The Secret Kitten

Catkin edged out from under the bed, sniffing. She was confused. But she had never had so much food before – her brother and sister had always fought for more of their mother’s milk and the same with the scraps. It wasn’t just the sandwiches and the cereal or the sausages, either – the two children had been so gentle. Lucy and William had whispered to her and tried to purr at her and that morning Lucy had run one finger softly all down her back, which had made her quiver. It had been strange and different, but she had liked it. And now there was another soft box bed and more food. She liked being inside, all warm and dry. So she padded cautiously across the room and stopped to sniff at Lucy’s fingers. Then she butted her head up against Lucy’s hand and went to nibble daintily at the sausage in the pot.

Lucy sat watching her, smiling to herself. Her own kitten. In her own bedroom. Almost, anyway.

Then she froze. The steps up to her room were creaking. She was just sitting forward, ready to scoop Catkin further into the wardrobe and close the door, when she heard William hissing, “It’s only me! I’ve got the tray!”

Lucy wriggled back slowly and went to open the door. “You star! How did you do that?”

“Gran’s on the phone to Auntie Susie. She’ll be ages. Angel Katie got a distinction in her ballet exam.” Angel Katie was what they called their perfect little cousin. “Gran was in the living room and she didn’t see me at all. I’ve got the water, too.”

“That’s brilliant. Look, if I move my shoes and put them under my desk instead, we can put the litter tray in the corner of the wardrobe. And this newspaper I used to wrap my photo frames can go underneath, just in case. Don’t worry, Catkin. We’re just making it nice for you.”

“I hope she understands what to do,” William said doubtfully. “What if she wees in the wrong place? Like, I don’t know, in your slippers?”

Lucy grinned at him. “Yuck. But actually, I don’t think I’d mind. She’s only little. I remember when you were a baby and you weed in Dad’s face when he was changing your nappy.”

William went scarlet. “You don’t! You can’t remember that, you were only little yourself.”

“Well, I remember Dad telling me about it once, anyway. I bet Catkin won’t make as much mess as a baby.”

Catkin finished the sausage and sniffed thoughtfully at the litter tray. Then she snuggled up on Lucy’s scarf and pulled the sweater over herself, almost like a blanket. She tucked her nose comfortably under her tail and, as the two children watched, she fell fast asleep.

“I hope Gran didn’t go into your room for anything today,” William whispered to Lucy, as they hurried across the playground the next afternoon. It was Friday and everyone was running and swinging their bags, eager to get home and start the weekend.

“Me, too. But I don’t think she would have done. I took all of my washing downstairs and put it in the machine for her. And Dad vacuumed my room a couple of days ago. Catkin was really good last night. She didn’t mew or anything, and she even used the litter tray. This morning she was sitting on my windowsill when I woke up, just looking out of the window.” Lucy crossed her fingers. “Look, there’s Gran by the gate. She doesn’t look cross, does she? Not like someone who’s found a kitten in a wardrobe.” They waved to Gran and she waved back, smiling.

Just then someone called out her name, “Lucy!” It was Sara.

Lucy swung round and beamed at her friend. “Hello!”

“Lucy, can I ask you a big favour?” Sara said pleadingly, as they walked towards the gate. “I live quite close to you, you know. Just a couple of streets further on. Do you think I could pop into your house for five minutes on the way home? Just to see your gorgeous kitten? Pleeease? My mum said it was fine if you said I could.”

Lucy stopped walking and swallowed hard. She so wanted to say yes. Perhaps she could even tell Sara the secret. But there wasn’t time. Gran would hear them, she was really close. In fact, she was coming towards them, smiling. She was probably about to invite Sara to come for tea.

“I-I can’t today…” Lucy whispered, her eyes darting sideways at Gran. “I’ve got – dancing.” Gran had been talking about signing her up for dance classes – there were some at the church hall, not far away. It was the first thing that came into her head.

It was just a pity that William blurted out, “I’ve got to go to football!” at the same time.

“We’ve got both,” Lucy said hurriedly. “It’s just not a good day, Friday.”

Gran was standing beside them now, looking curious, and Lucy could see Sara’s mum coming over, too.

“If you don’t want me to come—” Sara started to say, sounding a bit hurt.

“It isn’t that! I do want you to, I really do!”

“You just had to say no – I thought we were friends!”

“We are!” Lucy said anxiously. “It’s just – not today. Another day!”

Sara nodded, but she still looked really disappointed. She grabbed her mum’s hand and pulled her away down the street, leaving Lucy and William and Gran staring at each other in confusion.