by Rachel Wells
The party was in full swing. Music blared out and it was lucky the neighbours were here so they couldn’t complain about the noise. I wandered around, taking it all in, enjoying myself the way I had promised George I would.
The Goodwins were stationed behind the curtains, with their top-of-the-range binoculars and alcohol-free drink. Nothing was happening but they had their eyes trained just in case. The Barkers were sipping sherry on the sofa, and chatting to Harold who had a beer and was waving his stick around, enthusiastically, as he spoke. He was happy and not angry at all any more. Polly and Matt were dancing with some of Claire’s friends – badly, I might add. Tomasz and Jonathan were chatting to Marcus; there was lots of laughing and back-slapping going on. Sylvie had insisted on helping Claire in the kitchen and they were filling plates with food and also topping up drinks, and Franceska was of course in the thick of that. They were laughing and joking as they did so, and everyone seemed at ease with each other once again.
I went to check on the children upstairs. Tommy was supervising games night with the younger ones, who were all too excited to go to sleep. Toby and Henry were playing Hungry Hippos, Martha and Summer were playing with some cards, but apparently neither of them knew the rules, which made Tommy exasperated but he kept sneaking his iPad out, in between barking instructions and breaking up squabbles. They were all happy though, as they snuck up some food, and some fizzy pop which Claire never normally let them have. They’d have sugar rushes for hours, I was sure. And George was with them, being fussed, getting in the way, being cute. Aleksy and Connie, who were supposed to be helping to supervise, were on the landing, holding hands and chatting. When Tommy asked them to help him they kept saying, ‘In a minute.’
‘Alfie, I am never having a girlfriend,’ Tommy said to me as he broke up a minor altercation when Summer was found to have stuffed some of the cards down her dress. ‘If it turns me into a soppy guy like my brother, I’d rather not.’
‘Meow.’ You’ll change your mind when it’s time, I thought. Although I couldn’t imagine Tommy ever being soppy.
I split the evening between upstairs and downstairs, before Franceska went to get Aleksy, Tommy and Connie for the midnight countdown. Thankfully the younger children had worn themselves out by then. Toby, George and Henry were fast asleep in one room and Martha and Summer were in bunk beds in Summer’s room. I went with the adults.
‘Right everyone, it’s countdown time,’ Jonathan shouted. ‘Ten, nine, eight, seven.’ Everyone joined in. ‘Six, five, four, three, two, one. HAPPY NEW YEAR!’ the room shouted with loud cheers. People in couples kissed. Marcus hugged his father, then Sylvie hugged Harold, and Marcus grabbed Sylvie in a big hug and kissed her cheek. She blushed and I noticed. As, I saw, did Claire.
Connie and Aleksy snuck off and I looked around and saw they were sharing their first kiss – I assumed it was their first – under the mistletoe in the hallway. So much for them being chaperoned at all times. But, I was pleased, it made me feel warm for them, for everyone.
Old friends hugged, and new ones, and then they started singing this unfathomable song called ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which I didn’t understand, although I did catch a bit about old acquaintances and I think it meant don’t forget them or something. Surely they could have made it clearer though, as people sang it every year and no one really understood the words as far as I could tell. In fact, most people didn’t seem to even know them.
Satisfied that everyone was happy, having fun, and no one needed my help, I went outside to get some air.
The cold air wrapped itself around me. The snow had settled into a thin blanket and the air was cold and crisp. The sky was clear as I looked at the moon, something Tiger and I used to do together. We loved watching the moon and it was one of her favourites tonight, round and clear. I wondered if wherever she was she could see it. I felt his presence before I saw him, as George appeared.
‘What are you doing up?’ I asked, as I nuzzled him.
‘I heard Tommy say it was New Year now, and so I wanted to come and wish you a Happy New Year.’
‘Thanks, son, and Happy New Year to you too.’
‘Promise me, you’ll be happy, Dad.’
‘I promise.’ Just then a star appeared to wink at us. It was the brightest star I’d ever seen.
‘Wow, there’s Tiger mum, just like she said,’ George said.
‘She’s with us. Happy New Year, Tiger,’ I said into the wind.
‘Dad, make your resolutions now,’ George said.
‘What do you know about resolutions?’ I asked.
‘Claire is going to drink less, Jonathan moan less, and Summer be more amazing than she is. Oh, and Toby is going to keep away from girls.’
‘OK, here goes. Firstly, I will take excellent care of you. You are growing up to be such a fine young cat. And my second is that I will never stop missing Tiger, or loving her. My third resolution is that I will never stop with my plans to bring people together or keep them together. People and cats of course. Finally, I resolve to live every day to the full. How about you, George?’
‘I think I might just try not to set myself on fire again.’
We laughed and I told him what a good resolution that would be. I watched him hop back into the house before I followed him. As I left my footprints in the snow, I felt happiness and sadness, love and loneliness, the contradictions of life. And in the opening minutes of a new year, I gave a thought to all of those I loved, past, present and future.
Acknowledgments
I have to thank everyone who has been involved in giving me the chance to write about Alfie again. He is such a huge part of my life and family now, and the fact I can continue to share his adventures is incredible.
My friends and family have been instrumental in their support and help in getting this book written as always, so thank you to all of you. I love you very much. Thanks also go to my agents, Northbank Talent Management, for your continued support and hard work with Alfie both here and overseas.
To my publishers, Avon, you are fabulous to work with. From editorial to marketing to sales, you are incredible and I feel very lucky to be part of your team. Special mention to Victoria, Katie, Sabah and Elke, and of course sales and everyone else who helps with getting Alfie into the world.
Alfie has been lucky enough to become quite an international cat, so I would love to thank my publishers in Japan, Italy, Spain, France, Holland and Russia for all their hard work and dedication to the Alfie series. I would especially like to send out a huge thank you to my overseas readers for taking Alfie into their hearts. Of course my wonderful readers in the UK deserve a huge mention as well; without you there would be no Alfie, which is unimaginable! I will keep writing the books as long as you want to read them!
I also love to hear from you, so please follow me on Facebook – Rachel Wells, on twitter @acatcalledalfie, and on Instagram @rachelwellsauthor.
One ordinary neighbourhood. One extraordinary cat.
Click here to read the Sunday Times bestseller and find out how it all started. The tale of one little grey cat and his journey to become a Doorstep Cat.
They were a family in crisis. He was a friend for life.
Click here to read the follow-up to the smash-hit bestseller,
Alfie the Doorstep Cat.
One little kitten. A whole lot of trouble.
The Sunday Times bestseller returns – and this time he has a sidekick!
Click here to read.
It’s time for Alfie’s first ever holiday!
Alfie and George are back for more adventures – this time taking them a long way from home …
Click here to read.
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About the Author
Rachel Wells is a mother, writer and cat lover. She lives in Devon with her family and her pets and believes in the magic of animals. Rachel grew up in Devon but lived in London in her twenties working in marketing and living in a tiny flat with an elderly rescued cat, Albert. After having a child she moved back to Devon and decided to take the plunge and juggle motherhood with writing.
She has always wanted to write and found her voice in her first novel, Alfie the Doorstep Cat, which became a Sunday Times bestseller, as did her second and third books, A Cat Called Alfie and Alfie & George. Alfie the Holiday Cat was her fourth book, and Alfie in the Snow is her fifth!
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
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Canada
HarperCollins Canada
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United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
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United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
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