Рейчел Уэллс - A Cat Called Alfie

‘Tom has a crush on our Tiger,’ Rocky quickly piped up.

‘Shut up,’ Tiger hissed.

‘He left her a present, a mouse,’ Nellie told me. Tiger just looked at me.

‘He’s been mooning around after her, and although we find it quite funny I do feel a bit sorry for him.’

‘Hey, enough!’ Tiger shouted. ‘Tom’s a bit rough around the edges but since he’s stopped fighting us he’s become a nice cat.’

‘But what about Snowball?’ I said.

‘That was his wake-up call, although personally I think it was more Salmon’s fault. Alfie, you know he helped us in any way he could when we were looking for Snowball, I think he deserves a second chance.’

I raised my whiskers in question. It seemed maybe Tiger was a little bit keen on Tom if she was willing to give him a ‘second chance’ and it was true, he had redeemed himself. I was actually delighted for my friend. Being in love, even unrequited love, made you want everyone else to feel it too.

‘Tom’s a nice guy now,’ I supported my friend. Tiger looked uncomfortable.

‘You never used to think that,’ Nellie said.

‘That was when he tried to bite me all the time but he doesn’t do that anymore, and he’s said he’ll give up fighting,’ I replied, magnanimously.

‘Glad you think so, Alfie. But anyway, just because he apparently likes me doesn’t mean that I feel the same.’ Tiger squirmed confirming my instinct was right.

‘But do you?’ I asked.

‘Right, who wants to chase butterflies?’ Tiger changed the subject.

Tiger and I went off together, with my promise to help her chase butterflies, although I also had an ulterior motive as we needed to talk.

‘Were you really ill?’ she asked, as we reached the park and made for the best butterfly bushes.

‘No, I was just a bit sad to be honest. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what it was.’

‘Like when humans get depressed?’ Tiger asked.

‘Yes a bit like that. I didn’t want to eat, I was tired, I felt like I had no energy for anything.’

‘But now?’

‘I’m feeling a bit better. To be honest, I didn’t realize that I was so bad, but when my family started talking about the vet I knew I had to do something. So I forced myself to get up and come out.’

‘Oh, Alfie, you’re not the type of cat to be like that. Is this about Snowball?’ She sounded cross, although not jealous.

‘I know and that’s why it’s so infuriating. I know it’s a bit awkward but it is to do with Snowball. She makes me feel so sad, because she doesn’t like me.’

‘Right, Alfie, you need a project, because otherwise you might slip back into pining for that incredibly undeserving cat,’ Tiger stormed. ‘I’d like to give her a piece of my mind.’

‘Don’t, Tiger, and you’re right, I do need a project; if I focus on that then I’ll forget about the heart pains I’m feeling.’

‘God you’re dramatic. But listen, I’ll help you. Goodness knows you don’t deserve it but I will.’ Tiger blinked at me. And I wondered why I couldn’t have fallen in love with her. She cared about me so much that life would certainly have been much easier with her; but of course as my humans say ‘you don’t choose who you fall in love with’. It just happens.

‘Alfie, play with the football outside?’ Aleksy asked me as he headed out the patio doors. I followed him. It was family day again at our house, and I was almost back to my old self. I was totally myself in front of people — and cats — but I still had the odd moment of pining when I was alone. My heart ached a bit when I pictured Snowball, no matter how fruitless it was; I had no control. But at the same time I was eating again, exercising and on the whole feeling a lot better. I had a couple of glimpses of Snowball; only from afar now the fence had been fixed and I hadn’t risked going round there. Yet.

Tomasz bounded out after us, followed by a slightly more reluctant Henry. The boys started kicking the ball and I just watched them, rather than joining in, given that the ball was almost as big as me. Tomasz rushed into Aleksy, sending him flying, then he kicked the ball up into the air.

‘Tommy, stop,’ Aleksy said, rubbing his leg as he sat on the ground.

‘Sorry, Aleksy, I didn’t mean to hurt you.’

‘The ball is gone,’ Henry said, pointing at the fence. We all looked but the ball had disappeared.

‘I am very cross,’ Aleksy said to Tomasz as he picked himself up and, blinking back tears, made his way inside.

I followed him, leaving Tomasz and Henry outside. Everyone else was in the kitchen, chatting and sorting out food that smelt delicious, even with my reduced appetite.

‘Mum, Tommy kicked the ball over the fence and he bashed into me.’ Aleksy was a sensitive boy, and he rushed to his mother’s side and into her arms.

‘Which way did it go?’ Jonathan asked.

‘That side.’ Aleksy pointed to the Snells’.

‘Oh boy, they might not even answer the door.’

‘Who’s going to go?’ Claire asked.

‘You know after we all bonded over the missing Snowball we’ve barely seen them,’ Jonathan said.

‘Really?’ Tomasz asked.

‘I’ll go,’ Polly announced.

As Polly stood up to go, my heart leapt and I quickly stood up too. I definitely wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.

We made our way next door, Polly striding along and me running to keep up with her. I was excited about the fact I had an excuse to maybe get a glimpse of Snowball. I hadn’t seen her since she banished me, but I was also nervous at the idea of seeing her and how she might react.

Polly looked a bit anxious as she rang the doorbell. I could hear movement from inside the house, and then after what seemed like ages, the door slowly opened.

‘Hello, Polly,’ Daisy said with a smile as she opened the door. She turned round, shouting ‘It’s Polly.’ We couldn’t hear the response but no one else rushed to greet us. ‘Sorry, Mum’s tied up in the kitchen.’ I hoped she didn’t mean literally.

‘Right, so anyway,’ Polly started, her eyebrows a bit raised. ‘My friend’s little boy kicked the ball over your fence. I’m so sorry but I wondered if you wouldn’t mind getting it for us.’

‘Of course, no problem.’ I was surprised that Daisy was quite so sunny, given how she’d been when I’d seen her previously. She hadn’t closed the door when she went to get the ball, so I stood by Polly’s feet looking in; but there was no sign of Snowball, and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. After a few minutes, we heard footsteps and then Daisy returned with Aleksy’s ball.

‘Thank you so much, love. He’ll be relieved and I’ll make sure we don’t disturb you again.’

‘’S all right,’ Daisy said, suddenly looking a bit coy. ‘Can I ask you, are you a model?’

‘No, not anymore, but I was before having two kids.’ Polly laughed. ‘And certainly not a supermodel, but I did a few magazines and catwalks in my time. Why, are you interested in that world?’ Polly asked.

‘I’d love it but Mum and Dad well …’

‘Daisy, you have the height, and the looks, although I obviously don’t know how you photograph. How old are you?’

‘Sixteen.’ Daisy was red-faced but I noticed that she was very pretty. I wonder why I hadn’t noticed it before.

‘Well, take my advice, get your exams first and then maybe think about it. It’s a tough world. But if you’re really interested and if your parents are OK, I can help with agencies.’

‘Would you really?’

‘Of course. But as I said, your parents have to agree to it, and don’t do anything until after your GCSEs.’