The day of the Jellicle Ball dawned as bright and beautiful as any summer day could; there was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun shone brightly down upon the junkyard.
It was very early, and the only one awake was Victoria, who was practising her solo for the start of the ball. She would have preferred to have Mistoffelees with her, but he was impossible to get up before midday, and the whole tribe would be awake and alert by then.
As she warmed up and stretched her long limbs she pondered the evening ahead, a bubble of excitement and happiness swelling inside. She was determined that nothing would burst this bubble, not today.
Several hours after sunrise there was a ripple of movement from the old car in the junkyard. No doubt it was Jennyanydots preparing the decorations for Old Deuteronomy's arrival. Victoria was rather looking forward to seeing him, she had been too young to appreciate his arrival last Ball.
After Victoria was satisfied that she knew her routine perfectly she headed back to her den for a quick catnap. She entered her den and curled up happily next to Plato.
Around midday, Plato awoke with a big yawn and looked down at his mate-to-be who was fast asleep, her tail curled up by her nose. He crept out into the Junkyard where Munkustrap seemed to be having a fit. He seemed to be shouting something at Mungojerrie, who was wearing his Pollicle hat. Plato grinned to himself and settled down on the tyre to watch the preparations for the ball. Etcetera, Electra and Jemima had their 'mouse' masks on and were chatting together, Mistoffelees was practising some rather spectacular dance moves with Pouncival and Tumblebrutus, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum were stringing up lights by the car and Tugger was fluffing his mane. Plato contemplated the dance that he would be performing with Victoria. He was very nervous, he didn't want to mess it up for Victoria, this was her special day.
Victoria twitched in her sleep, dreaming about a certain tom that she shouldn't be. She had tried to push Mungojerrie to the back of her mind, certain that her feelings for him would disappear. But while asleep, the back of her mind was not the secure place it was during consciousness. She awoke with a jump, having just dreamt that Mungojerrie had pounced on her. Which was, after all, not unusual. She stood up and stretched, flexing her front claws and yawning. She trotted outside to be met by Mistoffelees, who was looking anxious.
"We haven't practised the dance!" he howled. "I completely forgot about it!"
Victoria scowled at him. "Thanks for forgetting. Well maybe you haven't practised, but I have. So no worries. You don't have to do much anyway." She added as an afterthought.
Mistoffelees sighed with relief. He had expected a much worse reaction. All the excitement must be going to her head, he thought as he turned and loped off.
"You take it in turns to bark!" yelled an exasperated Munkustrap, to a rather bewildered Mungojerrie who was scratching his head. "Wait for Rumpleteazer to bark before you do!" said Munkustrap. Mungojerrie sighed and took off his Pollicle hat.
"It's complicated." He whined.
Munkustrap sighed; he had enough to do without this mess. He greatly regretted casting Mungojerrie as head Pollicle.
"Go on then, we'll just have to see how the real thing goes. I still have to sort out who's going to collect Old Deuteronomy, sort out a seat strong enough for Bustopher and practise my own dance for the ball. I probably won't be able to go." said Munkustrap sadly.
Mungojerrie patted his shoulder and scurried off, having just seen Victoria. He wanted to offer his congratulations.
"Hey Vicky!" said Mungojerrie as he approached her. Victoria smiled, the days euphoria numbing her sense of recognition. She hadn't yet realised who she was talking to.
"Lookin' forward to tonigh' eh?" said Mungojerrie, nudging his friend. The nudge seemed to bring Victoria back to her senses. Recognising the smiling face before her, she landed with a bump back into the Junkyard.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, blushing under her fur. Victoria scolded herself. I'm supposed to be forgetting him!
"Yes," she replied, smiling. "I can't wait. I love Plato very much."
Mungojerrie nodded. "Your kittens will be beau'iful" he said admiringly.
Victoria let out a shrill giggle, which did not hide her embarrassment very well.
"Kittens! Oh Everlasting Cat no! Well...not yet anyway…I mean…your kittens will be gorgeous too." She added quietly.
Mungojerrie laughed "I don' think so. Poor things. They'd be alrigh' lookin' if they were ours!" Mungojerrie clamped a paw over his mouth. He had not meant to say that.
Victoria was shocked as well. "Well I'd best be off….lots to do!" she said in a high-pitched voice. She felt like drowning herself from embarrassment.
Mungojerrie stood up hurriedly. "Yeah! I gotta go…do…um…things…" he mumbled before turning on his heel and scampering off. He was surprised that his orange face fur wasn't crimson.