Alfie in the Snow

‘Right everyone, it’s countdown time,’ Jonathan shouted. ‘Ten, nine, eight, seven.’ Everyone joined in. ‘Six, five, four, three, two, one. HAPPY NEW YEAR!’ the room shouted with loud cheers. People in couples kissed. Marcus hugged his father, then Sylvie hugged Harold, and Marcus grabbed Sylvie in a big hug and kissed her cheek. She blushed and I noticed. As, I saw, did Claire.

Connie and Aleksy snuck off and I looked around and saw they were sharing their first kiss – I assumed it was their first – under the mistletoe in the hallway. So much for them being chaperoned at all times. But, I was pleased, it made me feel warm for them, for everyone.

Old friends hugged, and new ones, and then they started singing this unfathomable song called ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which I didn’t understand, although I did catch a bit about old acquaintances and I think it meant don’t forget them or something. Surely they could have made it clearer though, as people sang it every year and no one really understood the words as far as I could tell. In fact, most people didn’t seem to even know them.

Satisfied that everyone was happy, having fun, and no one needed my help, I went outside to get some air.

The cold air wrapped itself around me. The snow had settled into a thin blanket and the air was cold and crisp. The sky was clear as I looked at the moon, something Tiger and I used to do together. We loved watching the moon and it was one of her favourites tonight, round and clear. I wondered if wherever she was she could see it. I felt his presence before I saw him, as George appeared.

‘What are you doing up?’ I asked, as I nuzzled him.

‘I heard Tommy say it was New Year now, and so I wanted to come and wish you a Happy New Year.’

‘Thanks, son, and Happy New Year to you too.’

‘Promise me, you’ll be happy, Dad.’

‘I promise.’ Just then a star appeared to wink at us. It was the brightest star I’d ever seen.

‘Wow, there’s Tiger mum, just like she said,’ George said.

‘She’s with us. Happy New Year, Tiger,’ I said into the wind.

‘Dad, make your resolutions now,’ George said.

‘What do you know about resolutions?’ I asked.

‘Claire is going to drink less, Jonathan moan less, and Summer be more amazing than she is. Oh, and Toby is going to keep away from girls.’

‘OK, here goes. Firstly, I will take excellent care of you. You are growing up to be such a fine young cat. And my second is that I will never stop missing Tiger, or loving her. My third resolution is that I will never stop with my plans to bring people together or keep them together. People and cats of course. Finally, I resolve to live every day to the full. How about you, George?’

‘I think I might just try not to set myself on fire again.’

We laughed and I told him what a good resolution that would be. I watched him hop back into the house before I followed him. As I left my footprints in the snow, I felt happiness and sadness, love and loneliness, the contradictions of life. And in the opening minutes of a new year, I gave a thought to all of those I loved, past, present and future.

Acknowledgments

I have to thank everyone who has been involved in giving me the chance to write about Alfie again. He is such a huge part of my life and family now, and the fact I can continue to share his adventures is incredible.

My friends and family have been instrumental in their support and help in getting this book written as always, so thank you to all of you. I love you very much. Thanks also go to my agents, Northbank Talent Management, for your continued support and hard work with Alfie both here and overseas.

To my publishers, Avon, you are fabulous to work with. From editorial to marketing to sales, you are incredible and I feel very lucky to be part of your team. Special mention to Victoria, Katie, Sabah and Elke, and of course sales and everyone else who helps with getting Alfie into the world.

Alfie has been lucky enough to become quite an international cat, so I would love to thank my publishers in Japan, Italy, Spain, France, Holland and Russia for all their hard work and dedication to the Alfie series. I would especially like to send out a huge thank you to my overseas readers for taking Alfie into their hearts. Of course my wonderful readers in the UK deserve a huge mention as well; without you there would be no Alfie, which is unimaginable! I will keep writing the books as long as you want to read them!

I also love to hear from you, so please follow me on Facebook – Rachel Wells, on twitter @acatcalledalfie, and on Instagram @rachelwellsauthor.

One ordinary neighbourhood. One extraordinary cat.

Click here to read the Sunday Times bestseller and find out how it all started. The tale of one little grey cat and his journey to become a Doorstep Cat.