Annie's attempts to track down Laura quickly proved fruitless. To her one fly seemed pretty much like another and she could only really sense them when they were nearby anyway.
For Lucy though, things seemed more promising.
"Of course I can *arf* follow my master's scent" she announced proudly "she was here, then here, then here...."
Sure enough Lucy was following the exact trail Laura had left earlier as she had made her escape from Annie. However, as she reached the front gate the dog girl sat down sadly.
"What's *ook* the matter?" Sophie asked anxiously "Have you lost Laura's scent?"
"It's not that *arf*" Lucy answered sadly "but I can tell she is not nearby. This scent could go on for miles *arf* and master said I mustn't go beyond the gate *arf*.
Sophie sighed. The longer they left Laura the less chance they had of ever finding her, and Justin wasn't due back for hours. On the other hand leaving the house could put them all in danger.