Page 10 of The Two Halves of My Heart

After that, it didn’t matter what her mum said. I had to get her that kitten.

I sat at the gate, calling for the cat for nearly two hours. Finally, a little mewl sounded in the bushes and another squeak. The little ball of fluff tumbled out of the grass again and rubbed up against my leg.

“Hey, little fella. Ready to go and make Grace smile?”

In the bottom of my rucksack was a small litter tray with an old towel, and two chipped tea-plates for food and water. I’d bought a can of cat food from the corner shop during the week. All that was missing was the cat.

I bundled him in my arms and gave him plenty of fuss before putting him in the bag and wrapping him in the towel. I pedalled home with care and headed right to Grace’s. It was a little later than I’d hoped, but it shouldn’t matter.

“Hi, Oliver. Everything okay?” She answered the door to me, and I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

“Fine. Can I come in? I have a surprise for you.”

“Sure. Mum, Oliver is here,” she shouted out, as we headed straight up to her room.

I sat in my usual place and safely lowered the bag to the floor.

“What ya got?” Her eyes went straight to the bag I was so careful with.

“Oh, it’s a belated birthday present. Want to see?”

“Sure.” She scooted over and kneeled next to the bag.

I unzipped the backpack, and as soon as I did, she heard the little cry from the kitten.

“Have you got him? Really? For me?” The sparkle from her crystal-coloured eyes was back, and so was her smile—all big, wide, and filled with hope.

“Yeah. I don’t think he’s got any family. I went back to check. Do you like him?”

She picked him out of the bag and snuggled his black furry face. “I love him.” She leaned over and wrapped her arms around me with the kitten still in her hand. “Thank you,” she breathed against my neck.

When she finally let me go, I felt like the best friend I could ever be and nothing in the world could make me want to ruin that. “Is he going to be safe? You know, from your mum?”

“She’ll be okay.” But Grace was more interested in the black kitten than worrying about her mum.

“I’ve got you a few things. So that you can feed him and stuff.” I emptied the bag and arranged the items on the floor under her desk.

“Oliver, you’re brilliant. Thank you.”

All I needed as a thank you was the smile that lit up her face. “You’re welcome. What you gonna name him?”

“Bob.”

“Bob?” I question, shocked at the name.

“He’s a Bob. Aren’t you?” The kitten had curled up on Grace’s lap and made a nest, purring happily.

Happy Birthday, Grace.

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