Murder and the Moggies of Magpie Row by Kate High

Author:Kate High
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2023-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Making a detour to stop off at home before going into town, Clarice let the dogs out of the car.

‘Hello, darlin’, you’re home early.’ Leaving the cat barn and crossing the garden, Sandra met Clarice as she went towards the house.

‘There was a feral in the trap.’ Clarice moved her head towards the car. ‘I’m on my way to see Jonathan.’

‘Hello, lovelies.’ Sandra turned her attention to the dogs. ‘What about the new girl – Bella, the greyhound – will you meet her?’

‘I’m hoping I will.’ Clarice watched Blue and Jazz running in circles around her friend. ‘I didn’t want to leave these two in the car. I’m not sure how long I’ll have to wait for Jonathan.’ She looked at her watch. ‘He’ll have started surgery by now. I want him to see the feral and tell me about Bella’s progress. I imagine I’ll be hanging around.’

‘I noticed you’ve tidied up the annexe next to the kitchen for Bella. It’s easier to have her in the house,’ Sandra said.

‘Yes, we can pop in and out to check on her.’

‘Where will this feral go once Jonathan’s given it the all-clear? Is it Alex, the seed merchant’s wife?’

‘Yes, she’s next in line,’ Clarice said. ‘She had a home visit – it’ll be a lovely place for a feral to retire. Could you give her a ring, please? Tell her to phone Jonathan to find out when he can be collected.’

‘I’ll phone as soon as I get inside. Are you sure the cat’s male?’

‘I’m pretty sure, with the thickness of the neck and the smell. Jonathan will do all the usual business before he can go out – worming, neutering, flea treatment, and ear-tipping the left ear. That way, if he roams, people can see it from a distance. It means he won’t be unnecessarily trapped and anaesthetised again.’

Sandra nodded as she bent down to rub Jazz’s ears. ‘You’re better here at home with your Auntie Sandra,’ she crooned. ‘Do they need feeding?’

‘Thanks, Sandra. They didn’t have a big breakfast; they can have something dry – some biscuits.’

‘I’ll take them inside, darlin’. You get off. See you back for lunch.’

Clarice returned to the car to finish the journey to the vet. Once she’d explained the purpose of her visit, Pam, one of the nurses, suggested she take the covered cat trap into the back room.

‘Jonathan picked up your message. He’s going to be tied up for a while.’ Her eyes went to the crowded waiting room as she came out from behind the reception desk. ‘After we’ve put him in the back, you can go and sit with Bella if you like. I expect you’re itching to meet her.’

‘Yes please.’ Clarice beamed. ‘I’d hoped I might meet her today.’

‘I know Jonathan intended to phone you later with a progress report,’ Pam said. ‘With your call about the feral, you beat him to it.’

‘Did it go OK yesterday – the operation?’

‘He said it was a great success, no problems. But he’ll talk about it when he comes through.

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