Moving Pictures (Discworld 10)

Gaspode shoved a paw into the loop and eased it over Laddie's head.

'There,' he said. 'If we all knew how to do that, we'd be runnin' the world. Now stop kiddin' around. We need you.'

Laddie sprang to tongue-lolling attention. If dogs could salute, he would have done.

Gaspode wriggled under the fence again, and waited. He could hear Laddie's footsteps the other side, but the big dog seemed to be padding away from the fence.

'No!' hissed Gaspode. 'Follow me!'

There was a scurry of paws, a swishing noise, and Laddie cleared the high fence and did a four-point landing in front of him.

Gaspode unpeeled his tongue from the back of his throat.

'Good boy,' he muttered. 'Good boy.'

Victor sat up, rubbing his head.

'I caught myself aright crack when the chair fell backwards,' he said.

Laddie sat looking expectantly, with the remains of the sheet in his mouth.

'What's he waiting for?' said Victor.

'You've got to tell him he's a good boy,' sighed Gaspode.

'Doesn't he expect some meat or a sweet or something?'

Gaspode shook his head. 'Jus' tell him what a good boy he is. It's better'n hard currency, for dogs.'

'Oh? Well, then: good boy, Laddie.'

Laddie bounced up and down excitedly. Gaspode swore under his breath.

'Sorry about this,' he said. 'Pathetic, isn't it?'

'Good boy, find Ginger,' said Victor.

'Look, I can do that,' said Gaspode desperately, as Laddie started snuffling at the floor. 'We all know where she's headed. You don't have to go and-'

Laddie dashed out of the door, but gracefully. He paused at the bottom of the stairs and gave an eager, follow-me bark.

'Pathetic,' said Gaspode, miserably.

The stars always seemed to shine more brightly over Holy Wood. Of course, the air was clearer than Ankh, and there wasn't much smoke, but even so . . . they were somehow bigger, too, and closer, as if the sky was a vast lens.

Laddie streaked over the dunes; pausing occasionally for Victor to catch up. Gaspode followed on some way behind, rolling from side to side and wheezing.

The trail led to the hollow, which was empty.

The door was open about a foot. Scuffed sand around it indicated that, whatever may or may not have come out, Ginger had gone in.

Victor stared at it.

Laddie sat by the door, staring hopefully at Victor.

'He's waitin',' said Gaspode.

'What for?' said Victor apprehensively.