Cat Tales for Cat Lovers (ebook)

Argumento de Cat Tales for Cat Lovers (ebook)

Henry goes missing, Blosha comes to stay, Oliver rules the roost, Mo has a birthday while Bruiser causes havoc. And doesn't everyone have a love of Mozart? Six charming and touching, cat-centric stories from popular novelist Jane Wenham-Jones. Curl up with your favourite feline and enjoy...

Maggie, please!

Sarah looked at me pleadingly. Rogers already away, Mum cant have the kids, I have to go to this conference, and Oliver simply pines if he goes to the cattery. Couldnt you stay at the house?

If it had only had Oliver in it, I would have agreed straightaway. I love cats. But kids

Three baleful faces stared at me on Friday morning when Sarah had eventually worn me down. She smiled brightly at us all. Clare doesnt eat meat, Lucy has to be reminded about finishing her vegetables, Toby is very sensible and knows where everything is. Youll help Maggie, wont you, darling?

Tobys glare deepened.

Youll love them after a couple of days, Sarah called as she slammed the car door.

Just get back on time, this isnt The Sound of Music , I growled.

The youngest two were just about manageable. But Toby was the bane of my life and stalked around the house after me with a constant stream of advice.

Mummy says Oliver prefers the rabbit-flavour biscuits.

Mummy says Oliver should be brushed every day.

Mummy says animals should always be fed at the same time each morning

Pity, as Mummy is such a fount of wisdom, I replied through gritted teeth, as I stroked the large ginger cat who had finally woken, that she didnt come up with the brilliant idea of taking you with her

The first night I was exhausted. The kids ignored all instructions and Oliver would only pick at his food despite being offered four different varieties from the store of tins in the cupboard.

You must eat, I told him, picturing Sarahs dismay if she came back to find her beloved cat starving. Oliver leapt on to the worktop and snatched a left-over chicken nugget. Something healthy, I said.

But not live fish! I screamed at the monstrous flapping thing, thrashing about the kitchen floor.

Aggggghhhhhh I cried. Where did that come from?

Toby looked at me disdainfully.

Oliver catches them from next doors pond, he said, calmly nodding at the ginger cat who crouched nearby, licking his lips. I made him drop it. He heaved a bucket of water across the tiles to where the fish lay gasping.

Now, said Toby authoritatively, when wed finally wrestled the slippery creature into the water, you have to put it back! You can get through the gap in the hedge.

Why cant you go?

Were not allowed to, said Toby.

Mummy doesnt like Mr Jordan, put in Clare helpfully.

Hes old and grumpy, supplied Lucy.

He shouted at Mummy last time, said Toby, gravely.

Sarah hadnt mentioned any of this! Next door, I looked nervously at the low cream house across the immaculate lawn. There was no sign of life at any of the windows. I ran across the grass to the large square pond with a small fountain tinkling in its centre.

Off you go, I said, tipping the fish among the lily leaves And dont you dare get any more! I said to Oliver when I returned. The cat arched his back, unrepentant. Feed him some more Whiskas, I told Toby. Thank God your mothers back tomorrow.

But the new day brought three children to my bedroom first. I sat up blinking. Clares face was about three inches from mine.

Olivers got another one! she said.

By the time I got downstairs, Toby had put the unfortunate fish in the bucket but it was a sorry sight.

Its his best one! said Toby in hushed tones.

We all peered at it.

Even I could see this was no ordinary fish. It was enormous, only just fitting into the plastic pail. It gleamed silver grey as it weakly flapped its tail.

Its worth a hundred pounds, said Clare. Mr Jordan told Mummy if Oliver ever caught this one, hed shoot him!

Lucy began to sob noisily.

Nobody is going to shoot anyone, I said firmly, as Clare clutched at Oliver, who was frantically trying to escape her hold and see the fish off altogether.

Ill go and explain, I said.

The kids looked at me with sudden respect.

No! they cried in unison.

I suddenly got a glimpse of a whole new future where I was their heroine, saving their cat from wrath, taking ranting old men in my fearless stride. Theyd soon be only too glad to do my bidding

I lowered my voice and looked meaningfully from face to face.

I, I whispered menacingly, am not afraid of Mr Jordan.

The fish seemed a bit livelier as once again I heaved the bucket onto my hip and squeezed my way next door. As I emerged the other side, I waved boldly up at Sarahs bedroom where three small white faces were pressed against the glass.

Old Man Jordan, here I come0