Can you smell what I smell?
“Timmy, we’re going home, come on, boy.”
No! Not now, we have to go this way!
“Tim-my!” Katie’s voice was starting to sound cross.
Timmy looked worriedly up at her. How could he make her understand? He had a horrible feeling she wasn’t going to. But he was sure he recognized that smell and he had to investigate… Timmy gave Katie an apologetic look with his big, dark eyes, and moved a step towards her, loosening his lead.
“Good boy, Timmy,” Katie said in a relieved voice.
Then Timmy jumped back suddenly, dragging his lead out of Katie’s hand, and dashed away down a little alley, following that familiar scent. Now where was it coming from…?
Katie stared down at her hand for a second, as though expecting the lead still to be in it. Than she raced after Timmy, calling anxiously to him.
“Katie! Timmy!” Dad had been staring at the snow clouds and looked back just in time to see Katie vanishing down the alley, too.
Timmy bounded into the little yard, trailing his lead, and stopped, looking around. Now he was here, there were lots of other smells, too – old food, and strange animal smells that he wasn’t sure about. But yes … there was a definite hint of Misty’s scent, as well. She was this way. He trotted over to the bins, poking his nose between them hopefully. Yes! There she was! Curled up in an old cardboard box, and staring fearfully back at him.
Timmy barked for joy. He’d found her! He called excitedly for Katie to come, then rushed at Misty. He was just so glad to see her. Now everyone would be happy! He licked Misty’s nose lavishly, and she shuddered and hissed, backing further into the box. Timmy stepped back doubtfully. Aren’t you pleased to see me?
Misty gave a sad little mew. Where was Jess? Maybe the dog could show her? She edged slowly out of the box, the fur on her spine slightly raised. Don’t lick me again, she was telling Timmy. But I’m not cross. Yet.
Katie skidded into the yard, calling anxiously. “Timmy! Timmy, where are you?” She spotted his red lead, trailing out between the bins. “Oh, Timmy, are you eating something horrible?” She ran over, squeezing herself between the bins, and Timmy stared up at her proudly.
Look! I’ve found her! he barked.
“What is it?” Katie asked, peering a little reluctantly into the box. She had a horrible feeling Timmy had found something yucky. “Misty! Oh, Misty!” Katie whirled round. “Jess, Jess, come here, quick!”
Jess and Dad were just following them up the alley. “You’ve caught him,” cried Dad. “Thank goodness.”
“Yes, but look!” Katie picked Timmy up and hugged him lovingly. “Jess, come and see!” She stood back so Jess could get to the box. “Timmy’s found her. He must have sniffed her out. That’s why he ran off. He’s so clever.”
Jess dropped to her knees beside the box. “Misty!” she whispered.
Misty shot out of the box and Jess swooped down and picked her up. Misty snuggled into Jess’s coat, purring so hard her sides were shuddering.
“Katie, he found her!” Cradling Misty in her arms, Jess turned to her sister and Timmy. “I can’t believe it…”
Timmy reached out from Katie’s arms, wriggling and wagging his tail happily, and amazingly, Misty didn’t snarl or hiss at him. She shut her eyes slightly as he licked her nose. She didn’t look as though she was enjoying it, but she let him.
“They’re friends!” Katie said in amazement.
Misty glared at her, as if to say, Don’t push it…
But it was true. And above them, the first Christmas snowflakes were starting to float gently down.
“Misty, Timmy, turkey!” Katie laughed at Misty and Timmy, both standing eagerly by their food bowls. “Just a little, look, it’s your Christmas dinner.”
“Get on and eat yours, Katie,” Mum said. “Dad’s nearly finished.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be having seconds,” Dad said with his mouth full.
Jess wasn’t eating very much either. Both girls just kept stopping and staring happily at Misty and Timmy wolfing down turkey.
“I hope Misty likes her new blanket,” Katie said, ignoring the roast potato she was waving around.
“I bet she will, look, she’s about to try it out. It’s a gorgeous present, Katie.” Jess smiled at her, and Katie grinned back. It felt like the first time in weeks that Jess had smiled so easily at her. The angry wall between them seemed to have just crumbled away.
Misty prowled thoughtfully over to the new pink, fleecy blanket that lay neatly by the radiator. Katie had bought it weeks ago on a trip to the pet shop. She’d seen how old and tatty Misty’s blanket had become, and had decided it was the perfect Christmas present.
Misty walked round it a couple of times, then graciously stepped on to it, testing it with her paws. She lay down, the picture of a comfy, turkey-fed cat, and purred.
Timmy finished licking the last possible taste of turkey out of his bowl, and gave Misty’s bowl a quick lick just in case she’d left any. He sighed happily. Then he trotted over to Misty’s blanket, and gazed hopefully at her.
Misty gave him a resigned look. If you must, she seemed to be saying.
Katie and Jess watched, holding their breath, as Timmy whined eagerly, and snuggled down next to Misty, putting his nose next to hers.
Misty put a firm paw on one of his long, curly, brown ears. Clearly, if Timmy was on her blanket, he had to keep still.
Timmy looked up at Katie lovingly, and yawned. Two minutes later, both cat and puppy were fast asleep.
Jess put her arm around Katie’s shoulder, and Katie smiled. It was a perfect Christmas after all.
About the Author
Holly Webb started out as a children’s book editor, and wrote her first series for the publisher she worked for. She has been writing ever since, with over sixty books to her name. Holly lives in Berkshire, with her husband and three young sons. She has a pet cat called Marble, who is always nosying around when she’s trying to type on her laptop.
Other titles by Holly Webb:
Lost in the Snow
Lost in the Storm
Alfie all Alone
Sam the Stolen Puppy
Max the Missing Puppy
Sky the Unwanted Kitten
Timmy in Trouble
Ginger the Stray Kitten
Harry the Homeless Puppy
Buttons the Runaway Puppy
Alone in the Night
Ellie the Homesick Puppy
Jess the Lonely Puppy
Misty the Abandoned Kitten
Oscar’s Lonely Christmas
Lucy the Poorly Puppy
Smudge the Stolen Kitten
The Rescued Puppy
The Kitten Nobody Wanted
The Lost Puppy
The Frightened Kitten