A Friend Called Alfie

It was lunchtime before the mystery of Sylvie’s outburst was finally solved. George, Pickles and I were tucking into our food when we heard.

Claire had been to the supermarket in the morning, and then she popped in to see Harold, but without George as she went straight from the supermarket. George, Pickles and I had spent a lazy morning at home, and even Pickles failed to get into trouble. George, still on a high from having been to hospital the previous day, was happy to entertain Pickles and I was happy to sit back and relax for once. We heard the letter box flap on the door and Pickles scooted as fast as he could to the door. He barked his little bark, constantly, and sat with his back to the door as a shower of letters landed on his head. It was one of his favourite pastimes. George laughed, as did I. Shortly after, the door opened, Claire walked in with Sylvie, who looked nice and normal again. Claire picked up the post, Sylvie picked up Pickles and we made our way to the kitchen.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind me coming in?’ Sylvie asked. Her hair was neat, pulled back off her face and she had make-up on.

‘Come in, apart from anything else I want to know what on earth was going on yesterday?’ Claire said. She didn’t sound cold, but she didn’t sound as warm as normal either as she put our food down and we all tucked in.

‘You know I went to the doctor the other day?’ Sylvie asked. Claire nodded. ‘They did some tests and yesterday I got the results. It freaked me out a bit.’

‘Oh no, nothing serious, I hope?’ Claire gestured for Sylvie to sit down. ‘Coffee?’

‘No, I better not. And as for serious, it depends on your point of view. Claire, I’m pregnant.’

Now, I definitely hadn’t seen that coming. I didn’t know how old Sylvie was exactly but she seemed about the same age as Claire.

A massive smile appeared on Claire’s face. ‘Oh my goodness, Sylvie, you’re pregnant! I can’t believe it.’

‘Neither can I! I’m in my forties and Connie’s fifteen for goodness’ sake. And when I found out yesterday I freaked out. I had all these thoughts running wild in my head. What if Marcus was angry with me? I mean we never thought children were on the cards, never discussed it. I thought that I was going through the menopause for goodness’ sake. And then I worried about what Connie would think, her father has just had another baby, so what if it felt as if we were both replacing her. I felt totally out of control, terrified and confused and then when I couldn’t get hold of Marcus and then found out he was at your house, I just lost it.’

‘You certainly did, but, Sylvie, it’s a big deal, I just wish you’d said something.’

‘I told Marcus on your doorstep and he was so happy that any fears I had immediately melted away and then I felt like a total fool. And then he persuaded me to tell Connie straight away and she hugged me and said that she was so happy because it meant she would worry about me less, if that made sense, and also that she would be a great big sister. I cried so much, I didn’t have any tears left. And tonight we’re going to the hospital, Marcus and I, to tell Harold. You must think I’m such a fool.’ Sylvie wiped tears from her cheeks.

‘No, I think you’re amazing, and lucky. Imagine when I first met you you felt as if you’d lost everything but Connie and Hana, and you were pretty miserable. But then we all got our friendship back and you met Marcus and you have barely stopped smiling since. I think it’s amazing and you know we will all help out.’

‘That explains why I was so up and down lately, it was hormones, just not in the way I thought it was! But you know I am excited. I’m scared, there could be all sorts of issues, but Marcus and I talked well into the night and the thing is I know he’s committed to me and to Connie and the baby. In fact he made me book a scan first thing, because he said that the sooner I have a scan the sooner my mind might be at rest, he really is thoughtful.’

‘I can’t believe it, my head is spinning,’ Claire laughed and then she grabbed Sylvie and hugged her.

‘I am so happy, Claire. I mean I know I accused you of having an affair with Marcus yesterday and I am so sorry but, as I said, I wasn’t quite in my right mind.’

‘Will Marcus finally move into your house now?’ Claire asked.

‘Yes, we talked about that. I need him but then that leaves Harold on his own, so we need to figure that out. Harold values his independence as you know so I don’t think he’d move in with us but we have to sort something out.’

‘Of course, there’ll be so many plans to make,’ Claire said, beaming.

‘I would crack open the champagne but you know, I can’t drink …’

‘I’ll have a glass tonight for both of us.’ The two women hugged again.

I told George to go and see Hana, after all she needed to be congratulated too, she was going to have a new human soon.

Claire took Pickles out for a walk, while George went next door, and I decided to have forty, well-deserved winks.

When George came back, he asked if I would take a walk with him.

‘Sure, where do you want to go?’ I asked.

‘To see our other friends, since my job I’ve hardly had any time with them.’ I knew how he felt, since I had been put in charge of Pickles I had seen less of my friends than usual. Both the Edgar Road cats and dear Dustbin. However, we had a meal at Franceska and Tomasz’s restaurant on Sunday, for family day so I would see plenty of Dustbin then.

‘They’ll be so pleased to see you,’ I agreed.

‘Oh my goodness, it’s so long since we’ve seen you together,’ Nellie said, gleefully greeting us with a nuzzle.

‘And it’s great that you’re all here,’ I said as I greeted Elvis and Rocky.

‘The gang is back together,’ Elvis said. ‘Right, can you please fill us in on all the news,’ he added.

We told them the latest hospital news, and of course about the baby, and then Rocky and George went off to climb George’s favourite tree.

‘You’re forgiven now then?’ Nellie asked.

‘Thankfully, yes, I hated it when he wasn’t talking to me, but it’s been so hectic lately I haven’t had much time to really process anything.’

‘Are you alright though, Alfie?’ Elvis asked.

‘I’m getting there,’ I replied, honestly. Oliver joined us. ‘Hi,’ I said, greeting him warmly.

‘I really love it here, although I’ll love it more in the summer,’ Oliver said.

‘I hear you,’ Nellie said.

‘George,’ I shouted as I saw him and Rocky near the bottom of the tree. ‘Come here.’

‘Oh, we haven’t met have we?’ George said as he approached.

‘No, but I’ve heard all about you,’ Oliver said. ‘And I am very delighted to meet you.’

‘And I’m happy to meet you. How are you settling in?’ George asked, he was so sweet, my heart was bursting with pride for my boy.

‘Pretty well. I know you know my house very well, and I hope you don’t find it too hard me being there,’ Oliver asked.

‘No, because Tiger mum taught me how to be kind and being kind means that you want everyone to be happy. The Barkers were very lonely without a cat.’

‘Yes, they said that to me when they got me, that a home isn’t a home without a cat. And I am grateful for a loving home, it doesn’t happen for every cat.’

‘So, basically the Barkers aren’t lonely anymore and neither are you,’ George said.

‘Exactly right,’ Oliver replied.

‘But you know we are all so lucky to have each other,’ I said, suddenly. ‘We are all good friends and with Oliver, a new friend, and we’ll never be lonely with each other either.’

‘Friendship makes the world go round,’ Rocky said.

‘I thought that was love.’ Nellie looked confused.

‘They are pretty much the same thing I think,’ Elvis finished. And I looked at my friends, old and new, and I knew it was time to count my blessings again. I was so lucky I didn’t need to worry about loneliness and it was a real shame that anyone in the whole wide world had to feel it.

‘Dad, I’ve got the answer,’ George said suddenly.

‘To what?’ I asked.

‘Harold, when he comes home from hospital and Marcus moves in with Sylvie, I worry that he might be lonely.’

‘But, George, he’s got all of us and our families, we’ll see him all the time.’

‘Yes, but when he goes to sleep, he won’t have anyone else in the house with him. And when he wakes up. He’ll be all alone then. And I can’t move in with him because Toby needs me …’

‘Yes, George, but from what I’ve heard he wants to live in his own house.’

‘So we need to make sure he’s not alone,’ George stated, pulling himself up to his full height and looking quite pleased with himself. ‘Harold needs a cat of his own.’

As we walked home, we discussed the idea some more.

‘But, George, won’t you be jealous, after all you and Harold have a special bond and you would have to share him.’

‘I’ve learnt to share an awful lot lately; with Pickles and now seeing Oliver in Tiger mum’s house … I really don’t want to be selfish about it, and it makes perfect sense. Harold needs a cat. I would suggest giving him Pickles but then I thought that Henry and Martha might not like it, so we need to get him a cat of his own.’

‘OK, it’s not a bad idea, but how on earth do we put it into practice? It’s not as if we just happen to have a spare cat laying around.’ I grinned.

‘I know, on Sunday the adults said they are going to discuss what the options are for Harold, we will have to listen and then you’ll have to show them that the answer is a cat. It’s simple really.’

For him maybe, just how the hell was I going to do that? I needed yet another plan. Honestly my skills were being put to the test lately.