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“Was it two tomcats who were fighting her?” the vet asked. “Are they neutered? Boy cats can be rough, if they haven’t been. It might be worth suggesting to their owner that he gets them done. I’ll give you a leaflet.”

“We’ll talk to Josh’s dad, Maddy,” Dad promised.

As Dad drove back home, Maddy cradled Biscuit in her lap. They’d gone off to the vet’s in such a rush, they hadn’t had time to put her in her travel crate.

“I’ll drop you two off, and then I’ll go and see if that big pet shop by the supermarket has those special cat flaps,” Dad said, as he pulled in.

“Look, there’s Josh and his dad!” Maddy got out, carrying Biscuit.

“You found her!” Josh’s dad hurried forward. “Is she OK?”

“She’s hurt her paw and we had to take her to the vet,” Maddy explained.

“She’s really scratched, too…” Josh’s dad peered at Biscuit’s nose. “Was that our two?”

Maddy nodded.“I think so. Um, are Tiger and Tom neutered? The vet said maybe that would help. He gave us a leaflet.”

[Ęŕđňčíęŕ: img_34]

Becky pushed the leaflet into Josh’s dad’s hand. “Probably not,” he said. “We didn’t have them done – they were strays, you see. They turned up at work, about three years ago now, and I brought them home. They were only tiny – about the size of your little one.” “Ohh…” Somehow, knowing that Tiger and Tom hadbeen stray kittens made Maddy feel less cross with them. And Josh and his dad. It wasn’t as if they’d asked to be cat owners, and they’d never realized how important it was to have the cats neutered.

“We can try and keep them in sometimes as well, like you said,” Josh put in suddenly.

“That would be brilliant,” Maddy said gratefully. She brushed her cheek lightly over Biscuit’s soft furry head. It was all going to be OK…She should ring Kate to tell her what had happened, she thought suddenly, smiling. It was a nice thought. It didn’t make her feel teary, like it would have done a couple of days ago. She missed Kate loads, still. But it wasn’t as bad any more, somehow…

“I suppose I’d better get home,” Becky said, as they reached Maddy’s.

“Would your mum let you stay for a bit?” Maddy asked hopefully. “That’s OK, isn’t it?” she added to her mum, who had come to the garden gate and was looking anxiously at Biscuit. “It’s good news, Mum, the vet says she’s probably just torn a muscle.”

“Of course you can stay, after all your help. Ring your mum, Becky. Is she really all right?” Maddy’s mum stroked Biscuit gently. “Oh, she’s purring.”

Maddy beamed.“She is! She must be feeling better, now she’s home.”

[Ęŕđňčíęŕ: img_5]

“Maddy!”

Maddy looked round, and saw Becky come racing across the playground.“How’s Biscuit?”

“Loads better,” Maddy said happily. “She walking again now. She’s got a bit of a limp, but it’s not too bad.”

“I bet you’re fussing over her like anything.” Becky laughed.

“I love spoiling her,” Maddy admitted. She looked at Becky shyly. “Mum said I could ask you over, so you can see how she is.”

Becky beamed.“Really? Yes, please! Can I come today? Just to pop in and see her on the way home?”

[Ęŕđňčíęŕ: img_35]

“Yes, of course.” Maddy could feel her face going pink. She hadn’t been sure if Becky would be as friendly at school as she had been over the weekend.

“Do you think Mrs Melling would let you move tables, now that Kate isn’t here any more?” Becky asked thoughtfully. “There’s space for you to sit with me and Lara and Keri.”

“I suppose we could ask,” Maddy said, going even pinker.

“Cool.” Becky pulled her over to the little group of girls she’d been chatting to. “Have you got a photo of Biscuit in your bag to show everyone?”

[Ęŕđňčíęŕ: img_5]

“She looks different,” Becky said thoughtfully, later on that afternoon as the girls sat in Maddy’s kitchen, watching Biscuit sleeping in her basket.

“The scratches don’t look as bad,” Maddy suggested.

“No, it isn’t that. I think she just looks happier. I suppose she must have been feeling really miserable on Saturday.” She glanced at the door. “Did your dad get that special cat flap?”

“Yes. And then he went round and worked out the times Biscuit gets to go outside with Josh’s dad. He told Dad he’d already rung the vet. Tiger and Tom are booked in for Wednesday. Once they’re neutered, the vet said he was sure they’d be less fierce.”

“That’s amazing.” Becky grinned. “Aren’t you glad I made you go and ring their bell? Oh look, Biscuit’s awake!”

Biscuit opened her eyes and yawned, showing her raspberry-pink tongue.Then she looked lovingly at Maddy, and stepped out of her basket and on to Maddy’s lap. She gave Becky a curious stare.

“Can I stroke her?”

Maddy nodded.“She doesn’t seem as jumpy as she did before. It can’t really be the new cat flap, because she hasn’t even been out yet.”

“Maybe she’s just glad to be home,” Becky suggested.

Maddy smiled down at Biscuit. She seemed to be going back to sleep again, just on a warmer, cosier sort of bed.

Biscuit burrowed deeper into Maddy’s school cardigan, and purred softly with each breath. She was safe now. And she wasn’t frightened any more.

24. THE MISSING KITTEN