Читать книгу Dogtective William and the pirates - Elizabeth Wasserman - Страница 6

Back in my room, William was waiting for me.

“Did it work?”

“What do you mean? Did what work?” I didn’t understand what he was talking about.

“Oh, I was just wondering why you look so happy.”

I told him the news, flustered with excitement. But suddenly it hit me: William would not share my joy. He would have to stay at home, with only my dad for company. And my dad would be so busy with his new job that I could only hope that he would remember to feed my dog.

But William was unperturbed. In fact, he seemed to be quite happy.

“Well, we have to start preparing for this trip right away!” he said, wagging his tail.

“We?” I asked. “What do you mean we?”

“Yes, we. The two of us. I can’t let you go all on your own. I have to watch over you. That’s my job, as your dog.”

“No, William!” I protested. “Pets are not allowed on these cruise ships. And we don’t need protection, thanks. It will be perfectly safe.”

“Not at all!” he cautioned, waving his new book around. It was the book on the history of the pirates, which had just arrived by mail that morning. “Pirates are active again in the Indian Ocean,” he lectured. “Only a few months ago a cruise ship, similar to the one you and your mother are going on, was captured very close to the Seychelles. And just after that, an oil tanker as well. The pirates operate from the Somali coast. They are a dangerous bunch. I’m not letting you go on your own!”

I tried to protest, but I should have known that it was useless to argue with William. He is a very stubborn dog, and he usually gets his way.

He soon got the better of me.

“But William, even if I do take you along,” – his stories about the activities of the pirates had grown increasingly gruesome, and I started to wonder if it would not be better to have him at my side – “how are we going to manage it? Even if we dress you in a loud Hawaiian shirt, you can’t simply saunter on board. It won’t work. They’ll throw you overboard, just like that. Did I mention that dogs are not allowed?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time that I stow away in your luggage,” he said. “Just carry me aboard, and I shall see to the rest.”

I did not doubt him. As I have mentioned before: William is no ordinary dog.