A Cat Called Alfie

Chapter Thirteen

After the drama of the previous day I was happy to welcome my favourite day. Once a month, on a Sunday, all my families came together. They all brought food and the children played together. It was so much fun for me to see them all under one roof — all the people I loved. So I put my thoughts of Snowball and my altercation with Salmon aside to revel in what was important to me; love.

Although that brought me back to Snowball. I was feeling towards her the way that I think some human men and women feel about each other. I was pretty sure that I was falling for her romantically. The way I felt when I saw her was almost electric. I felt a current running through my veins and my fur almost stood on end. And when I didn’t see her, I was consumed by thoughts of her. I had taken to pining by the loose fence panel a bit too often, desperate to catch even just a glimpse of her. I had it bad.

When the doorbell went my fur was almost shivering with excitement as I stood ready to welcome everyone. Aleksy and Tomasz bounded in and rushed up to me, then Franceska, and Tomasz followed, carrying bags and handing over food and wine as they greeted Jonathan and Claire. I enjoyed being fussed by all of them, especially Aleksy who I was gratified to see was like his old self, with a big smile on his face and the sparkle back in his eyes. I rolled over, purred and snuggled as I enjoyed welcoming my guests in the best way ever.

Before we could catch our breath, the doorbell went again heralding Polly, who was holding Henry’s hand, and Matt who was carrying Martha. The excitement of the children was feverish as I yet again enjoyed being cuddled and stroked. When the initial excitement died down, everyone went into the kitchen. As Tomasz and Claire sorted out the food, the back doors were opened and the children, except for Martha, headed out.

Although Jonathan’s garden was small, there was a lawn and Aleksy had brought his football so they started chasing it around. I was about to join them, but Franceska picked me up.

‘You will not believe what happened,’ she said.

‘What?’ Jonathan asked, he had a big smile on his face as he watched the boys playing.

‘Alfie went to Aleksy’s school.’ The room was silent as everyone looked at me.

‘How on earth did he manage that?’ Matt asked, scratching his head.

‘We don’t know, but we think he must have found his way to our flat and followed us there.’

‘Good grief, Alfie, sometimes I wish you could talk because I would love to know how you do these things,’ Claire said, looking amazed. I miaowed and they laughed.

‘So,’ Tomasz continued. ‘You know how Aleksy was having problems with a boy at school.’

‘He was being bullied, Tomasz. He was very bad,’ Franceska added.

‘Yes, well we went to the school but without knowing the full story there was not much they could do,’ big Tomasz said.

‘Aleksy wouldn’t tell us what was going on,’ Franceska added.

‘What’s this got to do with Alfie?’ Polly asked. I miaowed again.

‘Well he went to Aleksy’s school, followed him to class and everyone in the class was really excited; so now he is popular and they are doing a school project with a story and drawings about Alfie! The boy leaves him alone now and tries to be his friend.’

‘You’re telling me that Alfie went to the school and sorted out a bully?’ Jonathan looked at me in disbelief.

‘Yes, he did. He really did!’ Franceska was excited.

‘So they’re doing a project on him?’ Matt asked, looking perplexed.

‘Yes, they have written a story as a class and everyone, even the bad boy, has made a painting of him.’

I felt so emotional as I listened to Franceska explain. My plan had worked and, admittedly, I was trying very hard not to feel too smug about it. I was enjoying the praise and I was also enjoying the fact that my humans were so confused about my actions; I liked to keep them on their toes.

‘It’d be nice for him to go and see the paintings,’ Claire suggested, echoing my thoughts.

‘Why don’t we take him?’ Franceska suggested. ‘I could take him! Would you like that, Alfie?’ I purred in the affirmative.

‘Alfie, I do love you but you certainly do my head in at times,’ Jonathan said, which I knew was a compliment, as I jumped out of Franceska’s arms and headed outside to play football, or paw-ball more accurately.

As Polly, Franceska and Claire cleared up after lunch, the men put on a film for the children. I padded between both rooms, keeping an eye on everyone. Martha was asleep on the sofa while the boys — adults included — watched the film. The doorbell interrupted us and Jonathan reluctantly tore himself away to answer it. Vic was on the doorstep, without Heather for once.

‘We have company,’ Jonathan said, gruffly before the man had a chance to speak.

‘I won’t stop but I need to call an emergency meeting. Tomorrow night at our house.’

‘What on earth for?’ Jonathan asked.

‘Your next door neighbours. I have Heather on watch right now.’ Jonathan looked around Vic and saw Heather behind her living room curtains with her binoculars.

‘She’s hardly inconspicuous,’ Jonathan said.

‘Well,’ Vic replied. ‘The time for that has gone. Something has happened and I can tell you it is very serious.’

‘What?’ Jonathan asked.

‘The police have been round. I’m surprised you missed it. They stayed for ages which goes to show that we’re right to be concerned. I am calling their landlords in the morning and I’ll see you tomorrow evening, seven sharp so we can discuss what we’re going to do.’ Before Jonathan could reply again, Vic turned and walked off, leaving him standing dumbfounded on the doorstep.

As Jonathan explained the visit to the others, I wondered what on earth the police were doing at Snowball’s house. I was sure that there was nothing bad about Snowball and her family, but it seemed as though there was no convincing the Goodwins.

‘The thing is that he was a bit odd when I went around,’ Jonathan said. ‘I hate to think Vic is right about anything, but I just don’t know.’

‘And we did send round a plant, and not a word,’ Claire replied. ‘I mean if it was me I would drop round to say thank you at least.’

‘They do seem to be a bit strange. I saw the kids the other day, well teenagers really,’ Polly continued. ‘But I haven’t caught a glimpse of the parents.’

‘Although it does sound as if the Goodwins are on a bit of a witch hunt,’ big Tomasz pointed out.

‘You know what they’re like. Anyway, the upshot is that whether that family are drug barons, gangsters or even just perfectly normal people, they’re making our lives a misery because we have to go to another meeting. I almost want to evict them on that basis,’ Jonathan mused.

‘Just don’t go,’ Franceska suggested. I loved how sensible she was but also so naive. She escaped the Goodwins when she lived here, so she had no idea how awful they were.

‘We can’t not go, it’s not an option,’ Matt said.

‘Luckily, boys, it’s your turn to go, so Jonathan and Matt, all I can say is have fun,’ Polly laughed.

‘And I won’t wait up,’ Claire finished with a wink.