Oliver the Cat Who Saved Christmas

by Sheila Norton

  ‘Actually,’ he said, a note of pride in his voice, ‘I’ve got another job lined up already. Rob, the farmer, has recommended me to a friend of his. He’s a gardener and handyman whose van needs a bit of attention. Should be a quick, easy job. I’ve got a day’s leave to take before Christmas so I’ll book him in in a couple of days’ time.’

  ‘Oh, Dan, that’s amazing. Each job has led to another one. You must be doing something right.’

  ‘Well, it’s made me realise how nice people are, around here. They’re all saying they like to give work to local people and help each other. I’m just really grateful for the chance to do a bit of my tinkering again.’

  ‘And get paid for it. Anyway, go and have a hot bath, and put those greasy clothes in the washing machine. I’ve got a shepherd’s pie ready to go in the oven.’

  ‘Lovely. I’m starving.’ He kissed her. ‘You’re an angel.’

  She giggled. ‘And you’re freezing cold, and filthy dirty. Go on, clean up.’

  He was whistling as he went upstairs. I was actually really pleased to hear it.

  * * *

  So a couple of days later, when I was making my way up the drive of the Big House to play with Caroline, I noticed a car parked by the garage that looked exactly like Daniel’s. When I got a bit closer, I nearly jumped in the air with surprise. It was Daniel’s! And there he was, standing just inside the garage doors, talking to the man called Harry. I hid under a shrub and wriggled closer so that I could hear what they were saying.

  ‘Really pleased you could fit me in so quickly, mate,’ Harry said. ‘Rob told me you did a fantastic job on his truck. Good to know there’s someone in the village now that we can call on. Been in the business long, have you?’

  ‘Well, to be honest,’ Daniel said, ‘it’s not my full time job. Kind of a sideline, really.’

  ‘Pity. I bet you’d get a lot of work around here if you set yourself up in business. There’s no one else local, and who wants to take their car to those rip-off big companies in town? Anyway, look, the van just needs a tune-up for now, but there’s a bit of bodywork damage here that I wouldn’t mind getting sorted out at some point. Do you get involved with that? Panel beating and respraying?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Daniel said, sounding so excited, anyone would think he’d been offered a bowl of meaty-chunks. ‘Would you like me to quote you for doing that, while I’m here?’

  ‘Yeah, would you do that, please, mate? I’d be glad to get it done. Right, I’ll leave you to it, then – I’ve got to get on. His Lordship wants some holly and ivy cut today to decorate the place for Christmas. And there’s a Christmas tree to carry indoors. Bloody Jack-of-all-trades here, I am. Still, he’s generous with the pay, so I’ve got no complaints.’

  He turned in my direction to head towards the wooded area of the grounds, just as I’d sneaked out from under my shrub to run across the lawn to the house.

  ‘Morning, Oliver,’ he called out cheerfully.

  Laura had obviously let him in on the secret that I was visiting again. The angry father wouldn’t be there today, I was sure of it, but for a minute I froze, looking from him to Daniel and back again, swishing my tail anxiously.

  ‘Ollie!’ Daniel said in surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Is he your cat?’ Harry asked.

  ‘No, he belongs to the pub, but my neighbour and I are looking after him, between us, until it’s rebuilt. I didn’t realise he wandered this far.’

  ‘Oh yes. We keep it quiet, mind.’ Harry laughed. ‘He comes to visit Caroline.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘The daughter. She’s been ill, in hospital for ages – leukemia, poor kid. On the mend now, but her father’s kind of over-protective. He went potty when he found out Laura – that’s the nurse he’s hired for Caroline – had been letting the cat in. Thinks they carry germs, or something. But Oliver cheers the kid up so much, Laura gave in and let him in again. Caroline’s lonely, you see. She doesn’t see a soul, stuck in this house all day every day. For God’s sake keep this to yourself, or Laura will probably lose her job.’

  ‘Right.’ Daniel was staring at me. ‘Somehow, that’s just typical of Ollie, wanting to cheer up a lonely child. He’s quite a special kind of cat.’

  ‘Thanks! Nice to be appreciated,’ I meowed at him. And then I ran off quickly to the house, to be let in out of the cold. Special cat or not, I needed my home comforts.

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  That evening, Sarah and Martin cleared up the dinner things early and got the children to bed. Nicky and Daniel were coming in for drinks again, and there was a kind of excitement in the air.

  ‘Nicky said they’ve got some good news,’ Sarah said. ‘Oh, I do hope things are improving for them, Mart.’

  So a bit later I sat in my hammock on the radiator, happily washing myself, as Nicky explained how she’d now accepted Louise’s offer and was leaving the nursery after Christmas to start as nanny to Freya and Henry.

  ‘I have to thank you, Sarah,’ she said, looking slightly embarrassed for a moment. ‘I understand you put in a good word for me. I’m sorry I was snappy with you when you tried to encourage me to talk to her. I really didn’t expect her to offer me such a good deal.’

  ‘I’m just pleased it’s working out for you,’ Sarah said. ‘Congratulations. They’re nice children, too. I’m sure you’ve made the right decision.’

  ‘And it helps that I’ve been earning a bit extra,’ Daniel said. ‘Doing a little bit of work on some motors. Actually, I have Ollie to thank for that.’

  ‘Dan believes Ollie’s got magic powers,’ Nicky giggled. ‘He thinks he somehow knew this guy called Eddie had some tools to get rid of, and led him to his house.’

  They all turned to look at me. I lifted my head and meowed, and they all burst out laughing.

  ‘Magic powers, indeed,’ scoffed Martin. ‘Look at him. He’s just a shy little pussy cat.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ Daniel said. ‘Guess where I saw him today?’

  I froze, mid-wash. Daniel had been warned about keeping my visits secret. I didn’t want to get into trouble with the angry father, or get Laura into trouble with him, either. But he was tapping the side of his nose with a finger as he went on:

  ‘This is strictly between us, mind. I’ve taken a vow of silence about it.’

  And he explained about his job at the Big House, and what Harry had told him, about Caroline, and Laura, and the father’s dislike of cats.

  ‘I didn’t even know he had a daughter,’ Sarah exclaimed. ‘Not that we really know him. All I know is he’s called Julian Smythe, and he hardly ever comes into the village, but on the few occasions he’s been to the shop he’s apparently been so grumpy and miserable, he’s made himself unpopular.’

  ‘Well, Harry said Caroline was in hospital for a long while after they moved here, and now the poor kid is holed up there all day every day, just her and the nurse. So she hasn’t even been to school since they moved from London, and hasn’t got any friends here.’

  ‘Poor girl.’ Sarah sighed. ‘I don’t suppose anyone else in the village knows about her either, then. How old did you say she is?’

  ‘Ten, apparently.’

  ‘Similar age to Grace. What a shame that she hasn’t even got any friends to play with.’

  ‘That seems to be why Ollie’s been going up there. I’m telling you, there’s something a bit different about that cat. He almost seems to understand humans.’

  The others all laughed again, and I went back to washing myself, pretending not to take any notice. If only they knew, eh, Charlie? Nothing unusual in us cats understanding humans. It’s them who can’t understand us, more’s the pity.

  * * *

  ‘There’s another bit of news in the village, as it happens,’ Sarah said a little later. She picked up her wine glass. ‘Top up the drinks, can you, Mart? Remember Nicky’s only on orange juice.’

  ‘So what’s the news?’ he asked
as he poured the wine.

  ‘You know old Barbara Griggs down Back Lane? And I told you she and Stan Middleton have been spending time and laughing together?’

  ‘Yes. Bloody amazing. I thought they were both cantankerous old devils. Maybe they’re well suited.’

  ‘It appears so.’ Sarah paused for effect. ‘Let’s hope so, anyway. They’re getting married!’

  ‘What?’ Martin nearly dropped the wine bottle. ‘You’re joking! They must both be getting on for ninety.’

  ‘I know, but apparently they’ve become soul mates. One of the older ladies from the WI who goes to the pensioners’ get-togethers told me Barbara is announcing it to the whole world.’

  ‘Ah. I think that’s rather sweet,’ Nicky said. ‘Bless them!’

  ‘Bless them?’ Martin retorted, laughing. ‘Well, I suppose we should all be pleased they’re getting along together and keeping each other quiet. That woman used to frighten the life out of us all, even when I was a kid. She used to shout at us if we rode our bikes past her house or made too much noise playing outside. We thought she was a witch.’

  ‘Love must have had a calming effect on her,’ Sarah giggled. ‘Apparently she’s being as nice as pie to everyone now. She’s had her hair coloured, her nails painted and has started wearing lipstick.’

  ‘Good for her,’ Nicky said. ‘When are they getting married?’

  ‘Soon after New Year, apparently, at the church in Great Broomford. They seem to be in quite a hurry. Barbara told the other ladies on the quiet that Stan wanted them to move in together, to save on heating and council tax and so on. And she wouldn’t hear of it unless he married her first.’

  ‘Fair enough,’ Daniel said. ‘And anyway, it’s not a bad idea, is it. They say two can live as cheaply as one.’

  ‘If only that were true,’ Nicky said, sighing. ‘How about three living as cheaply as one?’ she added, patting her tummy.

  ‘You’ll be fine,’ Sarah comforted her. ‘Things are looking up for you both. You’ll see, it’ll all come good, Nicky. I’m sure of it.’

  * * *

  Hearing them talking about Nicky and Daniel’s baby, reminded me that I hadn’t seen Tabby or Suki for a few days, so the next morning before going on my visit to the Big House, I trotted round to Tabby’s place and meowed loudly at his cat flap until he finally put his head through, looking like he’d just woken up.

  ‘All right, keep your fur on,’ he said crossly. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Nothing! I was just wondering how you were, but if you’re in a bad mood I’ll go away again.’

  ‘Sorry.’ He jumped through the flap to join me. ‘Suki turned up last night and gave me a right earful. I’ve been sleeping off my headache ever since.’

  ‘I thought you said she’d calmed down a bit since we had that chat with her?’

  ‘She had. But it seems her humans have realised she’s pregnant now.’

  ‘Oh dear. Were they upset with her?’

  ‘Not really. Suki said they blamed themselves for letting her out at night without getting her spayed.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘So they’re saying that as soon as she’s recovered from having the kittens, and she’s weaned them, they’re going to take her to the vet’s. She’s heard from one of her friends that it’s a really big operation for females. So now she’s blaming me for that too. She says I should have been done. It’s just a little snip for a male, she said. Like it’s my fault my humans didn’t take me to the vet like yours did.’

  ‘If they had, you wouldn’t have wanted to mate with her in the first place,’ I reminded him.

  ‘Hmm. Well, maybe that wouldn’t have been such a bad thing,’ he muttered. ‘It just leads to trouble, if you want my opinion.’

  I couldn’t help laughing. Maybe now he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to mate with every available female he met.

  ‘What about the kittens, then?’ I asked. ‘Are Suki’s humans going to look after them?’

  ‘Well, they said they’ll keep one – which will be nice for Suki. It’ll keep her busy and maybe she’ll leave me alone. And they’ll let the others go to new homes. I think they’ll probably advertise them for sale after they’re weaned.’

  ‘Perhaps your Eddie will buy one to keep you busy?’ I teased him.

  ‘Huh!’ He turned his back on me, twitching his tail. ‘What would I do with a kitten? If you want one, get your own humans to buy one.’

  ‘As it happens, they’re already talking about getting one,’ I said. ‘And, do you know what? You’ve just given me an idea.’

  * * *

  I had to be careful how I did it. From what Tabby had said about Suki’s angry mood, I didn’t want to do anything to upset her. I called on her straight after saying goodbye to him.

  ‘Oh, hello, Ollie,’ she said, looking up from washing her tummy. It wasn’t surprising that her humans had noticed her pregnancy. She was looking bigger every time I saw her. ‘Nice to see you.’

  ‘Is it?’ I squeaked in surprise. ‘I mean, sorry, nice to see you, too. How are you keeping?’

  ‘Not bad. I suppose Tabby sent you round? I was a bit hard on him last night. I suppose I’m taking it out on him, but can you blame me?’

  ‘No, I can’t blame you, Suki. But he didn’t send me round. He doesn’t know I’ve come. Look, I hear your humans are only going to let you keep one of your kittens?’

  ‘Yes.’ She sighed. ‘Don’t get me wrong – one will be more than enough, really. It’ll be hard work feeding them all until they’re weaned, never mind keeping an eye on them once they start running around. But, you know, they will be my own flesh and blood. Well, mine and Tabby’s, more’s the pity.’

  ‘I expect you’d like them to go to nice human families, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘Yes. Of course – I wouldn’t want them to go to humans who don’t look after them properly, obviously.’

  ‘Well, look, I’ve got a suggestion. Obviously you don’t know how many kittens you’re going to have, but I can at least try to get one of them into a lovely family.’

  ‘How come?’

  ‘It’s my foster family. They’re getting a kitten some time after Christmas. So … how can I put this nicely, Suki? Why don’t you come home with me this evening and show them your tummy?’

  * * *

  It took a while for Sarah and Martin to catch on. Sarah was surprised, of course, to see me on the doorstep with Suki.

  ‘Oh! Who’s this?’ she said. ‘Martin! I think Ollie’s brought a friend home.’

  ‘Really? Well, they can play outside, then. I don’t mind, but if we start letting all the neighbourhood cats in, there’s no knowing where it’ll end – especially if they all want to bring dead pigeons home with them.’

  He followed Sarah to the front door and looked down at us.

  ‘Roll on your back,’ I hissed at Suki. ‘Go on!’

  She gave me a bit of a look, but did it anyway. I saw Martin’s face change.

  ‘That’s not just a friend,’ he said quietly. ‘If I’m not much mistaken, it’s a girlfriend.’

  ‘She looks like she’s pregnant,’ Sarah agreed.

  ‘But I thought … I’m sure George said Ollie had been neutered.’

  What? ‘It’s nothing to do with me!’ I meowed at them indignantly. Perhaps I should have marched Tabby round there too.

  ‘You’re right, he’s neutered,’ Sarah said. ‘That’s why he’s so sweet.’

  Now it was Martin’s turn to look indignant! I wasn’t sure I liked being called sweet, but I was too relieved that they realised I wasn’t responsible for Suki’s condition to make a big meow about it.

  ‘So your friend’s got herself in a bit of a fix, has she, Ollie?’ Martin said, grinning. ‘Oh well. She’s obviously from a good home. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?’

  ‘So Tabby seems to think,’ I said.

  ‘Have a look at her collar, Mart,’ Sarah suggested. ‘Let’s just make sure she’s not lo
st, or anything.’

  Suki stood up and allowed Martin to look at her identity disc.

  ‘Oh, she lives at The Willows, down Ponds Farm Road. Her name’s Suki. Hello, Suki. You’re a lovely girl, aren’t you?’

  ‘That’s Arthur and Joan Furlong’s place, isn’t it?’ Sarah said. ‘You know them, they used to run the café in Great Broomford before they retired. The Singing Kettle, next to the church. Nice couple – I think he’s got quite bad arthritis now so they don’t get out much. Never knew they had a cat. Wonder what they’re going to do with the kittens.’

  I looked at Suki, she looked at me, and we both meowed. Sarah laughed.

  ‘I have an idea,’ she said. ‘Shall we ask them if they’re planning to sell them? You know I promised Grace we could get a new kitten after Christmas.’

  ‘Yes.’ Martin nodded thoughtfully. ‘It would save us going to the Cats’ Protection League, wouldn’t it?’

  ‘And if her kittens take after Suki, they’re going to be gorgeous.’

  Suki stretched her neck and purred, making Sarah laugh again.

  ‘Yes, you know you’re beautiful, don’t you,’ she said, bending down to stroke her. I almost felt jealous, but only for a minute, because then she added: ‘You’re a clever boy, Ollie, bringing Suki home with you. Anyone would think you knew we’d be interested in her kittens.’

  ‘Perhaps Daniel’s right, after all,’ Martin chuckled. ‘Perhaps Ollie really does have magical powers.’

  Perhaps I did. You know what, Charlie? I was almost beginning to think so myself.

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

  Hello again, Charlie. You know, I’m surprised you keep asking to hear more of my story. I’d have thought a little kitten like you would have been bored with it by now. You say you think it’s exciting? Well, thank you, I suppose it must be the way I’m telling it. Anyway, if you want to hear the rest – yes, we’re coming to the end soon! – you’d better settle down and leave your tail alone. It’s not going anywhere, it’ll still be there to chase when I’ve finished.

  Now, at this point in my story we were getting really close to Christmas. I could tell by the ever-increasing levels of excitement in Sarah and Martin’s house. Apparently there were only a couple of days left at school, because Grace came running downstairs the next morning, singing at the top of her voice: