The Princess and the Pup, page 1
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For Alice and Archie, with love always
Evie carefully lined up all the ingredients she’d need, then checked to make sure the blender was plugged in at the wall and the jug was full of water.
Okay, Super Chef, you have just five minutes to concoct a record-breaking, world-beating, mind-blowing, unbelievably delicious dessert to win the International Trophy for Treats!… And the clock starts: NOW!
Evie tossed a handful of chopped apple into the blender, threw in some pear cubes and a small bowl of grated carrot, then hit the on button. “Quick! Pass me those freezer-pop molds,” she asked her buddy Iris, who was sitting on the kitchen counter, swinging her legs. “Oh, and I’ll need that big box of meaty sticks, too, as fast as you can, please!”
“Meaty sticks?” Iris’s eyes popped. “For a dessert? Um—sure.” Iris slid the molds over, then reached for the box of brown sticks. She wrinkled her nose. “They smell!”
But Evie didn’t reply. She was still racing against the clock in her head. She flicked off the blender and poured the gooey mixture into the molds. “Now I just need to add a meaty stick to each one…” she said, pushing them speedily into the mush. “And after a fast visit to the freezer, my new awesome fruity pupsicles will be done!”
Stop the clock! Dessert complete! Well, almost.
“Er—are you sure this new recipe is going to work?” Iris frowned. “I know you’re the chef, but apple, pear, carrot, and MEATY STICKS?”
Evie giggled. “Sure! They’re really tasty … if you’re a DOG!”
“Huh?” Then Iris’s frown turned upside down and she grinned. “Ah, I get it now … You’re creating recipes for Fudge!”
At the sound of his name the pup came bounding into the diner kitchen and flung himself at Evie.
“Hey! You’re not supposed to be in here.” Evie looked over to see if her dad, who was at the other end of the large kitchen, had noticed. But he was singing along to the radio, with his head in the steam from the large pot of soup he was stirring. Evie crouched down and buried her face in the pup’s warm, spiky fur. “Aw, I missed you, too, but if Hannah sees you…”
“How’s that going?” Iris whispered. “Has your stepmom decided yet if Fudge can stay?”
Thanks to the Agents of H.E.A.R.T., a team of fairy-tale rescue princesses who had recently popped out of a magical book, stray pup Fudge had come into Evie’s life. But her stepmom, Hannah, didn’t think their family diner was the best place for him to live. She’d given him a week to prove he could fit in.
“Hannah’s not made up her mind yet,” Evie said. “But Fudge is doing so well.”
“Really?” Iris watched as Fudge jumped up on his back legs and pulled a tea towel off the counter and began shredding it.
“He’s barking a lot less,” Evie said, wrestling the towel out of his mouth and replacing it with a squishy giraffe toy she found on the floor. “And he’s really not chewing things nearly so much.”
Iris raised an eyebrow. “Um—great!”
“And he only escaped into the diner twice today. And Hannah didn’t notice at all.” Evie rinsed her hands at the sink, then picked up the molds and put them into the freezer. “Don’t worry, Fudge, these pupsicles will be ready for munching very soon—look, these are the other dog treats I’ve been experimenting with…” She pulled out an ice-cube tray filled with yellow blobs and showed it to Iris.
“Oh—er—mmm, they look yummy,” Iris said with a grimace.
“Fudge thinks so. It’s banana ice cream. Well—it’s not actually ice cream. It’s just blended bananas,” she said in a quieter voice. “But don’t tell Fudge, because he thinks he’s having the real thing.”
Iris chuckled. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
“I’ve got a whole freezer full of dog treats,” Evie said. “Did I tell you about the doggy cake pops I’ve made? See—I was thinking, if Fudge likes these dog treats, then maybe he’ll stop trying to sneak into the diner and grab the customers’ orders!”
DELICIOUS DOGGY DESSERTS BY EVIE BROWN
Fudge can’t resist food. But human snacks aren’t good for him. So I’ve started making doggy desserts that are safe for him to enjoy. Here’s how to make them for your BFFF (best furry friend fur-ever!). Don’t forget to ask an adult for help to stay safe in the kitchen. And remember, too many treats are bad for dogs, so only serve on special occasions!
FRUIT PUPSICLES
Ingredients:
1 apple
1 pear
(You can use other pet-friendly fruit and veggies like watermelon, grated carrots, strawberries, bananas, and blueberries.)
A blender
Meaty dog sticks (optional)
Freezer-pop molds, paper cups, or ice-cube trays
How to make:
Prepare the fruit by chopping it up into small pieces, making sure to remove cores, seeds, and pips.
Mix the fruit with some water—about 1 cup.
Use the blender to make the mixture smooth.
Pour into molds, paper cups, or ice-cube trays.
Add a meaty stick.
Put into the freezer until frozen—usually a few hours.
Remove pupsicles from molds.
Run each pupsicle under a warm tap for a few seconds, so it’s not too cold, or your dog’s tongue might stick to it!
PAW-SITIVELY YUMMY ICE CREAM
Ingredients:
2 bananas
An ice-cube tray
A blender (You can mash with a fork if you don’t have a blender.)
How to make:
Peel the bananas.
Blend (or mash) until creamy.
Pour into the ice-cube tray and freeze for a few hours.
Remember, bananas are quite sweet for dogs, so only give them small amounts and save the rest in the freezer for another day.
For more recipe ideas, check out the websites of the American Kennel Club in the US and Battersea dogs home and the Dogs Trust in the UK.
“But aren’t you worried your dad might accidentally serve up the dog’s desserts to the diner customers?”
Evie laughed. “Nah, this is the old freezer. Dad doesn’t use it for anything else.”
“Shame. I’d quite like to see the Pemberton twins munching on a dog snack.”
Evie grinned. She kind of agreed. Ever since she’d moved to Lime Bay a few weeks ago, Katie-Belle and Clara Pemberton have made things difficult for Evie. But I don’t care, she thought, because I’ve got Fudge (paws crossed!) and Iris and Zak to hang out with, AND I get to help out in the diner now. “Okay, buster,” she said, tickling Fudge’s ears. “I think we’d better get you outside before—”
“EVIE?” Hannah suddenly called from the hall. “Have you seen Fudge?”
“Oops!” Evie looked around for somewhere to hide the pup.
Iris pointed to a large stewpot drying on the counter … but it was too late.
“There you are!” Hannah appeared in the doorway. “Oh, hi, Iris!” she smiled, then looked back at the pup. “I should have known you’d be in here!”
Fudge let out a loud Hello-Hannah-have-I-told-you-how-much-I-love-you-today sort of a bark and raced to greet her.
Evie held her breath …
But her stepmom’s stern face broke into a big grin. “Okay, okay … yes, yes, you’re a lovely boy…”
A lovely boy? Evie looked at Iris, her eyes wide. That sounded positive, right?
“But you’re not allowed in here!” Hannah said, her voice firm again. “If the restaurant inspector pays us a surprise visit and sees you in here, they’ll close us down. Now come on … out you go, back to the yard.” As she escorted Fudge to the door, she looked back at Evie. “Oh, and Dylan says he’ll meet you out front with the cart in five minutes. Can you take Fudge with you?”
“Sure!” Evie nodded. “I’ll fetch his leash.”
“It’s on the counter in the diner—No, Fudge, not that way—dogs don’t go through the diner! I’ll put him in the yard until you’re ready to leave. Come on, Mr. Dog, let’s go!”
“Did I tell you I’m helping out on our new mobile ice-cream cart today?” Evie asked as she and Iris headed for the diner.
Iris’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds so cool. Can I buy some?”
“Of course! But you might want me to serve you.” Evie leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “My cousin Dylan’s not the best at scooping ice cream. He drops even more than me.”
Iris giggled. “So Dylan’s on vacation from college, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think he really wants a job. Hannah says she thinks he’d
Outside, the tables were full of customers. Evie couldn’t help but have a quick check around in case any plates or glasses needed clearing … Whoa! So many people are eating my Happily Ever After Ice Cream! she thought, glancing at their orders.
“Hey, Fancy Pants!” Iris went over to stroke a large tabby cat sitting on the fence surrounding the patio, cleaning its paws.
“He’s here a lot,” Evie said, following her over. “I saw Dad feeding him yesterday—I think he wants to keep him.”
Fancy Pants was another stray animal that had arrived at the diner, thanks to the Agents of H.E.A.R.T. But Evie’s stepmom was adamant—he wasn’t on the potential pets list!
“Fudge wasn’t too sure of him at first,” Evie said, giving the cat a stroke. “But now he loves him, doesn’t he, puss? Unfortunately, Fancy Pants doesn’t feel the same way— Oh, there’s Dylan!” She waved to her cousin, who had appeared around the side of the diner, pushing the ice-cream cart.
But just then, something small and furry shot between Dylan’s legs and bounded toward the patio.
“Uh-oh!” Evie breathed. “Fudge must have escaped from the yard. Oh no—he’s going to jump…”
Evie raced over to grab him as he landed on the patio. But the pup had seen the cat now and did a midair swerve, avoiding Evie’s arms and crashing down on top of one of the tables. Then he dived onto the floor and bounded past the customers with a loud Hi-Fancy-Pants-I’m so-happy-to-see-you, want-to-play? sort of a bark.
The cat hissed. Glasses rattled. Cups toppled. And a plate full of muffins smashed onto the ground.
For a heartbeat, Evie froze as the horror unfolded. Then—Come on, Wonder Waitress! she told herself. You need to rescue this!
She darted around the tables, catching overturned glasses and cups and tumbling plates before they could crash onto the floor. Then she turned and smiled at the wide-eyed customers. Okay, time for the second part of the strategy. Use the rules! It was what Hannah had taught her when she’d first allowed Evie to help out in the family diner. When things went wrong, you had to apologize and explain!
“I am so sorry about the fuss!” Evie told the startled customers. “And please don’t worry, I’ll fetch you a replacement,” she added to the man whose muffins were now squished on the floor. “No, Fudge!” she said, grabbing the pup’s collar as he lunged for the muffins. “They don’t belong to you. And anyway, human food is bad for you.” She clipped on his leash. “You’re definitely NOT allowed on the patio, and you’re leaving right away! Um, Iris, can you maybe…”
“Oh, sure.” Iris took the leash and pulled the protesting pup down the patio steps to the street.
“Now, please, is there anything I can get you?” Evie asked the still-stunned customers.
“Is everything okay here?” said a voice behind her.
Evie spun around. “Oh—er—hi, Dad.” She breathed a sigh of relief it wasn’t Hannah. “Um—we had a bit of a hiccup, but everything’s fine now.”
“It certainly is,” said an older lady with blond curls, sitting at one of the tables. “This young lady dealt with that energetic pup in a very mature manner.”
“She did?” Evie’s dad smiled. “That’s great to hear. And can I get you another coffee, as most of yours seems to have gone on the table?”
“Thank you,” the lady said. “And, honey, don’t worry about the pup…,” she added to Evie. “I have a wiener dog at home who was just as wild when he was little. But he’s very well behaved now.”
“Aw, I’d love to meet him,” Evie said.
“He’s called Dimples,” the woman said. “Maybe we’ll bump into each other on a dog walk sometime, and I’ll introduce you. Animals bring so much joy.”
Evie’s dad, who was stroking Fancy Pants the cat, nodded. “Yeah, there’s something very calming about having a pet to fuss over. Now I’d better go get a brush and shovel … Was it a blueberry muffin you had, sir?” he asked the man. “I’ll fetch another, straightaway. And I’ll bring the coffeepot out to refill everyone’s cups,” he told the other customers. “Go on now, Evie,” he added in a quieter voice. “I see Dylan’s waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Evie raced down the patio stairs two at a time. “That was so lucky,” she whispered to Iris, who was waiting with Dylan and the cart. “If Hannah had seen what just happened”—she looked at Fudge—“you’d be on your way back to the pet shelter already!”
The pup wagged his tail and didn’t seem the least bit worried about his bad behavior.
“Where is Hannah, anyway?” Evie asked, taking the pup’s leash from Iris.
Dylan looked up from his phone. “Huh? Oh, she said she had to go fetch something from your apartment.”
Evie glanced up to the open windows above the diner. Uh-oh! Maybe Hannah had seen the chaos. Or at least she’d probably heard the barking!
“Guys! You forgot these.” Hannah appeared from the side of the diner, waggling two straw hats in the air.
Dylan frowned and ran his hand through his tall quiff. “A boater? Really?”
“Sure!” Hannah smiled. “They’ve even got the diner’s name on them.”
“Um—thanks,” Evie said, taking one from her stepmom and putting it on.
Iris giggled. “Awesome disguise!”
Evie peeped out from under the brim. “It is a little big.”
“It’s vintage!” Hannah said. “And it’ll be perfect for keeping off the sun. Wait—have you got the menu board, Dylan?”
“Er—”
The menu board was a large A-shaped blackboard on which Evie had written all the flavors of ice cream they stocked.
“I think it’s down there.” Evie pointed to a thin shelf below the cart.
Dylan nodded. “I forgot I put it there.”
“Okay, well, Dylan, please look after Evie,” Hannah said. “And Evie, keep an eye on Dylan!” She winked at Evie as she said that and gave her a knowing look that Evie was sure meant don’t let him slack off. “Good luck. I just know this cart is going to be great for business.”
I hope it is, Evie thought, crossing her fingers behind her back, because it was my idea!
“I guess she didn’t see what happened on the patio,” Evie whispered to Iris as they followed Dylan across the street to the beach. “Which means you still have a chance, pup-face,” she added, reaching down to tickle Fudge. “And the longer we can stay out of Hannah’s way, the better.”
“Hey, what are all those people looking at?” Iris asked, staring at a large crowd in the middle of the beach. “Ooh, maybe it’s a street performer?”
Dylan peered over the heads. “Nah, I think it might be a film crew.”
“What? Oh wow!” Iris’s eyes sparkled. “Are they making a movie?”
“Wait—I think I can see Zak!” Evie pointed into the middle of the crowd. “Let’s go ask him.”
Evie and Iris left Fudge with Dylan, then pushed their way through the people watching.
“Hey, Zak!” Evie called to him, but he didn’t hear. She dodged around the elbow of a man in front of her who was shooting a video on his phone and slipped between some tall teenagers before tapping Zak on the back. “What’s happening? I can’t see.”
“Oh, hi, Evie.” Zak glanced around at her for a second, then turned right back to watching. “It’s a TV show called Dog Squad.”
“I’ve seen that show,” Iris said, squeezing in by Evie’s side. “It’s the one where a bunch of hero dogs save people, right?”
“Uh-huh,” Zak said. “They’ve just been rehearsing a scene on the beach. The star dog has to save someone from drowning.”
