Rosie opened her mouth to argue, then shut it again. Maybe Freddy was right. Perhaps Mum really was a flea-killer!
Freddy saw her hesitation and nodded vigorously, his bristles shaking. “Aha, you know it’s true.”
“I suppose it is,” Rosie answered, slowly. “I never really thought about it like that before.”
“Never thought about it?” Freddy turned in rapid circles. “You’d think about it if your safety was at risk.”
“I’m sorry,” Rosie said. “You see, I’ve never met a flea before, and certainly not a talking one! You’re unique, Freddy.”
"You who?" Freddy's tiny face flushed pink with annoyance.
Rosie hurried to reassure him. "Not you: unique. It means, there's no-one else like you in the world!"
Freddy’s thorax puffed with pride. “Well, thank you very much, Rosie. I’ve never met a listening person before, so that makes you you neek too.”
Rosie grinned and stretched out a finger towards Freddy. “Friends?” she asked.
Freddy bowed low, his almost see-through thorax dipping over his abdomen. “Friends,” he agreed.
“Now Freddy, if we’re going to be friends, I need to make one thing clear.” Rosie folded her arms in her best YOU’D BETTER DO WHAT I SAY manner.
“Oh yes, and what’s that?” Freddy’s black eyes narrowed. That meant I THINK YOU’RE ABOUT TO SAY SOMETHING I DON’T LIKE.
“NO MORE FLEA BITES!” Rosie said firmly.
Freddy stamped on Rosie’s leg. It felt like a gentle tickle. “Not even a tiny one?” he whimpered.
“NO!” Rosie looked down at Freddy, her face unsmiling and stern.
Freddy sighed and collapsed, like a deflated balloon. “Okay, okay, it’s a deal. Just PLEASE don’t tell the other fleas, that’s all. I’ll never live it down.”
The door opened, and Mum looked in. “Who are you talking to, Rosie?” she said.
Rosie covered Freddy with her hand, where he lay quivering under her fingers. She looked over her shoulder towards Mum and smiled her best innocent smile. “Just Bernie,” she lied.
Bernie chose that moment to let out a particularly loud snore. It sounded like this: SNUFFLE-GRUNT-GRRR-SNORT.
Mum smiled back, clearly relieved that Rosie was in a better mood. “Good luck with that conversation.” She laughed, before turning and leaving the room.
Rosie lifted her hand and Freddy stumbled to his feet.
“That was close,” he gasped.
“It’s all right. You’re safe with me, Freddy,” Rosie whispered.
Freddy and Rosie grinned at each other, and Rosie felt her heart flutter with joy. She felt like this was A VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT in her life. The moment she finally had a pet of her own.