A Home for Merlin by Sheila Jeffries

Author:Sheila Jeffries
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group Limited

Chapter 13

‘Don’t Tell Imelda’

‘Wow, ’Melda,’ Brad said. ‘What a transformation! You’re like . . . like a butterfly that’s just come out of its chrysalis.’

Brad seemed tired but he smiled when he saw Imelda still glowing from the holiday. He couldn’t stop glancing at her, as if he’d never seen her before.

Imelda flushed. I knew what she was thinking. She was remembering the moment when the RNLI man, Seb, had spoken so kindly to her. He’d said what a great girl she was, and I’d seen a light come on in her mind. His compliment kindled a life-changing flame for Imelda. I hoped it would never leave her.

‘You look pretty,’ Brad said.

‘You don’t,’ she teased.

‘Don’t what?’

‘Look pretty.’

Brad grinned and rubbed the stubble on his chin. ‘Yeah, sorry. I was going to shave but I haven’t had time. How’s Merlin?’

‘He’s fine.’ Imelda opened the cat cage and I stepped out, taking care to appear pleased to see Brad. I wove myself round and round his puckered leather boots and frayed jeans, gazing up at him. He needed some cat love. I let him pick me up.

‘Don’t hold him up in the air, Dad.’ Imelda rolled her eyes.

‘No, Your Majesty.’ Brad grinned and held me nicely, the way Imelda had taught him. ‘I never had a cat when I was a boy.’ He put me down and picked up Imelda’s bag. ‘There’s a surprise for you inside. In the lounge. Come on in – and you, Sandie. There’s something for you too.’

I ran ahead of them with my tail up, through the open front door and into the hall. The house smelled different. It smelled like the vet’s surgery. My tail dropped and I felt uneasy. On the stairs was a new chair, fixed to a metal slide, and the house was full of strange energies.

Brad dumped the bag and stood at the lounge door. ‘Ta-da! Go and see what’s in there, ’Melda.’

I went in with Imelda. She stopped just inside the door and her mouth fell open. She dumped all the stuff she was holding. Even her mobile phone went flying. ‘MUM!’ she cried, and ran to hug a beautiful, smiling lady who was sitting in Chloe’s favourite armchair. ‘Aw, Mum, you’re home. You’re home.’

‘Darling!’

There were tears – happy tears, and a hug that went on and on. I sat close and looked majestic. Who was this ethereal person in the pinkest of cardigans with a chiffon scarf covered in tiny gold stars?

‘And Merlin. How you have grown! What a lovely cat you are now.’ Her voice was quiet and whispery. She held out her hand to me and I tiptoed up to her. She looked too fragile for me to sit on, so I settled on the arm of the chair and did a purr-meow.

Who was she? Suddenly I knew. She was the butterfly who had emerged from a chrysalis called Chloe.

* * *

Imelda needed time alone with her mum so I headed out, intending to have a sniff round the garden. Brad and Sandie were leaning on the car, talking about Chloe.

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