Щенок Элли, или Долгая дорога домой / Ellie the Homesick Puppy

I’m sorry, Ellie, I should have made sure[53 - I should have made sure – should выражает рекомендацию, а форма have made даёт понять, что она относится к событиям прошлого: мне надо было убедиться…] you couldn’t get back in.’

Ellie snuggled into her fleecy top, still shaking. At least Megan wasn’t angry with her. She whined with pleasure as Megan stroked her ears.

She knew Megan would always be there to look after her.

Chapter Three

Ellie rested her chin on Megan’s shoulder, as she lovingly stroked her head over and over.

‘Megan!’ Mum was calling from inside. Megan stood up slowly, carrying Ellie. She was growing so fast! She had been so small when they got her, it had been easy to hold her like this. But now she was getting to be a real weight.

‘Oof, Ellie, my arms are going to fall off,’ Megan teased her lovingly, as she carried her up the garden. She felt Ellie tense up a little as they went into the kitchen to join Mum and Dad. Obviously she remembered Dad shouting at her.

‘Hey, ssshhh, it’s OK,’ she whispered. But Ellie buried her nose in Megan’s neck and whimpered.

‘Is Ellie all right?’ Mum asked. ‘She didn’t get hurt too, did she?’[54 - Такие вопросы задают, когда почти уверены в ответе. Если в основном предложении есть отрицание, в вопросительном «хвостике» его не будет, и наоборот.]

Megan shook her head. ‘No, I think she’s just a bit upset. She didn’t know what was going on. I’m really sorry she tripped you up, Dad. How’s your ankle?’

Dad had it propped up on the chair in front of him, covered by a bag of frozen peas.

‘I’ll live. But this has made us think[55 - Время Present Perfect (have/has + 3-я форма глагола) описывает действия, начавшиеся в прошлом и имеющие результат к настоящему моменту. Родители задумались, когда папа споткнулся об Элли, и уже что-то придумали.], Megan. Mum and I have talked it over, and we’re sure it’s the right thing to do now…’

‘What is?’ Megan asked cautiously. From the way Mum and Dad were looking, she had a feeling it was going to be something she wouldn’t like.

‘Ellie’s really been getting in the way[56 - Время Present Perfect Continuous (has been getting) означает, что Элли путается под ногами уже долгое время и не собирается прекращать.] while we’ve been packing, Megan,’ Mum explained. ‘It’s going to be the same when the removal men are loading up, and when we’re unpacking at the new house, too. It’s just not practical having a puppy around.