Page 7 of Waifs And Strays
I presented myself at the homely coffee shop with several minutes to spare. As soon as I walked through the doors, I was pointed towards the back where Quack and Ribbit were waiting. From their relaxed body language, they’d decided that the hard part was over and they’d won. The smart thing to do would be to give them their victory but unfortunately I wasn’t always smart. Besides, something about Nick and his pain had tugged at my heart strings.
I sat opposite them and leaned forward. ‘I did as you asked. I’m here. What do you want?’
They gave matching smirks. ‘There’s no need to sound so antagonistic, Ms McCafferty,’ Quack said.
Ribbit nodded. ‘Yes. MsKitMcCafferty. We know who you are.’
I managed to avoid rolling my eyes; they knew my name but they had no idea who I was.
‘Why don’t you order a drink and then we’ll discuss the matter properly?’ Ribbit went on. ‘Some chamomile tea, perhaps, to calm your nerves?’
I decided to play to type even though I really wanted a coffee. ‘Sure.’
Within seconds an anxious waitress had placed the tea in front of me. I took a sip, scalded my lips and returned the cup to the table. ‘So?’ I asked. ‘What do you want to talk to me about?’
Ribbit spoke first in a soothing, patronising tone. ‘We know you’re a nice lady and you don’t mean any harm. You collect cats and you help strays. That’s good of you.’
Quack took up the thread. ‘But there’s one stray that you’re going to have to let go.’
I widened my eyes. ‘Not She Who Loves Sunbeams? Please – she’s been with me for years. She’s an old cat, she doesn’t deserve to be out on the streets.’
It took her a full moment to appreciate I was being disingenuous. MacTire werewolves were supposed to be intelligent but I was starting to revise that opinion.
‘We’re talking about the boy,’ she said icily. ‘He can’t stay with you. You need to go home and tell him you’ve changed your mind. Tell him he has to leave.’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘Tell him you need the space for more cats,’ Ribbit said.
‘Or that you’re allergic to werewolves,’ Quack suggested. ‘We don’t really care. Just make sure he’s out of thatflat by nightfall.’
My bottom lip jutted out. ‘There are a lot of scary creatures on the streets at night. He might get hurt.’
‘He won’t,’ Ribbit assured me. ‘We’re looking after him. Nobody will go near him.’
‘He’s not your concern, Ms McCafferty,’ Quack added. ‘You don’t have to worry about him.’ On cue, they both grinned at me; it wasn’t particularly reassuring.
I picked up my cup and took another tentative sip. ‘I’m afraid that I still can’t do as you ask. I told him he could stay. He can leave any time of his own free will but I won’t kick him out.’
Ribbit reached into his coat and took out a bulging wallet. ‘Five grand,’ he said. ‘In cash.’
It felt like he was low-balling me. ‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘But no.’
Quack nudged him. ‘She deserves more than that for her trouble,’ she chided, before upping the ante. ‘Ten grand.’
My expression didn’t alter. ‘That’s very generous of you.’ Ribbit smiled again and started to take out the money. I shook my head. ‘I’m not agreeing. I don’t want your money.’
‘Spend it on some cat food. It must be expensive keeping all those kitties happy. It’ll go a long way towards looking after them.’
‘They’re already happy.’ I eyed the cup of tea and decided to abandon my efforts to drink it. I took a small white handkerchief from my pocket and dabbed my mouth. ‘I’m not taking your money. And the boy can stay as long as he wants.’
They weren’t smiling now. ‘How much?’ Quack asked with a hint of a snarl. ‘How much will it take? Because you don’t want to make enemies of us, Ms McCafferty.’
I stood up. ‘No,’ I said simply. ‘I don’t want to do that.’ I nodded. ‘Have a good day.’ And with that, I strolled out of the coffee shop.
Naturally they followed, nipping at my heels so closely that I could feel their hot breath on the back of my neck. I headedaway from both the market and my home; there were a few quiet streets within walking distance where we could bring this nasty business to a head.
‘Don’t do anything stupid, Ms McCafferty,’ Quack said.
