Felix the Fluffy Kitten and Other Kitten Tales

“If I may explain,” Mr Tomkins said, stepping forward. “My assistant, Miss Spark here, visited Mr Pearce’s shop a few days ago and admired the photograph of Felix in the window . . .”

Felix, with a soft miaow, came out from under the sofa. “Here I am!”

The two visitors gave an “Aaah!” of admiration.

“Oh, how sweet!” Miss Spark cried. Her red curls bobbed round her pointy face. “Mr Pearce told me that Felix was the fluffiest kitten he’d ever seen!” she said.

“And I’m pleased to see he’s very fluffy indeed,” Mr Tomkins added.

Jodie picked up Felix and stroked him proudly. A small shower of grey fluff floated out from his coat. Everyone watched as it slowly sank to the floor. Jodie’s heart sank too. Was her mum going to be angry?

“Ahem . . .” said Miss Spark. “Mr Pearce also told me you were having a spot of trouble with Felix’s fluff.”

“Well, yes,” said Mrs Taylor. She glanced at Jodie. “It’s true that all I seem to do these days is clean up after Felix. I’ve got a vacuum cleaner but it’s not really up to the job.”

“And that is why we’re here!” boomed Mr Tomkins happily.

“Shall I go and get it, sir?” Miss Spark asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Mr Tomkins nodded. “If you don’t mind, Miss Spark.”

Miss Spark went to the white van parked outside. She came back in carrying a strange, shiny machine. Written on the side, in bright blue letters, was Wizard.

“It looks like a robot!” Jodie said, staring at the large silver box with arms attached.

Felix jumped down from Jodie’s arms and approached the machine. What a strange-looking creature! He saw himself in the shiny surface. “Miiaoww!” What a fine-looking kitten!

“This,” said Mr Tomkins proudly, “is my latest invention. It’s not just a vacuum cleaner . . .”

Felix backed away from the silver creature. “Is that a vacuum cleaner?” he miaowed.

“. . . It’s the vacuum cleaner!” Mr Tomkins continued. “Better than any other!” He beamed at Jodie and her mum. “I’ve called it the Wizard because it can clean any house like magic!”

“Really?” Mrs Taylor looked at it wistfully. “Well, it looks very good, but—”

Mr Tomkins held up his hand. “Please allow us to demonstrate . . .” He turned to his assistant. “Miss Spark, would you plug in the Wizard, please?”

“Certainly, Mr Tomkins,” his assistant replied. By now, Miss Spark’s red curls seemed to fizz with excitement.

Felix wondered if he should make a dash for it. He’d heard the dreaded words “vacuum cleaner”, and that usually meant trouble.

But while he was deciding, Miss Spark switched the machine on. The silver creature began to hum.

Felix sat with his head on one side and stared, puzzled. Why wasn’t it making a nasty loud roaring sound like Mrs Taylor’s vacuum cleaner?

Miss Spark began to put the machine through its paces, moving one of its long rubbery arms over the sofa.

“Look at that!” Mrs Taylor cried, delighted. The sofa cushions looked brand new!

Then Miss Spark pushed the machine across the carpet. “With one gentle push, the Wizard slides easily along the floor, picking up every single hair as it passes,” she said.

“It picks up fluff you didn’t know you had!” Mr Tomkins joked.

Felix watched the humming silver creature gliding smoothly along the carpet. It didn’t seem fierce, like the other vacuum cleaner. And he did like being able to see himself in the creature’s shiny body. Perhaps he should make friends with it.

Felix ran towards the machine, jumped on it and pawed at his reflection.

“Felix looks as if he’s driving it!” Jodie laughed.

Everyone smiled, watching Felix as he sat on the Wizard like a figurehead. His purring was almost as loud as the Wizard’s hum.

As Miss Spark steered the Wizard past Jodie, Felix looked up. “Hey, Jodie!” he miaowed. “This is fun!”

Mrs Taylor shook her head in awe, looking at the spotless sofa and carpet. “I’ve never seen the place looking so clean,” she said. “At least, not since Felix has been here.”

Jodie had to agree.

“And finally,” said Miss Spark as she switched the vacuum cleaner off, “the Wizard also sucks fluff and dust from the air – before it has a chance to settle.”

“That’s fantastic!” Jodie said.

As the machine stopped moving, Felix stepped off and sat next to his new friend, his head on one side.

Mr Pearce began clapping. “It looks as though Felix thinks he’s done the cleaning himself,” he said.

“He’s an absolute darling!” Miss Spark cried.

Felix was really enjoying himself. Everyone seemed to think he was great! And now that his silver friend had cleaned up all his fluff, perhaps Mrs Taylor would forget about banishing him to the garage.

But Jodie’s mum was looking worried again. “It’s a marvellous machine,” she said. “I’d love one – but I’m afraid we simply can’t afford a new vacuum cleaner. Especially such an expensive-looking one . . .”

“Oh, I don’t want you to buy one!” Mr Tomkins said.

Chapter Six

“What?” Mrs Taylor said in surprise.

“Let me explain,” said Mr Tomkins. “We want Felix to star in our advertisements,” he said.

Jodie gasped.