A Cat Called Alfie

Chapter Thirty

‘Alfie, look,’ Tiger said, gesturing to where Heather and Vic Goodwin stood on the pavement outside their house with a strange man. The man was wearing a suit and he didn’t exactly look happy. I had gone to find Tiger to deliver the good news, whilst giving Jonathan and Claire some alone time.

‘We need to see if we can find out what’s going on,’ I said, wondering if it was to do with the Snells.

‘Leave it to me.’ Tiger carefully crossed the road and hid under a car nearby. I didn’t know whether to follow her but my decision was made for me when Salmon appeared, jumping onto a wall and looking right at me with his beady eyes. Luckily it seemed he hadn’t seen Tiger. I would have to wait here and bide my time so as not to arouse suspicion.

The suited man walked off, crossed the road to number 48 and rang the bell. Now I was really worried. The Goodwins and Salmon watched the man, all wearing the same matching self-satisfied smiles. When she felt sure everyone was looking the other way, Tiger rejoined me and we went to my front garden, out of sight of the horrible Salmon.

‘So …?’ I pushed, desperate for information.

‘It seems he’s the Snells’ landlord. The Goodwins said the family are up to no good, and although he assured them that there was nothing illegal going on in the house, they didn’t believe him. It sounds as if they’ve literally been hounding him which is why he finally caved in and said he would go and see the Snells.’

‘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.