Читать книгу When We Were Kittens - David Greagg - Страница 34

Tonight was really annoying. It was cool and mild and there was hardly any wind, so we set out with Man for our walk. As soon as we went down the hill on our road, I felt my sister go tense. What is it? I asked her. Someone's watching us, she told me. I can feel it and I'm scared. So I walked on the side of the road between her and danger and she stopped and hid under a car.

Man walked up to me and asked what's wrong, Dougal?

I tried to tell him I didn't know why, but Shadow's scared so keep an eye out. Then suddenly she shot out from under the car and hid behind Man.

It was Red Cat Two! We hadn't seen him in ages and we hadn't missed him either. I looked under the car and there he was. His body was tense and he looked like he was ready to attack. Don't do this, I told him. Just go now and nobody gets hurt. He ignored me completely. So I sat down between him and Man and told him look, this isn't going to help. If you come near me I'll slap you round and then I'll chase you away. We're all sick of you. Why don't you learn?

Well, I thought I was being reasonable, but Red Cat Two just sat there glaring at me. You can't fight someone under a car. To begin with there isn't enough room, and also it just isn't done. It's in the rules, and even Red Cat Two seems to understand that. Hiding under cars which aren't moving is Time Out.

So what are you going to do now? I asked him. I'm not moving from here until you go away. If we just keep on walking you're going to attack my sister and I won't have it. So you have to leave. I won't chase you if you go now.

I just wished he'd say something. Anything. At least I could argue with him. But all he said was a snarl and I hate you! Not much I could do with that.

Suddenly I felt Man kneel down beside me and I got out of the way and went to sit with my sister; because Man had the Squirter Of Dogs and I saw him pumping it quickly. I knew what that meant.

So did Red Cat Two. As soon as Man squirted under the car he was off. But Man chased him and gave him several more shots as he jumped the fence into his home. Shadow and I just watched and we rubbed our faces on his paw when he came back to us. Man must think Red Cat Two is crazy as well. Shadow and I walked taller for the rest of our walk, especially when we were hissed at by a big stripy cat and Man used it on him too.

Later, when we were safely in bed, Shadow asked me about Man using the Squirter of Dogs in Time Out under cars. I thought about it. I don't think cat rules apply to humans, I said. She thought this was fair enough.