The cat stared at her in silence. Sighing and summoning a bit of courage, Annabel reached out for him, hoping that the sleeves of her leather jacket would be enough to save her hands from the claws of her fluffy stowaway.
Her shift had ended, and Annabel made her way to the back of the bus, carefully peering under each seat.
That bus might as well have been her home, and Annabel kept her home spotless. Possibly because there was never anyone around to make a mess?
Annabel, love, its high time you found yourself a husband, the aunties from Dispatch would chime in, wagging fingers and sipping questionable tea. Youre nearly thirty, still solo, and a bus driver toohardly a job for a lady! Even men lose patience with some of these passengerswhat a row sometimes!
I always get the nice ones, Annabel would reply, smiling serenely. And I actually enjoy the job. As for a husband, hes not like a dog or a cat I can just pick up at the shops!
The aunties exchanged glances, knowing full well husbands brought far more headaches than four-legged pets ever could.
Well, then at least get a cat, theyd say, undeterred. At least youd have company!
Annabel only sighed. A cat just hasnt turned up yet, shed tell the well-meaning ladies, before heading home to blast some music, cook herself dinner, read a bit, and then call it a night.
Her days were as alike as socks from the same three-pack. She wasnt one for weekends, either. Too much free time on her hands. On those days, shed become a passenger instead, taking the bus for a ride.
Something about letting someone else drive made her feel as if she was heading off to a life brimming with happiness and excitement.
This day was no different to any other. After her shift, Annabel did her rounds through the bus, setting things straight and making sure no one left any surprises.
Peering under the last seat, she was startled to find two bright eyes staring back at her.
Oywhos there? Here, puss-puss! Annabel crouched down. How did you get there, then? Lost your way?
The cat simply stared in dignified silence.
Summoning her nerve, Annabel reached toward the cat, counting on her jacket to serve as a shield against any indignant feline retaliation.
Surprisingly, the cat allowed itself to be retrieved from under the seat, and Annabel was finally able to get a proper look.
He was a stunner.
Annabel didnt know much about breeds, but the flat face and luxurious fluff said Persian to her. Around his neck was a collar with a tag.
Merlin, Annabel read aloud, turning the cat this way and that. No waythe Merlin? The top wizard?
The cat yawned, as if to say, Well, you never know.
What are we supposed to do with you, Your Magicalness? Annabel addressed him formally, as seemed appropriate. Where do we start hunting for your owners?
Merlin just looked at her and yawned againas if to say, How should I know? More importantly, any chance of dinner and a nap?
Annabel realised she didnt have much choice. Well, technically two choices, but what sort of person would leave a wandering cat out in the street?
All right then, she declared. Youll stay at mine tonight. Tomorrow, Ill print out a flyer with your picture. Surely someones missing you by now!
Merlin offered no complaints. In fact, as soon as Annabel started heading for the exit, he wriggled out of her arms.
Whats up now? she wondered aloud. But Merlin took matters into his own pawstrotting back under the seat and then returning with something clamped in his teeth.
What have you got there? Annabel asked, leaning in.
The cat dropped a lottery ticket into her palm.
Well I never! Annabel examined it, astonished. Dont tell me, your person lost both you and their lucky ticket all at once?
Merlin just gave her another meaningful yawn. As if to say, Less talking, more heading home, please!
As Annabel hurried home, she puzzled over whether to mention the lottery ticket in the flyer. What if someone conned her and claimed Merlin, just to nab the ticket?
Best to play it clever! But firstcat treats.
Whatll you have? she asked Merlin as they stood in the supermarket aisle. She scanned the wall of cat food, none of which meant much to her.
Merlin perused the packets, then gave one a decisive paw.
This one, is it? Annabel checked.
Merlin responded by grabbing it between his teeth. Doubt settled. Decision made.
Youre a clever chap! she praised him.
Merlin gave a sound that could only mean, Tell me something I don’t know. With some groceries for herself too, Annabel marched home.
Make yourself at home, she told him, plonking him on the carpet.
Merlin went straight into Inspector Mode, giving the flat a proper once-over. Lacking any cat bowls, Annabel had to improvise with a couple of saucers for food and water.
After Merlin ate, Annabel took photos and printed off a lost cat poster. She wisely said nothing about the cats name or the lottery ticket.
She showed the finished product to Merlin, who regarded it with a mixture of approval and mild disdain.
Look, you came out quite dashing! Ill put this up in the bus tomorrow, and fingers crossed your people turn up. Ohblast!
She froze. Tomorrow, she was on shift again. Where on earth could she leave a cat during the day?
Take him with her? Absolutely nota distracted driver is bad news for everyone. Leave him alone? The poor thing had only just found his way back indoors!
Then she remembered her neighbour on the next landing: Colin, who worked from home and was mostly glued to his laptop, which seemed to be his main companion.
Theyd sometimes cross paths when Colin ran out of food, which happened fairly often. He was tall, a bit awkward, bespectacled, and always looked like he was perpetually late for life.
Theyd exchange nods and hurry off again. But if anyone could mind a cat for the day, it was probably Colin.
Summoning up her courage, Annabel knocked on his door. Colin answered, tousle-haired, in an oversized t-shirt and tracky bottoms, blinking at her as if she were a notification he hadnt seen coming.
Annabel explained her predicament as persuasively as she could. As it turned out, there was no need for persuasion: Colin nodded, took her spare key, and that was that.
For just a second, Annabel felt oddly miffed by his lack of interest in herthe human, not just the cat. Oh well. She returned home and called out,
Puss-puss! Merlin, where are you?
The cat was sitting by the balcony door, clearly expecting it to be opened.
After a wary moment, reasoning that no cat as clever as Merlin would leap from the eighth floor, Annabel opened the door. Out they went, onto the balcony.
Merlin leapt gracefully onto the railing. Heart in her mouth, Annabel darted to grip him, just in case.
He gave her a lookregal, faintly affrontedand turned his head skywards. Annabel followed his gaze, her hand on his luxuriously soft head, and saw the stars glittering above.
The sky blinked down at them with a thousand shining eyes. A meteor shot across, quick as a tear.
The cat nudged her palm encouragingly, as if to say, Come on, wish already! So she did.
She fell asleep that night almost the moment her head hit the pillowwith no need for telly, book, or lullaby. There was, after all, a softly purring wizard-cat nearby.
In the morning, giving groggy instructions to Colin, Annabel went off to work.
All day she drove around town, lost cat poster prominently on display, but no one showed the slightest interest in reclaiming the four-legged find.
Annabel felt bad admitting it, but secretly she was delighted. She flew home on wings of anticipationsomeone, or some cat, was waiting for her there.
The smell of fresh coffee wafted down her corridorproper coffee, not the instant swill she usually drank. Quite a noticeable difference, especially to her nose.
I did a bit of housekeeping, Colin confessed, holding up his coffee mug with mock apology. No offence, but your coffee tastes like old boot. I brought my own. Want a cup?
Yes, please! Annabel agreed with a grin. Wheres Merlin?
The cat emerged, looking exceedingly pleased with himself. Deciding to bestow favour, he brushed up against Annabels leg.
Your Merlins just fine, said Colin as he bent to stroke him. Funny thingI havent felt this relaxed in ages. Was going to work, opened my laptop, but couldnt be bothered to update the website…
He shrugged. I remembered I used to write stories. Started typing, and somehow, wrote a tale about a cat.
Oh, can I see it? Annabel was instantly intrigued.
Colin looked bashful. Its rubbish, honestly. Youd really want to see it?
Of course! I love storieswell, fantasy, but same difference! she said enthusiastically.
Colin, as these things go, relented.
They sat, drank excellent coffee, and read his quirky cat story, while Merlin observed with the placid amusement of a being used to humans making fools of themselves.
Annabel loved the story. When Colin finally left for his flat, she felt a tad downbut still, she had a cat.
Then the doorbell rang. Merlin pricked up his ears and sauntered to the entrance as if hed been expecting someone.
Annabel called, Who is it?
About the poster, came a reply, and Annabel froze.
Her first impulse was to not answer, but that was hardly decent. So she opened the door.
On the doorstep stood a tall elderly gentleman in a black overcoat, smiling kindly.
Dont worry yourself, my dear, he assured her. I really am here for the catMerlin, of course. See? Here he is.
Sure enough, Merlin rocketed into the mans arms, leaving no room for doubt.
Please, come in, Annabel said in a subdued voice.
She was shocked by how upset she felthow could she have grown attached to a cat in a single day? The old man entered, sniffed approvingly, and Annabel swore cat and owner exchanged meaningful looks.
Would you offer me a coffee? the old gent asked.
Thankfully, Colins coffee stash was still there. While she brewed, the old man and Merlin traded silent, knowing glances.
By the way, the old man broke the silence, did you happen to find anything else?
Annabels cheeks burned. She fetched the lottery ticket, handing it to him. But he waved her hand away.
Keep it, he said cheerfully.
But its yours! Annabel protested.
Ah, but you found itbesides, Merlin doesnt object, does he? He smiled.
But what if its a winning ticket? she fretted.
He gave her a twinkle-eyed look. Are you really going to turn down a chance at a bit more happiness?
Annabel looked down, remembering the very wish shed made on that falling star.
Let happiness find you, my dear, the old man encouraged her. And dont be sad! Well see each other againwhen you return…
Return from where? Annabel wanted to ask, but the old man had already quietly left, closing the door behind him.
She heard the key turn gently in the lock and, feeling completely drained but oddly peaceful, barely made it to bedtime. She dreamed of the story Colin wrotea tale about a mighty wizard who spent a life thinking only of himself, whose magic never truly made anyone else happy, and was turned into a cat until his spell was undone…
Next morning, as she set out for work, Annabel couldnt help noticing the sun shone a bit brighter, passengers smiled more, and the bus seemed downright cheerful to drive.
And indeed, when she checked the lottery ticketshed won a holiday to the seaside. She was far more flabbergasted when her boss smiled and said,
Off you go, Annabeltime you had a proper break. The blokes can cover things, honestly!
So there was the sea, and the stars, and the overwhelming sense of a new beginning.
Annabel returned home sun-kissed and rejuvenated, bringing back seashells and that special seaside feeling, splashing gently inside her heart.
No sooner had she opened her flat door than Colin appeared in the corridortall, a bit gawky, as ever.
Someone came looking for you yesterday, he said, pausing to study her. They wanted me to… um, well He faltered, then said, You look different. Gorgeous, actually.
Thank you, Annabel smiled. What was it they wanted to tell me?
Colin smacked his forehead, darted inside, and re-emerged with a fluffy grey kitten in his arms, its face unmistakably familiar.
All Persians look a little regal, but this one extra so.
Hes the son of your catwell, the cat you found on the bus. His names Arthur. The old man said only you could raise himor, well… he actually said only *we* could.
Annabels heart did a silly little leap.
How did he put it? she asked, breathless.
He saidonly *we* could give him the home he needs, Colin admitted.
Miaow! affirmed Arthur, the kitten, reaching out to his new human.
Annabel offered her handand met Colins. And, just like that, the world felt a little bit kinder, warmer, and happier.
