SANDS OF DELUSION 

By Tessa Harvey


Katherine crept quietly into Alice's pink and white bedroom with the beautiful ruffled quilt on the bed. She peeped over to see if her sister was awake. It was evening and shadows were gathering in the room.
    Kitty's coat squeaked and she giggled. There was an answering giggle from the bed. Alice was awake and staring, fascinated at her big sister.
    "You squeak!" she whispered, giggling again. "It is a joke?!"
A small furry head poked out of Katherine's duffel coat side pocket. "Ahh! Beautiful," sighed the little girl. "Whose is it?"
"It's one of Josh and Rachel's puppies," Kitty replied, still whispering. "He hasn't got a name."
"Can we keep him?" Alice sat up in bed and reached out her hands.
    "Wait, not the bed, Ally." Kitty produced an old newspaper and plonked it on the floor. Carefully, she lifted the puppy down.    
    He sniffed around, almost falling over his absurdly large paws. Then he produced a small puddle and looked vastly pleased with himself, regarding both girls with an endearing grin, wagging his tiny tail.
    Alice crept out of bed and stroked the black and brown head with one finger.
"Can we keep him?" Alice frowned at this disturbing thought.
"Yes," answered a deep male voice from the doorway and Luis walked in, followed by Maria.
    The girls were ecstatic, thanking the adults profusely. The family crowded around.
"You are both responsible for his care," reminded Maria, very pleased Alice, sunny Alice, was back. It had taken much prayer.
    "It looks like Ed's dog," Alice declared, head bent over the small animal, revelling in all the fuss.
    "Ed?" queried Maria softly.
"My little brother," the ten year old answered softly. "When we came the boss man said 'my son, my boy and took him.'"
    A tear trickled down her cheek onto the puppy's head. Puzzled, it sneezed, making them all smile, even Alice
"You mean, here in Australia?" Luis frowned.
"I forgot before," answered Alice, "he was two. Funny and dark hair, like me. Can you find him, my brother?" Hope flared in her face and she looked at Kitty and the other adults.
"Jimmy Puppy can sniff for him!"




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