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The tabby kitten padded across the wooden floor, her ears flickering. She was very confused. Until today, she had been sharing a pen with three ginger and white kittens, a brother and two sisters. They’d curled up in the same basket, squabbled over food and chased each other’s tails. There had been people too, bringing them their meals and cleaning up the pen, but she hadn’t noticed them all that much.

Now everything had changed and she didn’t understand what was happening. There were no more ginger and white kittens. She was alone in a big room, with a new bed that smelled strange and a food bowl that seemed to be just for her. She curled up in the clean-smelling bed, feeling very small and very alone.

There was another cat somewhere, though. She was sure of it. She could smell it and, when the people had first brought her into the house in that odd, jolting carrier, she had heard a cat. There had been mewing as it was bundled away into another room.

The little kitten huddled closer to the cushioned side of the bed and stared wide-eyed at the door. The handle was rattling. Someone was coming in!

[Êàðòèíêà: img_7]

Two someones– a woman and a girl. They had come to top up her food bowl and bring her fresh water, and then the girl sat down on the floor by her basket and made squeaky noises, gently patting her knees and whispering. The kitten eyed her anxiously.

“Don’t scare her, Hailey.”

“I’m not! I just wanted to stroke her.”

“OK, but you know they said we had to take it slowly. Besides, we probably smell like Pickle to her. I expect she’s confused.”

The kitten watched them talk, her eyes darting from person to person. The girl was very close and that worried her, but she did sound gentle. And the food smelled good– it was making her hungry. Cautiously, she sat up and crawled to the edge of the basket.

“Let her get at the food, Hailey. Move back a bit. I think she’s nervous about going past you.”

The kitten twitched her tail as the girl moved, but she was only backing away so that was all right. She kept watching the girl as she went over to the bowl, gulping down the food with one eye on the people all the time. There was definitely another cat– she could smell it on them. A boy cat who’d lived here a long time, she thought. His scent was everywhere. This washis house.

The kitten finished the bowl of food and sipped a little water. She was feeling sleepy now and the girl had been so quiet all the time she was eating. Perhaps it was safe to go and have a look at her? A bit of a sniff?

She padded slowly forwards, keeping her bottom and tail nervously low. She was ready to leap back at once if either of them made any sudden movements. But they didn’t. The girl was so still, she was hardly even breathing.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_8]

The kitten sniffed at her shoe and then started to climb, slowly and carefully, up on to her foot. The girl felt warm and her trousers were soft. The kitten slumped sideways against her crossed legs and yawned.

Just then the door creaked a little, sliding slowly inwards, and the kitten’s eyes widened. What was happening? Who was coming in now?

“Mum! You didn’t shut the door!” the girl yelped, leaning protectively over the kitten, reaching for her.

The kitten saw the big hands coming and quivered with fright. She didn’t know where to run. Where was safe? She squeaked in dismay and then her fur stood up all over as a huge black cat stalked into the room.

It was him– the one this house belonged to – and he was angry! His ears were flattened right back, as though he was ready for a fight, and he was hissing loudly.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_9]

The kitten tucked her bottlebrush tail right underneath her and scurried in terror for the shelter of her basket– the only safe place she knew. She watched, her heart hammering, as the woman hurried across the room, swept the big black cat up in her arms and carried him out. He was still hissing furiously and the kitten huddled in her basket – even the air felt angry. What was she doing here, in someone else’s home?

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]

“Did you get her? Did you choose the tabby kitten? Can I come and see her after school?” Isla asked eagerly as soon as she opened the door to Hailey. She dragged on her coat and called, “Bye, Mum!”

Isla’s mum was watching Sienna and Chloe eat breakfast. Their nursery started later than school and it was a bit much to expect Hailey’s mum or dad to take them as well. She hurried out of the kitchen to say goodbye, waving to Hailey’s dad at the end of the path. “Have you got your homework folder, Isla?”

“Yup. See you later! Oh, Mum, can I pop in and see Hailey’s new kitten on the way home? If that’s OK with them? I can ask her dad.”

“Yes – but don’t be too long. Have a good day!” Her mum straightened Isla’s coat – it was tricky to get it on just right sometimes.

“So did you choose the tabby kitten?” Isla asked again as they went to the gate. “I’ve been thinking about you all weekend. I really wanted to come round yesterday but we were visiting my gran.”