e6994b9877246fe27c1f90746fa83745

“Sorry…” Ella whispered after it. She knew it was stupid to apologize to a cat, but it seemed to be the kind of cat who would expect her to. Now she could see it properly, it didn’t even look much like Fluff. It was loads bigger, and its tabby coat was more spotted than striped. Trying not to cry, she plodded back to the house.

Her parents were in the kitchen making breakfast. They were both dressed, which wasn’t normal for a Saturday. Usually everyone got up slowly, enjoying the weekend.

“Any luck?” Ella’s dad asked. “We heard you calling.”

Ella shook her head.

“I thought I saw her,” she said miserably. “But it was another cat.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_27]

“I’m sure she’s just waiting for the snow to stop,” Ella’s mum said briskly. “She’ll be back soon. Sit down and have some breakfast, Ella.”

“The snowhas stopped,” Ella pointed out, as she perched on the very edge of a chair. “So why isn’t she back?”

Ella’s parents glanced at each other with raised eyebrows, and she glared at them. “You’re not taking this seriously!” she burst out. “Fluff ’s lost, I’m sure she is. We have to go and look for her.”

Her dad sighed.“I have to say, I’m surprised she isn’t back. She’s never stayed out this long before, has she?”

Ella’s mum nodded reluctantly. “I suppose not. I’ve just been hoping she’d pop through the cat flap any minute, but maybe we should go and look for her. We should probably start by asking the neighbours if they’ve seen her.”

Ella leaped up from the chair, heading for the door.

“Ella!” her mum yelled after her. “It’s half-past six! On a Saturday! You cannot go and wake up the whole street. Eat some breakfast first.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_6]

A couple of hours later, Ella and her parents had asked up and down the street, but no one had seen Fluff. Everyone was upset to hear she was missing– lots of the neighbours had said how sweet she was, and how she often came up to be stroked and fussed over. Ella’s parents had asked people to keep an eye out, and check that she wasn’t shut in any garages or sheds.

“Mrs Jones’s curtains are open now,” Ella pointed out, as they trudged back up the street. “Can we go and ask her? Fluff loves her garden, she spends ages watching her fish in the pond.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_28]

“We might as well,” her mum agreed.

Mrs Jones was horrified.“Poor thing,” she said, sounding really worried. “It’s so cold out. Oh, Ella, I’m sorry,” she added, seeing Ella’s eyes fill with tears. “You must be beside yourself, especially with her being lost before. I’m sure she’ll turn up. She’s such a bright little thing. She’s probably just found herself a nice warm spot to see the snow out.”

“Have you been out in your garden?” Ella said, sniffing. “She might be by your pond.”

“The pond’s frozen,” Mrs Jones replied. “I saw her looking at it yesterday, she seemed very confused.” She shook her head. “I don’t think she’s out there now, Ella, but you’re welcome to go and check.” She held the door open. “Why don’t you all come and have a cup of tea, you must be freezing.”

She led the way into the kitchen, and unlocked her garden door for Ella to go out. Ella’s parents sat down gratefully. They were just sipping the tea, when Ella dashed back in, tears streaming down her face.

“Ella! What is it?” her mum asked, leaping up. “What’s happened? Is Fluff—?”

Gulping, Ella stretched out her hand, and laid something small and wet on the table next to the teacups.

It was Fluff’s collar.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_29]

[Êàðòèíêà: img_6]

Fluff woke up as a cold draught cut through the door to the cupboard, and made her flicker her ears uneasily. It took a few moments for her to work out where she was, then she looked down worriedly at the white kitten. She was curled into a tiny ball, right up against Fluff’s tummy, and she was deeply asleep. Fluff licked her gently, and she laid her ears back, but didn’t wake up. Fluff knew that she had to try and find her way home. Ella would be desperate, and the longer she left it, the harder it would be to find any tracks to help her get back. And she was starving! She’d missed her tea, and breakfast. That made her feel guilty, though – who knew when the younger kitten had last had anything to eat? Fluff eyed her thoughtfully. She hadn’t sounded hungry last night. Was she so weak that she’d forgotten to be hungry? That was bad, very bad. Fluff needed to get home at once, and the little one had to wake up and come too. Fluff nosed her firmly, and she gave a faint, complaining mew, then opened her green eyes and stared accusingly at Fluff.

Fluff licked her again, apologetically, then butted her in the chest to make her stand up. The kitten mewed miserably, and tottered to her feet. Fluff stared at her, suddenly realizing that even now she was warmed up, this tiny creature was not going anywhere. Fluff had found it almost impossible to stagger through the snow the day before– and this kitten was very weak!