Not a cat person
Anne felt a laugh bubbling up inside her at the grown-up word ‘acquaintances’ and the earnest look on her granddaughter’s little face melted her heart. She had Steven’s dark hair and blue eyes.
How could Anne refuse? She would have to feed it, of course, but cats were independent creatures, so she could leave it to its own devices the rest of the time. Keeping a straight face, she said: “Well, I suppose anything is possible. Maybe I should have her to stay to find out.”
And so on a Saturday morning in July, Amber arrived at Anne’s house. She came in a pink carry case with her name emblazoned on the side and a unicorn charm hanging from the handle, plus a list of instructions for her care.
All Anne could see when she peered into the dark interior was a pair of glinting green eyes looking back at her. She left the door open and waited. Slowly, the cat emerged before streaking across the kitchen and disappearing into the utility room where she stayed by her litter tray for the rest of the morning.
At lunchtime, she emerged very cautiously and Anne was able to get a better look at her house guest. “Well, you’re a funny looking thing,” she said, observing the cat’s long orange body and huge ears. “They tell me you’re part pedigree, but it looks to me like your mother was over friendly with the local ginger tom.”
Amber watched Anne intently, not sure whether to trust her or not. After a while, she started to explore her new surroundings, sniffing every corner. Feeling she was in the way in her own home, Anne went into the lounge and switched on the television.
After a while, she sensed the cat entering the room. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Amber suddenly hopped on to the window ledge beside her and meowed loudly.
Perturbed, Anne said: “What are you looking at – the birds on the feeder out there?” Amber stared back at her. This unfamiliar creature was going to take some getting used to. Over the next few days, Anne went on with her life as usual, aware of two green eyes watching her. She found the constant observation unnerving. It would be a relief to hand her feline lodger back in a few weeks.
But, as time went on, Amber became part of Anne’s daily routine, sitting on the bathmat when she was in the shower, following her into the garden when she hung the washing on the line, or perching on the kitchen stool as she cooked.
Just a few days before Steven and his family were due home, Anne came down with a nasty cold. She exploded with sneezes that sent Amber scuttling away in fright. Feeling awful, she finally gave up trying to carry on as normal. Grabbing a blanket from upstairs, she made herself a hot lemon drink and lay down on the sofa.
Half-awake, she was aware of the cat carefully climbing up and tucking herself closely into Anne’s side. Amber’s peaceful purr was surprisingly comforting as Anne drifted off to sleep.
When she woke, Amber had left the sofa and was sitting in a pool of sunlight, cleaning herself. For the first time, Anne appreciated her pretty colouring. The sun caught the beautiful russet of her fur and glowed through her over-sized ears. The green eyes which Anne had once found unsettling now looked gentle and benign.
Seeing she was awake, Amber walked over and affectionately head-butted Anne’s ankles. Bending down to stroke the purring cat, Anne realised that Eloise was right. They had been acquaintances, but now they were friends.
About our author
Maddie says: “As I love writing and cats, it’s lovely to combine the two. I live with three Siamese cats and an Oriental who are a great source of ideas.”