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Her own room! She didn’t mind sharing with Ava that much – it was cute sometimes when her little sister wanted to climb into bed with her in the mornings. But she always had to put her precious things up on a high shelf, just so Ava wouldn’t mess around with them. It wasn’t that her sister meant to break things,she couldn’t help it, being little and a bit careless. But now there would be no more Ava deciding to borrow her best pens, just because they were there, and leaving the lids off. No more scribbled-on homework.

It was going to be nice getting to live with Gran too, especially now she needed extra help. They wouldn’t have to worry about Gran being lonely, or maybe having another fall with no one there to look after her. Gran was beaming at them from the front seat of the car – she looked so happy that they were all going to be together.

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The flat, though… It was home. Harper wished the rental agency hadn’t wanted them to move out on a school day. Even though they’d been able to take things over to Gran’s ever since they’d decided on leaving, a few days before, it had still been a rush that morning, trying to wash and have breakfast in a flat that was almost all packed up. She didn’t feel like she’d had time to say goodbye properly.

At least she’d known what was going on, though. Poor Sammy must have been so confused. She nibbled her bottom lip, listening to Mum explain to Ava that yes, the movers had put her bed in her new room, and her dolls’ house, and her pirate outfit…

“Is Sammy OK?” Harper broke in, when Ava stopped asking questions to breathe. “Does he like it at Gran’s?”

Mum sighed.“Ummm, I think he’s a bit cross. He didn’t want anything to eat earlier on – but we have to give him some time to get used to a new home, Harper. Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Harper nodded, but she was still chewing her bottom lip. Mum loved Sammy, Harper knew that she did, but it wasn’t the same. Harper was the one who played with him most, and always came down in the morning to feed him. She groomed him and even cleaned out his litter tray. Sammy slept on her bed most nights now. She couldn’t help feeling that Sammy was mostly hers. She had to make sure he was OK.

When they pulled up outside the house, Ava bounced out of the car and twirled her way to the doorstep, obviously desperate to run and see her new room now it had her things in.

Mum unlocked the door and helped Gran inside, and they hung up their jackets on the hooks– they’d done that so many times before, but this time it was different. This was their home too, now.

Harper had hoped Sammy would come bounding towards her, like he usually did, but no little grey spotted cat raced down the hallway.

“He’s behind the basket, there,” Gran murmured behind her, and then when Harper looked up at her in surprise, she smiled. “I could see you looking around for him. Don’t worry, Harper. He’ll get used to the new place soon.”

Harper nodded, smiling back, and then she crouched down to peer round the basket. A small, cross, stripey face glared back at her. Harper really wanted to reach in and pick Sammy up, but she thought she’d better leave him to come out in his own time. He was grumpy already. He didn’t want to be grabbed.

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“I could get you your tea,” she whispered to him, her voice soft and persuasive. “Would you like that?”

Mum looked round– she was halfway up the stairs, following Ava. “I put some food down for him before, Harper, one of those posh little tins. Maybe change it for something else? Perhaps he just wants his normal biscuits? I’ll be down in a minute, Mum. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

Harper nodded. And then realized she didn’t even know where the bag of cat food was, in Gran’s kitchen, and sighed. No wonder Sammy was upset.

“Come on, love.” Gran took her hand. “Let your mum sort Ava out. She’s got enough to worry about, I can manage putting the kettle on, and I’m sure there’s juice in the fridge. I could pour you some while you see where she’s put the cat food. And you can tell me what your day was like.I’d love that.”

Harper stood up, glancing back at the basket. Maybe she was getting worked up over nothing. Gran knew about cats and she thought Sammy would be fine.

“He’ll be here any minute,” Gran reassured her, as Harper opened cupboard doors, searching for the cat food. It was in the cupboard by the sink, just like it had been at home – Harper frowned at herself – at the old flat, she meant. She had to start thinking of this house as home now. They all did.

She pulled the bag out, hearing it rustle, and looked hopefully towards the hall. Yes… There he was by the basket – peeping round to check what was going on. Harper rustled the bag a bit more, on purpose, and then gave Gran a big grin of relief as Sammy came trotting purposefully down the hall.

Maybe everythingwas going to be all right?

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