LIGHT IN DARKNESS 

By Tessa Harvey 

A few days later. Gladys drove Simone home. Bill  was working, Phil at school and Lacey and Hope were home alone. They stopped opposite a used car lot.

"Mum," Simone said, "I do not need a car right now. First I want to work and save, but...thank you!"

Gladys chuckled. "No, we are going somewhere else. I heard you talking in your sleep." 

"Please, mum - not a psychiatrist. I'm not ready." But Gladys got out near a small, busy pet shop. Birds sang and whistled. A small, beautiful conya parrot was muttering to itself, some of the words sounding suspiciously rude. Kittens mewed and played, lovely fish swam among coloured pebbles, holey shoes, treasure chests, wreathed in bubbles. In the far corner..."oh," breathed Simone, "a puppy." It gazed soulfully back at her, then slowly edged forward, placing its front feet on the glass. It had brown, beseeching eyes, a soft wiry coat of tan and caramel, a mostly black head and cute floppy ears.

"Oh, mum!" "He is yours," Gladys answered, "mind you, you are responsible for any...er...messes, for feed, for training."

"Yes, yes. I will be, I promise." Gently she lifted up the puppy.

"He is Jack! His name is Jack!"

They chose dog food, a lead, a pretty collar, a basket and went home.

The other day, Simone had told the police a man called Don had killed the other dog.

"Do you know his other name?" they had asked. "Yes, Parker, he called himself. Pacman. He could never remember the name Miss Smit said he had to use." The police were happy.