Snow Dog (6 page)

“The wish came true.” Nicky clapped her hands. “It must be something to do with the rainbow clay. It’s made all my wishes come true. Now you can be with me always and for ever and we’ll never …”

“Nicky, I don’t feel well …” Harry began, before his voice trailed off altogether. Something was wrong. Harry was in trouble.

“It’s too hot. It hurts …” Harry cried out.

And horrified, Nicky watched as Harry’s golden fur began to bubble like overheated porridge. And the silver fur of his paws began to chip and flake, fluttering like moonlit rain onto the grass below.

Chapter Four

The Final Wish

“
NO! HARRY, NO
!” Nicky knelt down in front of Harry to try and protect him from the sun’s rays but it was no good. A tiny crack, no thicker than a hair, appeared on one of his ears. He was starting to crumble. “I can’t stay here. It’s too hot for me,” Harry gasped.

“Quick! You’ve got to go back into the snow dome,” Nicky said urgently.

“How?” asked Harry. “I don’t know how I came
out
of the dome, so I certainly don’t know how to get back in.”

Nicky thought desperately.

“I wished it,” Nicky realized. “I wished you would leave the dome and be with me for always.”

“If you don’t
un
wish it and soon, there’ll be nothing left of me but dust!” Harry said, lying down. The gold of his fur was flaking faster now. Nicky had to do something. She
had
to. She picked up the dome and held it tightly in both hands.

“Harry, I want you to stay with me so much but not if it’s going to make you ill or fall to
pieces
, so I wish you were back in the dome where you’ll be cold and safe and happy.”

Before Nicky could blink, Harry had disappeared.

“Harry? Harry, are you in there? Are you OK?” Nicky held the snow dome up to her face and shook it frantically. “Harry?”

“Ah! That’s much better,” Harry barked happily. He ran around in circles chasing his wagging tail.

“Oh Harry, thank goodness. I’m so glad you’re safe.” Nicky grinned with relief.

“Nicky, come in for your lunch,” called Grandad from the kitchen door.

Nicky leapt to her feet, still holding the snow dome in her hands. “Grandad, did you see …?”

“Shush! I don’t want anyone to know that I’m real, except you,” said Harry.

“Did I see what?” Grandad prompted.

“Nothing!” Nicky shook her head, hiding her snow dome behind her back.

“Come in now, dear,” said Grandad.

“I’ll be right there.” Nicky waited until Grandad disappeared back into the house before she turned to Harry. “Harry, I’ve just thought of something,” she said.