Bugsy

Every day after school, I would take the same journey home past Mr Tickets Pet shop. I would stare through the window, nose pressed against the glass, watching the animals inside. White, fluffy rabbits hopped around their pen, ripping up bits of straw from the floor; hamsters ran furiously around the shop in tiny pink and blue hamster balls, and birds twirled around their perches like acrobats in outfits that shone flecks of violet and blue. I had always desperately wanted a pet, ideally a dog or a cat, but I was not allowed.

It was so unfair. Every single other kid at school had pets. Alfie, one of my best friends, had three dogs! How come his mum lets him have loads of animals, and I can't even have one? 

One wet afternoon, I almost walked past the pet shop, eager to get home from the rain, but I couldn't help myself. Pulling my hood back and feeling the rain trickling down my face, I pressed my nose to the glass, but something was different. The excitement in my eyes faded as I realised most of the animals were gone. All that was left were empty pens, thousands of packets of dog food and a cage that I had never seen before. It was in a dark corner of the shop, partially covered by a blanket. I squinted to try and get a glimpse of what was in the scary-looking cage, but my vision was blocked. Moving back from the window, Mr Ticket himself stood in my way. He opened the door, and the smell of fresh sawdust flooded out.

"So you are the culprit that leaves sticky fingerprints all over the glass", he mused. He was a tall, wiry man with scraggly white hair and a long moustache that curled at the ends. He looked ancient but moved like he still had another hundred years of life to live. 

"Oh, I am sorry-" I began.

"I am only joking." he bellowed. "Are you interested in the animal?" he asked, clearly noticing my eyes glued to it.

"What is it?" I replied. 

"Why don't you come and see?"

I followed Mr Ticket into the now heartless store. As we approached, I heard the thing rumble in its cage, and when Mr Ticket finally moved aside, I couldn't believe my eyes. 

"What is it?" I asked 

"Well, it's a, it's… I am not quite sure what it is, but after exploring the world, I can confidently say it is the only one left." 

My mouth dropped, "Wow." It was magnificent, unlike any animal I had ever seen. It was bigger than a guinea pig and smaller than a cat. Its body was covered in grey scales, and it had an odd, bobbly tail. It was long, and it had six feet, like a sausage dog with an extra pair of legs in the middle. Most incredibly, it had three eyes that never closed at the same time.

"I have got to tell you, kid. I am shutting up shop. Going to find the endangered long-neck leopards out in the Sahara." 

"You are leaving? What about him?" I pointed at the strange creature, and it looked back at me with all three eyes.

"I have to find him a home." He hung his head in sorrow before whipping his finger up in the air. "Wait! Why don't you take him?"

"I would love to, Mr Ticket, but my mum said I am not allowed a pet, it is so unfair!". 

Mr Ticket’s eyes grew wide. "I will let you have him for only £5, a closing-down discount."

I beamed with excitement. "Wow, sure, I will be right back!" I yelled.

I can't say no to that.

Before I knew it, I was galloping down the road at full speed, heading home. I burst through the door and called for Mum. 

No answer. 

I flew through the house like a tornado, heading to the kitchen, where Mum was usually whipping up a gusto box meal, but I was stopped in my tracks by her purse sitting on the side table, already open as if to invite me in. 

I knew I shouldn't just take the money, but all of my friends get pocket money anyway and I don't, so I'm basically taking what I deserve. she would understand once I told her what happened anyway.

Running back to the store, I burst through the door, the bell ringing as I reappeared in front of Mr Ticket.

"Here you go, sir!" I shoved the money into his old wrinkly hands and trotted over to the creature, thinking about what I should name my new pet.

"Good lad," Mr Ticket said as he strolled over. I will miss this little guy, but I know you will look after him." He tapped my head and ruffled my short brown hair before covering the cage with a blanket and handing it to me. "Go on then, before I change my mind. "

I shot him an excited grin and started lolloping towards the door with my new pet. 

"Keep him safe. Not everyone is as accepting of the weird and wonderful," he exclaimed. The bell made a tingling noise as I wandered off down the road. "I'll call you Bugsy, I reckon. It just suits you," I whispered to the cage.

A purr came from inside, so I assumed Bugsy liked its new name. 

I bet Mum will love him when I get home.