The Puppy

 

Dad’s phone buzzed. It was Poppy.

Strange. His heart tightened. Was she hurt?

 

He answered quickly.

“Poppy? You okay?”

 

Her face filled the screen, beaming.

“Hi, Dad! Yeah, I’m fine. I’m in Crawley with Amy — we’ve come to see a Cockapoo! I’m so excited. Look!”

 

She turned the camera, revealing two wagging, curly-haired pups tumbling over each other.

 

Dad blinked. A dog?

He’d been half asleep on the sofa. Now, it felt like he’d been dropped into an ice bath.

 

“Well,” he managed, “this is a surprise. I wish you’d asked first.”

 

Poppy grinned, unfazed. “There are two I can choose from. Which one do you like best?”

 

Dad sighed, squinting at the screen. “Hmm… the reddish one’s pretty cute.”

 

Her smile widened. “So I can have him, Dad? He’ll be ready in two weeks!”

 

He tried to sound firm, but it came out soft.

“You’re a nightmare, you know that? …I guess so. Just come home soon, it’s getting late.”

 

“Thanks, Dad! Love you!”


Two weeks later, Poppy burst through the door with a blur of fur in her arms.

 

“This is Apple!” she announced.

 

The little Cockapoo wriggled free, tumbling across the living room like a wind-up toy — all ears, paws, and joy.

 

Dad sat in his chair, pretending to read the paper, doing his best not to melt.

He gave a small nod. “He’s… alright, I suppose.”

 

Poppy frowned. “You don’t like him?”

 

“Didn’t say that,” he muttered, hiding a smile behind the newspaper.


The next morning, Apple was tearing around the kitchen, chasing a rubber ball while Poppy laughed.

 

“I’m gonna get dressed,” she said, heading upstairs. “Keep an eye on him, please!”

 

She’d barely reached the landing when she realized she’d left her phone downstairs. She tiptoed back and peeked through the door.

 

There was Dad — standing in the living room, completely smitten. He knelt on the floor, gently scratching Apple’s chin, whispering, “Who’s a good boy, huh? Don’t tell your mum, but you’re the best thing to happen here in ages.”

 

Poppy smiled, heart full.

 

She slipped away quietly, leaving them to it.

 

The End.






 

The PUPPY

screenplay

 

Written by Kevin Gargini


FADE IN:

 

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

 

DAD, mid-40s, dozing on the sofa. His phone BUZZES beside him. He squints — it’s a video call from POPPY (20s).

 

He frowns, worried.

He answers.

 

DAD

Poppy? You okay?

 

ON SCREEN:

POPPY’s face lights up with excitement. Behind her, a blur of fur and wagging tails.

 

POPPY

Hi, Dad! I’m fine. I’m in Crawley with Amy — we’ve come to see a Cockapoo I want to buy! Look!

 

She flips the camera — two curly-haired puppies tumble over each other.

 

DAD

(half-asleep, startled)

A… dog?

 

POPPY

A Cockapoo! Isn’t he adorable? Mum said it’s fine.

 

Dad rubs his eyes, sitting up straighter. His calm is slipping.

 

DAD

Well… this is a surprise.

Maybe next time you could, you know, ask first?

 

POPPY

There are two I can choose from. Which one do you like better?

 

DAD

(squinting at the screen)

Hmm… the reddish one’s cute, I suppose.

 

POPPY

(excited)

So I can have him? He’ll be ready in two weeks!

 

DAD

(sighs, defeated)

You’re a nightmare.

Fine. Just… get home soon, okay? It’s late.

 

POPPY

Thanks, Dad! Love you!

 

DAD

Love you too, Pops.

 

He hangs up and sinks back onto the sofa — half amused, half horrified.

 

DAD (to himself)

A dog. Brilliant.


INT. LIVING ROOM – TWO WEEKS LATER – DAY

 

The front door bursts open. POPPY rushes in holding a small, curly Cockapoo.

 

POPPY

Dad! Meet Apple!

 

Apple wriggles free and scampers across the room, full of energy.

 

DAD

(peering over his newspaper)

Hmm. He’s… alright, I suppose.

 

POPPY

(disappointed)

You don’t like him?

 

DAD

Didn’t say that.

(just can’t help smiling a little)

He’s… fine.

 

Poppy rolls her eyes. Apple barks, tail wagging furiously.


INT. KITCHEN – NEXT MORNING

 

Sunlight spills across the floor. POPPY throws a small ball; Apple races after it, skidding on the tiles.

 

POPPY

I’m gonna get dressed! Keep an eye on him, Dad!

 

She dashes upstairs. The moment she’s gone, DAD looks down at Apple. Pause. Then—

 

DAD

(softly, to Apple)

Alright, come here, troublemaker.

 

Apple leaps into his arms. Dad laughs despite himself, stroking the puppy’s fur.

 

DAD (CONT’D)

Don’t tell your mum… but you’re the best thing to happen here in ages.

 

Apple licks his cheek. Dad melts completely.


INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

 

Poppy peeks back in quietly — she forgot her phone. She spots Dad kneeling on the floor, cuddling Apple, laughing like a kid.

 

She smiles, watching in silence for a moment.

 

Then she slips away.


FADE OUT.

 

THE END