The Homesick Kitten

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

About the Author

Copyright

Remembering my gorgeous Sammy

Harper sped up as soon as they turned the corner into their road. She couldn’t help it.

“Is he there?” Ava called, scurrying after her, and Harper could hear Mum laughing.

“Yes!” Harper turned to beam at her little sister, and then gave a wave in the direction of their house. She knew it was a bit silly to wave at a cat – it wasn’t as if Sammy was going to wave back – but it made her so happy to see him there in the window, draped along the back of the sofa. “I think he’s asleep,” she said to Ava. “Oh, no, he’s waking up, I can see his golden eyes! Hey, Sammy!”

“Sammy!” Ava bounced up on tiptoe to peer over the garden fence as the tabby kitten arched his back in a huge stretch. Then he jumped his front paws over to the windowsill, so that he was making a tiny bridge from the sofa. The two girls saw his mouth open wide as he mewed excitedly at them, showing little points of white teeth.

Harper didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of it. Seeing Sammy waiting for them made her and Ava feel so special. Even if she’d had a difficult day at school, Sammy always cheered Harper up.

When they’d first brought Sammy home from the shelter as a tiny kitten, he’d had to scramble up the side of the sofa like he was climbing a mountain. Mum had watched him do it, and sighed and fetched a fleecy blanket to cover the fabric. The sofa was nice and almost new and she didn’t want it covered in little claw marks. Now, a month later, Sammy was big enough to jump to the seat of the sofa, and then on to the back, in two huge bounces. It was his favourite place to sit, watching out of the window to see what was happening in the street. Harper reckoned he knew everything that was going on.

“Mummy! Come on!” Ava called, and as soon as Sammy saw Mum holding the front door key in her hand, he scooted along the back of the sofa and disappeared. Harper felt her mouth curling into a smile. He would be on the other side of the front door now, waiting to wind himself around their ankles, still mewing.

He was after his tea, of course, but it wasn’t just that. He wanted Harper and Ava to crouch down next to him, so he could climb in and out of their laps and up their school cardigans and nudge their chins with his nose. Once Sammy had even managed to stand on Harper’s head, but that was a bit painful, because he was too small to understand about not sticking his claws in.

Harper and Ava leaned against the door, giggling, as they heard Sammy mewing on the other side. “He missed us!” Ava said happily, and Harper nodded.

“I’m not sure how such a little cat makes so much noise,” Mum said, as she turned the key in the door. “Mind out, Sammy!”

Harper peered round the opening door, checking that Sammy wasn’t too close behind it, but he was so clever and sensible now – he knew about doors. He’d backed up out of the way, ready to race to them as soon as they were inside. Harper kneeled on the floor of the living room next to him, and Sammy purred and purred as she stroked him.

He was so beautiful, Harper thought. She and Ava had fallen in love with him straight away when they saw the photo on the shelter website. Harper had loved the way he looked too small for his huge ears and chunky paws, and Ava thought he was a leopard, because of his dark spots. She told everyone in her Reception class that they were getting a baby leopard for a pet. One of the boys had come up to Harper in the playground and asked if it was true.

Mum had said she didn’t mind which kitten they got, as long as it was friendly. They’d waited to adopt a cat until Ava was at school and a little bit more sensible, but a nervous cat would still find it hard, living with all three of them in a busy flat, even if they were on the ground floor and had a little garden.

The team at the shelter had told them that their kitten might be shy to start with, but he’d soon settle down, and Sammy had. He loved their flat and Harper was pretty sure he loved them too. He was leaning into her hand now, purring so hard she could feel him shake all over.

“Gran’s coming round for tea tonight,” Mum said, as she headed for the kitchen. “So if you’ve got homework for tomorrow, try and get it done now so you can spend some time with her.”

Harper nodded, and scooped Sammy up with one hand and her backpack with the other. “I’ve got a maths worksheet to do.” She followed Mum into the kitchen and said slowly, “Gran came over for tea on Monday as well… Is she OK?”

Mum sat down at the kitchen table with a sigh and looked around for Ava.

“She’s gone to take her uniform off,” Harper said. She was starting to feel worried now. Why didn’t Mum want Ava to hear what she was going to say?

“Gran’s getting older, Harper, and she misses your grandad still. She gets tired easily, and doing the shopping and making meals feels like a lot of effort for her right now.” Mum rubbed her eyes, looking tired. “So I’ve been getting the shopping for her and dropping it off after work, but it’s nice for her to eat with us sometimes. It means she doesn’t have to cook, and she gets to see you and me and Ava. It cheers her up.”

Harper eyed Mum anxiously. That all made sense, but… “There’s nothing really wrong with Gran?” she asked. She could hear her voice sounding small and scared.

“No, I don’t think so. We just need to look after her, OK?”

It didn’t seem like a very definite answer, but Harper nodded.

When Gran arrived later on, Harper kept sneaking glances at her, trying to see if she didn’t look well. But Gran seemed happy to be there, chatting to Ava and making a fuss over Sammy. She did look a little bit tired, but that was all. Maybe she was having a good day, Harper thought hopefully, watching Sammy flop over next to Gran on the sofa, showing off his spotty tummy.

“Oh, are you teasing me now?” Gran murmured to him. “Are you going to jump on my hand if I try and stroke that lovely tummy, hmm? That’s what my old cat Bonnie did, every time.”

Harper smiled. “He did that to me this morning.” Sammy didn’t show any signs of wanting to pounce on Gran, though. He just collapsed across her skirt, eyes half closed, making wheezy little purring noises as she stroked his ears and tickled under his chin. “How long ago did you have Bonnie, Gran?” Harper said, trying to think. “I’ve seen photos, but I don’t remember her.”

“Oh no, you wouldn’t.” Gran frowned. “Let me see, Bonnie must have died when you were about two. And before you were even thought of!” she added to Ava, who was curled up at the other end of the sofa. “Then for years I couldn’t bear to think of getting another cat – Bonnie was twenty, you see, she’d been with me so long. This little love might just change my mind, though. You’re so lucky to have him.”

Harper nodded. Gran was right – they were lucky. Sammy was perfect and he fitted into their home so well. She couldn’t imagine any different.

Sammy closed his eyes and slumped happily, half on, half off Gran’s lap. He liked Gran. She was calm and quiet, and she never decided to get up and move just when he’d got comfy…

She was rubbing under his chin with one finger now, just the way he liked it, the same way Harper did. Sammy purred hard, pointing his chin to the ceiling.

Harper was sitting next to Gran, and Ava was close by, and he could hear Mum humming to herself in the kitchen. All his family were just where they should be, and he was warm, and full, and sleepy.

Everything was good.

“Have a nice day, Sammy,” Harper murmured, gently rubbing the top of his head. The little tabby kitten always seemed to want a lot of fuss and attention in the mornings. Harper was sure he understood that they were going to school and he’d be on his own for a while, so he was making up for it.

“I wish I could take you with me,” she told him. “It’s Monday, though, which means I’ve got a spelling test. You don’t want to come to school today, I promise.” Sammy batted at the end of her ponytail and Harper twirled it round for him, laughing as he sat up on his back legs, waving his paws around wildly to catch it. Then he froze as Mum’s mobile started to ring in her pocket.

Mum made a face – she was trying to help Ava get her coat on – but she answered the phone with one hand and held Ava’s sleeve out for her with the other. “Hello? Yes… Oh! Oh no…”

Harper looked round at her, and so did Ava, caught by the panic in Mum’s voice.

“Yes. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“What is it?” Harper asked, and Ava stared at Mum, her eyes round with worry.

“That was the hospital. Gran’s had a fall.” Mum zipped Ava’s coat up tight and grabbed her backpack. “It’s OK. It’s OK. But I need to drop you two at school and head over there as quick as I can. I’ll have to cancel my shift at the shop, but they’ll understand…”

“Can’t we come with you?” Harper asked, her voice very small. She was thinking of how tired and slow Gran had seemed over the last few weeks. How Mum had needed to help her up off the sofa when she came for tea a few days before.

Mum patted her cheek. “I know you’re worried, love, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you two to come to the hospital. We don’t know what’s happening and you’d probably just have to sit in a waiting room. They’re looking after her, Harper, she’s in the best place.”

Harper knew Mum was right – but it didn’t make her feel much better.

They dashed out of the house, and for once, Harper was too distracted to blow kisses to Sammy, sitting on the back of the sofa, watching them go.

Mum had phoned Harper and Ava’s school later that morning to let them know that Gran was all right – she’d broken her wrist, and she had bumps and bruises, but there was nothing more serious going on. Harper was still worried, though, and she dashed out of school at the end of the day, hoping that Mum would have more news.

“How’s Gran?” she asked, as soon as she spotted Mum in the playground.

Mum smiled at her and waved at Ava, who was looking round for them. “Over here, Ava! She’s doing well – actually, I’ve got the car so we can go and see her.”

“At the hospital?” Ava sounded scared.

“Yes, but it’s OK, Ava. Gran’s not feeling too bad and they’re hoping she can come home in a few days.”

“We can cheer her up,” Harper said, putting her arm round her little sister. “I bet it’s boring in hospital.”

“Exactly.” Mum nodded. “But we have to be gentle, Ava, remember. No bouncing around and disturbing people.”

Ava was mouse-quiet for the whole car ride and the long walk through the hospital corridors. Harper had been there once before when she fell off her friend Maya’s trampoline, but that was only to A&E – the rest of the hospital was enormous and Gran’s ward seemed to be miles from the car park. It was very quiet, and Harper felt like they ought to be walking on tiptoe as Mum led them over to Gran’s bed.

“You brought them!” Gran was beaming and Harper immediately felt better. She’d been expecting Gran to look really ill, but she seemed fine apart from the cast on her wrist and she was so pleased to see them.

Mum let Ava chatter to Gran for a couple of minutes about the forest school lesson her class had done, and then she broke in – Ava’s stories could go on for a while. “Listen, girls. We need to talk to you. Gran and I have been thinking…”

Harper looked at her worriedly – there was something in Mum’s voice, something that meant this was serious.

Gran smiled at her. “We’ve had an idea. Don’t panic, Harper. Let your mum explain.”

“Gran’s got lots of space at her house and she’s feeling a bit lonely, now it’s harder work for her to go out. And it would be good if there was someone else around, just in case she has another fall. So … we were thinking that perhaps we should move in. With Gran.”

“But what about our flat?” Harper said, frowning. They’d lived in the flat for so long – she could hardly remember the house they’d had before, when they still lived with their dad as well as their mum.

“Well, it wouldn’t be our flat any more. Someone else would rent it and we’d live in Gran’s house.”

“You could have your own bedrooms. You wouldn’t have to share,” Gran put in, smiling at Harper and Ava.

“My own room!” Ava squeaked. “Can I have purple paint?”

“Maybe.” Mum laughed. “Harper? What do you think? I know it’s a big change, but you’d love your own room, wouldn’t you? And Gran’s house is closer to school. Less of a rush in the mornings.”

Harper stared at the blanket on the hospital bed and tried to imagine living in Gran’s house, with all their things…

“What about Sammy?” she burst out.

Gran reached out and laid her good hand over Harper’s. “That would be another lovely thing for me,” she said. “I’d have you two and your mum, and I’d have a cat around again. I’m sure he’ll be fine, Harper. He’s only been with you, what, five weeks? He’s young enough to get used to somewhere new.”

“We’d keep him indoors at Gran’s for a few days,” Mum added. “Just till he’s settled.”

Harper nodded, a little doubtfully. Sammy loved their tiny garden. He spent ages sunbathing and trying to catch bees. He wasn’t going to be very happy about staying inside. She realized Mum was right, though. He was going to be really confused when he went out through Bonnie’s old catflap and found himself in a whole new garden. It would be better if he got used to Gran’s house first.

“When are we going to move?” Harper asked. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about the idea. Even though it made sense, and she definitely wanted to help Mum look after Gran, it was such a big change. She needed time to think about it.

Mum and Gran exchanged a look. “Soon,” Mum said gently.

“The doctor we spoke to thinks I need someone to look after me when I come home from the hospital,” Gran explained.

“But … you said that would just be in a few days!” Harper’s voice was a surprised squeak.

Mum nodded. “I’m going to speak to the owner of our flat and explain. We’re going to try and move this week.”

This week! Harper tried to nod, and smile, but she couldn’t imagine living somewhere different in just a few days’ time.

Sammy watched uncertainly as yet another bag was piled up in the little hallway of the flat. He wasn’t sure what was going on. He liked the bags and boxes – he could jump up and sit on top of them, and then he was higher than everyone else, and that was very good. He was sure there was more to the boxes than that, though.

Every time he padded into a room, it seemed to have changed. Furniture kept moving around and the flat even smelled different, he was sure. This morning, Mum had whipped his food bowl away as soon as he’d finished eating – she hadn’t even given him time to wash his whiskers. The blanket that he liked to lie on along the back of the sofa had disappeared too and there were no baskets of washing around to sleep in. Everywhere he looked something was wrong and he hated it.

He marched crossly over to Harper, ears flattened and tail whipping, and rubbed the side of his head against her socks. She crouched down to stroke his ears, just the way he liked, but she wasn’t looking at him, she was still talking to Mum. He didn’t like the way her voice sounded – shaky and worried.

“It’s going to be so weird. Coming home to Gran’s house after school.”

“It’s strange for me as well, Harper. I know it’s a huge change.” Mum sounded different too and Sammy edged away a little.

“I’m getting my new room today!” Ava screeched, jumping from the bottom step of the stairs and throwing her arms round Mum’s waist.

Sammy darted back, his tail fluffing up wildly. Harper and Mum were laughing, but there was an odd feeling in the air, he was sure of it. Everything felt jangly and sharp, and it was frightening him.

He slipped in between two of the huge boxes, squeezing into the narrow space. It was better, there in the dark. He watched Harper and Ava and Mum set out for school, and he hoped and hoped that everything would be right again when they came back.

Sammy had been in his cat basket a few times – that first terrifying journey back from the shelter, which he hardly remembered, and then to the vet for his jabs. He hated it every time. He was bigger now than when he’d first travelled in the basket, and braver, so he’d wriggled and squirmed and almost managed to duck under Mum’s hands, but she’d got the wire door closed just before he managed to dart out of it.

Sammy yowled furiously for most of the drive. He was expecting to be at the vet’s again when they got out of the car, but it was somewhere entirely new. He stalked out of the basket, stiff-legged and angry. There was a tiled kitchen floor and piles of boxes everywhere, again!

“Hey, Sammy… It’s OK. Don’t worry…”

Sammy glanced up at Mum. Where were they, and why was Mum here, but not Harper or Ava? What was going on? He was so cross that the fur lifted up all along his spine.

“I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon,” Mum said gently, and she stroked him, smoothing down the fluffed-up fur and making him feel a little better. He rubbed his chin against her hand and closed his eyes against the strangeness for a moment. She was familiar, at least. Mum fussed around with boxes while Sammy sniffed cautiously at things in the kitchen.

“Here you are, kitten,” Mum said, putting his water bowl down next to him. Sammy stared at it. That was his bowl, the bowl he drank from every day at home. What was it doing here?

“Let’s give you a little bit of the special food as well,” Mum murmured. “That expensive stuff in the tins that Harper and Ava wanted to get for you. I found it when I was clearing out the kitchen cupboards…” She rummaged in a box on the table for a moment and then put Sammy’s food bowl down in front of him, with something that smelled strong and delicious. But Sammy backed away from her. He was hungry, but he didn’t want to eat here. This felt all wrong…

“Oh, Sammy.” Mum looked at him worriedly. “Harper and Ava will be back soon, perhaps that’ll cheer you up.”