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As it was, I didn’t think it was a good idea to introduce two dogs into cat choir. So instead I took them over to a different section of the park, where dog choir rehearses, and introduced them to Fifi, Rufus, Lil Ran, Windex and the other members of dog choir. They were all very happy to welcome two new applicants, and before long the Boggle dogs were singing along to their little hearts’ content.

And as Dooley and I made our way back to the playground, my friend said,“You see, Max? Never judge a cookie by its cover.”

“I think you’re referring to a book, Dooley.“

“Pretty sure it’s a cookie. Cookies have covers.”

“So have books.”

“Yes, but you can’t eat a book.”

Now how can you argue with that?

And he was right, of course. We’d gravely misjudged Little John and Little Janine. So maybe Big John and Janine weren’t as bad as we thought either?

Only time would tell. At least for now we might have to call off Operation Get Rid of the Annoying Guests. Since they might not be so annoying after all.

CHAPTER 27

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That night no less than five pets slept on the couch downstairs: Dooley and I, Prunella, but also Little John and Little Janine. I guess the couch was big enough for all of us. Harriet and Brutus slept next door, as usual, and I have to say that for the first time in quite a while I slept like a log. And even when Grace started screaming the house down in the middle of the night, it only registered as a blip on my radar. Maybe I was finally getting used to the presence of that little one?

Next to us, Wilkins slept on a mattress, presumably with his eyes open, like any personal protection officer worth his salt—keeping a keen look out for any potential intruders, political hitmen or annoying paparazzi.

Tessa and Prince Dante had opted to spend the night next door, sleeping in Marge and Tex’s bed while the couple bunked with Gran on a spare mattress. And of course Opal had been granted the privilege of Odelia and Chase’s bed, while the couple had also enjoyed the comfort of a spare mattress and slept on the floor.

What did wake me up was when Opal arrived downstairs and started rummaging around, moving furniture and muttering to herself.

“What is she doing?” I finally asked Prunella.

“Setting up for the interview, of course,” said Opal’s sweetie.

“What interview?” I asked. “What are you talking about?”

“The interview with John Boggle.”

“She’s going to film that here? In our house?”

“And why not? Opal likes to film all of her interviews in other people’s places. Though usually she likes to do it outside, with some scenic backdrop of some gorgeous greenery. Guess she doesn’t think your backyard is fit for purpose.”

“She could use the backyard next door,” Dooley suggested. “It has a barbecue.”

Prunella didn’t look particularly impressed by this suggestion, but then not everybody likes a barbecue. Besides, ever since Tex had started work on his bathroom, his backyard was a mess. Not exactly the scene for an Opal interview.

“I hope we can be in the interview, too,” said Little Janine.

“Oh, yes!” said Little John. “I’ve always wanted to be in an Opal interview!”

“We could lie at John’s feet,” Little Janine suggested. “And look solemn.”

“I can do solemn. I can do solemn with the best of them!” said Little John.

“Why is Opal interviewing Big John?” asked Dooley. “Is he famous or something?”

“Opal likes to interview people who are in trouble and are ready to repent,” I explained. “She interviews singers who’ve been bad, actors who are on drugs, athletes who’ve cheated, and pop stars who’ve been kept prisoners by their dads.”

“So what category is Big John in? Has he cheated or is he on drugs?”

“I think he’s done a bit of everything,” said Little Janine vaguely.

Just then, the pet flap flapped and Harriet and Brutus walked in, both looking well rested and well groomed.

“How are things over here?” asked Harriet as she displayed a slight grin.

“Fine and dandy, I trust?” said Brutus, displaying the same type of grin.

I gave them both a look of suspicion. I wondered what they were up to.

“Fine,” said Prunella with a yawn. “Everything just A-okay. Though I could do with a pedicure,” she said as she regarded her left paw with a frown of concern.

“We have a pet salon in town,” Dooley announced. “We can tell Odelia to make you an appointment.”

Prunella gave him a sweet smile.“Thanks, Dooley. Are they any good?”

“I don’t know,” Dooley admitted. “Odelia never takes us there.” Then his face lit up. “But she’s taken us to the vet many times. Though we hate to go. She always prods us in the belly and pokes us with all kinds of needles.”

Prunella grinned.“Just the kind of thing I like to hear on an empty stomach.”

“You’re welcome,” said Dooley innocently.

Harriet and Brutus shared a look.“Seems to take a long time,” Brutus remarked.

“I would have thought they’d have seen it by now,” said Harriet.

Suddenly a terrifying scream tore through the house, startling us all.

“That’s Janine!” Little Janine cried.