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“But what if they upset Smudge? Can I take him up to my room tomorrow to keep him out of their way too?”

Mum looked at her seriously for a moment, and shook her head.“Olivia, Ben wants to show Smudge off to Rob. I know you really love Smudge, and he’s taken to you so well, but he’s not just yours, sweetheart. He’s Ben’s kitten as well.”

Olivia nodded miserably. She knew Mum was right, but it didn’t help. Smudgefelt like he was her kitten, and she didn’t want the boys anywhere near him.

“Hello, Smudge!” Olivia’s dad walked in, and tickled the kitten under the chin.

Then Ben flung open the kitchen door, and stomped muddy footprints across the floor.“Is it dinnertime yet?”

“Shoes off!” Mum grabbed him. “And then it is, yes.”

Olivia rolled her eyes at Mum.“You see?” she muttered. She let Smudge down to the floor and went to help pass the bowls of pasta round.

“What?” Ben asked, as he hopped around taking off his trainers.

Olivia folded her arms.“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to have Rob over tomorrow. Not when we’ve only had Smudge for three days. Rob’ll probably get Smudge to … to climb trees or something. You always do stupid things with him! Like that time you dug a tunnel and pulled up all Dad’s daffodil bulbs!”

Ben shook his head.“That so isn’t fair! For a start, we didn’t know they were there! And anyway, Rob loves cats. He’s been asking his mum and dad for one for ages. He can’t wait to meet Smudge.”

“Oh…” Olivia muttered.

“Actually, where is Smudge?” Mum asked.

Olivia looked down, expecting to see him by her feet, hoping to be fed. But he wasn’t there.

“I don’t know.” Olivia went to look in the hallway, but then there was a worried little meow from somewhere on the other side of the kitchen.

Mum frowned.“Where on earth is he?”

The meowing got louder.

“I think he’s behind the cooker!” Ben said suddenly.

“But it’s still hot from cooking dinner!” Mum cried.

Olivia dashed over to the cooker.“Smudge, come out of there!”

But Smudge only mewed louder.

“He’s stuck,” Olivia muttered, crouching down and trying to reach behind the cooker. “Ow, and it’s hot. I can’t get to him. I think he got trapped and now he can’t turn round!”

Dad shook his head.“What is it with that kitten? The smaller the space, the more he likes it. I’ll have to pull it out a bit.”

He dragged the cooker out from the wall, and Smudge darted out and ran to Olivia. He was trembling, and covered in dust balls– he looked even furrier than usual.

Mum shook her head.“I don’t think Smudge needs the boys to get him into trouble, Olivia. He can manage it perfectly well on his own!”

Chapter Four

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After school on Friday, Olivia ran into the house ahead of Rob and Ben, looking for Smudge.

The little grey kitten slipped round the living-room door, mewing excitedly, and purred as she picked him up. Olivia stroked him lovingly, and then took a step back as Rob came over to her. She was used to Rob racing around the playground with Ben, chasing people and getting into trouble. She wasn’t sure he knew how to be careful with a kitten.

“Hey! He’s really cute!”

Olivia nodded slowly.

“Can I stroke him? Will he mind?” Even Rob’s voice was gentler than usual.

“Um, OK…” Olivia looked on anxiously, but Rob tickled Smudge behind the ears – his favourite place, and Smudge purred and wriggled so that Olivia had to hand him over, letting him fasten his claws in Rob’s school sweater.

“He likes you!” Ben commented. “Come on, bring him up to my room.” He grabbed Smudge’s favourite jingly ball and a squeaky mouse.

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“But…” Olivia watched as the boys thundered up the stairs, taking Smudge with them. She started to run after them, but Mum called her back. “Leave them on their own, Olivia.”

“But they’ve taken Smudge up there. What are they going to do with him?”

Mum laughed.“Just play with him, like you do! Rob seems to really like him. Come on, Livvy. Come and make some chocolate-chip cookies with me, we can have them after tea.”

Olivia sighed. She supposed Mum was right. Maybe she was just feeling jealous because Smudge seemed to like Rob.

They were in the middle of cutting out the biscuits, when Ben and Rob and Smudge came down to watch TV. Olivia looked at Smudge carefully, but he seemed to be all right. The boys hadn’t trimmed his whiskers, or painted him blue, or done any of the other stupid things she’d been imagining.

A little later, Ben came into the kitchen.“Are the cookies ready yet? They smell fantastic.”

“The first trayful are nearly done, but they’re for after tea, Ben! We’re having fish fingers. And I can see you stealing the chocolate!” Mum waved a spoon at him, as Ben popped a handful of choc drops into his mouth, grinning.

“Where’s Smudge?” Olivia asked anxiously.

“Sitting on the sofa with Rob – calm down, Olivia! He’s fine. Rob thinks he’s great.”

Olivia stared out of the kitchen door, hoping Smudge might come in to see her. But he stayed with Rob.

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