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“No, we can stay a bit longer. Chloe and Sienna are helping Dad put the shopping away – you know they like that.” Her mum kneeled down beside Isla and looked anxiously at the kitten. “She’s not hurt, is she?”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_29]

“No, I think she’s just scared.” Isla could feel Silky’s heartbeat thudding against her fingers. The three of them sat quietly, Isla gently stroking Silky and her mum leaning against the wall, watching.

“You’re very good with her,” Isla’s mum said after a little while. “She looks like she’s calming down a bit.”

“So were you! I mean with Pickle, the way you picked him up. You knew just how to hold him.”

“I like cats,” her mum said, smiling. “We used to have a lovely big black cat like Pickle when I was growing up. He was called Oliver.” She reached over and gently stroked the top of Silky’s head with one finger. “Isla, would you like us to get a cat?”

Isla stared at her.“You know I would!” she said at last. “I’ve asked and asked, but you always said no because of Sienna and Chloe.”

“I think they’re nearly old enough to be sensible with one now,” her mum said. “They’re starting school in September. They’re getting big.”

“Would Dad like us to have a cat?” Isla said.

“Mmmm, well, I talked to him about it and he wasn’t totally sure, but he said maybe.” Her mum smiled. “I reckon we could convince him. Perhaps we could go to the same shelter that Hailey and her family got Silky from. What do you think?”

“That would be amazing…” Isla smiled up at her.

But deep inside there was a tiny sad thought–if only Mum had said that a few weeks ago! We could have been the ones to adopt Silky. She would be living with us and not having to hide from Pickle…

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]

Isla kept going back to check on Pickle and Silky, but they both seemed happy enough as long as they were kept apart. She moved Silky’s food and water bowls, and a litter tray, into the hall, so she had everything she needed. Hailey had said that she was very good at using a litter tray, so Isla was sure she’d be OK, even though she couldn’t go out in the garden.

Isla just hoped Hailey’s mum and dad wouldn’t mind. She kept an eye out for their car on Sunday afternoon, checking to see if it was in the driveway, and as soon she spotted it, she asked her dad if it was OK to pop round and explain.

“Of course you can. I’m sure they won’t mind, though. Do you want me to come with you?”

Isla shook her head.“No, it’s OK. I won’t be long.”

She hurried down the road and rang Hailey’s doorbell. There were racing footsteps and then Max flung the door open and yelled, “Hailey! It’s Isla!” and dashed off again.

Hailey came down the stairs and Isla said,“Hello! Was it a good party?”

“It was really good, I stayed up till half past one!”

Hailey looked tired, though, Isla thought. She was very pale and there were dark shadows under her eyes.“Wow! Lucky! Um, I just wanted to explain about the cats being in separate rooms.”

Hailey looked surprised.“I hadn’t noticed. Although Mum did mention that Silky’s bowls had been moved into the hallway.”

“Pickle and Silky had a big fight on Saturday – he chased her into the cupboard under the stairs and I was really worried, so me and Mum put the litter tray and bowls out in the hall for Silky, and shut Pickle in the kitchen. I hope that’s OK?”

Hailey nodded.“Thanks, Isla. But I’m sure they would have been all right,” she added.

Isla bit her lip. She didn’t think so. “You didn’t see Pickle,” she said slowly. “He was so angry with Silky. It was scary.”

“Pickle’s not scary!” Hailey said indignantly. “He’s a lovely cat.”

“Yes, I know… But…”

“But what?” Hailey snapped.

Isla didn’t know what to say. She knew Hailey adored Pickle and hated to think that he was fierce, but Silky had been so terrified. She felt as though she had to stick up for the little kitten. “But Pickle really hates sharing his house.You were the one who toldme that!”

“And I said he’ll get used to it!” Hailey was suddenly yelling. “It’s none of your business anyway. Pickle’s my cat, and so’s Silky! You should just keep your nose out of it! I wish I’d never let you come and look after them!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_30]

Isla felt hot and prickly all over. Hailey looked so angry– her fists were clenched and there were red spots on her cheeks. Isla didn’t think she’d ever seen her like that before.

She made a sort of stifled gasping noise and then turned and ran back down the street towards her house. She’d left the front door on the latch so she just pushed it open and then raced inside, flinging herself down on a beanbag in the living room. She couldn’t stop crying.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_31]

Silky cowered back against the bottom step of the stairs. She hated shouting almost as much as she hated Pickle’s scary hissing noises. Usually she loved being around Hailey and Isla. They were so gentle, and they’d spend ages fussing over her and playing with her and feeding her cat treats. But now she could feel the anger buzzing between them and it was setting her whiskers tingling.