A Cat Called Alfie

Chapter Thirty-One

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.

‘You know what, we’ve humoured you long enough. We come to your very long meetings, and what do they achieve? Nothing! They’re generally just a load of hot air.’ Jonathan stood now but still kept a bit of distance between him and the Goodwins.

‘Hours of hot air,’ Matt supported, looking like a man who would never get those hours back again.

‘But we won’t see this neighbourhood becoming unwelcoming and nasty, which is what is happening thanks to you two. You’ve taken against people you don’t know for reasons of your own imagining. No, we won’t be signing your petition and unless you decide to be more reasonable we won’t be coming to your meetings again,’ Jonathan finished.

‘How dare you!’ Vic shouted.

‘Hey, let’s be calm about this,’ Polly started. ‘None of us are disputing that the family’s behaviour is a little strange but we’ve spoken to Karen and Tim and we feel confident that they’re simply a family in turmoil. And that’s the only reason why they’re so intent on keeping themselves to themselves.’

‘Oh, Polly, you are young and naïve. You’ve let yourself be taken in by these people. Listen to our experience and trust us.’ Heather sounded so patronizing.

‘You’re being ridiculous.’ Jonathan lost his temper again. ‘We’ll have no part in what you’re doing, so please leave my house and leave us alone. Blimey, the Snells have got the right idea.’

‘It’s a shame you own your homes otherwise we would have you evicted from the street too,’ Vic said, shouting back at Jonathan.

I cowered under the seat; both men sounded quite aggressive.

‘And don’t think you will get one of our special Christmas cards this year either,’ Heather added before they stormed out.

After everyone was sure they’d gone, Claire started laughing. ‘My God, the ultimate punishment — no Christmas card!’

‘I wish I could have been that photographer,’ Polly said, tears of laugher rolling down her cheeks.

‘Imagine, them and the cat in those jumpers?’ Claire was almost doubled up.

‘Where do you even get human and cat matching jumpers?’ Matt asked.

‘Oh she probably knits them,’ Polly added.

‘Hey, honey we could do that next year,’ Jonathan suggested. ‘Me, you, Alfie and the baby all in the same jumpers.’

‘Somehow I don’t think your relatives would get the irony,’ Claire said.

‘Now who said I was trying to be ironic?’ Jonathan asked.