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usually so lazy. I don’t know what she’s interested in out there,” Mia told her.
    Kim focused the telescope on the shed window. She saw the nest and the five chicks. They were getting really big now, with tiny wing feathers and stubby tails. She figured they’d be ready to leave the nest in a day or two.
    â€œAargh!” Kim almost jumped out of her skin.
    Two big orange circles completely filled the eyepiece and blocked her view of the nest. Suddenly she realized what she was seeing.
    â€œIt’s Bibi! She’s inside the shed!” Kim gasped.

Chapter SEVEN
    Kim ran after Mia as her cousin raced out of the room and bounded down the stairs.
    Mia ran across the lawn at top speed and yanked open the shed door. “Bibi! Don’t you dare go near those chicks!” she warned, grabbing the big Persian.
    Bibi howled with surprise and anger. Kim saw her wriggle free and hurtle blindly out of the shed—straight for a nearby bucket, which tipped over and spilled smelly brown liquid all over her.
    By now Mia had checked that all the chicks were fine. She gave a thumbs-up sign to Kim before going across to Bibi.
    Kim gave a huge sigh of relief.

    â€œYou bad girl! Look at the mess you’re in!” Mia scolded. “What is that disgusting stuff Bibi’s covered in?”
    â€œIt’s Dad’s plant food. He makes it from weeds and sheep droppings!” Kim sputtered, trying not to laugh.
    â€œGross! You need a bath,” Mia said firmly. Holding Bibi at arm’s length, she marched back into the house.
    Kim suddenly realized that Flame hadn’t followed her into the garden. That was odd. He usually came everywhere with her.
    She found him still in the bedroom. He had crawled under her pillow and just his little tail was visible. When she uncovered him, he looked up at her with wide, troubled eyes.
    â€œMy enemies . . .” he told Kim in a scared little meow.
    Kim felt her chest tighten as she pet him gently. “Are . . . are they close?”
    Flame shook his head. “Not yet. But I can sense them.”
    Kim didn’t even want to think about what that could mean. “We’ll have to be very careful to keep you hidden then, won’t we?” she said fiercely.
    Flame seemed to relax a little and even began purring as she tickled him under the chin.
    Just then Mia’s complaining voice floated into the bedroom. “Stop wriggling, Bibi! It’s your own fault you’re all sticky. You’re getting a bath and that’s that!”

    Flame’s purr turned into a chuckle. “It seems baths are not Bibi’s favorite thing!”
    As Bibi gave another pitiful howl, Kim couldn’t help laughing, too. “I’d better go and see if Mia needs some help!”
    Remembering how sharp Bibi’s claws were, Kim borrowed her dad’s thick gardening gloves. She held the squirming, hissing cat while Mia squirted her with pet cleaner and showered her. By the time Bibi was rinsed clean, Kim and Mia were soaked through. Bibi only settled down after Mia had dried her with a hair dryer and brushed her.
    â€œThere you are. You look beautiful,” Mia said, admiring Bibi’s long, silky fur.
    Kim changed into dry clothes. Helping to bathe Bibi had been exhausting, but it was a small price to pay for saving the chicks. She was glad she and Mia seemed to be getting along better at last, too.
    â€œI’m glad you don’t have long fur!” she said to Flame affectionately as he curled up in her room.
    Flame wrinkled his nose. “So am I. I hate baths, too!”
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    It rained heavily the following day. Sullen gray clouds hung in the sky. Mia and Kim went for a morning walk, but it was too wet to be outdoors for long even with umbrellas and rain boots. Flame and Bibi hated the rain and spent most of the time dozing in the bedrooms.
    â€œWhat should we do now?” Mia asked when they got home.
    Kim didn’t