Рейчел Уэллс - A Cat Called Alfie

‘Do you think he’s angry with the Snells?’

‘I think he’s more angry with the Goodwins. I heard him say they pay their rent on time, they’re no trouble, although of course the Goodwins didn’t agree with that. In the end he said he would speak with them and tell them that the neighbours were concerned. But that’s all he’s agreed to.’

‘Oh good. I would hate the Goodwins’ witch hunt to drive them out.’

‘They won’t give up though. I think they’ve far too much time on their hands and keep going on about the fact that if they have bad neighbours then the property prices will fall, whatever that means.’

‘What do your family think?’ I asked.

‘Well, I’ve heard them speaking to the Goodwins and they seem to be easily led by them. I mean my family are great and all, but they like a quiet life. The Goodwins have convinced them that they will cause a massive disturbance on the street before too long, so they are ready to support them.’

We went back to the street to see if there were any developments. The Goodwins had gone, as had Salmon, but there was no sign of the man who was possibly inside the Snells’ house now. I looked at Tiger.

‘This feels like it’s just a mess but one which could so easily be cleared up.’

‘Is that your cat instinct?’

‘Yes, but now I have to go home, because I think it’s probably time for a celebratory dinner.’

‘You mean they might give you some nice fish because of the baby.’

‘I’m hoping so.’

‘Right, well call for me tomorrow and we can see what’s happening.’

‘Oh, by the way, how was your trip to the park with Tom?’ I asked. Tiger hadn’t been forthcoming with information so far.

‘Yeah, fine thanks,’ she replied but refused to say more before she ran off.

I was right, as soon as I got home, Jonathan gave me some fish. As I ate, he started making dinner, while Claire sat at the table.

‘You know,’ Claire started, ‘it’s still early days. I know Polly knows, so Matt will too, which means we’ll have to tell Franceska and Tomasz, but perhaps we should hold off telling anyone else, just yet.’

‘Whatever you want, darling. But you need to see a doctor anyway, just to get the ball rolling, and then we can take it from there.’ Jonathan sounded more excited than I had ever heard him, I thought.

‘Yes, I’ll call them first thing. I am so unbelievably happy, Jonathan, but I really worry that something might go wrong.’

‘Nothing will go wrong, Claire. You do know that, deep down, don’t you?’ I miaowed, because I knew deep down that it would all be all right.

Claire’s worried face transformed and she giggled unexpectedly, she actually giggled.

‘You know what, I do. Sometimes I think that I can’t be this lucky. To have found you, and this gorgeous house, a job I love, Alfie of course, our friends and now the baby. But then also, deep down, I think that this is all meant to be. This happiness, I deserve it, I earned it, and so I need to start enjoying it rather than worrying.’

‘My goodness, Claire! How long have I been telling you this? At last you see it for yourself.’ Jonathan came over and kissed the top of her head.

‘Yeah I know, Mr Right all the time,’ she teased. ‘Faith, belief in happiness, doesn’t come easy to me, but it will now, I promise. I love you and we’re going to be a wonderful family.’

Hoping that included me, I gently jumped up onto Claire’s lap. She picked me up and kissed my nose. ‘I may be having a baby but I will always love you, Alfie,’ she said, happiness radiating from her. ‘You’ll always be my baby too.’ I smiled, I would always be loved, and I knew that as a certainty.

Polly’s mum was visiting — babysitting — and Polly and Matt were in Claire and Jonathan’s living room. They were all drinking apart from Claire who had sworn off wine until after the baby was born.

‘So the doctor said you could be over two months pregnant?’ Polly asked.

‘Yes, it looks like it, but it’s still early days.’

‘Be confident, and calm, that’s the most important thing. And be thankful that you’re not too sick!’

‘I will, and the exciting thing is that there won’t be that long between mine and Tasha’s babies — Martha isn’t that much older really in the whole scheme of things.’

‘Are you going to find out the sex?’

‘I think so. I’m not one for surprises but Jonathan is convinced it’s a boy and is already calling him “he”. He thinks that he, Alfie and the baby are going to make this a totally male-dominated household.’

‘He’s happy, isn’t he?’ Polly laughed.

‘So happy! Isn’t it great to see a gruff man showing his caring side. I mean I know how much he loves Alfie, but now, well, with this it’s just gorgeous.’

‘And you are a fluffy marshmallow. Right let’s say something horrible before I go too soft.’ They laughed, and the doorbell rang.

‘Expecting anyone?’ Jonathan asked.

‘No, Frankie’s with the boys and Tomasz couldn’t get off work.’ Claire got up to answer the door. I went with her and was horrified to see the Goodwins on the doorstep. What a way to ruin our little celebration.

‘Hi,’ Claire said nervously. ‘I don’t mean to be rude but we’ve kind of got company.’

‘Well this won’t take long,’ Heather said, almost sweeping her aside. Vic followed, grinning his sinister grin.

‘Oh good,’ he said as he entered the living room. ‘Matt and Polly too.’

They were all struck dumb.

‘Why are you wearing Christmas jumpers? It’s June?’ Jonathan finally asked after scrabbling about for something to say. Jonathan was right, their jumpers had snowmen on them. If anyone was a danger to this street it was them.

‘Oh they’re for our annual Christmas card. Salmon has a jumper the same,’ Vic explained.

‘Yes, we like to get organized, so the photographer came today. We haven’t had time to change yet.’

‘Erm, lovely …’ Polly arched an eyebrow, looking a bit lost for words.

‘What can we do for you?’ Claire asked, grabbing Jonathan’s arm.

‘It’s about the Snells.’

‘Of course it is.’ Jonathan rolled his eyes.

‘We’ve spoken to the landlord, but to no avail. He insists they’re paying rent and are not criminals, therefore they’re free to live there.’

‘Great, so can we draw a line under this then?’ Claire asked.

‘No, no, I’m afraid we cannot. This street is a good street and I saw the daughter with a cigarette the other day.’

‘That’s not illegal.’

‘It’s actually pretty normal teenage behaviour,’ Jonathan chipped in.

‘No but it is indicative of the degenerative nature of youth. That family is rotten to the core. They won’t meet us, so they obviously have something to hide. We will not stand for it.’ Vic sounded determined as he flashed his scary smile.

‘I really think you need to let this go,’ Matt started. ‘There is no need for a witch hunt, they haven’t hurt anyone and just because the police have been round a couple of times, doesn’t mean that they’re a band of criminals. That could be anything.’

‘I sometimes wonder if you people take Edgar Road seriously,’ Heather said, sounding annoyed.

Vic spoke. ‘She’s right. Anyway, we’ve told the landlord that we are going to start a petition against them and if everyone in the street signs they’ll have no choice but to leave,’ Vic added.

‘My God, you’re going to hound potentially innocent people from their home? Even when they have kids?’ Jonathan sounded angry and I was proud of him.

‘All they need to do is to tell us why they are hiding from us. Now will you sign our petition or not?’ They sounded hostile.