Page 58 of The Day After Christmas
Felicity’s stomach dropped at the thought.
‘Does he have a name?’ she said, tentatively. The little cat was lying on the floor of the cage now, his head resting on her hand.
‘You’ve got a job for life there,’ said Saskia, with a nod. ‘They didn’t mention one. Call him what you like. Think he’s ginger somewhere under all that filth.’
‘Maybe we should call him What-A-Mess. Remember that book?’
Saskia looked blank.
‘Never mind.’
‘Hey, Saskia,’ said Andrea, coming out of the door to meet them.
Felicity didn’t miss the slight flush that rose into the animal collection officer’s cheeks.
How does she do it?
‘Good to see you, Andrea.’
‘How have you been?’ said Andrea.
‘Tres bon, merci ma chérie,’ said Saskia with a grin. ‘Brought you a little something.’
‘I can see that,’ said Andrea.
‘Got room for a little one?’
‘Do we?’ said Felicity, turning to Andrea, her eyes wide.
Andrea didn’t hesitate for even a moment.
‘Course we do. Come on, Sas, let’s go sort the paperwork. Felicity, I think there’s a spare cage in the cat room for our new little friend.’
‘How about Marmaduke?’ said Felicity, lifting the cage and peering in. She could see the little cat’s bones through his skin and he was crawling with lice. What on earth were they going to do if they couldn’t save this place?
‘Perfetto,’ said Saskia.
CHAPTER 29
Saskia left an hour later, her face pale. She hadn’t been able to resist giving Marmaduke a final little stroke on the way out. The elderly cat was already settled into a lovely cosy cage in the corner of the room with a bowl full of food, a soft blanket and as many cuddly toys as Felicity could find hanging about the place. He had tucked into his food with gusto, which was always an excellent sign.
‘He’s a sweetheart,’ said Andrea, as they sat and ate their lunch.
‘You told her, didn’t you?’ mumbled Felicity, her mouth full of salt-and-vinegar twists.
‘About this place? I had to. We might not be here to take her waifs and strays soon.’
‘That sounds like you’ve given up already.’
Andrea reached over and grabbed a handful of Felicity’s crisps. ‘Not at all. But it’s pretty hopeless, you’ve got to admit it. Anyway, since when were you Little Miss Optimism? Actually, don’t answer that. I know precisely when.’
‘And what’s that supposed to mean, exactly?’
‘It started the day you met Penguin Man.’ Andrea took another bite of her sandwich and grinned.
‘You weren’t even there. How do you know?’
‘Fine, that week, then. You suddenly started seeing sunshine and rainbows everywhere.’
