Page 42 of Note to Self
“I can see it,” Trent says quietly, his voice low. “It looks like a cat.”
When we eventually get to the centre, the poor creature hisses at us. “We need to get a blanket. Stay here, see if it will let you touch it.”
“I’m keeping the gloves on. I don’t fancy getting scratched or bitten,” Trent says. He winks at me. “Unless it’s by you.”
Chuckling, I go back to get a blanket. Instead, I find a towel, grab it, and rush back to Trent. He’s already got hold ofthe cat and is trying to soothe the frightened animal. “There are kittens in there too.”
I scramble inside the hiding place where two tiny multicoloured kittens lay side by side. I gently pick them up, wrap them in the towel, and crawl backwards with one hand holding the babies. “It looks like we’ll be meeting the hunky vet after all.”
Trent cradles the animals to his chest as I drive quickly into town. “Do you know where the vet is?”
“No clue. I’ll google it.” He fumbles for his phone and searches. “It’s behind the high street.”
Thankfully, there aren’t many cars in the small car park in front. I get out first and go around the front to open Trent’s door. “Can you manage them?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think so.” He all but slides out of the seat, holding on tightly to his bundle. I wrap my arm around his shoulders, and we walk inside.
Luke looks up from his desk. “Merlin, hi. What’s going on?”
“Um, we found this cat in the brambles at the nursery. I think she may be hurt, and there are kittens too.”
“I’ll go and get Jethro.” Luke disappears through the doorway at the back of the reception.
A few moments later, he comes back with the man I assume is Jethro, the new vet.
“Wow, he is hot,” Trent says out of the corner of his mouth.
“Wow, he is hot.” Comes out of my mouth before my brain gets in gear. We’re not here to ogle the sexy vet. I’ve got a poorly cat and two kittens to worry about.
“He sure is,” Merlin whispers back.
“Hi, I’m Jethro. How can I help?”
I keep hold of the towel that’s hiding the small animals and let Merlin do all the talking, seeing as it was he who discovered them. We follow Jethro into his consultation room.
I gently lower the precious bundle onto the table and unwrap the towel, letting us see them properly for the first time. The mother cat doesn’t even look like a fully grown cat, more like a kitten herself. She’s also skin and bones. Her ginger, brown, and black fur is full of thorns and burs.
“She’s just a baby herself.” Jethro confirms my thoughts. “The babies are only a day or so old. I’m going to admit all of them, run some blood tests, and get them clean and fed. They’re all underweight and covered in fleas. They were lucky you found them. I doubt they would’ve lasted much longer.” Jethro strokes through the mother’s fur, but she flinches at his touch. “Once they’re well again, I can arrange for them to go to the cat shelter.”
“No,” I blurt out. “I want them.” I look to Merlin, who rolls his eyes as if he was expecting me to say it. “I’ll cover the bill.”
“I suppose having a rat and mice deterrent will be useful.” He tries to sound put out, but I know he wants them as much as I do.
Jethro checks over each kitten. They are mewling for their mother, who tries to stand but drops down again. She’s exhausted, bless her.
We leave with the promise of keeping us updated and the offer to come and see them again. He thinks it will be at least five days before they will be fit enough to leave, but it’s not definite. I hate leaving them, but I know it’s for the best.
“I’m knackered.” I collapse into the car seat. “The poor things, thank god you were out there. You don’t mind me keeping them, do you? I should have asked before blurting it out.”
“You only said it before I did. There’s no way they’ll go to a shelter. I think it’s still touch and go for them. They really are very poorly.”
“I have every faith in the hot vet.” I give him a sweet smile.
Merlin all but growls at me. “Do you want your arse spanked to remind you that you’re mine?”
I laugh. “You don’t need a reason to do that to me, babe. I promise my heart only belongs to you.”
As we drive away, my stomach lets out a noisy growl. “Are you hungry? Shall we grab some lunch?”
