face. ‘The house-warming presents, he’s destroyed Mum and Dad’s house-warming presents, they’re ruined.’
As Gail stood rooted to the floor in shock, Jenny rushed towards the box and frantically rifled through in a bid to salvage something.
‘You’re wasting your time, love,’ Simon called tightly. ‘Hugo’s done what he does best, ruined everything in sight.’
‘Don’t say that, Dad,’ Jenny replied, ever the optimist. ‘There has to be something here we can fix at least.’
But I knew Jenny’s efforts were pointless. Shaking my head, I walked gently towards my son who was now standing next to the box and looking proudly at his destruction. With his blond fur, black markings and dark eyes he was without doubt a real cutie, but every day he was always getting into trouble, and today, on this super special day that was important to the whole family, Hugo had managed to ruin it with his tiny paws all over again. ‘Look what I did, Dad,’ he yapped excitedly. ‘I never knew Gail had bought me so many toys.’
Fury rose, and I did my best to choke it down. ‘Those are not toys. They are gifts for Gail’s mum and dad. You were told that last night.’
‘Was I?’ Hugo asked, his brown eyes filled with innocence.
‘You know you were,’ I barked angrily. ‘I explained that today was a big day because Doreen and Eric were moving into their new house around the corner and that all of these things in the box were presents, ready to welcome them into their new home.’
‘But I thought you said they were toys for me,’ Hugo protested.
I opened my mouth ready to bark, when there was a knock at the door.
‘Oh Christ!’ Simon groaned, passing the baby to Gail so he could open the door. ‘That’s all we need.’
‘Simon,’ Gail hissed, as she cuddled the nine-month-old and kissed the fine blond hair that was springing up all over his head. ‘They’ll hear you.’
