‘This is going to be perfect!’ said Kitty, looking around.

  She put the cardboard boxes on the grass, so that the cats could jump in and out of them easily. Then Grandma opened the tins of tuna and sardines and scooped the fish into bowls and Kitty poured the cream into a big saucer.

  ‘The cats are going to love this!’ she said.

  Kitty hadn’t brought any balloons to the party, because she knew that if any of them popped, Sooty would hate the loud noise. But she had brought some party games. She’d wrapped a toy mouse inside lots of layers of newspaper, so that the cats could play pass the parcel.

  ‘What a good idea, Kitty,’ Grandma said as Kitty put the parcel on the grass, ready for the cats to play with when they arrived.

  ‘Now will you tell me what’s in the big box, Grandma?’ asked Kitty.

  Grandma chuckled and took the lid off the box. ‘It’s a birthday cake,’ she said, showing Kitty.

  ‘It doesn’t look like any birthday cake I’ve ever seen before!’ said Kitty, staring at it.

  ‘I made it specially,’ Grandma explained. ‘It’s made from cat biscuits.’

  Kitty giggled. Then she heard the town hall clock chiming. ‘It’s quarter to three!’ she exclaimed. ‘Everyone’s going to be here soon – including Sooty! We’d better change, Grandma.’

  Grandma nodded and smiled. She whispered the secret words and turned into her cat form, then Kitty did the same.

  And they were just in time! As Kitty opened her eyes again, she saw the first cats begin to trot through the rose bushes.

  ‘We’re here for the party. We can’t wait!’ squeaked an excited ginger kitten.

  ‘Thank you for coming!’ miaowed Kitty.

  The cats purred happily as they saw the treats and games that Kitty and Grandma had prepared. One by one, more cats arrived.

  Finally, Kitty heard the town hall clock chime three times. ‘That’s it!’ she whispered. ‘It’s three o’clock! Everyone, get in your hiding places.’

  The cats all scampered off to hide in the bushes at the other side of the clearing.

  Kitty felt nervous as she waited for Sooty to arrive. She really hoped she’d like her surprise. Kitty held her breath as a paw stepped through the rose bushes, and Sooty’s face appeared. She looked at the party things and frowned in confusion.

  ‘Hello?’ she called. ‘Where’s the Cat Council meeting?’

  ‘Surprise!’ miaowed Kitty, jumping out from her hiding place. ‘Happy birthday, Sooty!’

  Sooty gasped and her eyes widened as the other cats jumped out too, all miaowing, ‘Happy birthday!’

  ‘It’s your birthday, Sooty!’ explained Suki. ‘And Kitty thought it would be nice to throw you a party.’

  ‘I hope you like it,’ added Kitty. Her nerves grew. What if Sooty hated the party – just like she hated all surprises?

  To her relief, Sooty gave a loud, happy purr. ‘I can’t believe it!’ she said. ‘Is all this for me?’ She padded around the clearing looking at all the fun treats and food. ‘Oh wow, sardines. My favourite!’

  The cats pounced on the fish and the cream, and then Grandma showed them the special birthday cake. Kitty taught the cats the words to ‘Happy Birthday’ and they all miaowed along. Then Kitty rolled the ball of pink wool to Sooty. ‘This is your birthday present!’ she told her.

  Sooty immediately began to tangle her claws in the wool. ‘I love it!’ she purred. ‘Thank you, Kitty!’

  Next it was time to start the party games. Kitty asked the cats to sit in a circle – just like they would at a Cat Council meeting. Then the cats began playing pass the parcel, using their noses and their paws to roll the parcel along the grass. Kitty miaowed a tune, as they didn’t have any music.

  ‘Remember, when I stop the tune, whoever has the parcel takes a layer of paper off!’ she told them.

  But then suddenly all the cats’ ears pricked up.

  ‘Someone’s coming!’ hissed Misty. ‘I can hear cat paws, and …’

  ‘Human feet!’ added Suki.

  Kitty looked at the party things scattered everywhere, and her heart sank. They would never tidy up in time. Whoever was coming, was going to discover the party!

  Misty’s nose twitched. ‘Wait a minute. I know that smell,’ she miaowed. ‘Kitty, I think it’s Claws and Fang!’

  As she spoke, the two Persians burst through the rose bushes. The cats scattered out of their circle, hissing, as the Persians ran into the middle.

  ‘We knew you were up to something,’ Fang hissed at Kitty.

  ‘So we decided to spoil your fun,’ Claws said.

  ‘We’ve led your cousin to the park,’ Fang said with a nasty grin on his face. ‘He’s right behind us – and he’s going to find out all about your cat party!’

  ‘Yes, your secret’s about to be found out,’ added Claws, ‘and you’ll never be able to turn into a cat again!’

  Kitty’s mind raced. She had to do something – and fast!

  ‘Quick, Grandma. Behind those trees!’ she miaowed.

  She and Grandma raced to hide behind some tall oak trees just as Max stepped through the bushes and into the clearing. ‘Wow!’ Kitty heard him say. ‘What’s going on?’

  Kitty and Grandma whispered the words that would change them back into humans, and waited as the bubbling, tickling feeling took over. As soon as they’d transformed back, they nodded at each other, and stepped out from behind the trees.

  ‘Kitty!’ cried Max. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Surprise!’ said Kitty, smiling. ‘Welcome to our cat party.’

  Out of the corner of her eye, Kitty saw Claws and Fang look at each other in shock. The Persians definitely hadn’t been expecting that!

  ‘Cat party?’ repeated Max.

  ‘We knew you were missing all the animals on your farm!’ Grandma said, winking at Kitty. ‘So we decided to throw you a special party, where you could meet all the cats in town. I see you’ve already met Claws and Fang,’ she added, pointing to the fluffy white Persians – who were now growling crossly.

  ‘They were waiting outside the house again when I got back from Jenny’s,’ explained Max. ‘They were miaowing really loudly, and they started pulling at my trousers with their claws – it was as if they wanted to tell me something important! So I followed them to the park – but I was never expecting this.’ He stared around at the bowls of fish and cream, and grinned as he saw the ball of wool Kitty had bought from the post office. ‘I recognise that!’ he laughed. ‘Now I see what you were up to on our shopping trip, Kitty. The wool, the sardines and the cardboard boxes – they were all for the cat party!’

  ‘Right,’ laughed Kitty. Thank goodness for that! she thought to herself. Now at least Max doesn’t think I’m crazy!

  ‘Would you like to meet the cats?’ she asked, sitting down on the grass.

  ‘Yes please!’ Max replied eagerly. He sat down next to her and grinned as three cats trotted up to him and rubbed their furry heads against his knees.

  ‘This is Sooty, Coco and Boots,’ Kitty told him. ‘Then over here we’ve got Ruby, Tiger and Shadow.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’ve got so many cat friends,’ Max said, stroking each cat as Kitty introduced them.

  Suddenly, Kitty realised that she had to make sure Max didn’t tell her mum and dad about this party.

  ‘I keep it a secret,’ she explained, ‘because Mum and Dad worry about my allergies. I don’t think they’d like me spending so much time with cats, so don’t say anything, will you?’

  ‘Of course not,’ said Max, picking up Sooty and giving her a cuddle. ‘Your secret’s safe with me.’

  As Max and Grandma played with the cats, Kitty turned and saw Claws jumping in and out of one of the cardboard boxes, while Fang batted the toy mouse from the pass the parcel around in his paws. They were both purring – and they seemed to be having fun! She walked over to them cautiously, and knelt down beside them. To her surprise, Fang only hesitated for a moment – then came over and rubbed his face against her hand.

  ‘Can we please be friends now?’ she asked.

  Claws purred in reply. Kitty couldn’t tell what he was saying – but she was sure he was saying yes. It looked as if the Persians were having so much fun at the party, they’d decided to try being nice. ‘I’m so glad!’ Kitty whispered, giving them both a stroke.

  She felt another nudge at her elbow, and turned to see Sooty, who’d come over for a cuddle too. Sooty had crumbs of birthday cake stuck in her whiskers, and a tangle of pink wool wrapped around her tail.

  Sooty mewed and rubbed her head against Kitty’s arm. Kitty knew she was saying ‘Thank you’.

  Kitty scooped Sooty up into her lap and stroked her fur. ‘You’re very welcome,’ she whispered into her silky ear.

  ‘Grandma! Grandma!’ shouted Kitty Kimura excitedly. ‘A postcard’s arrived from Mum and Dad!’

  Kitty ran to the kitchen. Emails were nice, but she loved getting post! The card had a picture of a waving ceramic cat on it. In Japan, they were a sign of good luck. Her parents were in Japan again now.

  Grandma was pouring tea into her flowery cup. She smiled as Kitty read the short message aloud and then stuck the postcard on the fridge.

  Kitty’s grandma had been born in Japan, but moved to England when Kitty’s dad was little. Kitty’s parents now owned a shop that sold special Japanese things, and Kitty loved all the silky kimonos, colourful fans and sparkly mobile phone charms. Three times a year, her parents went to Tokyo to look for new things for the shop.

  Grandma lived with Kitty and her parents, so they spent lots of time together, especially when Mum and Dad were away. Kitty missed them, but she loved being with Grandma. They even looked alike, with the same almond-shaped eyes. But Kitty’s hair was long and black, while Grandma’s bob had a streak of pure white on one side of her fringe.

  ‘What shall we do for the rest of the week, Kitty-cat?’ Grandma said.

  Kitty’s real name was Koemi, but she loved cats so much that she was given the nickname Kitty, and now everyone called her that!

  Just as Kitty was about to answer, the phone rang.

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Kitty offered, running into the living room.

  She picked up the phone. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Kitty!’ said an eager voice. ‘It’s me, Jenny!’

  Kitty was surprised. Jenny was her best friend, but they hardly ever phoned each other, because Jenny only lived three houses away. ‘Hi!’ she replied.

  ‘Can you come to my house for a sleepover tonight?’ Jenny burst out. ‘I have something really exciting to show you!’

  Kitty giggled. Jenny was always cheerful, but today she sounded even happier than usual. ‘What is it?’ she asked.

  Jenny paused for a second. ‘Well … I was going to keep it a surprise until you got here, but I can’t wait. I’ve got a kitten!’

  Kitty gasped. ‘Jenny, you’re so lucky!’ she said, a smile spreading over her face. ‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’

  ‘I didn’t know until today!’ Jenny explained. Kitty could hear her friend bouncing up and down excitedly. ‘Mum kept it a surprise until I got home from school. My Auntie Megan is moving to America and she couldn’t take her kitten with her – so she’s given Misty to me! Wait till you see her, Kitty. She’s gorgeous. She’s pale grey with darker grey stripes. Mum says she’s a silver tabby. And I think she likes me already. As soon as Auntie Megan brought her over, she ran straight up to me and rubbed herself all around my ankles!’

  ‘I can’t believe it,’ Kitty said wistfully. ‘I love cats.’

  ‘I know! That’s why I rang you straight away,’ Jenny replied. ‘It’ll be as if she’s your cat too! So can you come? We can play with Misty all evening!’

  ‘Let me ask Grandma,’ Kitty told her friend. ‘I’ll call you right back!’

  She put down the phone and raced back into the kitchen. ‘Grandma!’ she called breathlessly. ‘Can I sleep over at Jenny’s house tonight? She’s just got a kitten!’

  Grandma put down her teacup. ‘A kitten?’ she replied slowly. ‘Well, that’s lovely for Jenny … but, Kitty, you know you start to sneeze as soon as you’re anywhere near a cat.’

  Kitty bit her lip. It was true. Ever since she was a baby she had been allergic to cats. It made her feel sad and a bit cross, because cats were her favourite animals in the whole world. She loved their bright eyes, their silky fur, and the soft rumble of their purring.

  Most of all, she liked imagining what the cats in her village got up to at night, when people were fast asleep! What made it even harder was that cats seemed to really like her, too. They always followed her down the street, rubbing their soft heads against her ankles and miaowing eagerly. Kitty couldn’t resist bending down to stroke them, but she always ended up with sore eyes and a runny nose.

  ‘Oh, please, Grandma,’ she begged. ‘I’ll take lots of tissues, and if I start to get itchy eyes or a tickly nose, I’ll stop playing with Misty straight away, I promise.’

  Grandma gazed thoughtfully at Kitty. ‘Well, maybe you are old enough now,’ she murmured softly, with the hint of a smile on her lips.

  ‘What do you mean, Grandma?’ asked Kitty, frowning. Old enough that my allergy will be gone? she thought, confused.

  ‘Never mind,’ Grandma told her, shaking her head. ‘Wait here, sweetheart. I have something for you.’

  Kitty bit her lip, curious. Grandma sometimes acted a bit strangely. She often took long naps at funny times, and she would stay up late, saying she was watching her favourite TV programmes. But now she was behaving even more oddly than normal.

  When Grandma came back, she placed something carefully into Kitty’s hands. It was a slim silver chain with a small charm hanging from it. At first Kitty thought there were Japanese symbols on it. But as she looked more closely, she saw it was a tiny picture of a cat.

  ‘Wow,’ breathed Kitty, slipping the necklace over her head. ‘It’s beautiful.’

  Grandma smiled and reached under her blue silk scarf to show Kitty a matching necklace. ‘I have one too,’ she explained. ‘They have been in our family for a long time. Yours belonged to your great-grandmother. I’ve been keeping it safe until the right moment. It’s very precious, and I know you will take good care of it. Make sure you wear it at Jenny’s house. I think it will help with your allergies.’

  ‘You mean … I’m allowed to go?’ cried Kitty. ‘Thank you, Grandma!’

  Kitty flung her arms around Grandma, though she was puzzled about what she’d said about the necklace. How could a piece of jewellery stop her from sneezing? But she was too excited to ask questions. She was going for a sleepover at her best friend’s house, and she was going to play with a sweet little kitten!

  Half an hour later, Kitty and Grandma set off for Jenny’s house, swinging Kitty’s overnight bag between them. As soon as Kitty pressed the doorbell, the door burst open. Jenny’s freckled face was flushed pink with excitement. ‘I couldn’t wait for you to get here!’ she said with a grin. ‘Quick – come and meet Misty!’

  Jenny led them into the kitchen, where Jenny’s mum and little brother Barney were painting. Jenny’s mum washed her hands and made a cup of tea for Grandma. Kitty looked around eagerly for Misty. ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Over there, on the window sill!’ said Jenny.

  Kitty gasped as she spotted the little cat. ‘Oh, she’s so cute!’ she cried.

  Misty was curled cosily in a beam of warm sunshine. She was a soft grey colour, with darker grey stripes all over her body, and long silver whiskers. Her eyes were a pretty blue. When she spotted the girls, she sat straight up with pricked ears and gave a happy mew.

  ‘She loves this sunny spot,’ Jenny said, reaching out to pat Misty’s head. ‘Come and stroke her. She likes being tickled right here, between her ears.’

  Grandma was watching out of the corner of her eye. Kitty touched Misty’s soft, warm head gingerly, feeling excited butterflies fill her tummy. Misty closed her eyes and purred happily as Kitty stroked her all the way down to her long tail.

  ‘She feels like silk,’ whispered Kitty.

  ‘I know. I love her so much. I still can’t believe she’s mine!’ said Jenny, scooping Misty gently into her arms for a cuddle.

  Kitty sighed. ‘You’re the luckiest girl in the world, Jenny. I wish I wasn’t allergic to cats, then maybe Mum and Dad would let me have one too!’

  Jenny raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh gosh – I’d forgotten about that,’ she said. ‘Are you feeling all right at the moment?’

  But before Kitty could answer, Jenny’s mum came over. ‘You’re allergic, Kitty?’ she asked worriedly. ‘I didn’t know that. Are you sure you’ll be OK?’

  Kitty nodded quickly. ‘It’s just a little tickle in my nose sometimes, that’s all. I feel completely fine!’ she said. Although at that very moment, she felt a twitch and her eyes began to tingle. She really wanted to rub them, but she ignored it. If Jenny’s mum knew how bad her allergies could get, Kitty knew she’d say they shouldn’t have the sleepover. Even worse, she might never be able to stay at Jenny’s house again!

  ‘What do you think, Mrs Kimura?’ asked Jenny’s mum, turning to Grandma. ‘I’ve promised Jenny that Misty can sleep in her bedroom, but I don’t want Kitty to feel poorly in the night.’

  Kitty noticed Grandma glancing at the silver necklace. Please don’t change your mind now! she thought desperately.

  But to her relief, Grandma smiled. ‘I think Kitty will be just fine,’ she said.

  ‘All right, then,’ said Jenny’s mum. ‘No staying up late, though, girls. You know it’s a special treat to have a sleepover on a weeknight,’ she added with a smile. ‘I’ll take both girls to school tomorrow, Mrs Kimura.’

 

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