The Cat’s Heart Beat Dull and Heavy, His Mind in Turmoil, His Soul in Pain: What Could Make His Owne…

The heart of the cat thudded dully in its chest, his mind scattered and his spirit mourned. What extraordinary thing had happened, that his human gave him away to strangers? Why had she abandoned him?

When Alice was given an utterly black British Shorthair as a housewarming present, she spent several minutes simply stunned.

Her modest, second-hand one-bedroom flatpainstakingly saved forwas yet to be furnished. There were other pressing matters lurking about, demanding her attention.

And now, a kitten. Recovering from shock, she gazed into the amber eyes of her guest, sighed, smiled, and asked the giver,

Is it a tom or a queen?

A tom!

All right then, youll be Percy, she declared to the kitten.

Percy opened his tiny maw and meekly creaked out a Meow…
*****
As it turned out, British Shorthairs were thoroughly companionable creatures. And there it was, the third year, with Alice and Percy living in perfect harmony. During this time, it became clear Percy had a tender soul and an enormous heart.

He greeted his mistress from work with joy, warmed her at night, nestled close while watching films, and scampered behind like a little shadow during cleaning.

Life with the cat filled Alices world with vibrant hues; it was sweet to have someone waiting at home, someone with whom laughter and sorrow could be shared. Most importantly, someone who understood you halfway through a word.

It would seem, then, that happiness was within reachbut…

Recently, Alice started noticing a nagging ache on her right side. At first she thought shed merely slept oddly and pulled a muscle, then blamed rich food. When the pain grew worse, Alice visited the doctor.

Upon hearing the diagnosis and the story of what awaited, Alice wept into her pillow the entire evening. Percy, sensing her woe, quietly pressed himself at her side and tried, with gentle musical purring, to calm her.

Unaware of when, soothed by Percys rumblings, Alice drifted to sleep. In the morning, resigned to fate, she decided not to inform her family about her illnesskeen to spare herself pitying glances and awkward attempts at assistance.

And, perhaps, beneath it all, harboured a dash of hope that the doctors might yet triumph. A course of treatment was proposed, with the promise of improvement.

Thus arose a troubling thought: where to place the cat? Accepting, somewhere deep within, that matters might end tragically, she resolved to find Percy a new home with kind owners.

She posted an advert online, making clear that a pedigree cat was offered only to good hands.

When the first caller inquired about her reason for parting with an adult pet, Alice, scarcely knowing why, explained that she was expecting a child, and had developed an allergy to cat fur during pregnancy.

Four days later, Percywith his basket and all his kitwas sent off to new owners, while Alice was admitted to hospital…

Two days on, she rang Percys new family and inquired after him. They, apologising profusely, admitted the cat had escaped the very first evening, and theyd been unable to find him.

Her first impulse was to flee the hospital to search for her cat. She even pleaded with the nurse to let her out, but was sternly scolded and ordered back to her bed.

Her bed-neighbour, noting Alices agitation, asked what had happened. Bitterly crying, Alice told all.

Dont fret just yet, dear, replied the thin, weathered woman. Tomorrow a specialist from London should be visiting. My own diagnosis is grimmy son made arrangements to transfer me to a private clinic, but I refused. However hes managed it, its done. Ill ask this consultant to look at you as well, perhaps its not as dire as you fear, she said, kindly stroking Alices shoulder.
****
Emerging from the carrier, Percy realised he was in a strange house. Someone unfamiliar even reached out to stroke him…

Percys nerves snappedhe swiped at the hand and darted into a dark corner.

Paul, dont bother him just yet, let him settle, sounded a gentle womans voice; not Alices.

The cats heart beat thickly, his thoughts chased around, his spirit hurt. What calamity caused his mistress to give him away to strangers? Why had she left him?

His amber eyes scanned the room in terror. Therea window, open. In a flash of midnight, Percy streaked across the carpet and leapt outside!

Luckily, it was only the second floor, and a tidy lawn waited below. This marked the start of Percys journey back home…
*****
The specialist appeared as a pleasant woman in her early forties. She introduced herself as Mary Palmer, reviewed the chart, and asked Alice to lie on her side.

She palpated and tapped for ages, asked about pain and its kind. Then reread the chart. More tests followed, using machines and sensors.

Alice braced for nothing but bad news. Back in her ward, her neighbour lay waiting.

So, what did she say, dear?

Nothing yet. Shell drop in again later.

I see. They confirmed my diagnosis, the woman said with sorrow.

Im so sorry, and thank you for everything, murmured Alice, unsure how to comfort someone who knows the end is near.

After half an hour, Mary Palmer returned, with other doctors.

Well, Alice, I bring you good news. Your illness is treatable. A course has been prescribedstay a fortnight, take treatment, and youll be healthy once more, she said, smiling.

When the doctors departed, her neighbour spoke:

Thats wonderful. Im glad, before leaving, I could do one more good deed. Be happy, child, she added.
*****
Percy had no guiding starfor hed never heard of such things. The cat simply journeyed home on his own feline inspiration. The path through brambles to the stars brimmed with perilous adventures and comical mishaps.

Unfamiliar with the streets, the noble Brit transformed overnight into a fearsome predator, his instincts sharpened.

Dodging noisy roads and bustling pavements, he scurried, crept, soared in his own mind (especially when chased by dogs), scrambled up treesall to achieve his mission.

In one quiet court, having fled the traffic, Percy met a grizzled alley cat face-to-face.

The old bruiser took barely a moment to size up Percy as an outsider. With a deafening yowl, he lunged at the Brit, who, abandoning all airs, fought back like a cornered rogue.

The scrap was brief. The boss cat retreated in shame to the bushes, leaving behind a lightly torn ear.

Really, how could it be otherwise? The alley cat puffed up his importance, trying to prove dominance, whilst Percy simply pressed on for home.

The journey continued. Remembering distant ancestors, Percy adaptedhe learned to sleep aloft in trees, choosing forks comfy for naps.

How mortifyingPercy learned to eat from bins and snatch treats from other strays, fed by kindly residents.

Once, he collided with a pack of mongrels. They chased him up a shaky tree, barking and jumping, pawing at the trunk.

Residents, roused by the din, shooed off the dogs. One woman decided to take Percy in; she coaxed him with a slice of tasty sausage.

Hunger and fear had dulled Percys mind; he let her stroke him, even carry him indoors. However…

Once rested and sated, Percy recalled his purpose. He slipped out as the woman entered her block, dashed through the fortuitously open door, and resumed his homeward dreamscape…
*****
Discharged from hospital, Alice travelled home. She kept replaying the words of the woman who’d wished her happiness. Of course, joy overflowed that her diagnosis was overturned and she was well.

Yet the heart achedfor Percy. The prospect of returning to an empty flat, with no cheerful welcome, weighed heavy.

Scarcely inside, she rang Percys previous adopters for their precise address. On arrival, she learned the details of Percys escape, and resolved to hunt for traces.

Folks told her it was hopeless, after two weeks had passed, doubting a pampered house cat could survive outdoors. She refused to accept it.

Alice walked the neighbourhood, peered into every courtyard, surveyed playgrounds, garages. She tried thinking like a cat who had never seen the outside world. She called for Percy, peering into the shadows beneath basement windows.

Approaching her own building, the truth dawnedPercy had vanished utterly. For a city hed never known, the trek home was all but impossibleher walking route had taken two hours, even with delays.

She entered her yard with a heavy stride, tears welled, her soul throbbed with pain. Through the blur in her eyes, she noticed, moving along the pavement from the far side, a black cat heading her way.

Just a black catflashed through her mind. Alice stopped, peered closely. Suddenly, she recognised him. She burst forth, crying, Percy!

But Percy did not runhe hadnt the strength. He simply sat, squinting with joy, and quietly creaked, I made it!Alice knelt on the pavement, arms wide, heedless of the curious gazes from passersby. Percy shuffled forward with what little dignity remained to him, his fur rumpled, a patch of his ear missing, paws caked with the citys toil. She scooped him up, holding him close against her chest, feeling his scraggly body melting into hers. Tears, joyful and fierce, ran down her cheek as she whispered, You clever, stubborn boy. You found me.

Percys purr rumbleda battered, triumphant music, more precious than any comfort shed known. Petting his mud-streaked head, Alice buried her face in his fur, breathing the scent of home and hope.

Together, they made their way inside, the flat echoing with possibility again. Alice warmed milk, found an old cushion, and sat by the window as dusk fell, Percy nestled beside her, both gazing out at the city twinkling beyond.

Life would press onwards, with its uncertainties and aches, but now she understood: love was a creature that could return, no matter the night, no matter the detours. And so, as Percy purred in the quiet, Alice rested her hand on his side and knew, at last, she was truly home.