Lara had scanned its body as she had watched it eat and drink and she hadn’t seen any signs of blood, or of cuts. The cat seemed contented when it licked its lips. Perhaps it had merely yowled in shock. Just as Lara had when she had seen her favourite mug broken into bits.
The cat sat upright and began to wash its paws, and then it let out just one tiny little purr, so quiet that Lara hardly heard it. But she did hear it, and her heart did a small flip.
‘No-oo-oo!’ she groaned. ‘I don’t want a cat. I’m not good with people or with any living things. Surely you have a home and a family, don’t you?’
The cat narrowed its eyes, but this time it was as if it was telling her that it didn’t, and that it was grateful for the food and shelter. Lara had lost her own home and family, and she knew how it felt to be alone. Even if, sometimes as in her case, you were surrounded by people.
‘Okay. You can stay. For now. At least until I can find you a new home. But there’ll be some house rules. One of which is, you will not sleep on my bed. Is that clear?’
The cat seemed to almost smile as it closed one eye in what was very much like a wink and then, to Lara’s surprise the cat stepped gracefully over the plate and bowl and briefly rubbed itself against Lara’s legs, causing Lara’s heart to melt a little more. Then, with its tail swaying in a somewhat provocative fashion, it sashayed towards the hall, and with a quick glance back at Lara, it disappeared from view.
With an amused and slightly disbelieving sigh, Lara shook her head.
‘Why do I get the feeling you’re going straight up to my bedroom to make yourself comfortable on my bed?’
