Alfie and George

Chapter Seventeen

I was incredibly excited. George was finally allowed out, further than the garden and without the lead or any humans — although of course I warned him to not go anywhere without me. He asked ‘why’ a million times but I was reluctantly getting used to that. It was a momentous occasion and one that felt a long time coming, mainly due to Claire’s overcautious behaviour.

The cat flap had been formally unlocked. Jonathan had been pleased, saying that I had a habit of making him let me in when he was in the middle of watching something. He said it as though I did it on purpose. Anyway, freedom was once again mine. I was excited to introduce George to my friends, to my street and to the great outdoors, the world that existed beyond our small lawn. I was also going to pop in to see Matt, so George could see where they lived, and then if we had time I would show him Tasha’s flat, although she didn’t have a cat flap so we could only visit with her if she was in and saw us. A bit like the old days with Franceska and the boys really. Wow, freedom once more — I vowed never to take it for granted again.

I was looking forward to our first excursion very much and had taken extra time over my grooming. I wasn’t sure why, but humans always dressed up for special occasions and this, George’s first proper outing, was definitely a special occasion. I tried to make sure he looked his best too, but let’s be honest, he was so cute that I really didn’t need to worry. I jumped through the cat flap first, George following behind me. He was still a little unsure of it, although he was getting better. He had grown a lot in the time he’d been with us, and although still a kitten he was big enough now to run, jump, and climb.

George blinked as the sun hit his eyes. It was a lovely, sunny day for his first trip.

‘Right, stay close to me and don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you,’ I said, giving him my best pep talk.

‘I know, Dad,’ he said. We slid under the gate and made our way to the front of the house.

‘Before we start, I need to give you a lesson about roads.’ As we stood on the pavement, a number of cars whizzed past us.‘You see, those cars are dangerous.’ I had nearly been hit a number of times when I first encountered roads.‘Don’t cross the road unless it’s clear both ways,’ I continued sternly.

As we walked I gave George a full tour of Edgar Road. I pointed out Salmon’s house and said it was to be avoided at all costs, although there was no sign of him anywhere, thank goodness. Our first stop was Tiger’s house where we waited in her front garden, by her favourite bush. George wriggled under it and started playing with leaves. Tiger emerged a few moments later.

‘Oh, hi, I was hoping you’d be here already,’ she said, ignoring me and giving George a nuzzle. I looked at her indignantly. Having a kitten meant I was getting used to being ignored but it didn’t mean Tiger could get away with it.

‘Hello, Tiger-Mum,’ George said, so sweetly that Tiger looked as if she might cry.

‘Right, come on, we have to give George a proper tour of the neighbourhood,’ I said, no longer feeling slighted.

‘OK, but George, you’re still only little so you must tell us if you get tired,’ Tiger said, sounding sweet and concerned. I raised my whiskers; what had happened to my Tiger?

‘I will, let’s go, let’s go.’ George was full of excitement as he bounded off in the wrong direction.

‘George, this way,’ I said, and he turned round and joined us. We made our way slowly to our cat meeting point. I pointed out Polly and Matt’s house on the way and explained that Tash’s flat was in the other direction, although I’m not sure how much George was taking in. He was so busy looking around that I doubted he was listening.

‘I bet you’re glad Tasha’s moved into Edgar Road,’ Tiger said as we stopped and watched George staring at an overgrown plant for a minute.

‘Yes. Not only is she one of my favourite people but it’s good to be able to keep an eye on her,’ I said.

‘I like Elijah,’ George said.‘He’s funny.’

‘I love how all the kids get on so well,’ I mused as we moved on, gratified that George was listening after all.

‘And any more news about the cat pictures?’ Tiger said.

‘Not in front of the kitten,’ I said, as quietly as I could.

‘What was that?’ George asked.

‘Nothing,’ Tiger and I replied at the same time. I looked at her with concern.

I was delighted to see that our cat friends were already congregated. Nellie was sunbathing, Elvis was sitting in a shady spot and Rocky was cleaning his paws. I excitedly ran up to join them.

‘Look, I’ve brought George to see you,’ I said breathlessly.

‘Where?’ Rocky asked, looking up.

‘Right there.’ I turned around but George and Tiger were nowhere to be seen.‘They were there a minute ago.’ Panicking, I turned and retraced my steps. I found Tiger looking at George, who was sitting on a gatepost in front of someone’s house.

‘What happened?’ I asked, concerned.

‘When you ran off George decided to jump on the gatepost. He says he likes it up there.’

‘George, come down now,’ I said.

‘No. Look, there’s a funny animal in the garden.’ I jumped up onto the other post and looked in. The funny animal was a small dog, who was yapping at George and now me. ‘I’m going to go in there to see it.’

‘No!’ I shouted, a bit more forcefully than I intended. George jumped but thankfully stayed on the gatepost.‘George, dogs are to be avoided at all costs. Now come down.’ I leapt down, having used my sternest voice, and George reluctantly followed me.

‘Right, this is George,’ I said for the second time when we re-joined the others.

‘Aww, you’re so incredibly sweet. I’m Nellie,’ Nellie cooed. She went up to George and made a fuss of him.

‘Nice to meet you, George, I’m Elvis.’ Elvis looked overjoyed to see my kitten.

‘I’m Rocky, nice to meet you.’ Rocky stopped looking at his paw and came over to greet us.

‘Wow, you’re all cats,’ George said.‘And there are so many of you!’

‘We certainly are,’ Rocky said.‘And Alfie was right, this is one cute kitten.’ All three cats were immediately taken with George, I could tell.

‘Come with me, George, I’ll show you the bush that attracts butterflies,’ Nellie said.

‘What are butterflies?’ he asked.

‘Follow me and you’ll find out.’ I sat and watched proudly as Nellie took George to see the butterflies. He really is my boy, I thought, as I watched him jumping around. Of course he never actually caught a butterfly, but then neither had I, and I’d been playing for a lot longer. We just liked chasing things, usually without much success — though I did swat a fly once at home. Jonathan had been so pleased with me, until he realised it was a fluke.

‘Nice youngster,’ Elvis said to me. ‘Look, here comes the other cat I mentioned to you, Tinkerbell.’ I hoped that this wasn’t another of his attempts to set me up. I know I was busy but I still thought of Snowball in any spare moment I had — usually before I went to sleep at night. But when I came face to face with the new cat I realised something strange.

‘But you’re a boy,’ I said, confused.

‘Have we been introduced?’ Tinkerbell growled. Not only was he male, but he was big, about twice the size of me. I felt a little threatened.

‘Sorry, I’m Alfie and I’ve heard about you but, well, you’re called Tinkerbell so I assumed you were a girl.’

‘No, I’m a tom.’ He raised his whiskers.‘Look, my owner wanted a girl cat so when they got me they gave me a girl’s name. To be honest I’d rather not talk about it. If you’re a friend, you can call me Tinks.’

‘Nice to meet you, Tinks.’ I gave him my most charming look.‘And sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to be rude, it’s just that my friend Elvis here seems to want to set me up with female cats so …’

‘Oh yes, I heard you’re the heartbroken one. But no need to make a fuss, I’m happy with my name and my sexuality, thank you very much. And now that we’ve cleared that up, we can be mates.’

‘What does it mean? Setting my dad up with a female?’ I hadn’t heard George approach but he was standing behind me with Nellie and Tiger.

‘Well, young George, it’s just that we thought Alfie might like a new girlfriend, and then you could have a new mum,’ Rocky explained.

‘Oh, no, thank you,’ George replied.‘Tiger’s my mum.’

‘Aww,’ Tiger and Nellie both said, and I swear I have never seen Tiger look so moved. Even Tinkerbell softened. This kitten could win any charm competition, of that I was certain.

‘Goodness, Alfie and Tiger, you guys are like a married couple already, so I guess it makes sense,’ Rocky laughed. I shot him one of my looks.

‘Well, George, we’re all your friends here, so if you need anything, then you just ask,’ Elvis said.

‘But don’t come here on your own,’ I warned. ‘Not yet anyway. Either me or Tiger need to escort you.’

‘As if I would,’ George replied innocently.

Apart from George nearly jumping into that dog’s garden — and I dreaded to think how that might have ended up — our first proper trip was a great success. My kitten was greatly admired by all and I felt so proud. Unfortunately, however, it was getting late and there was no time to drop into Matt and Polly’s house. That would have to wait for another day.

‘Honestly, Alfie, you’re like the cat who got the cream,’ Tiger said as she dropped us home.

‘I have George, and he’s better than any cream,’ I replied.