A Cat Called Alfie

Chapter Thirty-Five

‘Goodness, this is a bit like when Claire and Jonathan go out with Matt and Polly,’ I said.

Three faces looked at me. Tiger, Tom, Snowball and I were at the park, playing in the flower beds. It was like a double date, I thought. Although for now Snowball was in the friend zone, I knew it was only a matter of time before we became more romantic.

Tiger wasn’t exactly romantic towards Tom, but he followed her around like a lovesick puppy. She obviously liked him but she was, like Snowball, playing a bit hard to get. However, we were spending a very pleasant afternoon together so I wasn’t complaining. Surprisingly, Tiger and Snowball had hit it off and Tom was definitely more charming than we had ever known him. I could see us becoming a tight little unit which made me feel more content than ever.

Although there was nothing wrong with my life before, having Snowball come into it had definitely added another dimension. My eyes shone a bit brighter, my smile was a bit wider, and when I slept, my dreams were filled with happiness.

And Snowball: her slow thaw towards me had accelerated at great speed — next stop love. Her family were also slowly thawing. I had seen quite a bit of them. Snowball said I was always welcome, so I had kind of added them to my list of homes, despite being there the least. I wanted them to meet my families, become friends, which is what a doorstep cat wants more than anything: to bring people together. Despite the fact they were happier and had been pleased to receive Claire and Polly’s note, they hadn’t rushed round with open arms. I understood. When you’re hurt like that, when you lose everything and especially with betrayal added into the mix it takes time to heal and gain back the confidence to trust new people.

We still needed to find a way to get them to be friends the way we were. Gathered in the park, it seemed a good time to try to come up with a plan.

‘Last time you brought humans together you nearly died,’ Tiger pointed out.

‘Well I’m not going to do that a second time,’ I mused. ‘I’m down to my last six lives I think, so I still need to do something and it has to be big.’

‘Like getting stuck up a tree again,’ Tiger teased.

‘No, that’s too—’ I stopped, they had just given me an idea.

We were distracted by a low flying butterfly; Tom tried to swipe it at the same time as Tiger and their paws collided.

‘Sorry,’ Tom mumbled looking bashful.

‘Well I don’t know, Alfie, maybe it’s enough that they are happier now. And they did say they’d speak to the neighbours. Maybe that’s enough?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’ I was a determined cat.

‘But none of us have a clue what to do.’ Snowball lay down and looked sad as she put her head in her paws. ‘I’m worried they’ll leave. I know they said things are looking better but they’re still not happy. I really don’t want to leave Edgar Road.’ Snowball looked so sad, lying there, that my heart went out to her. I couldn’t let that happen.

‘I think I know what to do,’ I exclaimed, remembering my earlier brainwave.

‘Oh no, I’m not sure I want to know,’ Tiger said, covering her ears with her paws. ‘Knowing you it’s going to be dangerous!’

‘I want to know. Come on, Alfie, tell us,’ Tom pushed.

‘No, you are all going to have to wait and see. Tiger, tell Snowball how good I am at getting humans to do what I want.’

‘He is, Snowball. He can convince any human of anything. He doesn’t pull the fur over my eyes, but those humans fall for it every time.’

‘I guess we’ve got nothing to lose.’ Snowball sounded doubtful.

‘And everything to gain,’ I finished.

I felt a sense of purpose as we strutted home. I walked beside Snowball, whilst Tiger and Tom frolicked behind us. They definitely brought out the playful side in each other. We were almost at Snowball’s gate, when Salmon jumped out on us. I had almost forgotten about him.

‘Well, what do we have here,’ he said, licking his lips ominously. ‘You all look cosy together.’ Snowball hissed, but I stood next to her protectively.

‘Salmon, it’s time you got lost. You and your nosey family. The Snells have nothing to hide and you might as well give up now.’

‘What, because you tell us to?’ He laughed nastily.

‘No, because you’re all making huge fools of yourselves. You’re going to be the laughing stock of the street soon.’ I sounded braver than I felt.

‘You already are,’ Tiger piped up from behind, reinforcing my confidence.

‘Yes that petition didn’t work, and we cats are thinking of getting a petition going against you,’ Tom joked. He actually did have quite a good sense of humour now he was with Tiger.

‘Cats can’t write,’ Salmon shot back.

‘We’ll use mouse blood to write it all over your yard,’ Tom replied, but he didn’t sound serious. I don’t think he did anyway.

‘You wouldn’t dare?’ Salmon looked afraid for the first ever time.

‘Try us,’ I challenged.

Salmon turned and ran back across the road.

‘My hero,’ Tiger said. ‘Impressive.’

‘You’re my hero too,’ Snowball whispered to me.