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‘I’m so excited that you are,’ I said. Since we had joined the last scene of the show on a whim, or actually, on George’s suggestion, Aleksy declared that we should have been in it all along, so we were going to do the same today. Better late than never, I guessed.

‘I’m probably the most professional out of all of us, but they didn’t do a terrible job,’ George added, joining us.

‘I thought you were looking after Hana,’ I said.

‘She is having a quick rest. The walk here has worn her out,’ George replied.

‘Are you sure she’s OK?’ Snowball asked. Hana had made all the shows but otherwise we’d barely seen her.

‘She’s just tired out. She says after Christmas is over she’ll be her old self again.’ George didn’t sound concerned so I decided not to worry. That was the gift I wanted for Christmas: a worry-free day.

The noise level from inside told us that everyone was finally here. We went back in.

‘Secret Santa,’ Claire announced. As there were so many of us for lunch, the humans did something called a Secret Santa, whereby everyone bought one gift for someone else.

‘Can we give them out?’ Summer asked. Thankfully, Harold had been persuaded not to wear his Santa costume all day, otherwise he might have insisted it was his job.

‘Of course, sweetheart.’ The children all dove in and started distributing gifts. As chocolates, bath stuff, scarves, and things like that were all opened, everyone declared themselves delighted with their presents. Even Barbara beamed with happiness. We didn’t get to participate in present giving.

‘I’ve got something for the cats as well,’ Doris said. Oh, maybe we did this year. I felt excited.

‘Oh no, not another cat bonnet,’ George hissed at me. Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. But actually, she had made us Christmas hats – Santa hats – and we had to wear them now. Mine kept slipping down over one of my eyes, which was most irritating, but I didn’t want to offend Doris. George said his made his fur itch.

‘It’s only one day, son,’ I assured him as Snowball tried not to laugh at us.

‘I wish I had one, I liked wearing antlers,’ Pickles said. If George could have given him his, he would have done.

‘Pickles, you’ll get to wear your antlers again later,’ I assured him.

‘Yay!’ He did a little wriggle with excitement.

‘Alfie, George, come here so I can take a picture of you in your hats. Social media will love this,’ Tommy said, and took a photo of us with his phone. Apparently we were on our way to becoming Instagram famous, not that I knew what that was.

For me, the best part came next. Christmas dinner. We cats were given turkey and we tucked in. Dustbin and Ally also had some, but out in the yard. Hana seemed to have perked up as she ate with gusto, but then she said she was too full, and she waddled to the corner and lay down. She did look full, I had to say, but we all ate a bit too much at Christmas. Humans and cats alike.

Games were played with the children, the adults, and Tommy and Aleksy organised them. A couple of members of the Sunday Lunch Club fell asleep in their chairs, and I wished I could join them but there was still so much to do and I didn’t want to miss a single minute. Some of the adults cleared up, with Franceska and Tomasz in charge, and all in all, it was a huge amount of fun.

‘Could I say something?’ Barbara asked. George gave me a ‘look’.

‘Of course, Barbara,’ Claire said.

‘God, I hope it’s not anotherHamlet monologue,’ Jonathan muttered. Claire poked him in the ribs as Matt laughed.

‘I would like to say that this has been the most difficult year of my life. And I have behaved badly, unforgivably so. But you all took me in and forgave me. Not only that, but you also invited me to part of this wonderful Christmas. I don’t know how I will ever thank you, but know that if anyone ever needs anything, I will be here for you all.’ She started crying. I gave George one of my ‘be compassionate’ looks as Harold went over to Barbara and put his arm around her.

‘Do you think they might be a couple?’ George asked me.

‘I don’t know. I think it’s probably too soon after losing her husband for her.’

‘Just as well, imagine poor Snowball having her as a human step-mum.’

‘George, I think she’s sincere and nice now,’ I chastised.

‘Well I still have a pink tail that says otherwise.’

Shortly after that, we were told it was time to go because this Christmas Day we were going to perform our final, final show.

As coats were put on, lifts organised, and presents put in bags to go home we all left and made our way to the hall. And I resolved that although I had worked hard at all my shows, I would give this one my all, as it was the last ever time I would be a sheep.

Chapter Thirty-Five

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