A Silent Stare from Merlin the Magical Cat: How Anna Found Friendship, Adventure, and a Lottery Tick…

The cat watched her in silence. Sighing and gathering a bit of courage, Alice reached out for him, hoping the sleeves of her leather jacket would spare her hands from the claws of the fluffy stowaway…

Her shift had just finished, and Alice walked to the back of the bus, thoroughly checking under every seat.

The bus felt like home to her, and at home, Alice always kept things tidy. Perhaps because there was no one to make a mess but her?

Alice, love, its time you got yourself a good man, the ladies in dispatch told her. Youre nearly thirty and still alone. And this job of yoursits hardly a womans work. Most men havent the patience for it, with some of the rowdy passengers we get!

I get on well with mine, shed reply. And I like this job. A husband isnt the same as a cat or dog you just pick up one afternoon!

The ladies exchanged knowing looks. They understood well enough that having a man was often more bother than having a pet with a tail.

Well then, at least get yourself a cat, theyd suggest. Better than being on your own!

Alice would sigh. A cat just hasnt come my way yet, shed tell the sympathetic women, then head home, turn on her music, cook herself dinner, read a bit, and go to bed…

Her days were all alike, like peas in a pod. She never cared much for weekends; then, she found herself with too much free time. On such days, shed ride the bus as a passenger, just to feel like someone else was taking her to a bright and happy life.

This day was no different. Once her shift ended, Alice set about cleaning the bus as usual.

When she looked beneath the back seat, she actually jumped back. Two shining eyes stared up at her!

Well now, and who might you be? Here, kitty, kitty! How did you find yourself there? Alice knelt down. Have you got yourself lost?

The cat regarded her silently.

Taking a deep breath and mustering her nerve, Alice stretched out her hand, hoping her leather sleeves would shield her from the claws of this furry fare-dodger.

The cat allowed himself to be drawn out from under the seat, and Alice could examine him properly.

He was magnificent.

She wasnt much of an expert on breeds, but the puffiness and the distinct shape of his face suggested he was a Persian. Around his neck was a collar with a small medallion.

Merlin, Alice read aloud as she turned the cat gently. Oh really? The great wizard himself?

The cat yawned, not contradicting this assumption.

Well, what shall I do with you, Your Magical Majesty? Alice decided that a cat with such a name deserved respect. Where are your people? How shall we find them?

The cat glanced up at her and yawned again, as if to say, how should I know? By the way, a snack wouldnt go amiss, and I could use a nap!

Alice realised she really had just one option. Well, twoofficially. But what sort of person could abandon a stowaway like this outside?!

All right then, she declared firmly. Tonight youll stay with me, and tomorrow Ill print up some lost cat posters with your photo. Surely someones looking for you, worrying even as we speak!

The cat had no objections. But as Alice started for the door, he began squirming in her arms.

What now? she wondered aloud. But the cat deftly slipped from her arms and padded back beneath the seat, returning with something in his teeth.

What have you got there? Alice leaned down to check.

The cat dropped a lottery ticket into her waiting hand.

Well I never! Alice stared at the ticket in surprise. So your owner lost you and a lottery ticket in one go?

The cat yawned again, as if hinting they really ought to hurry home.

Alice hurried off, already puzzling whether she should mention the ticket in the posters. What if someone tried to snatch the ticket with some story and say they owned the cat?

Best to play it smart! For now, shed pop into the shop and buy some treats for her guest.

So, what do you fancy? she asked at the shop, eyeing the shelves of cat food.

Merlin surveyed the packets then touched one with his paw, making Alice lean closer to see which.

This one, are you sure? she asked.

Merlin grabbed the packet between his teeth. The debate was settled.

Youre a clever fellow! she praised him.

Merlin purred in a way that said I know! Stocking up on bits for herself as well, she headed home…

Make yourself comfortable, she suggested, setting the cat down on the floor.

Merlin immediately set off to inspect the flat. Alice went to the kitchen to cook. With no pet bowls, she had to set out two saucers for food and water.

After he ate, Alice took his photo and typed up the poster. There was nothing in it about his name, or about the lottery ticket.

She printed it at home and showed her work to Merlin.

Look, youre a star! Ill put this up on the bus tomorrow and maybe well find your family! Oh

She froze, realising her next shift was tomorrow, and she had nowhere to leave the cat…

Take him with her? Impossibleshed be distracted, and that just wasnt safe for a bus driver. Leave him alone? How stressful for a cat whod only just been lost and found!

Then she remembered Jack, her neighbour across the hall. He worked from homenever had to sit in an office or drive anywhere. Just his laptop and the internet, and the rest didnt really matter.

Theyd bump into each other in the hallway when his food ran outtall and a bit awkward, always in glasses.

Theyd nod to one another and then carry on their separate ways. Still, Jack surely could watch over the cat.

Summoning her nerve, Alice knocked on his door. Jack appeared, rumpled and in slippers and worn-out jogging bottoms, peering at Alice in surprise.

She set out her request as convincingly as possible, but Jack simply nodded, took her spare key, and that was that.

For a brief second, she felt oddly annoyed that hed hardly seemed to notice her. Sighing, she returned home and called out,

Here, kitty! Merlin, where have you gone?

He was by the balcony door, clearly making it known that he wanted outside.

Alice hesitated for a moment, but decided that such a clever cat wouldnt leap from the eighth floor. She opened the door and they both stepped onto the balcony.

Merlin sprang lightly onto the railing. Alice gasped, rushing over to steady him.

He looked at her with mild irritationand a little pridethen turned his head skywards. Alice, petting his soft fur, looked up tooand saw the stars.

The sky gazed down, filled with a thousand sparkling eyes. She watched as a shooting star sped across the dark, just like a tear.

Merlin rubbed his head against her palm as if to saywell, go on, make a wish! And she did…

She fell asleep almost instantly, without a film or a book that night. Perhaps it was because Merlin, that fluffy cat, purred out her lullaby?

In the morning, after giving Jack a bleary round of instructions, she set off to work.

All day she drove round the city with the lost cat notice displayed, but nobody seemed interested in a furry foundling.

Alice felt a little guilty, but she was secretly relieved. She flew home on wings, because someone was waiting for her…

The flat smelled of coffee. Not her usual instant, but delicious, freshly brewed stuff. The kind you really notice.

Ive done a bit of hosting, Jack admitted when she walked in. No offence, but your coffee is miserable. I brought my own and made some. Want a cup?

Id love one! Alice said, grinning. And wheres Merlin?

The cat appeared in the hallway at once, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. After a pause, he rubbed against Alices leg, the ultimate mark of feline approval.

Your Merlins in fine form, Jack said, bending to stroke him. You know, I havent rested this well in ages. Thought Id do some work, turned on the laptop, and then realised I didnt want to update the website at all

Reminded me I used to draft storiesfairy tales, really. My fingers got ahead of meI ended up writing a story about a cat.

Will you show me? Alices curiosity piqued.

Oh, its nothing, really, Jack protestedthough he was obviously eager to share. Are you truly interested?

Of course! I love stories! Well, fantasy books, really, but its all the same to me! Alice assured him.

And Jack, naturally, relented.

Afterwards, they drank lovely coffee and read the story together, Merlin lounging beside them with a tolerant air, as if they were just two mischievous kittens.

Alice genuinely liked the story. When Jack went back to his own flat, she felt a little pang. Only a small one, thoughshe still had Merlin.

Then the bell rang. Merlin started, and strode grandly towards the door. Alice called out:

Whos there?

About the cat, came the reply, and she froze.

For a second she considered not answering, but that would hardly be honest. So she opened the door. Standing there was a tall old man in a black cloak, smiling kindly:

No need to worry, my dear. I really have come for the cat, and so youll know its true, Ill tell you his name is Merlin. There he is.

The cat leapt instantly into the mans arms, erasing any doubt that he belonged elsewhere.

Please, come in, Alice managed in a quiet voice.

She felt near tears. How could she have grown so attached to a cat in a single day? The old man stepped inside, sniffed the air, and smiled. She was certain he and the cat exchanged a glance.

May I have a cup of coffee? he asked warmly.

She brewed a pot, grateful that Jack had left a proper tin behind. The old man and the cat regarded each other the whole while, as though carrying on a silent conversation.

Tell me, he broke the silence, did you happen to find anything else?

Alices cheeks grew warm. She fetched the lottery ticket and handed it to him. He gently waved it away.

Thats yours, he said, smiling.

But it was yours! Alice protested.

Yet you found itand Merlin himself has no objections, the old man replied, still smiling.

But what if its a winner? she faltered.

And would you really turn down the chance to be a touch happier? the old man chuckled.

Alice dropped her eyes. That was, in fact, just the wish shed made on the falling star!

Let happiness in, dear lady, the old man smiled. And dont be sad. Im sure we shall meet again. When you return…

Return from where? Alice meant to ask, but the old man had already left, closing the door softly behind him.

The key turned on its own in the lock, and Alice suddenly felt sleep take her, barely making it to bed. She dreamt of Jacks story.

It was about a powerful wizard who cared only for himself. His magic brought happiness to no one, so as punishment, he was transformed into a cat.

He would have to roam the world in this form until the spell was broken…

The next morning she headed to work again, but today, the sun seemed brighter, passengers smiled, and her bus rolled more cheerfully down the road.

And yes, she checked that lottery ticket and couldnt believe itshed won a seaside holiday. The real surprise was her boss waving her off:

Go on, have a proper break, Alice. Youve earned it. The blokes can cover your runs, dont worry!

Then came the sea, and the stars, and the sense of being utterly renewed!

She returned home radiant and joyful, bringing shells as keepsakes and an inner sea that now lapped gently inside her soul.

As she opened her front door, Jack stepped into the corridortall, awkward, and tousle-haired.

You had visitors yesterday, he told her. Left a message, he paused, looking her over, then said, You seem different. And awfully lovely.

Thank you, Alice smiled. Whats the message?

Jack smacked his forehead and ducked back inside. He re-emerged holding a grey, fluffy kitten. The expression on its little face was incredibly familiar.

Well, most Persian kittens looked a bit regal like that.

Its your cats son well, the cat you found on the bus, anyway. His names Arthur.

The old man said that only youand, well, us reallycould be trusted to bring him up. He stammered. Well, he put it a bit differently

How? Alice felt her heart beat faster.

He said only we could be trusted to bring Arthur up, Jack admitted.

Miaow! confirmed Arthur, stretching his little paws towards his new owner.

She reached out her handand met Jacks. And in that moment, the world grew just a touch warmer, a touch kinder, and just a bit more filled with ordinary, wonderful happiness.