Paycheque (49 page)

‘Unless he's eating for emotional security,' Claire offered.

‘God, surely not,' Derek scoffed. ‘Are they capable of that, like people?'

‘Don't see why not,' Claire said.

‘I don't know about you people, but it's driving me to drink. Anyone else?' Jack said, getting up.

‘You stay put, Jack. I'll get them,' Derek said.

‘Don't. You make me feel like an old man. What are we all having?'

‘House red, whatever it is, thanks Dad,' said Claire.

‘Just another water for me thanks,' said Maddie, before continuing her conversation. ‘He's better during the day – other than being a bit cranky, which could be lack of sleep.'

‘So, what's different at night here than at home?'

‘Well it's no quieter, no noisier – except for the commotion he's creating. It's a bit on the chilly side but I don't think it's that. He's moving about enough to keep warm. I had to swap the thick under-rug for the lighter one. Oh I don't know, it's doing my head in!'

‘Mmm, me too. Now, changing the subject, I'm ringing Bernie later to check on things. Any messages?'

‘A cuddle for Terry and Sandy from me,' said Maddie.

‘Suppose you're missing them keeping your feet warm at night?'

‘No, they don't sleep with me. They chose early on to stay in the stables. Probably spend all night hunting mice.'

Derek slapped his leg. ‘Oh well, there's your problem! Your horse is missing all the night-time activity so he's creating some of his own,' he said with a laugh.

‘I thought they slept with you,' Claire continued, ignoring Derek.

‘You're kidding! They purred so loud that I turfed them out after the first night. And Sandy snores. It's quite cute but it's enough to keep a person awake,' Maddie said.

‘Or put you to sleep, if you like that sort of thing,' Claire said thoughtfully, staring at the table.

Maddie noticed her father blush slightly. ‘You a snorer, Dad?'

‘Not that I was aware. Something you're trying to tell me, Claire, darling?'

‘What? Sorry? No, not you – well only sometimes. I was thinking about Paycheque. What if the cats' snoring and purring helps him sleep?'

‘Utterly ridiculous,' Derek sneered. ‘Whatever next?'

‘Well it is something he has at home and not here,' Maddie said.

‘Should I scout about, see if I can borrow some cats so you can test your little theory?' Derek mocked.

There was silence. Claire chewed on her bottom lip in total concentration. Maddie watched her. It was a full minute before she spoke.

‘I'm going to see if Bernadette can put them on the plane. What do you think, Maddie?'

‘We don't have any other ideas and, quite frankly, I'm at the point where I'd do anything to get a decent night's sleep – and I'm sure Howie would agree.'

‘Have you both gone completely mad? How are you going to
keep them here? Tie them up with a miniature halter and lead-rope? They'll try and find their way home – it's what cats do.'

‘We'll have to hope they don't. They settled at the farm okay. Maybe they're missing Paycheque as much as he is them,' Maddie said.

‘Hopefully
that's
the problem,' Claire said.

‘I feel it my duty to point out to you, Claire McIntyre, that I think you are totally insane.'

‘Thank you, Derek. Your comment is duly noted,' Claire said.

‘Well I don't think it's so different to the group bringing that Shetland pony – Henry, I think his name was – out from England to keep Jardines Lookout company,' Maddie said, picking up her menu.

Jack put a tray of drinks on the table.

‘Jack, you'll back me up, won't you? I'm being ganged up on here,' Derek said.

Jack held his hands up in surrender. ‘Sorry mate, not against these two – they're always right. What is it this time?'

‘They're only going to fly in two cats to keep a horse company! Whatever next?!'

‘Like Henry the pony? Good idea if it improves Paycheque's disposition – cantankerous bastard tried to take a piece out of me before I left. And old Fitzpatrick's getting worried his stable's going to be destroyed.'

‘Jesus, I'm surrounded by nutters,' Derek groaned, putting his head in his hands.

‘And that's why you love us so much,' Claire said, draping an arm around his shoulders.

‘So, who's for a big juicy steak?' Jack asked, rubbing his hands together.

Maddie groaned. ‘I have weights to make, remember? Maybe in a couple of months.'

‘Sorry, didn't mean to tease you,' Jack said.

‘The smell of steak is but a distant memory,' she said with a resigned sigh. ‘I'll have the warm chicken salad – minus the dressing.'

‘I hope they'll be all right,' Maddie said, poking a finger into the carry box on her lap where the two cats huddled. ‘I don't think they liked flying much: they look terrified.'

‘Pity we didn't think to bring them in the car and save them the trauma. Not long now. You'll be all right,' Claire said, addressing the carry box. ‘At least they have each other.'

‘Look, we've got a surprise for you,' Maddie called to the horses. Paycheque and Howie's heads appeared over their gates. Maddie and Claire each took a cat from the box and held the wriggling creatures up for the horses to see. The wide-eyed felines took in their surroundings and gradually calmed. Paycheque stretched his neck out and nickered as he sniffed the closest, Sandy. Howie blew a gentle puff of hot air at Terry, who threw out a paw and whacked the horse on the nose.

‘No claws. That must have been a friendly wallop,' Maddie said, and laughed.

‘Hey, Sandy's purring,' Claire said. She could feel the gentle vibrations through her rugby top.

‘So is Terry,' Maddie said, holding the smaller of the two up so his stomach was at her ear. ‘Think it's safe to put them down?'

‘We'll have to do it sometime.' They squatted down and released the cats. Terry and Sandy looked about briefly before disappearing together into Paycheque's stall. Claire and Maddie leaned over the gate to watch, and laughed when the cats went to separate corners and dug holes in the sawdust. The cats stopped mid-dig to look back at them.

‘Sorry, we'll give you some privacy,' Maddie said, turning her back to the stall. Claire followed suit.

When they turned around a few moments later, the cats were climbing into Paycheque's empty feed bin, the curious horse snuffling at them playfully.

‘Let's set up their food and water out here. That way Howie will get a look-in. He seems just as pleased to see them,' Claire said.

‘I could watch them for hours,' Maddie said with a contented sigh.

‘Me too – might just do that yet. Make sure they're not going to run away.'

Derek appeared behind Claire, putting his head over her shoulder. ‘How's “Operation Feline” going?'

‘So far, so good,' Claire said, turning her head and kissing him on the cheek.

‘So, they've arrived safely then,' Jack said, peering over Claire's other shoulder.

‘Yep. Tonight will be the big test,' Claire said.

‘So, how did we sleep?' Claire asked Maddie the next morning, when she came into the caravan for breakfast. Jack and Derek looked on.

‘Like a baby,' Maddie said, beaming as she squeezed into the booth next to Jack.

‘What, woke every four hours and cried?' Derek said.

‘Dad, you're
so
hilarious.
Not
,' Maddie said, slapping at him across the table.

‘So, you slept all right – the horses were quiet?' Claire asked.

‘Yes and yes!'

‘Mere coincidence,' Derek said.

‘You wish, Dad. I'll have my twenty bucks now, thanks,' she said, holding out a hand.

‘But there's actually no proof it was the cats.'

‘And no proof it wasn't.' Maddie shrugged, snapping her fingers. Derek reluctantly pulled his wallet from his pocket and removed a twenty-dollar note. He slapped it on the table in front of his daughter.

‘Pleasure doing business with you,' Maddie said with a treacle smile.

Claire laughed to herself at the similarities between father and daughter. ‘So, I want the full report.'

‘Well when I last checked at around eleven-thirty, Paycheque was curled up with both cats wedged against his chest. I wish I'd had a camera, it was so cute. This morning Sandy and Terry were off roaming around, checking their new kingdom, and Paycheque was at his gate looking bright-eyed – like his old self. I'd better give him a decent workout on the lunge before I get on – looks too full of beans.'

‘How's Howie?'

‘Good, even calmer. His resting heart rate is back to what it is at home.'

‘Great, so we're right back on track then,' Jack said, clapping his hands together.

‘I still don't believe it was the cats,' Derek said later, when he and Claire were again alone.

‘You don't have to, darling. Remember,' she said, batting her
eyelashes, ‘the world's bigger than us – some things are beyond our control.'

‘Yep, I deserved that,' he said with a wry laugh.