The Kitten Hunt Read Online Free PDF Page B

and he
can
actually understand every word we say? I wondered dreamily, as Pinkella and Jazz wittered on to each other somewhere in the vague and cloudy distance.
Wouldn’t that be cool?
    But then I realized it would all be a waste of time unless I developed the magic gift of being able to talk to animals, like that Doctor Dolittle guy I’d seen in a film once. I shook my
head. I would end up as bonkers as Pinkella if I wasn’t careful.
    I became dimly aware of Pinkella handing Jazz a piece of paper and saying, ‘If you think I’ve missed anything, or there’s anything you don’t understand, please
don’t hesitate to call.’
    ‘Oh, right, thanks,’ I muttered, and reluctantly handed Kaboodle over to Pinkella, who was beaming at him with outstretched arms.
    ‘That’s right, come to Mummsie,’ she crooned through puckered lips. ‘Mummsie’s got to get as many cuddles as she can before she has to leave poor little Kaboodle,
hasn’t she?’
    Jazz shot me a look of utter contempt and said, ‘Well, thanks, Ms P. I think we know what to do. There’s just one small matter we have to discuss before we go, though.’ She
looked meaningfully at Pinkella with one eyebrow raised.
    ‘What’s that, sweetie?’ Pinkella asked, still cooing over Kaboodle.
    Jazz coughed and said, ‘Er – we at Bertie Fletcher’s Pet-Sitting Service always require a down payment before taking on any job—’
    ‘Jazz!’ I couldn’t believe this.
    But Jazz shook her head at me and frowned. ‘It’s like protection against you changing your mind or anything?’ she added, putting a hand on one hip and rattling her bangles
officiously.
    Pinkella chewed her bottom lip. If I hadn’t been so worried she was about to bawl us out for being cheeky, I would have said she was trying not to laugh.
    ‘Of course, dear. How much did you say it was going to be?’ she asked, looking at Jazz, not me, I noticed.
    ‘Five—’
    ‘A pound a day,’ I said firmly, ignoring Jazz’s fierce stare of disbelief.
    ‘That’s right, I remember now,’ said Pinkella. She set Kaboodle down on a hideous bubblegum-pink cushion and fiddled in an equally gross-coloured handbag for her purse.
‘Here you are – I’ll give you five pounds for now, and we’ll settle up when I come back. How does that sound?’
    ‘Great,’ said Jazz, stepping in front of me and snapping up the money.
    I rolled my eyes, but decided not to say anything.
    ‘Now – one last question, Ms P.’
    ‘Yes, Jasmeena?’
    ‘What do we do if Kaboodle catches a mouse or something?’ she asked, pulling the corners of her mouth down and giving an exaggerated shudder.
    I flinched. I had not thought of that. Jazz was right – cats did that kind of thing all the time.
    Pinkella looked appalled. ‘Oh dearie me, Kaboodle is far too much of a little baby to do that sort of thing, aren’t you,
darling
?’ she asked, looking at her kitten who
was now back on his silky pink cushion, washing his front paws very carefully. He looked up as Pinkella spoke and blinked slowly as if he was thinking about what to say in response ‘There,
you see!’ said Pinkella triumphantly ‘He says of course he wouldn’t!’
    Jazz gave me a sideways glance and pursed her lips.
    I cleared my throat loudly and said, ‘Well, that’s all right then,’ and made a move towards the door. ‘Have a good time in Scotland, Ms P! I said cheerfully. I still
couldn’t bring myself to call her Fenella. ‘Hope you get that part in the film.’
    ‘Thank you, Roberta, said Pinkella, beaming. ‘I’ll be back in a fortnight. And good luck with Kaboodle – although I’m sure you won’t need it. He’s such
a well-behaved little boy’
    ‘Miiia-oow!’ Kaboodle answered in a kittenish mew.
    Was he agreeing with her?
    Jazz hardly waited until the door was shut on us before giving her verdict.
    ‘That woman is a
serious
fruit-loop!’ she crowed.
    ‘Shut up!’ I hissed nervously. ‘She might hear you!’ I