Another filler chapter. This also works to counter act last chapter's sentimentality. I can deal with sentimental stuff in small doses but I need to counter act with much light humor afterwards otherwise I go nuts. Enjoy!
The next morning Quaxo woke up early despite the mild hangover he'd obtained. Walking over to the kitchen he considered what to have for breakfast. Actually there wasn't much choice. They were fresh out of cereal. He was rubbish at cooking. and he'd recently broken the microwave when trying to make boiled eggs. The only option really was toast.
He'd just put two slices of bread in the toaster when he heard the footsteps of someone small padding into the kitchen.
"Mr. Mistoffelees, what's for breakfast?" asked Sillabub. Quaxo looked over at her and smiled when he saw that she was still wearing the collar he'd given her.
"Do you like toast?" Asked Quaxo. Sillabub nodded and raised her arms so that Quaxo could lift her up onto the bench top. She sat there silent for a while rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"Mistoffelees, how long will mummy be in hospital for?" Quaxo hesitated before answering.
"I don't know sweetie, a while I guess. Do you want milk or juice to drink?"
"Milk please." Sillabub accepted a glass of milk and drank it thoughtfully. "Mistoffelees, why do you have so many lamps?"
They're not lamps sweetie, they're dream catchers." Explained Quaxo as the toaster popped and he placed the pieces on a plate. "Would you like jam or butter with would toast?"
"Jam please." While Sillabub was eating her breakfast Quaxo quickly made some more toast for himself. Just as he was spreading butter on his toast Jemima came into the kitchen. She smiled good morning at Quaxo before going over and sitting next to Sillabub.
"Thanks for letting us come over Mistoffelees" she said tiredly. Quaxo guessed that she didn't get much sleep either.
"It was nothing Jemima, would you like some breakfast?"
"No thanks, I'm on a diet, no breakfasts"
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And you look pretty healthy to me, why should you need a diet?"
"You sound like my dad."
"Your dad and I once knew a Queen who never ate anything for breakfast."
"What happened to her?" piped in Sillabub.
"She became so thin that she turned into a carrot stick and got eaten by a rabbit." Sillabub stared at him with wide eyes.
"Really?" she asked. Quaxo solemnly placed a paw in his chest.
"Cross my heart" he said. Sillabub gasped and Jemima rolled her eyes. Quaxo winked knowingly and turned to leave with his plate of toast.
"Jemima, if anyone asks could you tell them that I'm busy in my room and not to be disturbed?" Jemima nodded.
"Okay, is there anyone you want me to tell in particular?" Quaxo hesitated before replying.
"No… no one in particular…thanks Jem."
After Quaxo was gone Sillabub turned to her sister. "Do you really think that queen turned into a carrot?" Jemima considered this.
"No of course not, that would be ridiculous" she said before helping herself to her sister's toast.
Quaxo shut the door to his room and placed his toast on the bed. Working with a slice of toast between his teeth he cleared his desk, creating a little extra space by placing the turtle tank on the floor and letting Oswald run free on the carpet. When seated he opened the first of the note books. His face fell when all he saw was a bunch of squiggles and a lot of numbers.
Macavity's agents had written in shorthand.
"I might've expected this" he muttered turning the pages to look through the rest of the book, it was all illegible gibberish. True he hadn't expected the first page to contain hidden paw's address complete with a map and driving directions exactly. But he'd hoped for clues about Macavity's favorite haunts written in a readable language (i.e. English). Summoning his magic he made a copy of Shorthand for Dummies* appear in his desk, and picked up his pen.
This was going to take a while.
It was ten o'clock before Tugger woke up with a splitting headache that was brought on by the combination of alcohol and catnip. Lying down he wondered why he was on the couch and what happened after they'd brought Mouse trap and the girls to their flat. They'd gone for a drive hadn't they? And they'd been complaining about Macavity when they'd spotted The Tipsy Dog. Then what had happened? For the life of him he couldn't remember.
There were fragments of images that passed through his mind when he concentrated hard. Loud music, running away from three toms, and something to do with Captain Snailbrain? Oh yes and Quaxo crying? Nah he must've imagined that one, Quaxo never cried. Tugger strained his mind for more images but none came. Sitting up he saw that the television was playing, with the volume turned down so it wouldn't disturb him. Jemima and Sillabub were watching the TV and had yet to notice him.
"Hello kids" he said to get their attention. They both turned around and Sillabub ran over to give him a hug.
"You smell funny" she observed when her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck.
"I had a few drinks last night" Tugger explained. Sillabub frowned and placed her small hands on her hips."
"Drinking is very bad for you" she lectured in a tone that scarily reminded Tugger of Mouse trap.
"I know I'm sorry, I'll remember next time" he answered meekly. Sillabub smiled, patted his head and ran off to get him some water. Tugger lay back on the couch and stared after her.
'That kid will be running the country one day' he thought. He'd have to try and introduce her to dad sometime.
*I'm not entirely sure if their is a Shorthand for Dummies out there. But considering the quantity of for dummies books out there I reckon there probably is.