On Monday morning, roof repairs began on the neighboring house. Drills rattled Clara’s windows while workers called from the scaffolding. Bubbles moved restlessly between rooms, flattening his ears whenever hammering resumed. Clara closed every window and tried distracting him with treats, but he ignored even his favorite chicken pieces.
Shortly before lunch, a worker entered Clara’s garden to retrieve fallen equipment. He apologized, collected it, and hurried back toward the scaffolding. Clara noticed too late that he had left the side gate open. Another drilling burst shook the kitchen, and Bubbles raced straight through the unguarded doorway.