Have you SEEN HER?

Mark had already lost his aunt’s precious pet – things could scarcely get worse

- Maria McAvoy

‘Now, you will take good care of Miss Tibbles? She’s a very sensitive cat.’

With a stupid name. Mark gave his best smile. ‘Yes, Aunt Jayne.’

She eyed him, suspiciously. ‘You’d better, young man. I remember when you looked after my tortoise and painted a glow-in-the-dark spot on his shell.’

‘Ah, but you never lost him again,’ said Mark. ‘Besides, I’m older now. More responsible.’

That was true, but he feared Aunt Jayne would always see him as a small boy with grubby knees.

‘Where is the cat?’

Aunt Jayne squinted at the garden. ‘There.’

Mark looked where she was pointing and saw a black cat, half-hidden in the shrubbery.

‘Her food is here,’ said Aunt Jayne. ‘And she only drinks filtered water.’

Mark had seen the cat drink out of puddles. ‘OK.’

The taxi taking Aunt Jayne to the airport for some winter sun pulled up and tooted. ‘Well, must fly.’ She gave him a hug. ‘Do not fiddle with the boiler controls. Or anything else, for that matter. In fact, don’t…’

‘Go!’ laughed Mark, pushing her out of the door. ‘Have a great holiday.’

After waving the taxi off, he treated himself to a rummage in the fridge, then spent the afternoon watching premium channels on TV. Nice one, Aunt Jayne.