Veronica Kinsley adored cats how could she not, when she fancied herself one of them, even though she was, in truth, a bonafide dog. A mediumsized hound with a sturdy frame and teeth that would make a crocodile green with envy. And envy was fine; Veronica had always been a gentle soul who never bothered anyone with jealousy.
Her love for cats didnt appear at birth but blossomed about a month and a half later. That day Evelynthen a nameless pup of an indeterminate breedsat squawking in a puddle. Not she, but the irritating spring rain had filled the hollow. Evelyn barked at the world with all the strength she could muster, though she had very little, lamenting her sorry fate to anyone who would listen.
Only one ear caught her cries: Morris the cat. He padded to the edge of the water, tucked his paws beneath him, swirled his fluffy tail around the scene and studied the tiny, trembling disaster. Then his gaze fell on the white toepad on Evelyns front paw. He lowered his eyes and saw an identical spot on his own.
Is that mine? flickered a thought in Morriss mind. But whose offspring could bear such a mark? He had romanced Molly, romanced Lydia, even perched on Matildas fence. Who was this pups mother, and why had she abandoned her in a puddle?
For a heartbeat Evelyn fell silent, sensed a warm, sympathetic presence nearby, and, terrified that it might vanish, lunged toward it. Her legs tangled, she slipped back into the puddle with a plaintive squeak. Morris huffed disdainfully, yet the cat was now convincedthis was his own daughter, for he too had once tangled his paws.
Morris rose, stepped carefully through the water, hovered over the shivering pup, inhaled a heavy sigh and lifted her by the scruff. A fathers burden was heavy, but he would not shirk his duty. If a mother had deserted her child, he would never do the same. Was he truly a father? Evelyn, at that precise moment, felt safe beneath his guard. She quieted, relaxed, and even drifted to sleep as Morris carried her into his cottage.
When the lady of the house spotted the newcomer, she clapped her hands in surprise:
Fred, come see! Our cat has brought in a dog! A plump, sturdy oneshell make a fine watchdog!
Fred, Morriss owner, approved of Evelyn as well, though they did not yet know that Veronica Kinsley would never want to guard anyone or anything. She was, after all, a true catatheart, the daughter of Morriswhat guard could she be?
Raised by a feline, Evelyn kept herself immaculate, hunted mice and sparrows, and tried to climb trees and fences, only to be thwarted by her heavy rear end. Over two years she outgrew her cat father several times, attempted to spar with other neighbourhood cats, but Morris always intervened:
Ill handle the strangers myself; a pretty kittys coat must stay pristine!
Morris stubbornly denied that Evelyn was a dog, for admitting it would mean confessing she wasnt his true daughtera notion he could not bear. Anyone who suggested otherwise earned Morriss harsh rebuke.
One night Morris failed to return homea rarity. Evelyn waited, waited, tried to scramble up the fence, nosed through a crack, hoping to catch a whiff of her fathers scent. Nothing. Her claws slid on the smooth wood, her nose detected no trace, and her heart thudded with dread.
The yards other dogs skittered about, then settled and howled loudly.
Let her out! the lady shouted at her husband. She wont let anyone sleep until Morris comes back. Find him, and well both be calm.
Evelyn, like a freed arrow, burst beyond the garden gate, paused a breath, closed her eyes, and listened to an inner voice pointing the way. With a whine of impatience she raced toward the place where the cat had first rescued her.
The premonition was not false. There, on the damp earth where the familiar puddle had just dried, lay Morristorn, utterly exhausted.
Father a mournful howl escaped Evelyns throat. She approached with utmost gentleness, pleading with the universe for his survival. Her delicate jaws would never hurt a creature, not even a butterfly.
Her keen canine nose caught two distinct scents on his fur, scents she would remember forevershe could recognise them among millions.
Morris! she cried.
The owners scooped the cat into a blanket, jumped into their car, and sped as fast as the motor could take them to the best veterinary practice in the neighbouring town. Evelyn followed, sprinting until the vehicle vanished from sight. She collapsed, waitingwhat did she think, what did she understand? She feared Morris would never return. Her fear was confirmed; the people arrived without him.
Evelyn sniffed the medicineladen air, sniffed the scent of her humans, and wept quietly, then loudly. For three days she ate barely anything, subsisting on water, while a fire of hatred burned within her. Why had foreign dogs torn her father apart? Her own kind would never be harmed, and she could have recognised them by scent.
The hatred flared so fiercely that Evelyn could barely find peace. She began to eat again, eyes habitually darting toward the fence. Veronica Kinsley kept waiting, waiting for a chance to escape. Two weeks passed before the opportunity finally arrived: the owners flung the gate open and drove away. Evelyn bolted from the yard.
She circled the whole village, following the lingering scent of strangers. At the roads edge two stray dogs lounged, finishing a stolen goose. Evelyn lay low, recalling Morriss lesson that silence is the hunters allywait, creep close, then strike with a sudden lunge.
True to herself, Veronica Kinsley still believed she was a genuine cat. She never barked without cause, never fussed. Evelyn crept softly, suppressing a growl that threatened to burst forth. Then, as her father had taught, she launched.
Bones cracked, fur flew, skin tore beneath Evelyns sharp teeth and claws. She fought like a raging cat, never taught to duel as a dog. The stray dogs squealed, but they had no chancenone at all, just as Morris had lacked that night. Evelyn triumphed, tearing both opponents, until a sudden tug on her collar yanked her backward.
The ladys arms closed around her, while the owner chased the ragged dogs away.
Evelyn, settle down Did they bite Morris? You gave them a good beating! We barely missed you, but Morris saw you, so we rushed to help
Hearing her name, Evelyns ears drooped, and she turned toward the car. Morris stared back from the back seat.
Whats the surprise? We left him at the clinic to stitch, then dripfeeds and treat. We told you, but you, dear pup, were so sad you heard nothing.
Veronica cried out as she had two years earlier, and on her trembling paws ran toward the vehicle. Morris, still stern, shook off the drool of joy from Evelyns mouth and growled at his daughter:
Youve gone mad, fighting them alone? Couldnt you wait for me?
Then, proudly, he added:
No one has ever seen my mother but now all will know who the Kinsley daughter is! The finest cat in all of England!
Veronica sniffed the fresh stitches on Morriss back and regretted that she had been stopped so early. Yet Morris was rightshe truly was a cat, and as a cat she could wait patiently. While whimpering with overflowing feelings, Evelyn once more began to lick her beloved father.
