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Zara looked lovingly down at the black-and-white kitten, who was now curled up in the soft igloo bed they’d bought from the pet shop. She and Amina had kept as still as they could when the kitten had curled up in between them, but eventually they’d had to move. Mum had scooped the kitten up and laid her gently in the basket, and she hadn’t even woken up properly. She’d made a snuffly little noise and huddled into the side of the cat bed. Cola was a cute name, but it didn’t seem quite right. And Zara wanted their kitten to be called something perfect.

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“No.”

Amina swung round, her eyes wide with surprise.“No?”

“I don’t think she looks like a Cola. A cat called Cola ought to be all black. Our kitten’s got a white front and white paws.”

Amina still looked shocked but Mum smiled.“What would be a good name, then?”

“Maybe something that shows how little she is?” Zara suggested.

Amina shook her head.“That won’t work. Of course she’s little now, she’s only a kitten. But she’s going to grow, isn’t she?”

“I know that!” Zara could hear herself arguing, and it was very surprising, as though she was listening to someone else talk, a bit like watching a film. She almost never argued with her twin, it was just easier not to. Amina was louder and more confident than Zara – she always had been, evenwhen they were babies, Dad said. Arguing with her twin just made Zara sad so she didn’t – unless it was really important. Like now. “But she was much littler than the two tabby kittens. I think she’s always going to be small, and she’s got really big, pointy ears too. They didn’t have those. So – so I think she looks like an elf. We should call her Elfie – no! Pixie!” She swallowed hard and saw that Mum was still beaming at her.

“That’s a very sweet name. She does look like a little pixie. I think it would suit her when she’s bigger too.”

“I like it,” Dad said.

“I suppose,” Amina agreed, even though she didn’t sound very certain. “It is cute… Oh, look, she’s waking up! Hey, Pixie-Cola…” She darted a look at Zara, as if she were daring her to argue, but Zara was too pleased that she’d made Amina listen to mind.

“She’s going exploring,” she murmured happily, watching as the kitten stretched and sniffed, and then began to wander slowly around the kitchen. She found the new litter tray they’d bought and weed in it, which was good, even though it was a bit yucky to think about clearing it out. Better there than puddles on the floor, though. Mum and Dad looked relieved.

“Oh, where’s she going?” Amina asked, watching as the kitten pushed her way under the trolley where Dad kept the vegetables. The kitten wriggled right underneath and then popped out again to explore the tiny space behind the recycling bin. After that she settled down behind the wellies by theback door for a few minutes. Amina giggled and nudged Zara. “She’s just like you.”

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“What do you mean?” Zara blinked at her, confused.

“Hiding. You’re always doing it. Remember when you went and hid in the bathroom cupboard and fell asleep, and Mum got in a total panic?”

Dad snorted with laughter and Zara saw Mum giving him a cross look. She felt her cheeks burn. She did like to hide herself away in small, quiet places, especially if she was feeling sad or shy. She wished Amina hadn’t said anything…

Pixie crept out from behind the wellies and sat down on Zara’s foot with a huge yawn. Zara wasn’t sure how she could be sleepy again when she’d only just woken up, but then she had done quite a lot of exploring for someone so small. Carefully, she reached down and scooped the kitten up, snuggling her against her T-shirt. Zara wasn’t really sure if Pixie would stay but she’d liked being curled up on her and Amina before, hadn’t she? And right now, Zara felt sad and hurt, and she wanted someone to cuddle. Maybe the kitten wanted a cuddle too?

She did look a bit surprised for a moment, but then she yawned again and slumped over Zara’s arm, soft and saggy.

It was the nicest thing Zara could remember happening, ever.

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Zara and Amina spent the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays getting to know Pixie and watching her explore the house. She loved their bedroom, and seemed to be happy to spend hours padding around underneath their beds, or wobbling across their duvets between the soft toys. She enjoyed watching the birds from their bedroom windowsill too. Zara thought that she was going to love going out in the garden when she was a bit older and she’d had her vaccinations.

Dad was keen to take Amina and Zara out to look around the town– there was a swimming pool and a cinema, even a bowling alley. But neither of the girls wanted to leave Pixie for long.