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

Ellie had a special dog cage for travelling, and it just about fitted on the back seat of Gran’s car. Megan carefully packed up Ellie’s basket and blanket, and her bowls and food – including her favourite bone-shaped biscuits. Then there was a bagful of toys, her lead, her blanket – the list went on[66 - Здесь фразовый глагол go (went, gone) on означает «продолжать(ся)».] and on.

‘Goodness,’ Gran murmured. ‘How many dogs am I looking after?[67 - Present Continuous описывает длящиеся действия в настоящем времени, но может и передавать уже определённые, чёткие личные планы на будущее: За сколькими собаками я буду присматривать?]’

‘Thanks so much for doing this,’ said Megan’s mum.

‘It’s a huge help.’

Ellie was trotting backwards and forwards after Megan as she carried all her things to make a pile in the hall. She was very confused about what was going on, but she’d seen Megan’s dad moving her travel cage into Gran’s car, so she thought she and Megan must be going somewhere[68 - Глагол must выражает очень вероятное предположение – «должно быть», «наверное»: наверное, они с Меган куда-то поедут.

] with Gran. They had driven out for special walks in the woods with her before. It must be that. Though Ellie didn’t see why she would need her basket and everything else just to go out for the day.

‘Right.’ Gran finished her cup of tea. ‘We’d better be off then, if we don’t want to get back too late. We’ll see you all on Tuesday.’ She hugged Megan. ‘Oh, I’m so excited about having you all living so close.

It’s going to be lovely.’

Megan hugged her back. She was excited too, but she couldn’t help worrying[69 - Сan’t help doing something означает «не мочь не»: она не могла не беспокоиться.] about Ellie. ‘Gran, you will make sure she’s not lonely tonight, won’t you? She usually sleeps on my bed,’ she reminded her anxiously.

‘I’ll do my best[70 - Устойчивое выражение do (did, done) one’s best означает «сделать всё возможное»: сделаю всё, что в моих силах.

],’ Gran promised. ‘I think Sid would leave home if a dog came and tried to sleep on my bed with him, but how about I give Ellie a hot water bottle?’

Megan nodded sadly, as she pictured Ellie spending the night on her own.

‘It’s only for two days, Megan,’ Dad said, putting an arm around her shoulders. ‘Ellie will be fine.’

Ellie hopped into her cage happily enough, expecting Megan to come and sit next to her on the back seat.