I woke up with a start! I’d heard a loud crashing noise. It was the early hours of the morning and still very dark outside. The crash turned into a low rumbling sound which gradually faded until the night was silent again. Seconds later, the whole room was bathed in a bright light which quickly returned to darkness. I jumped up and turned towards mum who was awake. She looked as white as a ghost and was crying and shivering. Dad was still asleep and snoring quite loudly. Nothing disturbs him, I thought. Except the next loud crash did just that and dad jumped out of bed and drew back the curtains.
Rumbling in
“It’s all right, Poppy. It’s just a storm.” Dad was enjoying this. However, I was not convinced and nor was mum who was sitting in the bed with the sheet pulled right over her head. Dad laughed and took mum’s arm and we all went downstairs together. He turned the sofa to face the patio doors and then made sure that mum and I sat down and kept our eyes on the garden. Shortly afterwards, he emerged from the kitchen with two cups of tea which he placed on a small table . He also put a tasty chicken treat in my bowl so that I wouldn’t feel left out. He sat down with his arms around us both. It made me feel much safer.
Lighting up the night
The storm lasted for what seemed like forever. First came the bright lightning which shot across the angry sky in an orange streak, lighting up the garden for a few fleeting seconds. This was followed by the crashing noise of thunder which was truly frightening. Snuggled up to dad, I became much less afraid and so did mum. Gradually, the thunder got further and further away until it stopped altogether. As it quietened down, I became aware of the wind which was moving the branches of our trees and rattling all the fences. I watched, in horror, as our dustbin rolled past us and onto the lawn. It was also pouring with rain and the drops were hitting the ground and bouncing back into the air. It was so exciting!
Harry’s Greenhouse
Just as we were getting ready to go back to bed, dad spotted a small hedgehog walking up the garden towards the greenhouse. I think it was my friend Harry but if it was, why was he not safely asleep in his little den? Then I realised how bad the storm had been and how hard it had rained. I realised that it was such a hard life for small animals in the wild. Dad seemed to feel sorry for little Harry but he always said that it was nature and we shouldn’t interfere. We all went back upstairs. Mind you, nature or not, I knew where Harry was going and it wasn’t back to his waterlogged home.
Harry was on his way back to the safety of the greenhouse. If only dad knew that Harry had already spent quite a few nights in our greenhouse aided and abetted by me. After all, I am a Lhasa Apso, and we fiercely protect our friends.
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