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Lily frowned.“It’s rude to be so happy about going home!” She laughed at Amy’s suddenly worried face. “I’m only teasing! Go! Go on! I’ve got all my fingers crossed for you! Call and tell me if itis a kitten!”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]

A few streets away, a little black kitten was sitting in a cardboard carrier, mewing sadly. She didn’t like it in here, and things didn’t smell right. She wanted to go back to her lovely home.

“Sshh, sshh, Jet.” There was a scuffling noise at the top of the box, and the kitten looked up nervously. “Let’s get you out, little one.”

The kitten pressed herself into the corner as the dark box opened up. Then she gave a squeak of relief. There was her owner!

Mrs Jones reached in and gently lifted out the little cat. She lowered herself down into an armchair and the kitten curled up on her lap.

“Can we play with Jet, Gran?” Two children had followed Mrs Jones into the room. “Please!” the little girl squealed.

“Millie, calm down!” Mrs Jones said firmly. “You’ll scare her.”

The kitten looked up at the children, both reaching out for her, and squirmed into Mrs Jones’s cardigan.

“I just want to stroke her,” the little boy begged.

“I’m sorry, Dan. I know you both want to say hello, but she’s only just arrived, and she’s not really used to being with children. She’ll soon settle in, I’m sure, and then you can play with her all you want.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_6]

“Don’t bother Gran, you two. You know she needs to rest and get better.” The children’s mother was standing in the doorway now. “Do you want a cup of tea or anything, Mum?”

“No, no, Sarah, thank you. I’m just going to sit here with Jet to keep me company.”

“OK. Come on, you two. Don’t forget to shut the door – you know we need to keep Jet in here for the next few days.”

The children ran off after their mum, and the kitten relaxed. This place wasn’t home, but at least Mrs Jones was here.

“Oh dear, it’s a big change, isn’t it?” The old lady tickled her under the chin. “Still, Sarah’s right. I’m better off here where she can keep an eye on me.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_7]

But Jet wasn’t listening. She’d tensed up again, the fur on her tiny black tail bristling. Millie and Dan hadn’t shut the door properly after all, and there was another cat here. A big Siamese staring at her with round blue eyes. She mewed anxiously. Did this house already belong to another cat?

Mrs Jones looked over at the cat.“Oh, there’s Charlie. Don’t worry, Jet. He’s friendly; Sarah told me he’d be no trouble. No trouble at all.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]

“Come out into the garden!” Amy’s dad held open the back door, an excited expression on his face.

“The present is outside?” Amy asked doubtfully. Why would a kitten be outside? She stepped out, and looked round at her parents, who were beaming at her.

“Look at the tree!” Dad pointed up at the big chestnut tree at the end of the garden.

“Oh! A tree house!” Amy said, sounding rather surprised.

“Don’t you like it?” Her dad’s voice was suddenly anxious.

“Yes, I do, I love it.” Amy hugged him. It was true – she had always wanted a little private hideaway of her own. It was just that it wasn’t a kitten…

“Why don’t you go and explore?” said Mum.

Amy ran down the garden and climbed the wooden ladder that her dad had fastened on to the tree trunk.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_8]

The tree house smelled lovely, of new wood. Amy looked round it delightedly. There was a big purple beanbag to sit on, and on a tiny wooden table by the square window was a birthday cake, with pink icing.

Amy leaned out of the door, and smiled down at her parents.“It’s a brilliant present. Thank you!”

“We’ll cut the cake in about half an hour, OK?” said Mum, smiling.

Amy sat down on the beanbag, and sighed. She loved the tree house– but at the same time, she was secretly a little disappointed. “I should have known it wouldn’t be a kitten,” she whispered to herself. “It was just that I was really hoping…”

Chapter Two

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On Saturday it was Amy’s birthday party. She and Lily and a couple of other friends from school were going to the cinema, and then to her favourite caf? for tea. She was really looking forward to it – but every so often something would remind her about kittens and she’d feel sad again.

“I can never decide whether to have sweet or salty popcorn,” said Lily, as she and Amy walked over to the food counter. “Or do you want to share some pick ’n’ mix instead? Amy…?” She turned to her friend. “Are you OK? You seem a bit quiet,” she whispered. “Is it about your present?”

Amy nodded.“My tree house is really cool. I can’t wait for you to see it.” She sighed. “Maybe they’ll change their minds about me getting a cat in time for my next birthday.”

Lily gave her a hug.“You can come and borrow Stella any time.”

Amy smiled at her gratefully, but it wasn’t the same as a kitten of her own.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]