Kitty And The Moonlight Rescue. Kitty And The Tiger Treasure. Kitty And The Sky Garden Adventure. Kitty And The Great Lantern Race

1. KITTY AND THE MOONLIGHT RESCUE

Chapter

1

Kitty bounded into her mom and dad’s bedroom as gracefully as a cat. She was wearing her stripy pajamas, and her dark hair bobbed around her face as she ran. Flipping head over heels, she landed neatly on the bed.

Her mom smiled.“Slow down, Kitty! It’s nearly bedtime. Aren’t you sleepy yet?”

“No, I’m not tired at all!” Kitty watched her mom take a sleek black superhero outfit out of her wardrobe and put it on.

Kitty’s family had a special secret. Her mom had catlike superpowers, and every night she went on adventures. Her mom could see in the dark, climb walls, and balance on rooftops. Her superpowered senses meant she could always tell when trouble was near. Best of all, she could talk to cats and share their secrets!

Kitty wanted to be a superhero just like her mom one day. She loved playing rescue in the cat outfit her dad had made her. She could leap all the way from the window seat to her bed without touching the floor.

But when she looked out the window at bedtime, there were so many mysterious shadows and odd noises out there. It was safe and snuggly in her room, and the thought of going out into the dark made her shiver. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready to be a superhero like her mom. “Why don’t you brush your teeth and wash your face, Kitty?” suggested Mom. Her dad came in, carrying her little brother. “It’s time for you to brush your teeth too, Max. Let’s find your toothbrush.”

Kitty followed them to the bathroom, but Max giggled and scampered away at lightning speed.

Mom caught him and brought him back to the sink.“Be a good boy and do what your dad says, Max.” She looked in the mirror and straightened her superhero mask. “It’s getting late! I really must go.”

“Can you read me a bedtime story first?” asked Kitty.

“I’m sorry, honey.” Mom kissed Kitty on the forehead. “Maybe tomorrow night.”

“I’ll read you a story, Kitty,” said Dad.

Kitty’s shoulders slumped. She knew being a superhero was important, but she wished Mom didn’t always rush off at bedtime. “But I wantMom to tuck me in. I like our bedtime talks.”

“Why don’t we have a little talk now?” Mom took Kitty to her bedroom, and they sat on the window seat together.

It was growing dark outside, and a bright full moon was rising over the rooftops. An owl hooted in the distance.

“Having superpowers is a very special gift,” said Mom, stroking Kitty’s hair. “On a night like this, when the moon comes out, you can feel magic in the air. Then you know it’s the perfect time for an adventure.”

Kitty stared at the darkening sky and shivered. The orange streetlamps were blinking on one by one, but strange shadows lingered at each corner.“It looks creepy out there. I don’t think I could ever be a superhero and go out into the dark like you,” Kitty said.

Mom hugged her tight.“You can choose to be whatever you want to be. But don’t let fear hold you back. You’re braver than you think!”

Kitty hugged her mom.“I will try to be brave! I just wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I know, but there are people out there who might need my help. Tomorrow we’ll have pancakes for breakfast, and I’ll tell you all about it.” Mom smiled and gave her a kiss. “Sleep tight, darling. Remember, I won’t be far away.”

Kitty smiled back.“Night, Mom.” She watched her mom climb out the window and run along the rooftops into the dark.

Dad read Kitty a bedtime story. Then she snuggled down and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Her bed was warm and comfortable, but she didn’t feel ready to go to sleep yet. She wriggled onto her side and stared out the window.

The moon had risen high in the black sky, and shadows flickered on the rooftops. The wind whispered, and Kitty’s heart beat faster. She turned on her bedside lamp and peeped over the top of her blanket.There’s nothing to be scared of, she told herself.

Her mom’s words spun around inside her head:“Don’t let fear hold you back. You’re braver than you think!” Maybe she should put on her cat outfit and see if it made her feel any braver?

Jumping out of bed, she pulled her superhero costume over her head. Then she swung the silky black cape onto her shoulders and tied the ribbon carefully. Last of all, she put on her cat tail and velvety cat ears before turning to look in the mirror. She did a perfect spin, and the cape flew out behind her. She loved the way the cat costume looked, and she did feel a tiny bit braver.

Suddenly there was a scratching noise right outside her window. Kitty turned around, her eyes wide. The scratching grew louder, and then a shrillmeow made her jump. She rushed to the window and peered into the dark.

A sleek black cat with a white stripe on his face and white paws was waiting on the window ledge. Kitty opened the window, and the cat sprang into the room with a flick of his tail.

“Good evening! My name is Figaro.” He smoothed his jet-black whiskers. “I must speak to your mother at once.”

Kitty’s heart skipped. Had she just understood what the cat said? “Hello, I’m Kitty,” she managed.

“Lovely to meet you!” Figaro gave a theatrical bow. “Please take me to your mother, Kitty. There’s an emergency, and I must get her help!”

Kitty’s stomach did a somersault. “I’m sorry—my mom’s already gone out. She left a little while ago.”

Figaro clutched his cheek with one paw.“This is dreadful … but wait!” He stared at Kitty’s cat costume. “You’re a superhero too, so you can save us from this terrible disaster!”

“Oh, I can’t really,” said Kitty. “I wouldn’t know what to do!”

“Youare a superhero, though,” insisted Figaro. “Who will help us if you don’t?”

Kitty looked nervously at the night sky. She’d only been pretending when she had dressed up in the costume, but now this cat believed she reallywas a superhero. How could she tell him that she didn’t dare go out into the dark?

Chapter

2

Kitty looked into the night. The thought of venturing outside made her feel wobbly inside, but how could she explain that to Figaro? He was expecting her to be a brave superhero.“What’s happened?” she asked. “Is somebody hurt?”

Figaro leaped onto Kitty’s bed and flicked his tail impatiently. “There’s an awful noise coming from the clock tower, and the animals in the neighborhood are in great distress! We have no idea what’s making this dreadful racket. You must help!”’

Kitty leaned her head out the window. The clock tower was a long way from her house, but she could hear a terrible, high-pitched howling. It sent a shiver down her back.

“The clock tower is very tall, and the walls are too slippery for any of us to climb. There is panic out on the rooftops tonight, and we need your help.”

Kitty’s stomach lurched. The noise could be anything! Did she really want to go and find out?

Figaro leaped neatly off the bed. He placed his paw on her knee, his face solemn.“Please, Kitty! We need you.”

Kitty gulped. She wanted to help, and there was also a tiny part of her that wanted to see what it was like to have an adventure. She took a deep breath.“I’ll go to the clock tower if you help me find the way.”

Figaro’s whiskers perked up. “Thank you, Kitty! Every cat in Hallam City will be forever grateful.” He skipped to the window, his white paws flashing. “Follow me, and I’ll take you there at once.”

Kitty’s heart pounded as she climbed onto the windowsill. Clouds moved to hide the bright full moon, and the darkness thickened. For a second, Kitty nearly turned back inside. Then she took a deep breath and clambered through the window. She scrambled up from the windowsill and balanced on the roof, her heart racing.

The shadows seemed to stretch toward her. She shivered as she gazed around, trying to spot the places she knew. There on the corner was Mr. Harvey’s shop with all the cards and magazines in the window. Beyond that was the park, with its tall trees and duck pond. The clock tower looked very small in the distance.

The wind stirred and touched the back of Kitty’s neck like a cold finger. A creature with wide wings swooped past with a terrible shriek. Kitty froze—her breath stuck in her throat.

“Don’t worry, it’s only a screech owl,” said Figaro, bounding away across the rooftops.

Kitty couldn’t move. She clutched the chimney, and the bricks felt rough under her hands. She was just about to tell Figaro she wasn’t really a superhero when suddenly there was a break in the clouds.

Moonlight poured over the rooftops, turning everything soft and silver. Kitty felt her magical superpowers tingling. She narrowed her eyes and turned on her nighttime vision. Then she listened carefully and found she could hear lots of tiny nighttime sounds, from insects chirping to the whispering of the wind in the trees.

Kitty let go of the chimney and felt her super balance kick in. It felt amazing! She skipped across the rooftops, light as a moonbeam.

“Come on—this way!” called Figaro, leaping from one roof to the next.

Kitty jumped across easily. Then she tried a somersault and landed on her toes. Figaro nodded approvingly. Kitty smiled at him.

The wind changed direction, and the terrible howling from the clock tower grew louder.

Figaro shook his head.“It’s getting worse. We have to hurry!”

They ran along the next rooftop. Then Figaro stopped suddenly, scratching his ear.“This is no good! That’s much too far to jump,” he said.

Kitty crept onto a narrow ledge.“I think I can see a way across.” She climbed up the gutter and ran past a row of chimneys. A strange shape moved on the opposite roof. Kitty swallowed. It looked like a monster with two heads.It’s just a shadow, she told herself.Remember … you’re braver than you think! When she looked again, she realized it was only the shadow of an oddly shaped tree.

She bent her knees and got ready to jump to the opposite roof.

“Help me!” called a little voice. “Somebody please help me!”

Kitty zoomed in on the sound with her super hearing.“Wait, Figaro! Someone’s in trouble. I think it’s coming from the park.” She clambered down the drainpipe and ran to the park entrance.

“Dear, dear!” Figaro puffed a little as he reached the ground. “What a terrible night we’re having!”

Leaving the city streets behind, Kitty and Figaro raced along the winding path that led through the park. The darkness wrapped around them like a blanket, and there was a crackling in the bushes. Kitty swallowed. It was dark so far away from the streetlights and the houses.

The path forked. Kitty hesitated, listening again for the cry.

“I’ll search this way.” Figaro waved a paw before disappearing in the direction of the pond.

Kitty took the other path, her night vision sharpening. As she dashed around a bend, she caught a glimpse of orange fur. A fox with a white-tipped tail lurked at the bottom of a tree. It glanced at Kitty and raised its black nose to sniff the air. Kitty backed away. The fox had a sharp glint in its eyes.

“Help me!” called a tiny voice from the branches above.

Kitty’s heart raced. Someone was trapped up there! She ran forward and the fox dashed away, its tail flashing in the moonlight.

Kitty peered up into the dark web of leaves.“It’s all right! I’ve come to help you.”

There was no answer. Hairs prickled on the back of Kitty’s neck.

“My name’s Kitty. Are you okay?”

The silence thickened.

A fluttery feeling grew in Kitty’s chest. Even superpowered sight wouldn’t let her see through the tangle of leaves. Who was up there, and why wouldn’t they speak to her?

Kitty gulped. There was only one way to learn who had been calling for help. Finding a foothold in the trunk, she pulled herself onto the lowest tree branch and began to climb.

Chapter

3

Kitty swung from one branch to the next, and the leaves above her moved wildly. No matter how quickly she climbed, someone else was climbing away from her even faster.

“Wait! I came to help you,” called Kitty.

The rustling stopped, and a pair of bright eyes blinked over the edge of a thick branch.“Are you sure you’re not a monster?” said a little voice.

Kitty realized she was speaking to a cat.“I promise I’m not a monster. I’m just a girl who can talk to cats. It’s a special talent that runs in my family,” she explained. “I won’t hurt you.”

“Oh!” The eyes blinked again. “My name’s Pixie.” The leaves shook, and a small cat with fluffy white fur jumped onto Kitty’s branch.

“What happened? Did the fox scare you?” asked Kitty.

“I was up here in the tree, imagining I was a magical cat with wings. Then that horrible howling started. Can you hear it? I think it’s a g-g-ghost!” Pixie’s whiskers trembled.

“Figaro says it’s coming from the clock tower. I’m on my way to investigate right now,” said Kitty.

Pixie clutched Kitty’s arm with her paw. “You mustn’t! What if the ghost sees you?”

Kitty swallowed.“I’m sure it isn’t a ghost,” she said firmly. “Why don’t you come with us and see for yourself? The fox is gone, so it’s quite safe to climb down.”

Pixie followed Kitty down the tree, still muttering about ghosts and monsters. Kitty was starting to wonder if the little cat had a very strong imagination. They scrambled through the bushes to find Figaro scampering toward them. At his side was a tabby cat with serious amber eyes.

“There you are, Kitty!” Figaro twirled his whiskers. “I was getting so worried! Pixie, what on earth are you doing here?”

“I was up a tree dreaming of becoming a cat with wings! But now Kitty says I should come and look for the clock tower ghost,” replied Pixie.

Figaro tutted.“Dear me! I see you’re full of wild ideas, as usual.” He waved to the cat with the amber eyes. “Kitty, I’d like you to meet my friend Katsumi. She’s brought some news about the clock tower emergency.”

“Pleased to meet you,” the tabby cat said, bowing her head. She had a beautiful honey-colored coat and a long, elegant tail.

“Hello, Katsumi!” Pixie bounced up to the tabby cat, and they touched noses.

“Katsumi, this is my new friend Kitty,” said Figaro. “She has special superpowers just like her mother, so I asked her to help us.”

Kitty’s stomach lurched. “I’m not really a superhero—”

“Of course you are!” Figaro interrupted, turning to Katsumi. “Well, what is the news from the clock tower?”

“An owl friend told me there’s a creature on the tower,” explained Katsumi. “He didn’t get close enough to see what it was, but he seemed quite shaken. The noise was overwhelming!”

Kitty listened. She didn’t need super senses to detect the sound coming from the clock tower anymore. The wailing noise was growing louder and sharper.

“I know a shortcut,” said Katsumi. “Follow me.”

Kitty and the others followed Katsumi across the park. It was strange seeing the place at night. Moonlight glinted on the swings and the slide, and the duck pond shined like a silver coin.

Leaves crackled, and a little owl with white and brown feathers flew down to perch on the branch of a tree. Katsumi nodded to the bird. The owl hooted before spreading its wings and flying away into the dark.

Leaving the park, they passed a row of shops. Figaro stopped outside a seafood store and licked his lips.“Goodness me! That haddock looks delicious.” His stomach gave a deep rumble.

Just then, the crying from the clock tower rose into a sharp wail. The noise was so sad and lonely that it made Kitty’s heart ache. “Quickly!” she called to the cats. “We’re nearly there.” She raced down a little alley that took her into a small square surrounded by houses.

The clock tower was right in front of her, pointing into the clouds. The huge clockface was as round and pale as the full moon hanging in the sky. The hands on the clock pointed to five minutes to midnight.

Kitty’s night vision grew stronger as she stared at the tower’s smooth stone walls. She focused on the terrible noise and spotted a tiny ball huddled on a narrow ledge. It wasn’t a ghost or a terrifying monster. It was a little ginger kitten. Its tail was curled around its body and its blue eyes were wide with fright.

“There’s a kitten on a ledge close to the top of the tower,” Kitty told the others. “I don’t know how he got so high.”

“Goodness me!” said Figaro. “How can one little kitten make such a terrible racket?”

“It doesn’t even sound like a kitten,” said Pixie, swishing her tail.

“There’s a way onto the roof over there.” Katsumi pointed to a house with a low porch. “Go on, Kitty, there’s no time to lose.”

Kitty nodded, grateful for Katsumi’s sensible ideas. She climbed onto the porch and from there to the rooftop. The others followed her. The kitten looked down, shivering wildly.

The huge clockface below the kitten showed the time: four minutes to twelve o’clock.

Kitty took a sharp breath. Soon it would be midnight, and the clock would make twelve deafening chimes. The noise was bound to startle the kitten. What if it surprised him so much that he fell right off the ledge?“Don’t be frightened!” she called to the little cat. “I’m Kitty, and this is Figaro, Pixie, and Katsumi. We’ve come to help you.”

The kitten stared down at them.“YOOOWL!” he cried, and tears dripped down his furry cheeks.

“Poor thing!” said Katsumi. “I wonder how he got stuck.”

“He’s very young to climb all the way to that ledge.” Figaro shook his head. “Kittens these days can be so reckless!”

Pixie turned her eyes to Kitty.“You will help him, won’t you?”

Kitty’s stomach felt wobbly. “I want to try!” she stammered. “But I’m not really a superhero. I’ve never been on an adventure before.”

“But you were wearing your superhero outfit!” exclaimed Figaro.

“It’s just for playing!” said Kitty desperately. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

“You’ve already come this far,” said Katsumi. “And superpowers clearly run in your family.”

Figaro frowned.“Yes! Just remember how courageously you dashed into the pitch-black park when you heard Pixie’s cry for help. I thought to myself at the time how brave you were!”

Pixie nodded eagerly.“I could have been up that tree all night if it wasn’t for you.”

Kitty blushed at their kind words. She thought again of what her mom had said:“You’re braver than you think.” She turned to face the huge tower, and her head spun at the thought of climbing up so high. Then she looked at the tiny ginger kitten, scrabbling at the side of the ledge.

Kitty closed her eyes and felt her powers tingling inside her.“That kitten’s in terrible danger. I know I have to do something!”

A steep drop stretched below her with a narrow stone ledge on the other side. Deep shadows filled the chasm, and the cold wind ruffled Kitty’s hair. She took a big breath. Then she sprang across, landing neatly on the other side. Gripping the stone wall with her fingertips, she began to climb.

Chapter

4

Kitty climbed the clock tower swiftly, digging her fingers into the gaps between the smooth stones.

“You can do it!” Pixie cried.

The steep drop below was filled with darkness, but moonlight poured over the tower, turning the stones silver. Kitty felt her superpowers rushing through her, and her heart skipped. Maybe she could be a superhero like her mom after all!

Pulling herself onto the next ledge, she stopped for a second to catch her breath. The ginger kitten peered down at her with wide eyes. There was a sudden click as the big hand on the clock moved closer to the twelve, and the kitten jumped with fright. Kitty’s chest tightened. It was such a long way down.

She climbed faster, her arms and legs tingling. She could hear the ticking of the clock. With a loud click, the big hand shifted to point straight at the number twelve. It was midnight!

“Don’t be scared!” called Kitty. “The clock is about to chime.”

The kitten shook as he gripped the ledge.“What’s a chime?”

Bong! The clock made a deep sound. It was so loud that the whole tower trembled. Kitty held on tightly.

The tiny ginger cat jumped in fright, then toppled backward, tumbling down the clockface with a terrified mew.

“No!” Kitty shouted.

The kitten clutched at the clock’s long hand and clung to it desperately.

The hand slid back to point at the number eleven. The kitten hung there. He wailed while his legs swung wildly in midair.

“Don’t let go! I’ll come to get you.” Kitty’s powers tingled, and she climbed faster. She had to reach the kitten in time!

Kitty scrambled down … ten, eleven, twelve. Just as the last chime rang out, a strong gust of wind swirled around the tower. The ginger kitten swayed wildly, and he lost his grip with one paw.

Kitty’s heart pounded. She couldn’t let him fall!

“We believe in you, Kitty!” Figaro shouted from below.

“Go on, Kitty!” Katsumi called out. “You can do it.”

Pixie jumped up and down, one paw over her mouth.

Kitty stepped onto the ledge below the clockface. The ginger kitten was still dangling from the clock hand, and there was no easy way to reach him. Kitty took a deep breath and climbed onto the closest number, her black cape billowing out in the wind.

Using her superpowers to balance, she clambered from one number to the next and steadied herself. She was just below the kitten. His back paws dangled above her head.

“I’m here to rescue you!” she told him. “Reach down and take my hand.”

The kitten’s legs swung. “I can’t—I’m stuck!”

“You’ve been so brave,” said Kitty. “I promise I won’t let you fall.”

The kitten gazed at Kitty with terrified blue eyes.“I can’t move!”

“Be brave!” urged Kitty. “I know you can do it.”

The kitten’s whiskers quivered and he reached down, letting Kitty grab hold of his paw. He let go of the clock hand, and Kitty caught him and pulled him close. She could feel his body shaking. The wind swirled around them, and Kitty held tight to the clockface. There was still a long way to go before they reached safety.

“Hold on to my shoulders,” Kitty told the little cat. “Then I’ll have my hands free to climb.”

The kitten scrambled onto her shoulders. Kitty made her way down the tower, careful to keep her balance. The kitten clung to her neck as he peered anxiously at the ground.

“It’s too far!” he squeaked. “We’ll never make it.”

“We will,” Kitty told him. “Can you see my friends on that rooftop over there? Soon you’ll be able to meet them.”

The kitten looked at the rooftop, his whiskers twitching. Kitty kept climbing, but the kitten clutched at her face, covering her eyes with his paws.

Kitty didn’t want to worry him, so instead she used her superpowered senses. She felt along the tower wall for every foothold and handhold, balancing perfectly. She could hear Figaro and Katsumi talking, so she knew exactly where she was going. At last they reached the wide ledge where she had begun her climb.

“Are you ready?” Kitty asked the ginger cat. “I’m going to jump across.”

“You mean—all the way over there?” he squeaked, staring at the gap between the clock tower and the rooftop. “It’s too far, we’ll both fall!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve done this before.” Kitty smiled. “And I have superpowers that help me.”

The kitten’s eyes grew big and round. “Then you’re a real superhero?”

“I’m still learning,” said Kitty. “And this is my very first adventure!”

The little cat gazed at her solemnly.“I trust you! I will hold tight while you jump.”

Kitty got ready, bending her knees and throwing back her arms. Then she made an enormous leap. Her black cape swirled out behind her, and for a moment, Kitty felt as though she was flying through the sky. She landed softly on the other side and set the kitten down on the rooftop. Figaro, Katsumi, and Pixie rushed over to meet them, mewing with excitement.

“That was such a daring rescue!” gasped Pixie. “Were you scared, Kitty?”

“A little bit,” Kitty admitted. “But I knew all of you believed in me, and that helped a lot.”

“You certainly have great climbing skills,” said Katsumi. “Don’t you agree, Figaro?”

“Yes, indeed!” Figaro twirled his whiskers. “But I do think it was very silly of this kitten to be up so high in the first place.” He turned to the kitten. “What in paw’s name were you doing up there?”

The little cat’s nose twitched, and a tear rolled down his furry cheek. “I was searching for somewhere warm to sleep. I thought if I climbed up high it would be easier to look. Then I realized I was too high and I couldn’t get down.”

Kitty crouched beside him.“Please don’t cry! What’s your name? Do you have any family or friends nearby who can look after you?”

The kitten shook his head.“I don’t have any family or friends. I don’t have a name, either.”

Kitty was surprised. How could this lovely kitten not even have a name?“We’d love to be your friends if you’d like that.” She looked at the other cats, and they nodded in agreement.

The kitten wiped a tear away with his paw, and a smile spread across his face.“I’d like that more than anything in the world!”

Chapter

5

Kitty sat down on the rooftop next to the kitten. The streets below were dark and silent. Stars glittered overhead like diamonds scattered across the sky.

“Where do you usually like to sleep?” she asked him.

“I like to find somewhere warm and bright. The thing is …” The kitten twitched his ears shyly. “I’m a little bit scared of the dark.”

“Sometimes I feel like that too, especially when the clouds cover up the moon and there are lots of shadows.” Kitty looked from her friends to the beautiful night sky. She smiled, remembering what her mom had told her. “But the nighttime isn’t as frightening as I thought. When the moon comes out, you can feel magic in the air.”

The kitten nodded. His eyes were wide.“Where will you go now?” Figaro asked the kitten. “I’m afraid my humans won’t let me bring visitors into our home. I tried it once, and it caused such a kerfuffle!” The kitten’s shoulders drooped. “I don’t know. Sometimes I sleep outside the seafood store and the shopkeeper gives me some fish when the shop opens in the morning, but the doorstep is cold and hard.”

“You must come with me!” said Kitty firmly. “Everyone in my family loves cats. You can sleep in my room, and I’ll make you a delicious breakfast in the morning.”

The kitten perked up.“Really? I can come with you?”

Kitty smiled.“Of course you can! And tomorrow you can meet my family.”

The kitten bounced up and down with happiness.“I’ve always wanted to see inside a real home. Thank you, Kitty!”

Kitty led the cats down from the roof and back through the square. When they reached the park, the kitten began to tremble. He yowled at a spiky bush and jumped into Kitty’s arms.

“What’s wrong?” asked Kitty.

“It looks like a monster!” squeaked the kitten.

“Don’t worry—it’s nothing to be scared of.” Kitty set him down, but a moment later he hopped back into her arms when a tree branch rustled in the wind.

Kitty carried him through the park and he yowled at the gate, the pond, and the swings. At last his head began to droop. He gave one final squeaky mew at a park bench before closing his eyes. His head rested on Kitty’s shoulder.

“Poor thing!” whispered Pixie. “It must be awful finding everything so scary.”

Figaro rolled his eyes.“Things are certainly quieter now that he’s asleep. For goodness sake, don’t wake him up again!”

Kitty and her friends hurried out of the park and climbed back to the rooftops. They darted along, skipping neatly around the chimneys. At last Kitty spotted her bedroom window at the end of a row of houses. She had left her lamp on, and it glowed behind the curtains.

“Thank you for helping me with my very first adventure,” she said to Figaro, Katsumi, and Pixie.

“It was our pleasure,” said Katsumi with a bow.

“You did a fantastic job! I expect now you’ll want to go on more,” said Figaro with a wink.

“I expect I will!” said Kitty, laughing.

The ginger kitten woke up and waved his paw sleepily.“Goodbye, everyone, and thank you!”

“Goodbye! See you again soon,” said Kitty.

Kitty watched Figaro, with his handsome black coat and white paws, scamper away across the rooftops. Katsumi followed him, her honey-colored fur pale in the moonlight. Pixie left last, her bright white fur gleaming in the darkness.

Kitty sighed happily. It really had been an amazing night!

She set the kitten down on the windowsill and climbed into her bedroom.“I hope you like my room. I have lots of comfy pillows and blankets. Would you like to come and see?”

The kitten’s whiskers shook. “I … I don’t really know! I thought I wanted to see a real home, but … what if I get trapped inside?”

“You won’t! And I promise I’ll look after you,” said Kitty, surprised.

The kitten backed away to the corner of the windowsill.“I can’t go in! Please don’t be mad!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not mad!” Kitty reached out and stroked the kitten between his ears. “I just don’t want you to be cold.”

“I’m quite warm here.” The kitten lay down on the windowsill and curled his tail around his body.

Kitty fetched her pillows and a blanket and brought them over to the window seat. She left the window open and settled down on the wide, cushioned seat so that she could be close to the ginger kitten. She could see his striped tummy rising and falling peacefully as he slept.

Kitty hoped he was having happy dreams. At last she closed her eyes too, and the stars twinkled above them in the velvet-black sky.

Chapter

6

When Kitty woke up the next morning, her mom was pushing the hair out of her face. She sat bolt upright, puzzled to find herself on the window seat and not in bed. Then she remembered everything that had happened the night before. She peeked through the open window, but the kitten wasn’t asleep on the sill anymore.

“Morning, Kitty!” said Mom. “You look like you had an adventure last night.”

Kitty glanced down at her superhero outfit.“It was amazing! A cat named Figaro came here looking for you. It was an emergency, so I went to help instead.”

“Shall I make us some breakfast? And then you can tell me all about it,” said Mom.

“Ooh, yes please! But …” Kitty peered outside, frowning. “Can you see a little ginger kitten? When I went to sleep, he was right here on the windowsill.”

Throwing off her blanket, she leaned out the window and listened carefully. All she could hear were birds chirping and cars driving along the street below. Kitty’s heart sank. She’d wanted to look after the kitten because he had no home of his own. She wished he’d been brave enough to come inside.

“Maybe he’s still nearby,” said Mom. “Why don’t you try going outside and calling him?”

Kitty slipped out the window and climbed to the rooftop. The sun shined down warmly, and wisps of clouds hung in the pale blue sky. Kitty stopped on the ridge of the roof, calling,“Hello, are you still here?”

At first there was no answer. Then a small striped face with whiskers peeped out from behind the chimney. His blue eyes lit up when he saw Kitty. Then he drew back nervously.

Mom, who had followed Kitty, whispered,“Is he a shy cat?”

“I think he’s nervous because he’s been living all alone until now,” explained Kitty. “He didn’t want to come inside last night. He’s not used to having a home.”

“I see.” Mom frowned thoughtfully. “Well, if he won’t come to us, maybe we should go to him. Come and help me with the breakfast things, Kitty.”

Kitty and her mom made a stack of golden pancakes that smelled so delicious they made Kitty’s mouth water. They carried the pancakes out to the rooftop, along with some fresh orange juice. They also brought out some fresh fish in case the kitten was hungry. They spread Kitty’s blanket on a small, flat area of the roof near the chimney.

Kitty poured some syrup on her pancake and took a bite.“Mmm! Everything tastes better when you eat outside.”

“It really does!” said her mom, laughing.

“I wonder if this fish tastes good too,” said Kitty, glancing at the chimney.

The kitten’s face peered out again, and his nose twitched as he smelled the breakfast. He crept up to the bowl of fish.

“Good morning!” Kitty beamed. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Good morning.” The kitten flicked his tail shyly and then nibbled some food from the bowl. “This fish is so yummy!”

“Did someone say fish?” Figaro leaped along the rooftops, stopping to preen his sleek black-and-white fur. “I hope there’s enough for me!”

Katsumi, who was behind him, waved her elegant tail.“Honestly, Figaro! You shouldn’t invite yourself to someone else’s meal.”

Pixie, arriving last, sniffed the air. The sun gleamed on her silky white coat.“It does smell delicious. I can imagine I’ve walked into a splendid banquet!”

Katsumi bowed to Kitty and her mom.“Sorry for interrupting your breakfast! We just came to say good morning and to thank Kitty for her help last night.”

“Good morning!” Mom smiled. “You’re welcome to join us. I have plenty more fish in the fridge.”

“That is most kind!” exclaimed Figaro while Katsumi and Pixie murmured their thanks.

Mom climbed inside and reappeared with three more bowls of food.

The ginger kitten finished his breakfast and licked the bowl with his little pink tongue.“That was delicious!” He crept over to Kitty and curled up in her lap.

Kitty smiled and stroked his fur gently.

“Good morning!” Dad lifted Max onto the rooftop. “Do I smell pancakes?”

Soon everyone was eating breakfast and talking about Kitty’s adventure the night before. Figaro reminded them all that it had been his idea to fetch Kitty in the first place.

“I was certain Kitty’s catlike superpowers would be just what we needed,” he told everyone.

Kitty blushed.“I didn’t think I could do it … but it got easier the more I tried!”

“I’m very proud of you, Kitty.” Mom beamed at her before turning to the kitten. “And maybe you’d like to come live with us? We have plenty of room here, and we’d love you to stay. I’m sure it would be nicer than sleeping outside on some doorstep.”

Kitty’s heart skipped. She’d hoped her family would love the kitten as much as she did. She held her breath, waiting for him to reply.

“Youreally want me to stay?” He looked from Mom to Kitty. “Not just for one day, but forever?”

“Yes, please do!” Kitty stroked him between the ears. “And I think we should help you to choose a name.” She wrinkled her forehead, thinking. “How about Pumpkin? It suits you because you have such lovely orange fur.”

The kitten purred.“I love that name! Do you really think it suits me?”

“It’s perfect for you!” Katsumi told him.

Pumpkin rubbed his face against Kitty’s and she held him tight, feeling his soft fur against her cheek.

“I think … maybe one day soon … I’d like to go on another adventure in the moonlight,” said Pumpkin.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t be too scared of the dark?” asked Kitty.

Pumpkin thought hard about this.“Maybe a little bit, but it’s much easier to be brave when I’m with you.”

Kitty hugged him tight. She was so happy to have found Pumpkin, and she was looking forward to having another adventure, too!

2. KITTY AND THE TIGER TREASURE

Chapter

1

Kitty sprang from the sofa to the door in a single bound.“Stop right there!” She pointed her finger at Pumpkin the cat. “You won’t get away with it this time!”

Pumpkin, a roly-poly ginger kitten with black whiskers, scampered out of reach.“Can’t catch me!” he meowed, darting into Kitty’s bedroom.

Kitty chased after him, giggling. Pumpkin leaped onto the bed and rolled over to let Kitty tickle his fluffy tummy.

Kitty’s mom came in. “What are you two up to? There’s a lot of giggling going on in here.”

“We’re playing Catch the Bandit!” Kitty told her. “It’s a new game we invented, and it helps me improve my superpowers.”

“I see!” Mom smoothed back Kitty’s dark hair. “I’m glad you’re practicing, but it’s getting late. It’s time to settle down and go to bed.”

Kitty climbed under her blanket.“I am very sleepy.”

“I’m not surprised!” Mom smiled as she tucked Kitty in.

Kitty smiled back. She knew her mom understood how important it was to practice her powers. Kitty’s family had a special secret. Mom was a real superhero and went out at night to use her catlike abilities to help people. Kitty and her little brother, Max, had the same superpowers as their mom. Kitty could see in the dark and hear noises from far away. She could also balance perfectly and perform amazing somersaults. Best of all, she could talk to animals!

A few weeks before, Kitty had been on her very first nighttime adventure. She had met Pumpkin, who had no place to stay. Kitty was so happy the kitten had come home with her. Now he was part of the family, and he slept on Kitty’s bed every night.

“Don’t forget we’ve got a big day tomorrow,” added Mom as she tidied Kitty’s clothes. “We’re going to the Hallam City Museum to see the new exhibit. The Golden Tiger statue will be there, along with lots of other ancient treasures.”

Kitty sat up in bed again.“Is the Golden Tiger really covered with diamonds?”

“That’s right! And it has large eyes made of emeralds,” Mom told her.

“I can’t wait to see it!” cried Kitty.

“I’m glad you’re excited,” said Mom, laughing. “Sleep well, honey!”

Kitty turned on her night-light and snuggled down under the covers. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. The new treasures at the museum were supposed to be amazing. The Golden Tiger statue was decorated with dozens of jewels. Kitty couldn’t wait to see them all winking and glittering!

Pumpkin padded across the bed and flopped down beside her. His eyes shined in the dim light, and his fur was velvety soft against Kitty’s arm. Kitty sighed and closed her eyes. Pictures of imaginary treasure floated around in her head.

Pumpkin wriggled.“Kitty, are you asleep?” he whispered.

Kitty’s eyes opened. “Not yet! What’s wrong, Pumpkin?”

The kitten’s whiskers twitched. “What’s the Golden Tiger statue like? Is it enormous?”

“It looks small in the pictures. It’s probably no bigger than you!” Kitty smiled.

“Then why is it so special?” asked Pumpkin.

“Mom says it was buried in an ancient tomb for thousands of years before archaeologists found it. It’s made of gold and covered in diamonds. The tiger’s eyes are made from sparkling emeralds.”

“It must be valuable, then.” Pumpkin snuggled against Kitty’s shoulder.

“It’s priceless!” Kitty told him. “And it could be magical, too. The legend says that the Golden Tiger listens to your heart’s desire, and if you touch its paw, it will grant your greatest wish.”

Pumpkin’s eyes widened.

“Dad told me all about it,” continued Kitty. “Lots of people have had good luck after seeing the statue, but there’s a curse, too. If a bad person does something to make the statue angry, it will conjure up ghostly spirits to seek revenge!”

Pumpkin shivered.“Ooh—spooky!”

“I hope I can get close enough to see it tomorrow. The exhibit is opening for the first time, so I think the museum will be crowded.”

“I wish I could come with you!” said Pumpkin. “Are cats allowed to visit?”

Kitty shook her head.“I don’t think so.” She lay quietly for a moment. Then she sat up so suddenly that she nearly knocked Pumpkin off the bed. “I’ve got a great idea! If we visit the museumtonight, then you’ll be able to see everything and there will be no crowds at all. We’ll have the whole place to ourselves!”

Pumpkin’s nose twitched. “But … is the museum very scary?”

“It’s full of interesting things. We can look at them together.” Kitty tickled Pumpkin under the chin. She knew the kitten got nervous about new things and new places. After all, he’d been all alone before he met Kitty. “Don’t you think it would be fun to have a new adventure?”

Pumpkin nodded slowly.“I like the sound of the statue with the diamonds and emeralds. Jewels are so sparkly, aren’t they?”

Kitty nodded, pushed back the covers, and jumped out of bed.“We should go right now! The museum is only ten minutes away, and I can use my superpowers to find a way across the rooftops.”

Pumpkin sprang onto the window seat and pushed back the curtain with his nose.

A crescent moon shined brightly, and light poured into the room. Kitty felt excitement bubble inside her. She gazed at the roofs of the houses all laid out in long rows. She could see a way through the chimneys as if it was a secret path only she knew!

Pumpkin twitched his nose again.“I just hope it doesn’t rain.”

“If it does, I’m sure we’ll find somewhere to shelter.” Kitty took out her superhero clothes and tied on her black cape and cat tail. Finally she added her cat ears and looked in the mirror. Dressed in her cat costume, she felt like a real superhero! Her powers lit up inside her like the moon coming out from behind a cloud.

When she opened the window, the night wind blew in and the curtains flapped. Kitty climbed onto the ledge, her heart skipping. Going out to see the museum’s treasures was exciting, and also a tiny bit scary. “Are you ready, Pumpkin? It’s time to start our next adventure!”

Chapter

2

Kitty climbed from the window ledge to the roof and ran lightly along the rooftop. The stars shimmered like diamonds in the evening sky. Kitty breathed deeply. On a magical night, with the moon shining brightly, her superpowers felt stronger than ever. She turned a cartwheel, feeling her powers tingling through her body.

“Do you know the way to the museum, Kitty?” asked Pumpkin, climbing up beside her.

Kitty looked over the rooftops, her special night vision sharpening.“Yes, I’m sure I do. Look, there it is, on Crown Street.” She pointed to a tall building made of pale stone. It had a domed roof and huge columns on each side of the front door.

Pumpkin and Kitty ran along the roof and around a chimney. Kitty’s cape flew out behind her as she leaped from one house to the next. The wind swirled around, making the trees sway, and the shadows of the branches danced in the moonlight.

Suddenly, a sleek black cat with a white face and paws stepped out from behind a chimney. Kitty recognized her friend Figaro right away.“Hello, Figaro! What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you, of course!” Figaro twirled his whiskers. “I spied you climbing out your window and I thought to myself, what sort of adventure will Kitty embark on tonight?”

“We’re going to the museum to see the Golden Tiger statue,” explained Kitty.

“We want to see it before the crowds come tomorrow.” Pumpkin waved his tail excitedly.

“The statue of the Golden Tiger is a rare and mysterious object!” Figaro’s eyes gleamed. “I have heard the strange legends about its powers.”

“Would you like to come with us?” asked Kitty.

“I would be delighted, dear Kitty.” Figaro bowed his head. “Lead the way!”

Kitty led them across the rooftops to Crown Street. The museum roof was flat, with a glassy dome in the middle. The building was enormous, with doors and windows on every side.

“I wonder where the Golden Tiger statue will be.” Kitty clambered down to the nearest ledge and peered through a window. There was a row of ancient swords inside a glass cabinet. She climbed to the next window and saw china vases and silver plates inside the display cases.

Pumpkin stayed close to Kitty while Figaro stepped gracefully from ledge to ledge. Kitty peered into each dark room. The museum was so vast. Where would the Golden Tiger be? At last she spotted a shiny banner: COME SEE THE ANCIENT TREASURES OF THE INCA WORLD! Following the arrow, she leaped to the next window ledge and looked eagerly inside.

The Golden Tiger stood on a small platform surrounded by a red velvet rope. A spotlight shined directly onto the statue, and the tiger’s emerald eyes glowed so brightly that for a moment Kitty wondered if it was alive. The Golden Tiger was sitting upright with one paw raised in the air. It was gold with elegant black stripes across its back and a coat encrusted with diamonds.

“Wow!” cried Pumpkin. “It looks amazing.”

“I must say it’s very impressive.” Figaro swished his tail. “Very impressive indeed!”

Kitty pressed her nose to the window. The shelves around the statue were full of treasures, but the Golden Tiger was the shiniest and most amazing one of all.“I’d love to get a bit closer,” said Kitty. “Then I could find out whether the statue really does grant a wish when you touch its paw!”

“What would you wish for, Kitty?” asked Pumpkin.

“I don’t know!” Kitty bit her lip. “Those jewels look so beautiful. I’d love some diamonds, emeralds, and rubies of my own!”

Pumpkin rubbed his head against Kitty’s knee fondly.

“I believe a closer inspection of the statue is an excellent idea,” said Figaro. “I can think of many things I would wish for: some pampering at the beauty salon, or a four-course meal at Sinclair’s Finest Fish restaurant! Let us go inside at once.”

Kitty hesitated.“Do you really think we should? No one’s supposed to go in there at night.”

“Please, Kitty!” Pumpkin turned his big eyes on her.

Kitty nodded.“All right—but we must be really careful. Look, there’s a way in over there!” She took hold of a drainpipe, ready to climb to the ledge below.

There was a whooshing noise overhead.

“MEEOOOW!” A creature landed heavily on Kitty’s shoulder.

Kitty wobbled, grabbing the drainpipe to keep her balance.

Pumpkin panicked and leaped onto Kitty’s foot, pinning it to the ledge with his paws. “Eek! Don’t worry, I’ve got you!”

The creature, a gray Persian cat with bright eyes, sprang onto the ledge and stared up at Kitty fiercely.“You won’t get away with this!” she hissed. “I know a cat burglar when I see one. You’ve come to steal from the museum, haven’t you? Well, I won’t let you!”

Kitty stared back in surprise. Who was this new cat and why did she think they were thieves?

Chapter

3

The gray cat flicked her tail crossly.“I’m the museum cat, and I won’t let anyone get away with stealing.” She glanced at Figaro and Pumpkin. “And you two should be ashamed of yourselves for helping her. No honest cat would do such a thing!”

Figaro’s sleek black-and-white fur bristled. “How dare you accuse us of being common thieves?”

“Hush, Figaro! It’s all right.” Kitty turned to the gray cat. “You don’t need to worry. We’re not here to steal anything. We only came to look at the Golden Tiger statue because we were so excited to see it. My name’s Kitty, and I have superpowers. These are my friends Pumpkin and Figaro.”

“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about you.” The gray cat studied Kitty’s cape and cat ears. Then she bowed her head. “My name’s Cleo. I’m sorry I jumped on you.”

“You should bevery sorry!” Figaro scowled deeply. “Imagine landing on someone like that! It’s hardly civilized.”

“I got the wrong idea when I saw you sneaking along the window ledge,” said Cleo. “I hope I didn’t frighten you all.”

“Don’t worry—we’re fine!” Kitty told the cat. “I suppose we must have looked a bit suspicious.”

Figaro made ahumph sound and turned away to clean his paws.

Pumpkin crept along the ledge to look at Cleo with curious eyes.“Do you really live here in the museum?”

“I sleep in an office at the back of the building,” explained Cleo. “It belongs to Stan, the night guard, but he’s fallen asleep in his chair again. So it’s up to me to keep the museum safe. There are a lot more precious things here now that the new exhibit has arrived.”

“It sounds likeyou should be the museum’s official guard,” Kitty told her.

Cleo rubbed her ear with her paw.“I’d love to be a real guard, but the humans don’t seem to notice how hard I work. I adore living here—it’s amazing! Would you like me to show you around?”

“Yes, please!” Kitty’s eyes shined. “And we’d love to look at the Golden Tiger.”

“It’s a very special statue,” said Cleo proudly. “It looks even better up close. I’ll take you inside—just make sure you don’t touch anything.”

“What’s that funny shadow over the Golden Tiger?” Pumpkin asked suddenly. “I can hardly see the statue anymore.”

Kitty peered through the window. Pumpkin was right. There was a shadow there … and it was moving!

“It looks so spooky!” squeaked Pumpkin. “It’s not the curse, is it?”

Kitty pressed her face close to the window. The shadow slipped around the side of the display cabinets and disappeared. Then something, or someone, cut the power to the lights. Suddenly the whole room plunged into darkness.

A tingle ran down Kitty’s back. “What’s going on? Cleo, something’s happening!”

Cleo darted over at once. Figaro stopped cleaning his paws and joined them.

The moon broke from behind a cloud, sending a shaft of light through the dome window. The shadow became clearer. It had a furry brown-and-white coat and long, floppy ears.

“That looks like a springer spaniel. What’s a dog doing in the museum?” gasped Kitty.

“An intruder!” Cleo’s fur stood on end. “And I was so busy talking that I didn’t even notice.”

The dog moved stealthily around the gallery until it stood right beside the Golden Tiger.

“Paws and whiskers!” exclaimed Figaro. “It’s heading straight for the statue.”

They watched in alarm as the dog leaned closer and reached out his paw… .

“STOP THIEF!” cried Cleo. “That doesn’t belong to you!”

The dog knocked the statue from its pedestal. The Golden Tiger rolled across the museum floor, its diamonds sparkling in the moonlight. The statue’s emerald eyes glowed like the eyes of a real tiger. Then the dog picked up the statue in his jaws and ran off into the shadows.

“He’s getting away!” squeaked Pumpkin. Kitty saw the desperate look on Cleo’s face. “Don’t worry! We’ll help you catch him.” She shimmied down the drainpipe to the ledge.

The she threw up the window and leaped inside. The museum was silent and still.

Cleo shook her head.“Stan must have forgotten to set the burglar alarm again!”

Kitty looked around and shivered. The last time she’d visited the museum, the whole place had been bright and noisy and full of people.

Now there was a shadowy shape in the corner, and moonlight glinted on something shiny. Kitty caught her breath. Then her eyes sharpened, and she saw a wax model of a soldier carrying a spear. She breathed slowly to calm her racing heart. The thief was somewhere in the building, and she was determined to catch him.

Cleo and Pumpkin tumbled into the room behind her. Figaro climbed in last, with a flick of his tail.

“Cleo, can you take us to the exhibit room?” said Kitty.

“This way!” Cleo led them up a grand marble staircase into a splendid gallery beneath the domed ceiling. Moonlight shined through the window above. All around them, the treasures of the exhibit were arranged in beautiful cases.

There were fans painted in delicate colors, ancient coins, and silver plates studded with rubies.

A spotlight shined down on the space where the Golden Tiger had been. Cleo paced around the empty pedestal, her tail swishing.“I should have noticed!” she muttered. “I should have been watching more carefully.”

Kitty’s heart sank. The best treasure of all was missing, and everyone in Hallam City would be disappointed. Worst of all, what if the statue reallydid grant wishes? If bad guys got hold of the Golden Tiger, they might wish for something terrible!

“Look—paw prints!” Pumpkin pointed at the prints leading away into the dark.

They followed the paw prints, but the trail ended at the stairway.

“I fear the trail has gone cold,” said Figaro. “This building is enormous. We have little hope of finding the scoundrel now.”

“Wait, listen!” Kitty focused with her super hearing. She picked up the sound of paws padding on the floor above. “He’s upstairs! We can still catch him.”

Her heart thumped as she rushed toward the staircase. The race to stop the thief was just beginning!

Chapter

4

Kitty ran lightly up the spiral stairs, and the cats dashed after her. Cleo’s eyes narrowed when the group reached the top. Her gray tail swayed worriedly as she searched the shadowy room.

Kitty heard a creaking sound.“This way!” she whispered.

At the far end of the gallery, the dog was opening the window with his nose. Kitty crept nearer, her orange sneakers silent on the polished floor. The robber had put the statue down. Maybe, if they got close enough, they could snatch the Golden Tiger back.

Pumpkin’s tail brushed against a display, knocking over a pile of old coins. They jangled as they rolled around and around in circles. The dog whirled around, and the moonlight gleamed on his patchy coat. His eyes were wide, and he had a strange, faraway look, like someone daydreaming.

Kitty shrank into the shadows, raising a finger to her lips. Pumpkin looked like he was about to meow, but Figaro clapped a paw over his mouth. The thief gave a low bark before picking up the statue, pushing the window open, and squeezing through. Kitty raced to the window and looked along the wide ledge, but the dog had already vanished.

Slipping outside, Kitty clambered to the roof. With her super night vision, she scanned the shadowy streets. Cleo and the other cats scrambled up beside her. Pumpkin twitched his whiskers nervously. Moonlight poured down, reflecting off the museum’s glassy dome.

Cleo meowed impatiently.“How could I have been so silly! If I’d been paying attention instead of chatting with all of you, then this would never have happened.”

“It’s not your fault!” Kitty spotted the dog running down an alleyway. The Golden Tiger gleamed in his jaws. “Look, there he is!” Scrambling to the edge, she got herself ready to leap across to the opposite roof.

“Be careful, Kitty!” called Pumpkin.

Kitty felt her superpowers tingling, and her heart skipped with excitement. She was determined not to lose sight of the robber dog. She sprang to the next house and kept on running, her feet barely touching the roof.

Using her outstretched arms to balance, she leaped from one house to the next. Her cape flew out behind her, as black as midnight. The ground looked far away, but she wasn’t afraid. She trusted her superpowers. She could do this!

The springer spaniel reached a row of shops. Kitty edged closer, ducking behind a chimney when the dog glanced around. A moment later, he disappeared from view. Cleo and Pumpkin scampered over to Kitty.

“Where did he go?” whispered Pumpkin.

Figaro puffed a little as he caught up.“He’s obviously a slippery sort of dog. He could be anywhere!”

Kitty crept to the corner of the building and found a metal staircase.“We can use this fire escape to get down.” She tiptoed down the steps, and the cats followed her.

The robber dog was hurrying down the street, the statue still clamped in his jaws. He stopped beside a shop, pushed the door open, and went inside.

Kitty followed him. She stared up at the store sign, which was lit by a streetlamp.“The Happy Paws Pet Shop,” she read aloud. “Do you think he lives here?”

THE HAPPY PAWS PET SHOP

Pumpkin’s eyes were wide. “Maybe he’s stealing for his owner.”

“Very odd!” said Figaro. “I haven’t heard much about this pet shop. I think it only opened a few months ago.”

Cleo sighed. Her gray fur was tinged with orange in the glow of the streetlight.“I should have done a better job. I wasn’t watching the museum carefully enough. I have to fix this!”

“Youwere doing a good job,” Kitty told her. “Let’s check the windows and find the best way to get inside.”

“Great idea! If we can take the thief by surprise—” Cleo fell silent as the door opened again.

The robber dog darted outside, his eyes wide and glazed. He scampered down the street and vanished into the dark.

“He doesn’t have the statue anymore,” said Kitty. “He must have left it inside!””

“There’s a way in over there.” Figaro pointed to an open window.

“You and Pumpkin should stand guard, ready to warn us if the thief returns,” said Cleo. “He may be a dangerous kind of dog.”

“Very well!” Figaro nodded. “Be careful, won’t you?”

“Don’t worry—we will!” Kitty scaled the side of the shop and peered through the window.

It was dark inside, and there was a great deal of shuffling and squeaking as the animals moved about inside their cages. Kitty slipped through the window. Then she climbed onto a cupboard and dropped soundlessly to the floor, helping Cleo down after her.

Moonlight reflected off the gray tiled floor. The shop was filled with dozens of cages—tall bird pens, guinea pig and rabbit hutches, and tortoise cages. Toward the back, shelves of pet food and bedding were hidden in darkness.

“Where do you think he left the treasure?” whispered Kitty.

Cleo sniffed the air.“It’s difficult to follow his scent. There are too many different animal smells in here.”

“Then we’ll just have to search.” Kitty looked around for possible hiding places. She pointed to the shop counter. “I’ll look over here.” But as she turned, she got the strange feeling that someone was watching her.

Kitty saw a pair of dazzling golden eyes studying her from behind the pet food shelves. Kitty’s night vision grew sharper, and she knew at once that they were cat’s eyes. Jewels winked on the cat’s collar.

Kitty caught her breath. Who was this new cat and what did it know about the snatching of the Golden Tiger?

Chapter

5

The cat with the golden eyes stared back at Kitty. Then it vanished, without a word, through a doorway into a back room.

“Did you see that?” whispered Kitty. “We should ask that cat what it knows about the statue.” She turned to Cleo, but the gray cat was gone.

Kitty hesitated. Had Cleo been scared away by the other cat? Or did she have a plan?

A light came on in the back room. Kitty hurried along the rows of cages. She passed hutches full of sleeping bunnies, and wide-awake hamsters running in their wheels. Two parrots with beautiful green and red feathers were perched in a tall cage with their heads under their wings.

Kitty stopped in the office doorway. Piles of shiny objects covered the desk, the chair, and the filing cabinets inside. Every corner of the room was filled with glittering treasures—silver plates, strings of pearls, and jewels in every color of the rainbow.

Kitty gaped. All these treasures must be stolen! Was the robber dog really doing all this?

“Purr-fect greetings!” trilled a high voice.

Kitty jumped. The cat with the golden eyes lay on a pile of shiny coins. She had orange fur, and the name PRECIOUS was spelled out on her collar in diamonds. Her pointed ears pricked up as Kitty approached. There was an odd look in her eyes, as if she was trying to puzzle Kitty out.

“My name is Kitty!” said Kitty. “I’m looking for a tiger statue. The springer spaniel who stole it came through your door just a few minutes ago.”

The cat’s tail flicked to and fro. “My name is Precious. You must be the girl with superpowers who I’ve heard so much about. I bet your talents are very useful indeed!”

Kitty frowned. There was something strange about this cat.“I try to use my powers to help others. That’s why I’m looking for the Golden Tiger statue. It was taken from the museum tonight, and it’s very special! Did you see the robber dog that came in here?”

Precious began grooming herself.“No, I didn’t see a thing.”

“But he came right inside!” Kitty watched Precious lick her paws and clean behind her ears. Suddenly she had a thought. What if the dog wasn’t in charge of the robbery at all? Precious seemed like a sly sort of cat. She was definitely the type to organize a secret mission to steal the museum’s treasure.

Kitty gave Precious a stern look.“I think you know a lot more about the statue than you’ve said. Tell me where it is!”

Precious laughed.“Why should I? The Golden Tiger is mine now. It makes an excellent addition to my collection. Ido like shiny things!” She stretched out on top of the gold coins and gave an exaggerated yawn.

“But everyone’s coming to see the new exhibit tomorrow!” said Kitty. “They’ll be so disappointed not to see the Golden Tiger—it’s a very important statue.” She stopped herself from telling Precious that the statue could grant wishes. A cat like Precious might wish for something veryselfish—something that hurt others!

“They’ll just have to be happy with the other things in the museum,” snapped Precious. “Humans are such whiny creatures! All I’ve taken is onetiny statue. Can’t they manage without it?”

Kitty glared at the cat. There was no point trying to reason with her! Kitty edged forward, looking for the statue behind the pile of coins.

“Oh, don’t bother trying to find it.” Precious waved her paw airily at a metal box on the wall. “I locked it away in the safe. I shall take it out later and admire the diamonds before I take a nap.”

Kitty sprang over to the safe. It was shut tight, and it had a lock. Precious laughed again. Kitty swung around, asking,“Why does that dog steal things for you, anyway? Don’t you both know it’s wrong?”

“He does anything I say.” Precious beamed. “Everyone does, once they look into my eyes … including you!” She met Kitty’s gaze. Kitty felt the cat’s golden eyes drawing her in like a magnet. Precious spoke in a growly tone. “Listen very carefully! You will forget that you ever met me. You will not remember this pet shop. You will leave now and never come here again.”

Kitty’s head swam. For a moment she could hardly remember why she was there. Then she thought about how much she wanted to help Cleo, and her eyes focused again. “You may have hypnotized the springer spaniel, but I don’t think it works on me! Maybe it’s because of my superpowers.”

“Huh!” Precious flounced down from the coin pile and turned her back on Kitty, settling herself on a velvet blanket.

Kitty thought quickly. It was obvious that Precious was much more dangerous than she’d first thought. If no one stopped the golden-eyed cat, she could make the dog steal more and more treasure. She might even hypnotize other animals and force them to join in.

An idea popped into Kitty’s head. Maybe there was a way to use the stories about the statue! Perhaps she could scare Precious into giving back the treasure.

“There’s something you don’t know about the Golden Tiger,” she began. “Many say that the statue has a terrible curse.”

Precious stopped grooming and pricked up her ears.“Why would I care about that?”

“Because the curse says that if someone upsets the statue, it will send scary spirits to take revenge,” said Kitty.

Precious was silent for a moment.“Do you think it’s true?”

“I don’t know.” Kitty noticed the cat’s tail swaying uneasily. She tried to think how to make the story more believable. “But if itis true, I expect the spirits come in the dead of night and creep in through tiny cracks around the doorframe.” She shivered. That would be spooky if it were true!

Precious sat up straight, her tail flicking faster and faster.“Spirits? Door frames?”

There was a bang followed by a loud clatter from the front of the shop.

Kitty jumped. Maybe the cursewas real!

“What was that?” Precious leaped across the room, grabbing Kitty’s hand with both paws. “Save me, Kitty. I’m not a bad cat, really!”

“Stay close to me.” Kitty’s heart pounded like a drum as she crept toward the doorway. She could hear the pets squeaking and fluttering, disturbed by the strange noises. Kitty dodged as a box of treats toppled from a shelf. Then she leaped bravely though the door.

Chapter

6

A hamster ran under Kitty’s legs. “Someone’s opened all the cages!” she gasped. “The animals are escaping.”

The little hamster climbed the shelves, cheeping sharply. Then a pink-eared rabbit hopped across the shop counter. The green and red parrots flew out of their cage, squawking,“Stop, thief!”

“The curse is coming true,” moaned Precious. “I wish that horrible statue had never come here.”

Kitty spotted Cleo peeping out from behind a fish tank. Then the gray cat pushed a box of hamster food off the shelf. Kitty understood at once. Cleo had caused all this chaos to make Precious believe the story about the curse. The museum cat must have been listening the whole time!

Precious ran around in circles, her pointy ears swiveling from side to side. There was another crash as Cleo knocked a stack of dog leashes to the floor. Precious arched her back fearfully.“Kitty, the spirits are here to take revenge. Oh, save me!”

Cleo ducked behind the fish tanks as the golden-eyed cat ran around in a panic.

“Why don’t I take the statue back to the museum?” suggested Kitty. “That will stop the curse.”

“Yes, yes! I will give you the silly statue!” cried Precious. “I never want to see it again.” Running to the safe, she twisted the lock, and the door clicked open.

Kitty removed the Golden Tiger. It felt heavy in her hand.“Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” she told Precious. “But to be really sure, you should tell the dog to return all the other stolen things.”

“I promise I will,” said Precious, her eyes wide.

“And never use your hypnotism on him, or anyone else, again,” added Kitty.

Precious nodded eagerly.“I’ll be good from now on. Please don’t let the curse get me!”

“Wait for me here. I’ll make sure everything’s safe,” Kitty told her before running back into the shop.

With Cleo’s help, she ushered most of the pets back into their cages.

There was a noise at the window, and Pumpkin’s face appeared. “Kitty, the dog is returning, and someone has switched a light on upstairs!” Pumpkin whispered.

“Goodbye, Precious!” called Kitty. “Remember what you promised.”

Kitty and Cleo hid in the shadows as the springer spaniel trotted into the pet shop, then darted out the back door.

Kitty held the Golden Tiger tightly.“We did it!” she whispered. “Cleo, you’re thebest guard cat a museum could ever have! You were so clever making all that noise so that Precious would worry about the curse.”

Cleo puffed out her chest.“I could tell that cat wouldn’t give the statue back easily, so I made it as noisy as possible! I couldn’t have done it without you, Kitty. I wish I had someone as kind and loyal as you helping me all the time.”

Pumpkin and Figaro ran over to join them, and Pumpkin eyed the statue worriedly.“I know the curse is just a story … but maybe we should take the Golden Tiger back to the museum as quickly as we can!”

“Well said!” Figaro yawned and stretched. “All this excitement is exhausting. Besides, my stomach is empty and I need a nice big supper.”

They climbed back up the fire escape to the roof. Running along the edge of the rooftops, they jumped from building to building. The moon rose higher in the sky and the stars glittered.

Leaping to the top of the museum, Kitty stopped for a moment to look across the city. The night wind swirled, making her cape flutter.

“Oh, no!” cried Cleo. “Stan must have discovered that the statue is missing.”

Kitty peered through the glass dome. Two men were leaning over the pedestal where the Golden Tiger had been. One was wearing a dark-blue guard uniform. The other man had a bald head that gleamed in the moonlight.

“Who’s that other man?” asked Kitty.

“That’s Mr. Martinez, the head of the museum,” Cleo told her.

“What do we do now?” cried Pumpkin. “We can’t put the statue back without them seeing us.”

Kitty frowned.“I suppose we could explain everything … but they might blame the owners of the pet shop for what Precious did, and this wasn’t their fault at all.”

Figaro twirled his jet-black whiskers.“I may have an idea! Follow me.”

They followed Figaro through an upstairs window. Their steps echoed as they climbed down the marble staircase. Ducking behind a pillar, they watched more museum staff run toward the exhibit room.

“So many people—it feels like the whole city will be here soon.” Cleo flicked her tail. “We’d better be fast!”

“This way!” Figaro scampered into the museum restaurant and stopped beside a row of mouthwatering cakes, each displayed inside a glass cake stand.

“What’s your plan, Figaro?” asked Kitty.

Figaro waved his paw at a beautiful vanilla and strawberry cake with sugar frosting.“As we cannot return the statue to its rightful place, we need to put it somewhere it will be found immediately in the morning. If we place it here, people will spot it right away. I suggest using the empty chocolate cake stand.”

Kitty looked along the row of cakes, past the lemon cake with the white icing. At the end was an empty stand labeled CHOCOLATE CAKE.

“You’re right!” Cleo nodded approvingly at Figaro. “Many visitors and staff come to have a morning coffee and a pastry, and they’ll spot the statue right away.”

She jumped up onto the counter and lifted the lid of the cake stand with her teeth.

Carefully, Kitty placed the Golden Tiger on the stand. Remembering the legend, she wondered if the statue knew her heart’s desire. She touched its paw, and for a second the tiger’s emerald eyes glowed in the dim light. Kitty smiled to herself and a tingle ran down her spine.

Cleo replaced the lid.“Quickly! We mustn’t be found here.”

Kitty paused for a moment as the others darted back to the corridor. Finding a pencil behind the counter, she scribbled a message on a waiter’s pad:

Here is the Golden Tiger, which was stolen but returned safely—thanks to Cleo, the museum cat.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_2]

Smiling, she left the piece of paper beside the statue and ran to join the others.

By the time they reached the rooftop, the clock tower was chiming midnight.

“Thank you all so much.” Cleo bowed deeply. “Kitty, I will never forget the help you gave me. You are a true friend!”

“I’ll come and visit you when my mom and dad bring me to the museum,” promised Kitty. “They’ll love the story of how we saved the statue!”

Kitty, Pumpkin, and Figaro made their way home across the rooftops in the moonlight. Pumpkin brushed against Kitty’s legs. “Kitty, did you touch the Golden Tiger’s paw?”

Kitty smiled at the kitten.“Yes I did! Just before I left it on the cake stand.”

Pumpkin skipped around a chimney.“What’s your greatest wish? Do you think it will come true?”

“My greatest wish would be for a delicious slice of salmon cooked in a herb sauce,” Figaro put in.

“I thought I’d wish for rubies and diamonds, but my wish wasn’t for me—it was for Cleo. I hope the museum is grateful for everything she’s done, and they make her an official guard.” Kitty stopped to look at the beautiful night sky and the city lights winking in the darkness. Then she looked at Figaro and Pumpkin. “Anyway, I have my greatest wish already. Being here with my friends is the best adventure in the world!”

3. KITTY AND THE SKY GARDEN ADVENTURE

Chapter

1

“Look at this, Pumpkin. My sunflower’s starting to grow!” Kitty gazed at the small plant in its little brown pot. She was sitting on the flat rooftop above her bedroom while the stars appeared one by one in the evening sky.

“It’s got two leaves already!” said Pumpkin, a roly-poly ginger kitten with big blue eyes.

Kitty touched the sunflower’s sturdy stem and pointy leaves. “I’m definitely putting sunflowers into my design for the new school garden. I just wish I had a few more ideas… .”

She frowned thoughtfully.

Kitty had been delighted when her teacher had told the whole class about the competition to design the new school garden. All they had to do was draw their plan for the garden on a piece of paper and color it in carefully.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_6]

Her teacher had also said they could try growing a plant for the garden right away. Kitty had chosen a sunflower because she loved their beautiful round faces and flamelike petals. Kitty gazed at the sunflower and tried to imagine a new school garden. It was hard to know where to begin.

Darkness had fallen and a bright full moon hung in the sky, pouring silvery light over the houses. The streetlamps of Hallam City winked below them and in the distance an owl hooted.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_7]

Kitty loved being out in the moonlight. She had special catlike superpowers, so she could easily climb and balance on the rooftops. Her night vision let her see in the dark, and her super hearing picked up sounds from a long way away.

She felt at home up here, and when the moon came out, the world became shiny and magical. She loved sharing this special world with Pumpkin, the ginger kitten she’d rescued from the clock tower many weeks ago.

Kitty leaned in to look more closely at the sunflower plant. The night wind blew gently across the rooftop, making the plant’s leaves flutter. There was the soft sound of paws padding over the roof. Kitty listened carefully. “Pixie, is that you?”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_8]

“You guessed right!” A fluffy white cat with green eyes sprang out from behind a chimney. Her pale fur gleamed in the moonlight. “How did you know it was me?”

“I used my super hearing. Your paw steps sound lighter than Figaro’s and quicker than Katsumi’s or Cleo’s.” Kitty smiled. She had lots of good friends among the cats of Hallam City, and meeting up with them on the rooftops was one of her favorite things to do.

“Hello, Pixie!” Pumpkin scampered up to the white cat and they touched noses. “Have you come to play with us?”

“Yes, I was looking for something to do,” admitted Pixie. “I felt like having an adventure, and I thought to myself: who would be the best person to have an adventure with? Kitty, of course!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_9]

Kitty laughed.“That’s very kind of you! I’m just trying to decide what to put in my design for the new school garden. I’d love to win the competition, but I’m not sure what to draw.”

Pixie blinked thoughtfully and swished her snowy tail.“I’ve heard of a place across the city with an amazing rooftop garden. Hardy anyone knows about it, and no one ever goes there because the old cat who guards the rooftop is so fierce. Maybe we could creep up to take a look. It might give you some ideas for designing your school garden.”

“But what if the old cat catches us?” Pumpkin’s whiskers quivered.

“We’ll have to be quiet and sneaky. That’s what makes it an adventure!” Pixie jumped onto the chimney, her green eyes glittering with excitement. “It’s not far away, so we could get there in a whisker!”

“I’d love to see this garden!” Kitty glanced down at her clothes. “But I’m not really dressed for an adventure. Just one second!”

She darted down the sloping roof and slipped through her bedroom window. Taking her black superhero suit from the closet, she quickly pulled it on. Then she added her velvety cat ears and tied the dark, silky cape around her neck.

The moonlight poured over Kitty as she climbed across the windowsill. She felt her superpowers grow stronger, and her body tingled from her head down to her toes. Her eyesight became clearer and her hearing sharpened. Climbing to the top of the roof, she smiled at Pixie and Pumpkin.“I’m ready now—let’s go!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_10]

They ran along the rooftop together. Kitty beamed as she jumped from one building to the next, her black cape flying out behind her. She loved the feel of the night breeze on her face and the way the moonlight shimmered on the windows.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_11]

The breeze grew stronger, rocking the trees in the park as they passed by. Pixie led them past Kitty’s school, with its square playground and jungle gym. Kitty spotted her own desk and chair through the classroom window. A pile of neatly sharpened pencils lay on the teacher’s desk, ready for the next day.

On the street behind the school, there was a building site for a row of new houses. At the corner of the site, the builders had left a large bin full of odds and ends they were throwing away.

Every now and then Pixie stopped to sniff the air.“Yes, it’s this way,” she called to the others. “I can smell the scent of flowers.”

Kitty smiled.“I can smell them, too!” The sweet scent drifting on the night breeze reminded her of roses.

One by one they jumped from the rooftop to the ledge of an apartment building. Then Pixie led them up the steps of the fire escape. The scent of flowers grew stronger, and Kitty’s heart skipped. She raced ahead and climbed onto the wide, flat rooftop. Her stomach fizzed with excitement as she gazed all around.

Trees and flowers filled every corner, like a fountain of bright colors. A winding path made from round, white stepping-stones curved through the flower borders. A group of silver birch trees lined the entrance, making an archway of delicate white branches. Kitty beamed. She’d never seen such a beautiful garden growing on a rooftop before.

Pumpkin and Pixie sprang onto the roof beside Kitty. Pumpkin stopped with a gasp, his blue eyes as wide as tennis balls.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_12]

Pixie ran straight under the archway of silver birches, mewing excitedly.“I’m so glad we found it! This place is amazing.”

“It’s wonderful!” Kitty stepped under the archway of trees. Gazing upward, she saw the stars sparkling brightly through the web of branches and leaves. She walked on, and a cluster of tall, bright sunflowers caught her eye. She stopped beside the towering plants. “Look at these sunflowers! They’re the biggest ones I’ve ever seen.”

There were seven sunflowers altogether, each one taller than Kitty, and they nodded their heads gently in the breeze. She gazed at them admiringly, and their cheerful faces seemed to smile down at her. She reached up to touch the nearest flower. The golden petals were silky smooth around the rough, black center.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_13]

Kitty tingled with excitement. There was something special about this garden. The plants were so perfect, they looked as if they were grown with magic!

[Êàðòèíêà: img_14]

Chapter

2

Kitty pulled herself away from the amazing sunflowers and followed the winding path. She stopped for a moment to look for the fierce old cat who guarded the place, but the sky garden seemed to be empty. Pixie scampered after her, swishing her tail with excitement.

Pumpkin hid behind the sunflowers.“Are you sure we’re safe?”

“I don’t think anyone else is here,” said Kitty. “Come and look, Pumpkin. This place is lovely!”

“It’s more than lovely,” mewed Pixie. “It’s magnificent! And it smells like heaven.”

Kitty passed a yellow rosebush growing beside a pink rosebush. She leaned in to sniff them.“These roses smell wonderful. Which ones do you like best?”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_15]

Pixie and Pumpkin didn’t reply, so Kitty turned around to look for them. The little white cat and the ginger kitten were taking turns leaping into the middle of a purple-flowered bush and rolling from side to side with their paws in the air.

“What are you doing?” cried Kitty. “This isn’t our garden!”

“It’s a catnip plant, Kitty,” giggled Pixie. “I just can’t help it!”

“Whee!” said Pumpkin, jumping into the bush and rolling around again.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_16]

Kitty hurried across to the catnip bush. She’d heard of a plant that cats loved, but she hadn’t realized it could make them act so silly. “Stop, Pumpkin! Stop it, Pixie!” she told her friends. “What if the owner of the garden comes along?”

“What’s going on here?” said a deep voice. “None of you should be in this garden. Don’t you know you’re trespassing?”

Kitty’s tummy lurched guiltily. Turning around, she spotted a huge shadow with pointy ears on the wall. She gulped. Was it the fierce old cat who guarded the rooftop? Pumpkin squeaked with fright and hid behind Kitty’s legs.

“I’m extremely disappointed that you came in without even asking,” growled the voice.

“You’re right—we should have asked! We heard how lovely the garden was, and we wanted to see the place for ourselves.” Kitty peered through the cluster of plants.

There was the sound of paws padding through the undergrowth, and an old tortoiseshell cat with gray whiskers appeared. He twitched his ears disapprovingly. Pixie leaped out of the catnip bush and began grooming her tail, pretending that she’d been behaving sensibly all along.

“I was having a lovely quiet evening before you all turned up,” grumbled the tortoiseshell cat.

“I’m sorry—we didn’t mean to disturb you,” said Kitty. “My name’s Kitty, and this is Pixie and Pumpkin.” The tortoiseshell cat was still frowning, so Kitty continued hurriedly. “Do you live here with your owner?”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_17]

“That’s right.” The tortoiseshell studied each of them suspiciously. “I’m Diggory, and my human, Mrs. Lovett, created this whole place. She’s spent years getting it perfect, so I won’t let you young rascals come along and ruin it all!”

“We only came to take a peek at the place. You see, I’ve got to draw a design for a new school garden,” explained Kitty. “I’m sorry my friends were so silly when they smelled the catnip plant.”

“We’rereally sorry!” Pixie blurted out.

Pumpkin hung his head and stared at the ground.

“Well, I suppose the catnip plantis quite exciting,” Diggory said slowly. “It does make us silly—like humans when they eat too many sweets. I’m a bit too old to roll around in it these days, though.”

Kitty smiled. The old cat was gruff at first, but he wasn’t as fierce as Pixie had described. “So do you think we could look around for a little longer?” she asked shyly. “We’ll be careful around the plants, I promise. It’s just such an amazing place—I would love to see the rest of it.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_18]

“We’re not really accustomed to having visitors. It can get a little lonely at times, and it’s hard to manage looking after the garden with just the two of us,” Diggory told them. “It would be nice to share the place with someone who is interested in the plants.” He turned slowly and led them down the stepping-stones.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_19]

“Thanks!” Kitty followed the tortoiseshell cat eagerly. They passed under a trellis covered with tendrils of sweet-smelling honeysuckle. A tiger moth fluttered under the archway, its orange-and-black wings flickering like a flame.

Diggory stopped beside a beautiful bench decorated with carved wooden leaves. He waved a paw at a cluster of white star-shaped flowers growing beside it. They glowed brightly like tiny lights.“These spring stars are Mrs. Lovett’s favorite flowers. They remind her of how much she likes to sit here and look at the stars from time to time.”

“What a lovely name!” Kitty looked up in surprise as music tinkled in the tree above her head. Hanging from a branch was a wind chime made from delicate seashells. The breeze ruffled the tree, making the wind chime sway. Musical notes drifted over the garden like a magic spell, and the flowers seemed to lean toward the enchanting sound. Kitty’s skin prickled as she listened, watching the dangling chime twist and turn. The shells’ pearly sheen gleamed in the moonlight.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_20]

Diggory noticed Kitty’s gaze. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? That wind chime is Mrs. Lovett’s pride and joy. She made it herself from seashells she gathered as a little girl. I don’t think the garden would be the same without it.”

Pixie leaped up the tree to the branch holding the wind chime to take a closer look.“It’s so pretty,” she mewed. “Don’t you think it’s shiny, Kitty?” She padded closer, and the branch began to bend under her weight.

“Yes, I do … but I think you’d better get down!” Kitty quickly climbed onto the bench and steadied the branch with her hand.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_21]

Pixie turned around and darted back down the tree trunk. Diggory frowned as the wind chime jangled alarmingly. Kitty let go once the branch was steady. Then she sat down on the wooden bench and gazed at the amazing plants all around her. Pumpkin leaped onto the bench beside her, yawning, and curled up with his furry head in her lap.

“There’s so much to see!” Pixie scampered up and down the winding path. “I don’t think I could ever get bored here.”

“I don’t want to go, but I suppose it’s getting quite late,” said Kitty. “Do you think we could come back tomorrow? I’d really like to get some more ideas for the school competition.”

Diggory nodded.“I’d forgotten how nice it is to show visitors around. You’re welcome to come back, Kitty. I will watch for you.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_22]

“Thank you!” Kitty smiled at the tortoiseshell cat. “See you tomorrow.”

Pixie, Pumpkin, and Kitty made their way back through the archway of silver birch trees. Kitty took one final look at the sky garden before climbing onto the fire escape. The night breeze swept across the garden, rustling the leaves and making the sunflowers nod their heads.

The wind chime twisted and turned, winking in the moonlight and playing its beautiful music. The magical sound echoed around Kitty’s head as she darted across the city rooftops and home to bed.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_23]

Chapter

3

The next evening, there was a tapping on Kitty’s bedroom window just after moonrise. Kitty opened the window and smiled. “Hello, Pixie! You’re quite early tonight.”

“I love being early!” Pixie leaped into the room, her green eyes gleaming. “Shall we go back to the sky garden now? Wouldn’t you like to get some more ideas for your design?”

“Yes, I would! It’s such a beautiful place.” Kitty turned to Pumpkin, who was lying on the bed with his stripy tail wrapped around his ginger tummy. “Are you ready to go, Pumpkin?”

Pumpkin stretched his paws and yawned.“I’m ready. I was just having a quick catnap!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_24]

Kitty put on her cat superhero costume. Then she and Pixie climbed out the window and up to the rooftop. The breeze ruffled Kitty’s hair and made her cape swirl around her legs. Stars began appearing one by one like tiny sparks in the darkening sky. Pumpkin climbed after Pixie and Kitty, still yawning.

Pixie ran to the edge of the roof and sniffed the air eagerly.“Come on—let’s not waste any time!”

Kitty jumped to the next building, her cape flying out behind her. Pumpkin and Pixie padded after her. They ran along the rooftops and gazed down at the quiet streets below. When they passed the building site, Kitty spotted a pile of empty paint cans lying inside the trash bin. The metal cans glinted as the moon came out from behind a cloud.

Pixie streaked ahead, reaching the apartment building with the fire escape.

“Slow down, Pixie,” called Kitty, laughing. “You’re as fast as a cheetah tonight!”

“I can’t help it!” Pixie’s words floated back to her. “I’m too excited to go any slower.”

Kitty stopped suddenly, her hand on the rail of the fire escape. There was a lot of mewing and yowling coming from the rooftop. She had been too busy talking to Pixie and Pumpkin to notice it before.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_25]

“Kitty, do you hear that?” Pumpkin shrank back. “Maybe we shouldn’t go up there.”

An earsplitting screech cut through the night, followed by a burst of wild laughter.

A cold prickle ran down Kitty’s neck. “That sounds like it’s coming from the sky garden!” She darted up the metal steps, trying to catch up to Pixie.

The little white cat hesitated at the edge of the rooftop. Her snowy tail flicked to and fro and she pinned her ears back in alarm.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_26]

“Pixie, what’s wrong?” Kitty raced up the last few steps. Her heart sank as she reached the top and stared around the crowded garden.

There were cats everywhere—black ones, white ones, ginger, gray, and tabby. They were dashing along the paths, trampling over the flower beds, and pouncing on one another in the bushes. Three cats were climbing the archway of silver birch trees, and several delicate white branches had already snapped off and fallen to theground.

Diggory, the old tortoiseshell cat, was pacing up and down, shaking his head. His fur stood on end and his gray whiskers were shaking.“Get down from there!” he mewed at one of the cats in the trees. “Get your paws off that rosebush!” he snapped at another.

Pixie’s tail swished nervously. She gazed around with wide, shocked eyes.

“Diggory, what’s happening?” cried Kitty. “Where did all these cats come from?”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_27]

“I don’t know. They’ve been arriving for hours, and they won’t leave!” growled Diggory. “They’ve torn down the lights on the honeysuckle trellis and trodden on so many beautiful flowers. I knew it was a mistake to let visitors in here! When Mrs. Lovett sees the garden, she’ll be heartbroken.”

“But why are they here? I thought people didn’t really visit the garden.” Kitty noticed Pixie’s ears were drooping. The little cat looked terribly guilty. “Pixie, did you tell lots of cats about this place?”

Pixie nodded with a wailing meow.“I’mreally sorry! I was just so excited after seeing this place that I told everyone how amazing it was and I said the cat who lived here wasn’t scary at all! I didn’t think they’d all rush over and ruin the garden.”

Diggory shook his head sadly.“What am I supposed to do? These cats won’t listen to me. Most of them have rolled in the catnip plant, and nothing I say will stop their ridiculous behavior!”

“We’re so sorry, Diggory!” said Kitty, giving Pixie a stern look. “We’ll get these cats to leave before things get any worse. Pixie, you guard the catnip plant and don’t let any cats touch it. Pumpkin and I will round them up and send them home.”

Kitty rushed over to a group of cats climbing on the garden bench. She took a deep breath, saying firmly,“It’s time to go! And don’t come back again unless Diggory invites you.”

A small tortoiseshell cat tried to hide behind the honeysuckle vines.“You’re just a bossy boots!” she shouted as Kitty shooed her out of her hiding place.

“Be careful! That’s the owner’s favorite flower,” Pumpkin cried as a black cat trampled right through the spring stars bush.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_28]

A plump cat with thick gray fur and droopy whiskers was perched halfway up the wind chime tree.“Ooh, look! It’s the Garden Police! Why are you making such a fuss? We’re only having a bit of fun.” He fixed Kitty with his cold blue eyes and flexed his sharp claws. The tree branch rocked and the wind chime jangled.

“Yourfun is ruining the garden!” said Kitty. “And please don’t damage that wind chime. It’s very precious!”

The plump cat eyed the wind chime. Then he yawned, showing off his pointed teeth.“You can’t keep a special place like this all for yourself. It’s very selfish!” He began grooming his long fur.

“Hey, Duke!” yelled a small tortoiseshell cat. “Come and try out this catnip plant.”

The plump gray cat waved at the other cat before turning back to Kitty.“Don’t you think you should learn to share a little? If you don’t, you might be very,very sorry!”

Kitty frowned.“Why? What do you mean …” She broke off and ran to help Pixie, who was struggling to keep cats away from the catnip plant. “You’d better leave quickly,” she told them. “If the owner comes out, you’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

“Well, the fun isclearly over!” Duke climbed down from the wind chime tree and shook his long whiskers angrily. He glared at Kitty again before heading to the edge of the rooftop. When he snapped his claws, the other cats slunk after him, mumbling complaints.

“It’s not fair!” cried the tortoiseshell cat. “We were having a nice time before you came along.”

Kitty shook her head at the creature’s rudeness. The cats crowded toward the fire escape, yelling at one another and trampling on the flower beds. At last they were gone.

A lump rose in Kitty’s throat as she gazed around the sky garden. The place had looked so perfect yesterday evening. Crushed petals and torn leaves were scattered across the stepping-stones. The earth was covered with paw marks, and snapped branches lay on the ground.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_29]

Pumpkin looked up at Kitty with anxious blue eyes.“What are we going to do?”

Kitty looked across at Diggory. The old cat was trying to straighten the bent branches of the spring stars bush. A large tear rolled down his furry face.

Kitty swallowed.“We’re going to fix this! If we work hard as a team, we can put the garden back together again.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_30]

Chapter

4

Kitty dusted off her hands.“We must fix this before morning! We can’t let Mrs. Lovett wake up and see the garden looking this way.”

Diggory shook his head.“There’s no need to do anything! I know you’re only trying to help, but Mrs. Lovett and I always look after this garden by ourselves.”

Kitty crouched down beside Diggory. Her heart sank as she saw how tired and sad he looked.“Please let us help! I promise we won’t stop until the garden looks better again.”

“We could start by cleaning up the broken flowers and leaves,” suggested Pumpkin.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_31]

Diggory frowned.“Well, all right, then. I’ll show you where the broom is.” He led them to a small brown shed in the corner of the rooftop.

Kitty took out a rake, a broom, and some gardening gloves. She swept along the stepping-stones, while Pixie and Pumpkin picked up the broken flower stems and dropped them into the compost bin. They raced up and down the garden. Kitty’s heart thumped. They had to hurry if they were going to finish cleaning up before sunrise!

Pixie and Pumpkin began tidying the fallen leaves. Kitty snipped some drooping stems off the rosebush and tied the honeysuckle back onto the trellis. She watered each sunflower, as their leaves were drooping. One flower was broken beyond repair, but the others soon seemed much better again.

“What shall we do about all these, Kitty?” Pumpkin pointed to a row of smashed flowerpots with dirt spilling out the sides. The purple lavender growing in each one had a strong, sweet smell.

“We don’t have any spare pots, I’m afraid.” Diggory shook his head. “We’ll have to throw away that lavender.”

A determined look shined in Kitty’s eyes. “These flowers are much too pretty to lose! We’ll just have to find a few pots somewhere.” She darted to the metal stairs, calling to Diggory, “Don’t worry—we’ll be back soon!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_32]

Pumpkin scampered after Kitty, with Pixie close behind.

“Where are we going?” Pixie waved her fluffy, white tail. “None of the stores will be open, Kitty. We can’t buy new flowerpots till tomorrow morning.”

“I know—but that’ll be too late!” Kitty rubbed her forehead worriedly. “Maybe there’s something else we can use. Let’s look around and see.” She leaped to the roof next door before clambering down a drainpipe. Crossing the road carefully, she stopped beside a row of newly built houses.

Kitty spotted a pile of empty paint cans at the top of the builder’s rubbish bin. An idea popped into her head. She took out the paint cans and checked each one. “These are clean and they’re just the right size! I think they’ll look lovely with flowers inside.”

“That’s a great idea!” mewed Pumpkin.

Pixie leaped onto the side of the bin.“How about this bucket? And look—here is a pair of red rain boots. Wouldn’t they look nice with plants growing in them?”

“They’d look wonderful!” Kitty beamed. “All kinds of recycled things will work as flowerpots.” She gathered up the bucket and the old boots and carried them back to the rooftop. Then she returned to fetch the empty paint cans.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_33]

Working as fast as she could, Kitty filled each container with soil. Then one by one, she planted the flowers inside them. Lavender bloomed from the paint cans, and yellow tulips sprouted from the old red boots. A silver-winged moth fluttered through the air and rested on a tulip, flexing its delicate wings.

Kitty finished sweeping before climbing the trellis to hang the lights back in place. Then she raked the flower bed to get rid of all the paw prints. Pumpkin and Pixie tidied more fallen leaves from the stepping-stones. Kitty’s heart skipped as she gazed around. They’d finished repairing the garden before sunrise!

[Êàðòèíêà: img_34]

Pixie and Pumpkin sat on the bench for a rest while Kitty went to find Diggory. The old tortoiseshell cat was sitting beside a stone basin filled with water, gazing at the moon’s reflection in the rippled surface. He looked at Kitty mournfully. “I guess sweeping and tidying can’t really make up for all the damage that was done.”

“No, but we replaced the broken pots and replanted all the flowers. Come and see!” Kitty nervously led Diggory toward the center of the garden. The recycled flowerpots they had chosen were very different from the ones that had been used before. She really hoped the old cat would like them!

[Êàðòèíêà: img_35]

Diggory followed Kitty around the garden. He listened carefully while she explained about reusing the paint cans and the old red rain boots. Slowly, a warm smile grew on his face and his ears pricked up.

“So we hope you like what we’ve done,” said Kitty shyly. “We can change things back again if you don’t.”

“No, you don’t need to do that!” Diggory told her. “I wouldn’t have thought of it myself, but these recycled pots look wonderful.”

“That was all Kitty’s idea!” Pumpkin said.

Kitty brushed dirt off her hands. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. The garden didn’t feel as magical somehow. The flowers didn’t lean toward the center of the garden the way they had before.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_36]

Diggory tottered toward the garden seat. A gust of wind swirled over the rooftop, rocking the tree behind the bench. Diggory stiffened and peered closely at the long branches.“Nooo!” he yowled. “It’s gone! The beautiful wind chime is missing.”

Kitty gasped, staring at the empty branch. Where had the wind chime gone?

“Wait! Maybe it just fell to the ground.” Pixie jumped down from the bench to search.

Pumpkin joined her, and they all hunted through the bushes. Kitty climbed the tree to check that the wind chime wasn’t hanging on another branch, hidden by the leaves.

“One of those naughty cats must have taken it,” said Kitty at last.

“Maybe we can make a new one by reusing old things like we did with the flowerpots,” said Pumpkin hopefully.

“That just won’t do!” mewed Diggory. “It isn’t just any old wind chime. Mrs Lovett made it from seashells that she gathered as a child. All the love and care that went into making the wind chime turned it into something magical. I don’t think the garden will grow the same without it.”

Kitty gazed around the sky garden. The flowers had lost their bright sheen, and the trees rattled in the wind. Even the sunflowers bowed their heads sadly. The magic of the garden had vanished, like a cloud hiding the moon.

“This is my fault!” Pixie’s voice trembled. “I was the one who told all those careless cats about the garden.”

“I’ll use my super hearing to find them,” said Kitty. “They can’t have gone very far.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_37]

“Please be careful,” said Diggory. “Goodness knows what those wild cats will do next!”

“Don’t worry!” said Kitty. “We’ve faced tricky adventures before. We’ll search the city until we get the wind chime back again!”

Chapter

5

Kitty ran from one corner of the roof to the next. She listened desperately for the tinkling sound of the wind chime. At first all she could hear was the wind whistling around the chimney. Then her super hearing grew stronger, and she caught a faint jingling noise.

“Pixie! Pumpkin! I think I can hear it.” Kitty raced over the rooftops. She sprang from one roof to another, turning a somersault as she leaped over a chimney.

As she ran, she strained to hear the distant sound of the wind chime. Sliding down a drainpipe, Kitty followed the sound to an alleyway between two tall houses.

She crept to the edge of the roof and crouched beside the gutter. Turning to Pixie and Pumpkin, she put a finger to her lips.

A group of cats had gathered in the alley below. Kitty recognized many of them from earlier that evening. The group was crowding around Duke, the plump cat with the droopy whiskers, as he held the wind chime up in the air. The silvery seashells glinted in the moonlight.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_38]

“Now, listen!” Duke shook the wind chime roughly. “I’ve had enough of your yowling.”

“But Duke!” whined a tall ginger cat. “I was the one who sneaked that dangly thing out of the garden, so I should get to keep it.”

“It should be mine! I carried it all the way down the drainpipe,” complained a black cat. “You would have lost it somewhere.”

“No, I wouldn’t have!” said the ginger cat crossly.

More cats joined in, all mewing and complaining at the same time.

“Enough!” yelled Duke. “If you can’t agree, then we’ll break the chime and each take one piece.”

Kitty gasped. How dare he think of taking apart the magical wind chime? Without it, the sky garden would never be the same again. She couldn’t let that happen!

“What should we do, Kitty?” whispered Pumpkin.

“Leave it to me!” Kitty whispered back. “I’m going down there.”

Duke began pulling the seashells off the string and throwing them to the other cats.

Kitty’s heart thumped as she looked at the alley below. The ground was a long way away, but her superpowers would help her.

She balanced on the edge of the rooftop, spreading her cape with her hands. Taking a brave leap, she plunged through the air.“Cat power!” she yelled as her cape flew out, slowing her fall.

She landed lightly in front of Duke, steadying herself with one hand on the alley wall.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_39]

“Look, everyone!” said Duke with a sneer as he pulled more shells off the wind chime. “It’s the silly girl who chased us out of the sky garden.”

“Give those shells back!” cried Kitty. “The garden won’t be the same without the wind chime.”

“Tough luck!” Duke laughed nastily and threw a shell to a black cat. “Here—catch, Howl.”

“Stop it!” Kitty leaped into the air, reaching as high as she could, but the shell sailed over her head.

Duke laughed even harder and threw more shells through the air. Kitty caught one, but she missed the next and chased after the tall ginger cat, who scampered away down the alley.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_40]

“We’ll help you, Kitty!” Pixie clambered down the drainpipe, followed by Pumpkin.

Kitty, Pixie, and Pumpkin chased after the cats. Kitty dashed to and fro, turning head over heels to catch the silvery shells. Soon she had a handful tucked in her pocket, but Duke was still pulling more of them off the wind chime.

“There are too many cats and too many shells, Kitty!” panted Pumpkin.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_41]

Kitty paused to catch her breath. Tears came to her eyes as she saw the empty strings dangling from the wind chime. There was no more beautiful sound, only the noise of the wind in the alley and Duke’s laughter.

“You thought you could beat us, didn’t you?” crowed Duke. “But you’re not fast enough to catch us all!”

Kitty gazed despairingly at the cat gang spread out along the alley. Suddenly she noticed a few of them shaking their seashells and frowning. Another cat was tapping his shell against the alley wall.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_42]

“It’s not working!” complained the tall ginger cat.

“Stupid shell!” said the black cat. “What happened to the tinkly noise?”

Kitty shook her head.“The wind chime only makes a sound when the pieces are joined together,” she explained. “Shaking one on its own doesn’t work! We have to put all the shells back on the string again.”

The cats looked at one another uncertainly.

“Don’t pay any attention to her!” growled Duke, but Kitty wasn’t finished. She saw that she had their attention and leaped up onto a trash can so all the cats could see her. She had to make them understand!

“Listen, I know you were really cross when I told you all to leave the garden,” she continued. “I am not a bossy boots, and you were wrong to mess around in the trees and the flower beds … but maybe we should have found a way to enjoy the place together.”

Some of the cats murmured and nodded.

Pixie’s ears pricked up, and she whispered, “Keep going, Kitty! I think they are finally listening.”

“Why don’t you all go back there with me?” suggested Kitty. “If you each say sorry to Diggory, the owner’s cat, and give back your piece of the wind chime, then I’ll talk to him about letting you visit.”

“That’s a stupid idea!” scoffed Duke. “You’ll have us singing songs to the moon next!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_43]

The group of cats gathered together, whispering and meowing.

“Hey!” Duke’s whiskers quivered. “You’re not actuallyfalling for this, are you?”

At last, a thin tabby cat with a crooked ear padded up to Kitty.“We’ll come with you and take the shells back to where they belong.”

“That’s awesome!” Kitty beamed and shook the tabby’s paw. “My name’s Kitty. Anyone else who wants to do the right thing and return the wind chime should follow me. If we’re quick, we can get back to the sky garden before sunrise.”

A line of cats followed Kitty down the alley and then onto the rooftop. Duke yelled up at them as they trooped around the chimneys.“You’re all being stupid! Cats are meant to be wild and naughty. Cats are meant to do whatever they like!”

“Be quiet, Duke!” the tabby called down. “You’re just upset because we’re not doing whatyou want anymore.”

When Kitty reached the sky garden rooftop, she held up her hand to signal the cats to wait. Hurrying down the stepping-stones, she found Diggory alone on the bench, staring sadly at the stars.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_44]

“Those cats have come to apologize for all the trouble they caused,” she told Diggory.

The old cat scowled.“After all they’ve done, I’m surprised they dared to show their faces!”

“I know they were really naughty, but they say they’re sorry now. Wouldn’t it be nice to have visitors in the garden sometimes?”

Kitty noticed Diggory’s tail twitch thoughtfully. “They have all the shells for the wind chime, so if you have some spare string, we can put the chime back together again,” she said.

Diggory’s ears pricked up. “There’s some string in the shed. I’ll fetch it right now!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_45]

Chapter

6

Kitty brought the cats onto the rooftop, and they lined up along the stepping-stones. Looking around at the sky garden, they began whispering to one another and pointing to the flowers and the new flowerpots.

“Did you do all this, Kitty?” asked the tall ginger cat. “It looks so tidy.”

“My friends Pixie and Pumpkin helped too,” replied Kitty.

Diggory returned with some thick green string, and the tabby cat with the crooked ear stepped forward with a shell, looking very ashamed of herself.“I’m truly sorry for wrecking your garden,” she mewed. “I was horrible and selfish, and I promise I’ll never do anything like it again.”

Diggory nodded. Taking the shell, he threaded it onto the first piece of string. After that each cat came up to apologize and to add their shell to the string. Soon there were five long threads full of beautiful silvery shells.

When Diggory had finished arranging the shells, worry creased his whiskery face.“Kitty, we’re missing the piece in the middle that makes it chime.”

“Duke has that piece. I bet he will be here any minute now.” Kitty crossed her fingers behind her back. She really hoped she was right, and that Duke would arrive with the missing piece soon!

Diggory sat on the bench, patiently holding the strings of shells. The cats gathered around him, gazing at the seashells as they twisted and turned in the night breeze.

Pixie and Pumpkin ran to the edge of the roof and peered at the street below.

“I can’t see anyone,” called Pixie, sadly. “No, wait!”

Pumpkin danced around in a circle.“It’s Duke! He’s climbing up the fire escape.”

Kitty held her breath as the plump gray cat clambered onto the rooftop. He stroked his whiskers before clearing his throat.“I’m … I’m sorry I caused so much trouble,” he said to Diggory, his tail drooping. “Your garden is amazing, and I shouldn’t have rushed in and ruined it all.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_46]

Diggory frowned before taking the chime from Duke.“Well, we all make mistakes from time to time,” he said slowly. “Perhaps I should have invited visitors here sooner. So if you promise to keep to the paths and look after the plants, then … you’re welcome to stay.”

Duke clapped his paws together with excitement, before catching himself and trying to act cool.“Sure—I can promise all that! It looks nice now that the place is neat again.”

Diggory carefully tied the chime between the strings of shells. Then Kitty climbed the tree behind the bench and hung the chime carefully from a long branch. Everyone watched and waited.

There was a moment of silence. Then a breath of wind swirled over the rooftop, making the seashells sway. The wind chime tinkled softly, and all the cats cheered.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_47]

Diggory smiled widely.“This has been a night of surprises. Thank you, Kitty, for making me realize how much I’ve missed having visitors.” He climbed down from the bench. “Now I’d better water the plants like I do every evening.”

“Why don’t you sit and rest? We can finish the chores.” Duke clapped his paws. “Everyone fill up the watering cans!”

Kitty and Diggory sat on the bench together while Duke and the other cats got to work. Pixie scampered up and down the path, telling the other cats all about their garden rescue.

“Do you have any good ideas for your school garden design, Kitty?” said Pumpkin, jumping up beside them on the bench.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_48]

Kitty gazed around the sky garden.“I’m definitely going to use recycled flowerpots, and lots and lots of sunflowers!”

Pumpkin snuggled against her.“What a busy night! I’m very sleepy now.”

Kitty smiled and yawned.“Me too! But I’m so glad that we had a new adventure and made some wonderful new friends!”

5. KITTY AND THE GREAT LANTERN RACE

Chapter

1

Kitty cut out two pointy cat ears and carefully stuck them on her paper lantern. She smiled, lifting the lantern up by its handle. Tomorrow evening all of Hallam City would celebrate the Festival of Light. There would be a huge parade through the city streets with a beautiful fireworks display at the end.

All around the classroom, children were making different sorts of lanterns. Each one would have a candle-shaped light bulb placed inside. Kitty couldn’t wait to see them all shine in the dark like a mass of twinkling stars. She had made her lantern look like a cat’s face, using black and white paper and long whiskers made from black pipe cleaners. It looked a little bit like her cat friend Figaro!

Kitty had a special reason for making a cat-shaped lantern. She had amazing catlike superpowers, and she was training to be a real superhero. She often went out in the moonlight to have adventures with her cat crew, leaping and somersaulting across the city’s roofs. Kitty loved feeling her special powers tingling inside her. She also loved being with her cat friends, especially Pumpkin, the roly-poly ginger kitten who slept on her bed every night.

Emily, who sat across from Kitty in class, tapped her on the arm.“Look, Kitty! Do you like my butterfly?” She showed Kitty her lantern, which had bright purple wings edged with silver sparkles, and delicate green antennae.

“That looks beautiful!” Kitty said admiringly.

Emily beamed.“I can’t wait till tomorrow. The lantern parade is going to be amazing. My mom and dad are coming to watch with my aunt Sarah.”

Kitty’s heart sank a little as she remembered that her parents wouldn’t be there. Her mom, who was a superhero herself, would be working, and her dad didn’t want to keep her little brother, Max, up too late. But at least she would be with her school friends, and maybe the cat crew would come to watch, too!

“It’s going to be brilliant!” Kitty agreed. “I wonder who will win the prize this year.”

“I hope it’s someone from our class,” said Emily.

Every school in Hallam City took part in the lantern parade, and at the end, there was a prize for the best lantern. This year, the prize would be a magnificent crown decorated with a gleaming golden star. Their teacher, Mrs. Phillips, had brought the crown in to show them, and it was standing on her desk at the front of the classroom, glittering in the sunlight. They had worked extra hard on their lanterns once they’d seen how beautiful it was.

Mrs. Phillips clapped her hands.“The lanterns look wonderful, everyone! You may take them home with you today, but don’t forget to bring them to the festival tomorrow night.”

Kitty picked up her lantern by its handle and smiled. She couldn’t wait to show her lamp to her family and all her cat friends.

When darkness fell, Kitty switched on the candlelight bulb inside her lantern and placed it on her bedroom windowsill. She hoped lots of the cat crew would visit tonight. Then she could tell them all about the Festival of Light, and ask them if they’d like to watch her in the lantern parade.

She watched the moon rise, casting a silvery glow over the roofs of the houses. The sky darkened and the swaying tree branches sent shadows dancing across the walls. Hundreds of stars began to appear, glittering like tiny diamonds.

Pumpkin, who was curled up on Kitty’s bed, gave a huge yawn. “Aren’t you tired yet, Kitty?”

“Not yet!” Kitty smiled. “Do you think Figaro and the others will come to see us tonight?”

Pumpkin stretched and leaped onto the window seat to join Kitty. He nuzzled her arm before staring out at the dark.“I can’t see any sign of them. No, wait! Is there something by the top of that chimney?”

Kitty opened the window a little, and the night breeze ruffled the curtains. Her catlike superpowers rushed through her body, making her skin tingle. Using her special nighttime vision and super hearing, she peered into the dark. Suddenly everything looked sharp and clear, and she could hear dozens of tiny sounds, from a car whooshing past to a tiny moth fluttering beside a streetlamp.

She turned her attention to the distant rooftops. A black cat with a white face and paws ran jauntily along the peak of a roof. Scampering in front of him was a fluffy white cat with bright green eyes.

“Figaro and Pixie are coming!” Kitty told Pumpkin, and the ginger kitten’s stripy tail swished excitedly.

“Good evening, Kitty!” called Figaro, when he reached her windowsill. “Well, that is a fine-looking lantern. Did you make it yourself?”

“Yes, I did! It’s for the Festival of Light tomorrow.” Kitty explained all about the lantern parade and the fireworks. “So I hoped you might come and watch me from a nearby rooftop.”

“I didn’t know there would be fireworks.” Pumpkin trembled and put one paw to his cheek. “Maybe II should stay here instead …”

“I don’t like them, either. They make such horrible bangs and crashes!” Pixie agreed. “Don’t worry, Pumpkin. I’ll stay here and look after you.”

“Fireworks are such a nuisance!” said Figaro, twirling his whiskers. “Perhaps I will also stay behind. But I hope you have a wonderful time in the parade, Kitty. Maybe your lantern will win that amazing prize!”

Kitty swallowed her disappointment. She should have remembered that lots of cats hated fireworks. But at least this way Pumpkin would have friends around to look after him.“I’ll tell you all about it when I get back,” she promised. “I think it’ll be a night to remember!”

Chapter

2

The following evening, Kitty fizzed with excitement as she joined the crowds of children taking part in the parade. The full moon shined brightly, and the streets were full of people. Long gold and red streamers hung between the lampposts, and glowing lamps dangled from the trees like magical golden fruit. A frosty breeze blew gently along the road, and Kitty zipped her coat up tight.

Emily linked arms with Kitty.“There are so many people here! And look at all these lanterns.”

Kitty spotted a train lantern and a unicorn one with a shiny horn.“There are so many different ones!” She smiled at her friend. “But I still think your butterfly lantern is the best.”

Mrs. Phillips called everyone over, and the parade began. Everyone lit their lanterns and together the crowd moved forward, the lights bobbing like an enormous, sparkly caterpillar. Spectators lined the streets, clapping as the group of children went past.

Kitty beamed. It was wonderful to be part of something so spectacular. She looked around at all the people and the lights. She wanted to be able to describe everything to Pumpkin, Pixie, and Figaro when she got home.

A movement on a nearby rooftop caught her eye. She glanced up and saw a black shape darting past a chimney. Moonlight reflected from a nearby satellite dish. When Kitty looked at the rooftop again, the figure was gone.

The parade moved on, reaching a bend in the road, and the streamers on the lampposts fluttered in the breeze.

“My watch is missing!” shouted a man in the crowd.

Kitty looked over at once. A gray-haired man was staring at his arm in shock. He checked his pockets before searching the ground around his feet.

“Where is it?” he cried. “I felt something brush against my arm, and then my watch was gone!”

“Maybe the strap broke and it fell off,” said the man next to him.

The gray-haired man shook his head vigorously.“No, I’m sure it didn’t! I bought it just last week, and the strap is very strong. I don’t understand it!”

Kitty frowned. It seemed very odd that someone’s watch would disappear like that. As the parade moved on, she watched the crowd carefully. Her night vision picked up every tiny movement in the darkness, and she used her super hearing to focus on any strange sounds.

She glimpsed a shadowy figure slipping past a shop’s doorway. Kitty tried to keep track of the shadow, but it seemed to melt away into the mass of people. A moment later, a woman in a furry white coat gave a terrible shriek. “My ruby necklace … it’s gone!”

Kitty dashed through the crowd.“What happened?” she asked the lady. “Could the necklace have fallen off?”

“I don’t think so.” The woman clutched her neck. “I felt something … like a brush of fur against my throat. Then I looked down and my precious string of red rubies was gone!”

Kitty looked around quickly. Everyone standing close to the lady looked just as confused as she did.

“My husband gave me that necklace when we got married, so it’s very important to me.” Tears formed in the woman’s eyes. “Who could have done such a horrible thing?”

Kitty held her lantern tightly. There was something suspicious about all this. The watch and the ruby necklace had both disappeared very suddenly, and that made her think it wasn’t an accident. But who had taken them … and how?

Kitty knew she wanted to help. She was a superhero in training, after all! Her stomach felt strange, as if there were moths fluttering inside it. Was this really a good idea? She didn’t have any of her cat crew to help her this time. Pumpkin and the others were far away at home. She would be investigating the missing watch and necklace all by herself. How would she manage it all alone?

She took a deep breath. Her superhero skills were needed right now, so she had to find a way! She remembered what her mom had told her the first time she went on a moonlight adventure:Don’t let fear hold you back. You’re braver than you think! She just had to do her best.

Kitty hurried back to Emily’s side. “A lady’s necklace has vanished, and I have to go and help,” she told her friend. “Would you look after my lantern?”

“Of course I will!” Emily took the cat lantern. “Will you be all right?”

Kitty smiled bravely.“Don’t worry about me! I’m going to look around and see what I can find out.”

“Good luck!” said Emily, her eyes wide.

Kitty slipped away from the crowd and into the shadows. Hiding behind a tree, she threw off her coat to reveal her cat superhero outfit underneath. Her cape unfurled in the night breeze. She was glad she’d put it on before going out tonight. It was always good to be prepared!

Pulling her superhero mask out of her pocket, she put it on and looked around in the gloom. Was the shadowy figure she’d spotted connected to the disappearing watch and necklace? She didn’t know for sure, but if she was right, someone could be stealing people’s belongings while they were busy watching the lantern parade.

If that was true, then it had to be someone very sneaky who could slip in and out of the crowd without anyone noticing. She had to stop them before they stole even more valuables.

Kitty felt a rush of energy. She darted over to a streetlight and shinnied up the post to get a better view. From there, she could see over the top of the crowd. The parade was moving on, and dozens of lanterns bobbed up and down in the darkness. The spectators clapped and the red and gold streamers flapped in the wind. Kitty frowned. Where was that strange figure?

Suddenly, she spotted a pair of amber eyes watching her from behind a mailbox on the other side of the street. A black mask covered the figure’s face, but her sharp eyes were full of mischief. Before Kitty could get a better look, the shadowy figure moved on, slipping through the crowd and dodging around lampposts.

Kitty’s skin tingled. She had a funny feeling deep down that she had just found the jewel thief!

Chapter

3

Kitty leaped down from the lamppost, landing gracefully on the pavement. The escaping thief darted through the crowd, jumping over trash cans. Kitty chased her down the street, her superpowers tingling through her body. The robber was still a long way ahead, but Kitty was sure she could catch her.

The thief glanced around, her eyes glinting. She laughed when she saw Kitty chasing her. Then she swooped into the crowd and snatched a handbag from a lady’s arm, before hiding behind the next lamppost. The lady clutched her shoulder and looked around in alarm.

“Hey!” cried Kitty. “Give that back.”

The thief ignored Kitty’s command. Slippery as a shadow, she vanished into the crowd and appeared again on the opposite side of the road.

Kitty ran even faster. Leaping onto a bench, she grabbed hold of a tree branch and used it to swing herself across the street. She landed neatly and kept on running. The thief was just ahead, dodging a trash can. Then she ducked behind a line of people and disappeared again.

Kitty looked around desperately and noticed something moving overhead. The robber had climbed a long drainpipe leading up the side of a building. Springing onto the rooftop, she turned and shook the handbag triumphantly at Kitty. A string of rubies glittered around her neck. Then she scampered across the roof, headed in the same direction as the lantern parade.

Kitty pulled herself skillfully up the drainpipe, one hand after the other. There was something really strange about this thief. She was very small and fast, and she seemed used to heights. She didn’t seem to care about how many people she robbed. Kitty was determined to catch the crook before she ruined the whole festival.

An icy wind spun across the rooftop, making Kitty’s cape swirl. She ran lightly along the ridge of the roof, following the thief as she jumped the narrow gap between two buildings. Below them the parade went on its way, and the streets were full of noise and laughter.

Kitty felt very alone on the rooftop. She thought of all the times her friends had helped her and cheered her on. She wished she had Figaro or Pixie or any of her cat crew to keep her company.

She took a deep breath. There must be a way to outsmart this villain. She might be planning to swoop down to the street and rob someone else in the crowd. Maybe Kitty could take a shortcut and catch the robber as she returned to the rooftop.

Kitty hid behind a chimney. Then, when she was sure the thief wasn’t looking, she climbed from a window ledge to the ground. Racing along the street, a little farther on she climbed back to the rooftop. If this plan worked, she could catch the robber by surprise! She peered down at the crowd, expecting to see the shadowy figure.

The crowd went on clapping. People’s voices drifted up from the street below. Kitty caught sight of Emily carrying the butterfly and cat lanterns. Kitty balanced at the edge of the roof, watching and waiting.

The parade was moving toward a brightly lit platform at the end of the street. The mayor of Hallam City stood waiting there, dressed in her best clothes. Kitty used her special vision to look more closely. The mayor was holding the golden crown—the prize for the best lantern—and its beautiful star decoration gleamed in the light. It would be given out during a special ceremony at the end of the parade.

A shadow moved on a rooftop right beside the platform. Kitty felt a flutter of alarm. How had the thief gotten so far without her noticing?

She darted along the ridge of the roof, her eyes fixed on the robber. Her cape flapped wildly as she leaped from one building to the next. She landed neatly, before running on past a row of chimneys.

The thief swung down a nearby drainpipe and made a graceful leap to the ground. Then she crept closer to the stage, prowling in and out of the shadows. Everyone in the crowd was smiling at the children in the lantern parade. None of them had seen the shadowy figure moving toward the platform.

The thief’s gaze was fixed on the mayor. Kitty’s heart sank. She must be after the golden crown!

With a burst of energy, Kitty ran faster than ever. The wind whistled past her ears and her cape streamed out behind her. She jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Then she swung down a drainpipe before dropping to the ground.

The thief crept up the platform steps. Her sharp amber eyes spotted Kitty at the edge of the crowd, and she laughed.

“Stop!” cried Kitty. “You can’t take the prize. You’ll ruin the whole festival!” But her voice was lost among the clapping and cheering of the crowd.

The robber tiptoed up behind the mayor, and for a second, Kitty got a clear view of the shadowy figure. There was something very familiar about her graceful movements and her pricked-up ears. Then the thief snatched the crown from the mayor before leaping off the platform and disappearing down an alleyway.

The mayor stared down in surprise at her empty hands. A murmur of shock swept across the crowd.

“What happened to the crown?” asked a woman close to Kitty.

“I think someone took it!” gasped the man next to her.

The parade came to a stop, and the children with the lanterns bumped into one another. Some of them pointed to the mayor as they passed along the bad news about the missing crown. A small boy with a dinosaur lantern burst into tears.

“It’s not just the crown that’s vanished,” one lady called out. “That thief took my handbag, too!”

“And my watch!’ shouted a man. “Maybe there’s a whole gang of robbers here tonight.”

The buzz of the crowd grew louder, and Kitty’s teacher, Mrs. Phillips, climbed the steps to the platform and talked hurriedly to the mayor. At last, the mayor stepped forward and held up her hand for quiet. “Please, everyone, stay calm! I don’t know what’s happening to our lovely festival, but I will do my best to find out.”

Kitty’s heart thumped. None of them had really seen the robber except for her. She had to find that thief and get the crown back! She peered down the alley where the crook had vanished. Then she straightened her superhero mask before running into the dark.

Chapter

4

Kitty raced down the alley. The noise of the crowd faded as she ran farther away from the festival. She stopped at a corner and listened carefully for any tiny sounds. The wind whistled gently down the moonlit street, and there was the distant hoot of an owl. A cluster of fallen leaves danced in the night breeze.

Quick footsteps came from another alley not far away. Kitty followed the faint sound, hoping it was the thief. She zigzagged through the maze of streets and alleys. Every now and then, the footsteps stopped, and Kitty paused too. It would be easier to catch the thief if she didn’t know Kitty was following her.

The next alley opened on to a wide road full of shops and restaurants. Moonlight glinted like frost on the shop windows. A sign in a caf? window read DELICIOUS SOUPS AND SANDWICHES SERVED ALL DAY. The Hallam Wonder Tower, the tallest building in the whole city, rose into the night like a vast stone giant.

Kitty waited and waited, but there were no more footsteps. Had the thief realized she was following? Was she hiding around a corner in the dark?

Something twinkled on the Wonder Tower. There was a tiny dark shape about five floors up, moving very slowly, like an ant crawling up a branch. Kitty stared in shock. The thief looked small because she was so high, and the glinting light was the star on the golden crown, shining in the moonlight.

Kitty’s heart fluttered. She knew her superpowers would help her … but did she really want to go all the way up there? The Wonder Tower was enormous. It had a place to eat at the top called the Cloud Restaurant, and above that, a metal radio mast jutted into the sky. Kitty could see the top of the mast, with its flashing red light that warned away airplanes.

She shivered. Maybe the tower was too high, even for someone with special powers. But there were stolen handbags and necklaces that had to be taken back to their owners … and how could the lantern competition go ahead with no prize? She thought of the disappointed faces of her classmates. Hurrying to the bottom of the tower, she began to climb.

She had to work hard to find handholds and footholds on the smooth stone building, and the higher she went, the stronger the wind became. Kitty looked up just as the thief disappeared through an open window on the sixth floor. She must be planning to hide somewhere inside, Kitty thought.

Kitty climbed to the sixth floor and dropped through the same window. She was standing on a staircase with long flights of steps leading up and down. Quick footsteps sounded overhead. Kitty followed the steps upward, treading as quietly as she could.

The stairs wound on and on. Kitty counted the floors … nine, ten, eleven … twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six. She lost count at around the fortieth floor, but a minute later she found herself on the final set of steps. A magnificent set of doors, with the name in big gold letters, stood at the top.

Cloud Restaurant

Kitty hesitated. The thief must have gone inside. She crept a little closer.

There was a sudden whirring sound from inside the restaurant. Kitty warily opened the door and spotted an elegant striped cat sitting on a stool at the counter. Her long tail flicked as she drank from a tall glass through a stripy red straw. The festival crown, the handbag, and all the other loot was on the countertop.

Kitty held back a gasp. So the thief was a cat! That was why she’d climbed buildings so easily and leaped so gracefully from one roof to the next. Kitty had to admit that the cat burglar was the most nimble creature she’d ever seen, and one of the sneakiest, too. But how dare she sit there relaxing after spoiling the parade!

Creeping up silently, Kitty dived at the thief and grabbed her before she could escape.

The robber jumped in surprise, and her drink sprayed all over the counter.“Hey, what’s going on? Who are you?”

“I’m Kitty, and I’ve come to take back all the things you’ve stolen!” said Kitty. “You should be ashamed of yourself.” She spun the thief around to face her and pulled off the cat’s mask. Underneath were a set of elegant whiskers, a cute black nose, and mischievous amber eyes.

“You caught me! No one’s ever done that before. My name’s Dodger, by the way!” The cat grinned and held out a furry paw. Her tail swayed gracefully.

Kitty let go of her, frowning. This cat didn’t seem bothered by being caught at all. Why didn’t she look upset or even guilty?

Dodger lifted her glass again and slurped through the stripy straw.“I can make you some of this drink if you’d like, Kitty. Mango-and-fish smoothies are my favorite!”

Kitty shook her head. This wasn’t going the way she’d expected. “Why are you here? Are you stealing from the restaurant?”

“I live here! The cook lets me sleep under the tables, and sometimes the customers give me their chicken or fish to eat. I love being high up. It makes me feel like I can do anything!” Dodger scampered over to the window and waved her paw at the bright full moon smiling down on the city below. “See that view? It’s the best in the city!”

Kitty followed her to the window. The whole of Hallam City was spread out below them in a carpet of little twinkling lights. Kitty could just about make out the park near her house and the clock tower where she’d first met Pumpkin.

The whole city had a magical, silvery look in the moonlight.

“Hey, you should come and live here with me!” Dodger continued. “It’s so much fun, and you have all the right cat skills to be part of my crew.”

“You’re right—it’s amazing here,” Kitty agreed. “But I already have a cat crew, and we do things to help people, not hurt them.”

Dodger snorted.“That sounds really boring!”

“It’s not boring—it’s important work. I would never steal anything. Don’t you realize you’ve upset so many people tonight?”

Dodger flicked her tail.“What do you mean? I was only having fun.”

“It’s not fun to steal other people’s things,” said Kitty sternly. “The lady with the ruby necklace said her husband gave her those jewels on the day they got married. They were very special to her.”

Dodger looked a little downcast. Then her amber eyes gleamed.“But what about this?” She bounded back to the counter and put the festival crown on her head. “This didn’t really belong to anyone, and see how great it looks on me!” The crown slipped sideways over her velvety-black ear.

For a moment Kitty wanted to laugh, but she stopped herself.“Taking that crown was theworst thing you did! It was supposed to be the prize at the end of the festival. Lots of children will be disappointed that it’s gone.”

“That’s stupid! I think you’re just trying to ruin all my fun,” cried Dodger, shooting Kitty a cross look. Then she snatched up all her loot and raced out of the restaurant.

Kitty dashed after her, but by the time she reached the stairs, the slippery cat thief was gone.

Chapter

5

Kitty rushed down the steps looking for Dodger. Halfway down she stopped and listened, but everything was silent. How had Dodger disappeared so fast?

It took a long time for Kitty to reach the bottom floor, and just as she got there, the elevator door slid closed. Dodger must have come down in the elevator before escaping into the night.

Kitty opened a window and climbed out onto the pavement. A cloud hid the moon, and the street grew darker. Kitty looked along the empty road, frowning. A feeling deep down inside made her follow the alleyway leading back to the festival.

All the chatter and laughter had disappeared from the crowded streets. The children in the lantern parade were waiting close to the mayor’s platform. They held their lanterns by their sides, their shoulders slumped. A group of teachers had gathered on the stage to talk to the mayor.

A shadow jumped out at Kitty as she reached the end of the alleyway.

“I know you’re following me! Have you come to spoil my fun again?” Dodger scowled. The golden crown still sat lopsided on her head.

“Dodger, you’ve got to listen to me,” said Kitty. “Stealing things isn’t fun—it just makes everyone sad. See that lady over there? She’s the one whose handbag you took.”

Dodger looked at the lady, who was wiping a tear from her eye.

“And look at my friends!” Kitty went on. “They spent a long time making their lanterns, and they were having a wonderful time until the prize was taken away.”

Kitty’s classmates were looking around worriedly, as if they were afraid the thief might return at any moment.

“Does it really look like they’re having fun now?” Kitty demanded.

Dodger stared at them and a guilty look spread across her face.“I guess not! I’m sorry, Kitty. When I left the tower tonight, I just wanted an adventure, so I gave myself a challenge to steal the festival prize. Ilove to test my awesome cat-burglar skills!” She preened her smooth striped fur. “Then when I got here and saw the crowd, it seemed like it would be fun to take the other things too while no one was looking. I didn’t think I was hurting anyone.”

“Maybe we can fix everything together,” suggested Kitty.

Dodger stroked her long whiskers.“Good idea! But how do we do that?”

“All we have to do is give back what you took … and if we use our cat skills, it will be just as fun,” explained Kitty. “Let’s see which of us can return the valuables to their owners the quickest.”

Dodger’s eyes gleamed. “I accept your challenge! I know I’m bound to be the winner.”

Kitty took the lady’s handbag and the man’s watch and ran down the street. Dodger scampered after her with the ruby necklace and the golden crown.

“Last one to finish is a slowpoke cat!” Dodger called. “Oh … and you have to put each thing back without anyone seeing.”

“You’re on!” Kitty called back. Then she slipped through the crowd and hung the stolen handbag back on the lady’s shoulder.

Dodger climbed nimbly up a lamppost and spotted the woman with the ruby necklace on the other side of the crowd. The cat skipped along a tree branch before leaping across the street and slipping the necklace over the lady’s head.

The woman gasped and clutched the string of rubies.“My necklace! Where did that come from?”

“I think I saw a figure moving over there!” said a man beside her, pointing in the wrong direction.

“It’s incredible!” the woman went on. “It just appeared like magic.”

Dodger grinned and crept into the darkness of a nearby alley.

Kitty slipped the missing watch onto the wrist of the man it belonged to. She noticed Dodger sneaking onto the platform at the front of the crowd. The wily cat left the crown on a table and disappeared again like a shadow vanishing in the moonlight.

A moment later, Dodger reappeared at Kitty’s side, grinning. “That was a lot of fun! But do you think they’ll ever notice that I’ve put the crown back?”

Kitty smiled. The mayor and the teachers were still busy talking to one another. None of them had noticed the prize laying on the table in the middle of the platform. Then a shout went up as one of the children spotted the crown. A murmur of excitement buzzed around the crowd.

“The prize has been found!” said a dark-haired lady. “Isn’t that amazing?”

“That’s really good news,” replied the man next to her. “I hated seeing the children disappointed.”

“So I guess I’m a very good cat after all!And I won our competition. I knew I would be the fastest!” Dodger did a triumphant little dance and waved her tail in Kitty’s face.

“Well, actually …” Kitty was just about to explain thatshe’d finished first, but then she stopped herself. She had a hunch that Dodger wouldn’t be a good loser, and this way the cat thief was happy about giving back the stolen things. “I’m very proud of you! Are you going to stay and see them give out the prize for the best lantern?”

“I don’t think so.” Dodger’s tail flicked restlessly. “It’s still early, and there might be another adventure waiting for me somewhere!”

Kitty’s forehead wrinkled. “You won’t steal anything else, will you? Don’t forget how much nicer it is to make people happy.”

“Sure—I’ll remember!” Dodger winked and smoothed her whiskers. “I hope I’ll see you again sometime, Kitty. Come to the Cloud Restaurant if you ever want to try a mango-and-fish smoothie!”

“Thanks, I will! Good luck, Dodger.” Kitty watched the graceful striped cat dart away into the crowd.

Dodger waved to her with a grin, her amber eyes gleaming as she slipped away down an alley.

Kitty waved back, smiling. She’d completed a whole adventure without the help of her cat crew. She couldn’t wait to tell her mom all about it! Excitement fluttered in her tummy as the mayor walked to the front of the platform with the golden crown. It looked like the prize was about to be announced!

Chapter

6

Kitty dashed over to join her class.“Thanks for looking after my lantern!” she said to Emily.

“That’s okay!” replied Emily. “Did you see what happened? The crown was found again after all.”

Kitty nodded, smiling to herself.

Just then, the mayor began to speak.“Ladies and gentlemen! I’m very pleased to say that our prize has been returned, and a big thank-you to anyone who helped get it back. Now I’m going to announce the winner of the lantern competition.”

A murmur rippled across the crowd, and everyone watched the mayor eagerly.

“The judges have walked around the parade and looked at all the lanterns carefully,” the mayor continued. “There were so many brilliant ones this year and that made it very tricky, but we’ve decided that the winner is … Emily Sanchez, with her butterfly lantern!” The crowd burst into applause. Kitty’s whole class cheered, and Emily turned red.

“Go on!” Kitty urged her friend. “You have to go up on the stage and collect your prize.”

Emily made her way up the platform steps and shook the mayor’s hand. Then she held up her purple butterfly lantern with its silver-edged wings so that everyone could see it properly.

The crowd clapped loudly and the mayor placed the golden crown on Emily’s head, saying, “Here’s your prize! Very well done, for making such an imaginative and beautiful lantern.”

Kitty smiled and cheered. She had been sure that Emily’s lantern was the best one all along! She felt a tap on her shoulder. Spinning around, she found her mom right behind her. “Mom, you made it!” she beamed. “Look! Emily won the lantern competition.”

“That’s amazing!” Mom put an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry I missed the parade. Did you have a wonderful time?”

“Yes, it’s been really exciting!” Kitty told her. “The festival prize was stolen, and I had to chase the thief to find it.”

“Goodness! I’d love to hear all about it,” said Mom.

Together they left the crowd and climbed onto a nearby rooftop. The festival streamers fluttered on the lampposts below, and the lanterns shined brightly.

“Let’s find somewhere comfortable to sit,” said Kitty’s mom. “I think the fireworks are about to start.”

They found a comfortable spot beside a chimney just as the fireworks began. Fountains of gold and silver light whooshed into the air before falling down again like glittering rain. Next there were dazzling red and green rockets that shot upward with a loud bang. The night sky filled with sparkling colors as the fireworks soared one after another.

As the last firework burst, Kitty caught a glimpse of Dodger on a distant rooftop. The cat’s eyes glinted, and she waved one last time before bounding away into the night.

Kitty told her mom all about Dodger, and how hard she’d worked to catch the naughty cat. “So I went all the way to the top of the Wonder Tower to talk to Dodger. She’s quite a cheeky cat, but once she understood how much she’d upset everyone, she gave everything back again.”

“Well done!” Mom hugged her. “It couldn’t have been easy all by yourself. I’m so proud of you! Would you like to go home and celebrate with some hot chocolate and marshmallow sprinkles?”

“Yes, please!” Kitty watched the last firework soar through the sky like a cluster of shooting stars. Then she went home with her mom, skipping across the rooftops in the moonlight.

Back home there would be hot chocolate and Pumpkin and her cozy bed. Having an adventure was amazing, but going home afterward was even nicer!