The Beanstalk Murder by P. G. Bell

Author:P. G. Bell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

14

Reminiscences

The monstrous cat lunged through the open front of Fortune Hall’s kitchen, its eyes blazing, its breath like an oven full of old meat. Anwen braced herself for the tearing pain of its teeth, but the animal batted her aside with its paw, and she sprawled across the kitchen table, winded.

Why hadn’t it killed her? Then she saw Cerys with her back pressed against the sink. Maybe it was the screaming, or the bright fabric of her dress, but the cat wanted her more. It reached for her, ready to hook her into its mouth.

“Don’t!” shouted Anwen. “She tastes terrible! Eat me instead!”

The beast’s enormous head swung around and fixed her with its emerald gaze. It seemed surprised to be spoken to by its next meal, but Anwen knew cats well enough to realize that its hesitation wouldn’t last. She rolled off the table a second before the cat knocked it flying, scattering breakfast everywhere.

She landed on her back, completely exposed. The cat purred with anticipation as it leaned over her and opened its jaws …

They snapped shut a few inches in front of her face. The cat’s eyes widened, and it disappeared backward out of the kitchen with a yowl of protest. Anwen saw Tonino’s hand gripping it by the tail before the Captain’s anxious face filled her view out into the nursery.

“Are you both all right?” he said.

Anwen pushed herself onto her elbows and activated her amplification spell. “I think so.”

“That thing almost ate us!” said Cerys, having also amplified her voice. She was pale and shaking, but unharmed.

The Captain breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It was supposed to be hunting mice in one of the guest rooms. I don’t know what brought it in here.”

Anwen hoped that her look of guilt was too small for him to notice, although she couldn’t hide it from Cerys, who glared at her.

The crockery rattled as the Captain jumped to his feet. “Tonino, take that animal back down to the kitchens, and make sure nobody lets any more cats out while the ambassadors are with us. I don’t care how many mice we’ve got.”

Anwen ventured onto the nursery carpet in time to see Tonino hurry out of the room, clutching the clawing, spitting ball of gray fur to his chest. The cat looked daggers at her across the room, and then was gone.

The Captain removed his helmet and dragged his hand across his face. “This is my fault,” he said, sitting heavily on the toy chest. “I should have been more alert.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” said Anwen. “Cats go where they want, and they never follow orders. Not even from captains.”

“That’s very kind,” he said. “But if anything had happened to either of you…” He shook his head. “There’s been too much death on my watch already.”

“I normally never admit this, but Anwen’s right,” said Cerys, stepping out of Fortune Hall. “This wasn’t your fault. Although…” She turned to Anwen. “I’m sure I do not taste terrible.

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