Part 5-Visitors

Part 5-Visitors

Demeter's eyes opened slowly and wearily. She was lying inside the tunnel leading from the defunct cooker in the Junkyard, a warm dark chamber Jellyorum and Jenny used for nursing. A wave of guilty memories broke over her head as she sat up. Oh, why did I ever go to that stupid club in the first place? Let alone agree to dance with Macavity!

She lay back down as her head started to throb. Still, she couldn't deny how she'd felt when he kissed her. Or how terrible she felt about cheating on Munkustrap.

She considered her age. Maybe she was just too young to be settling down. Then she thought of Viccy. Although much younger than herself, you could tell by the stars in her eyes when Misto was around that all she really wanted was to be his mate for the rest of her life. No matter how much she played about with Plato.

Hell, she thought. Victoria and Macavity's son. That would kill Munkustrap, if he knew who Plato's father really was. No matter how much he cared for Demeter, Munkustrap loved his little sister more than anyone else in the world. Demeter groaned, and hid her face.

Again, it seemed strange to her that a kittenhood tearaway who knew Hades' Backstreets as she did the Vivat should end up marrying Old Deuteronomy's son and heir. Am I better off with Hades and the alley cats?

Suddenly, she heard a movement in the doorway. She moved back in fear, then heard Bombalurina's voice.

"Babes?" Bom called.

"In here," Demeter replied.

Bom swayed in and sat down beside her, eyeing her best friend with concern.

"Jeez, you don't look too good." Bom drawled. "What's wrong?"

"It must have been the fall….what happened to me?" lied Demeter airily. Bom shrugged, checking her reflection in a mirror nearby.

"You were up on the tyre with 'Strap, smiling and waving, when suddenly I looked at you, and you'd gone white, like you were scared or nervous about something. You opened your mouth, and BAM!" Bombalurina clapped her paws together.

"You just went. Never seen Munkustrap so worried. Not even the time Victoria got the flu. He brought you in here with Jenny."

"Where is he?" Demeter asked, looking around. Bom was polishing her claws.

"He had to go sort out the kittens. Jay had scared them all silly; thought she'd seen a strange tom's shadow in the Junkyard."

Demeter went pale. Could it be that Jemima had seen Macavity? She had to talk to her.

"He'll be back soon, don't worry sweetie!" said Bom in alarm, thinking she was missing Munkustrap.

"Munkustrap? Oh no, it's not that," Demeter sighed. Bomba frowned, and put her arm around her friend.

"What is it, Demi? Is it…the wedding?" she asked gently. Oh god, thought Demeter, she knows me too well.

She searched Bom's eyes. I want to tell you, she thought, but I can't. She had to lie to Bom as well. More lies; more deceit.

"No," she lied, feigning drowsiness, "I think I just need some more rest." Seemingly satisfied, Bom drew a blanket over her in the bed Jenny had made up earlier. Standing back, she made an awkward confession.

"I have to admit, Demi, I never thought you'd settle down first!" She meant it jokingly, but it hurt.

"I know," Demeter replied quietly. "What about you and Tug?"

"Oh, I dunno," Bom muttered bashfully, her eyes shining silently, with the same look Victoria held. Demeter's heart stung.

"Well, I'll see ya then," Bom finished, making her way back towards the door, glossy and poised as ever. When she reached the cooker exit, she paused.

"Oh yeah, Misto's outside, I'll tell him you're asleep."

"No, don't!" blurted Demeter. "I mean, I can manage a quick chat." She changed her tone back to one of drowsiness, and faked a yawn. Bom frowned, but said okay and disappeared outside. The moment she had gone, Demeter sat up, her mind racing. She had to quiz Jemima about what she had seen. If Macavity was in the area, there was a good chance he might come looking for her. But first, she had to check Misto was staying silent. She needed to tell him about her feelings. What did she want? Who did she want?

At that moment, Misto appeared in the doorway, his face grave.

"Oh god, what I am going to do?" she asked him. His face didn't change.

"Jemima's seen a strange tom in the Junkyard. I think…I think it was Macavity."

Demeter nodded tearfully.

"I know." Falteringly, she stumbled over, through the doorway, and flung herself, weeping, on him. He held her tightly, letting her cry, until, when she was ready, he led her back to the tunnel's entrance to talk. Kindly, he kissed her forehead. "Don't cry, Demi," he said. "Did you hurt yourself? I mean, when you fainted?"

"Not really." She shook her head, resting it on his shoulder, and managed a feeble smile. "Nothing broken on this side of the Junkyard."