Chapter 22

Jamie laughed. “Depends how much you want them to say yes to something.” He took a bit of his pizza, chewed thoughtfully. “You know, if you show how good you are at tidying up at home, it’ll probably help a lot for getting your dog. Show them you’re responsible.”

Sofia ate her pizza, and watched Jamie. “Did you do chores to get a pet?” she asked with her mouth full.

“Uh, yeah.” Jamie finished his pizza and reached for a glass of water. He took a sip, weighing up in his mind how much he should share today. He’d just have to be tactful, that was all.

He set down his glass. “Remember what I told you about my tarantula?”

Sofia’s eyes went wide again, and she nodded.

“Well, he wasn’t exactly mine,” Jamie told her. “He belonged to…one of the adults, and I was told that if I was really good and kept my room tidy, and helped out around the house, I could keep Old Fuzzy Legs in my room and look after him.”

“Your parents made you do chores and then gave you a pet?” Sofia questioned.