by Rachel Wells
‘OK, so how do I get Marcus to take George?’ I asked.
‘When you want a human to take you somewhere, you just follow them,’ Nellie reminded me.
‘Yes but that’s what got George into this mess in the first place – unless, Nellie, you’re a genius! If I get George to follow Marcus, but make it clear he’s following him, Marcus will have no choice but to take George with him. Of course that’s it!’
‘All in a day’s work for us, Alfie,’ Rocky said.
‘Now all you have to do is to sell the plan to George,’ Nellie pointed out.
‘That’ll be a breeze, well if I get him to listen to me long enough to tell him.’
‘Goodness me, you are an interesting bunch of cats,’ Oliver said. ‘I’ve barely been here for a minute and already it’s more exciting than my old life.’ He looked quite thrilled.
‘So, Oliver, how did you get to be in a shelter?’ I asked.
‘I was telling your friends earlier, my old family had a problem and couldn’t look after me anymore. I’m not sure exactly what happened but it was very sad.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ I said, he needed good friends.
‘The shelter was very kind to us, and the staff were wonderful, they took good care of us. When the Barkers came in to adopt me, well, I felt like the luckiest cat in the world. I’m not young, or cute like a kitten but I am a nice cat.’
‘I can see that,’ I said, feeling emotional. ‘And I’m so happy that the Barkers have you now as well.’
‘Not so keen on you though, Alfie,’ Rocky joked.
‘No, I got chased out of their house a fair few times when I broke in to see Tiger,’ I said. I felt like I had a new friend, and a new plan to get back into my George’s good books. Life was looking up.
Now I just had to get George to agree to the plan, and before that I had to get him to get close enough to me so I could tell him the plan. Which wasn’t easy.
‘Go away,’ he hissed later that evening as I approached him.
‘George, I really need to talk to you, I need to put this right.’
‘Too late, I’m going out,’ he said and off he ran. I thought about following him but that was what got me into this mess in the first place. Hana might be able to relay my plan to George if he refused to listen to me? I crossed my paws that I would be able to make this plan work.
Chapter Twenty-One
I managed to go to Hana’s early the following morning without George noticing, he was too busy trying to avoid me. And Claire was too busy shouting at Jonathan about the fact that he had to go on a work trip so she would be left holding the fort for a few days. I wasn’t happy about their argument, but it was on the hold list for now, because my first priority was to fix things for George.
I clattered against the cat flap to announce my arrival and then I hopped in. Connie saw me first.
‘Alfie, how nice to see you,’ she said scooping me up. Thank goodness, someone who was happy to see me. ‘I hear you’ve been in a bit of trouble,’ she continued stroking my head. I purred loudly to show her how much I was enjoying it.
‘Connie, you need to get ready for school,’ I heard Sylvie shout, she didn’t sound happy either. Connie sighed, put me down and then left, so I went to see Hana who was looking out of the back patio door.
‘Hey, Alfie,’ she said, in her sweet way.
‘Hana, I’m not sure I’m welcome here,’ I started, carefully.
‘You’re always welcome, Alfie, I know George isn’t exactly pleased with you, but I am your friend too.’
‘That’s an understatement about George.’
‘Well, you know what he’s like, he’ll cool off soon enough.’
‘I wish I felt as confident as you sound,’ I said. ‘But I’m here because I need to put things right—’ I heard shouting. ‘Is that Sylvie?’
‘Oh yes, she’s not happy at the moment. I heard her say to Marcus that she is tired, and snappy but she thinks that it’s something that all women go through at a certain age. And now she feels sick so she thinks she’s got a bug as well.’
‘It doesn’t sound nice. But is it serious?’
‘I don’t think so, not like Harold, but it’s not fun. I heard her tell Claire that if she carried on like this Marcus would run for the hills.’
Claire, Polly and Franceska were all of a similar age, so I wondered if it would happen to my other human friends too. Was that why Claire was so angry today? Another one for my hold list.
‘It seems there is a lot going on at the moment. But I have always said we should deal with one thing at a time, so firstly can I talk to you about George.’
‘Of course. He misses his job, Alfie, and he’s missing Harold, but I think he’ll calm down soon.’
‘I was going to suggest that he go back to see Harold but he needs to get Marcus to take him.’
‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. But how can he get Marcus to take him?’
‘That’s why I want to talk to him, but he won’t listen. I thought that if he followed Marcus when he went to see Harold one day, but made it obvious, so that Marcus knew he was following him, and then Marcus won’t have any choice but to take him with him.’ It sounded so simple when I said it out loud, but I knew that the execution might not be as simple.
‘What if Marcus says no?’ Hana asked.
‘I had thought of that, but Marcus is a softy, if George looks at him with those big eyes of his, he won’t be able to resist. Or so I hope. I mean George has to make a big fuss of following Marcus and possibly make a racket to show him how much he wants to go with him, but …’
‘It’s not a bad idea, Alfie, do you want me to talk to George for you?’ Hana offered, in her sweet voice.
‘Would you?’ I asked, raising my whiskers, hopefully.
‘Of course, I don’t think George should be cross with you all the time, and I have tried to tell him that. It’s understandable for a parent to worry.’
‘Thanks, Hana, I appreciate it. I better go home for breakfast, but if there’s anything I can do to help with the Sylvie situation, please let me know. Once I’ve sorted George out anyway.’
‘Thanks, Alfie.’
We briefly touched noses and said goodbye. At least I had another ally.
Bizarrely Sylvie was at our house by the time I got home, I stopped on the way to play with some leaves, every cat needs to indulge in hobbies. Claire was back from the school run, Pickles was asleep in his bed, George was nowhere to be seen.
‘I’m going to the doctor in a couple of days, I’m pretty sure I’m going through the menopause.’
‘Oh Sylvie, it’ll be good to know, and of course get something to help you. I don’t know how I’d cope, because I’m so stressed at the moment I’d probably explode.’
‘Things no better with Jon’s work?’
‘No, worse actually. You know how many times he’s told me it’s going to get better? Millions, and I’m bored of shouting at him, it’s getting beyond a joke. What with Christmas coming soon, it’s just a lot.’
‘Oh Claire, what a pair we are at the moment, what with Harold in hospital I feel so guilty for snapping at Marcus but I can’t control myself. Do you think we should do something?’
‘What?’
‘How about we get Franceska and Polly and organise a spa day? You know we probably all could do with a day off. And I can always organise for Connie and Aleksy to help with the kids?’
‘Oh my goodness, that sounds like bliss, I could really do with that. Yes, I’ll tell Jonathan tonight, and get the others on board.’
‘Oh hey, Alfie,’ Sylvie said, as I hopped on her lap. She gave my head a nice scratch and I purred.
‘I still haven’t quite forgiven him for the whole hospital escapade,’ Claire said.
‘I know, and I still have no idea how they managed it but Marcus said that Harold is miserable and he wants to see George.’
My ears pricked up, this was good news indeed, because it
meant that Marcus really wouldn’t be able to resist George’s pleas, if we played it right. I could only hope that Hana convinced him to speak to me or at least listen to the plan.
‘Anyway, I’m off to work now, but I’ll let you know how I get on when I finally see the doctor.’ Sylvie gently placed me on the floor and stood up.
‘Call me.’ Claire kissed her goodbye. ‘Do you think I should see a doctor?’ She sounded serious and I rubbed her legs. I hated it when Claire wasn’t happy. I hated it when anyone was unhappy but Claire had been my first friend on Edgar Road – her happiness was entwined with mine in many ways.
‘No, but I think when Jonathan gets back from this business trip you two need to have a serious talk about how you are going to make more time for the family. You love each other too much not to sort it out.’
‘You’re right, thanks, and I’ll think it through before I shout as well.’
Progress was being made on all sides, paws crossed.
I had played hide and seek, ball and goodness knows what else with Pickles after Sylvie left, in an effort to wear him out. I ended up worn out though, but thankfully we both had a nap together, curled up on the sofa, because I could barely keep my eyes open. After the stress of the past few days, I could have used the cat equivalent of a spa day.
When I woke up, I stretched, and gently nudged Pickles who was still snoring, loudly I may add. The bigger he got, the noisier he seemed to become. Pickles didn’t stir, so I got up and went to the kitchen where I found George eating out of his bowl. My heart filled with love the way it did every time I saw him. I stood and watched for a moment, drinking him in. How I wished we could get back to the way we were.
He turned and looked at me.
‘Dad,’ he said.
‘Oh George,’ I replied. He came up and nuzzled me and it felt amazing.
‘I know I was angry but it wasn’t really your fault. Well it was, but I know that you only did what you did because you love me,’ he said, sounding so mature.
‘You don’t know how happy your words make me. Have you spoken to Hana?’
‘Yes, and she told me about your conversation. I would like, more than anything, to go and see Harold, but I also realise how much of a risk I was taking now. I mean if I got caught, I might not have ever seen you again.’
‘George, you know that would never happen. Remember when you were catnapped? I didn’t stop until I found you.’
‘I know and if it hadn’t been for Pickles …’
‘Yeah we might have got away with it, although that mean woman’s face when she saw him with the children was quite funny.’
‘It was and the whole ward did love him. And you. But you see what I mean, there are lots of lonely people out there and it was nice to do something about that.’
‘And I am so proud of you for it, George. But listen, I think we can get Marcus to take you to see Harold. He told Marcus he misses you.’
‘He does?’
‘Yes, Hana told me that she heard Marcus telling Sylvie that. So all you have to do is to figure out when he’s going to the hospital, and basically get under his feet. If you make a lot of noise he’ll know you are following him.’
‘I think I can do that.’ George sounded excited again.
‘I know you can, son,’ I replied.
The first part of the plan was in action. It was time to figure out part two.
Pickles suddenly appeared. He was snuffling around, waddling along, and wagging his tail at us.
‘George, I haven’t seen you in ever such a long time, and I miss you,’ Pickles said.
‘I’m sorry, Pickles, I’ve been swamped but I’m here now. So you can choose what you want to do, and I mean anything,’ George said.
‘I want to learn to climb trees again, it’s been such a long time since I practised that aspect of catting. I’m big now so I’m pretty sure I can climb trees.’
‘OK, come on then, race you to the back garden,’ George said, shooting off, with Pickles running as fast as he could behind him. For a fat puppy he was actually quite fast.
As I watched my boy – and my new boy – going, I felt my heart soar. Things were going to be alright, I could feel it in my bones. But I also knew there was no way Pickles would be any better at climbing trees.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The day arrived when we’d try to get Marcus to take George to hospital with him. I prayed it would work, while George hopped around with nerves. He’d got up very early, washed carefully, before having breakfast and then washing himself again. I led him into the garden, for a last-minute pep talk.
‘You know what you’re doing?’ I asked.
‘Can we just go through it one more time?’ George asked as we shivered in the garden. The plan I had come up with was incredibly detailed, if I did say so myself.
‘Right, we know that Marcus is going to the hospital this morning, Hana confirmed that. So you go and wait outside Hana’s house, and the minute he comes through the front door you pounce on him. Make as much noise as you can to ensure he knows you’re following him. If he tells you to go home, ignore him, even if you end up at the bus stop with him, stay as close to his feet as you can.’ It was foolproof.
‘What if he picks me up and brings me home?’ George asked. Not quite foolproof then.
‘Then follow him again. You have to show him that you mean business and there is no way you are going to give up.’ Persistence was key.
‘Are you going to come with me?’ George asked.
‘No, son, this is your job and I will help and support you in any way but I know you need to do this on your own.’ I was learning as a parent too, you see.
‘Thanks, Dad.’
‘And I’ll be here when you get back, hopefully with a successful visit under your tail.’
I had to occupy myself while George was out, keeping myself busy, because I needed to prove to George that I was able to trust him. Of course I had Pickles for company. Since the back gate had been secured and Claire had more or less forgiven me, she was happier to leave Pickles in my charge once again. As Pickles grew up, he settled down a bit too. He still had a crazy side. He licked everything, even things no cat would ever dream of licking, and he still believed he could be a cat.
His training wasn’t going that well though. Even Summer’s shouting didn’t faze him anymore. He would stand when told to sit, and sit when told to come.
‘Pickles,’ I said, when he came to find me. George had been gone a good while without coming home so I was pretty sure the plan had worked. I hoped it had, because it would make George happy and also make things so much better between us.
‘Alfie, look what I can do,’ Pickles replied. He put his front paws up on the sofa and wiggled his bottom and his tail. He had his very cute face on, with hopeful eyes.
‘That’s great, Pickles, what’s it for?’ I asked.
‘I do it when the kids are eating and they feed me,’ he replied. No wonder he was growing so much.
‘Remember when we went to the hospital?’ I said.
‘I will never forget it,’ he replied.
‘Wasn’t the best part when we made everyone happy,’ I continued, a warm feeling spreading into my heart.
‘Yes, it was. Although the other best part was the bus. I liked the bus,’ he said.
‘I wasn’t so keen on the bus, but seeing the patients looking happy was amazing.’
‘It was worth the trouble we got into then?’ Pickles asked.
‘Yes it was, I guess especially as we didn’t get hurt. Apart from when the bus passenger trod on my tail.’
‘I don’t mind being in trouble, it happens a lot. The other day Polly gave me a bath.’ Pickles licked the sofa, and I shuddered. Baths were perhaps my least favourite thing. Or anything to do with water to be fair.
‘And?’ I asked.
‘Oh yes, I jumped out and got her soaking wet and she told me off. But then she laughed and hugged me. It seems being in trouble can
be a good thing sometimes.’
‘You’re learning,’ I replied, proud of how well he was turning out.
It didn’t last. As I was fretting, I took my eyes off Pickles. I don’t know how long it was before I realised that he was gone, but I searched the house and because I wasn’t thinking too clearly I didn’t even think about the garden. I jumped through the cat flap, and lo and behold there was Pickles, his brown fur covered in mud. The rain was coming down now as well, so it was sticking to him. The worst thing was that he was busily digging up Claire’s favourite rose bush, and I knew she wouldn’t be happy. I had no choice but to brave the rain, and joined him.
‘Stop, Pickles, Claire will be so cross,’ I said.
‘Why?’ he asked. We still hadn’t quite got out of the ‘why’ phase.
‘Because that’s Claire’s favourite rose bush and you’re making a mess of it. And you look a wreck.’ I shivered, it was cold, wet and miserable. And now I was beginning to resemble a drowned rat. That would teach me to not pay attention. ‘Come on, let’s try to put the earth back,’ I commanded. As we did, I realised that putting it back wasn’t as easy as digging it up, despite our best efforts.Well, mine, because Pickles was too busy seeing how much more mud and earth he could get stuck to his fur.
‘Why were you digging anyway?’ I asked, exasperated by my lack of progress.
‘I wanted to go out, like we did the other day but the gate was closed so I thought if I dug up here I could get under the fence.’
‘Pickles, you would have to dig for hours to get anywhere close. All you’ve done is made a mess of the garden, and of yourself.’ I was beyond exasperated.
‘Oh have I?’ He was so innocent, I couldn’t stay angry with him, a little like I used to be with George. Babies were just too cute sometimes.
‘Yes, you have.’ But I grinned. ‘Maybe we should give up and go inside, this rain is horrible.’
‘Is it?’ Again he looked at me with his innocent eyes and I ushered him inside.
