I wasn't allowed out of the house for about 4 days. Luckily, when I was allowed out, I discovered that the Jellicle Junkyard wasn't far from the house, which was in Jellicle territory, & I didn't hesitate to take the twins there, to meet Old Deuteronomy. As I entered the 'Yard, with Mungo & Rumpel right behind, it was clear that quite a few things had changed since I was last there. Looking around, I thought I saw a couple of new faces, but as I was about to look for Deuteronomy, a black & white scrap of fur came flying at me. It might've been Ok, but the as 'thing' was going at about 50 miles per hour, it was no laughing matter. I let out a gasp, but didn't move quick enough, & the bundle knocked me flying, landing on my chest once I'd fallen over. Panting hard, I found myself looking up into the grinning face of a young kitten, who I faintly recognised-

"Mistoffelees!"

The kitten grinned; evidently he remembered me. With a great effort, I lifted him off my chest, then stood up, checked that the twins were still behind me, then asked Misto if he'd seen Old Deuteronomy. Eagerly, he scampered off, only to return moments later with Old D right behind him.

"Tugger," Deuteronomy cried out in surprise, at the sight of me ", we've all been wondering where you got to. I see you're well. And who are your 2 friends?"

I opened my mouth to introduce the twins, when yet another startled voice cried "Tugger!"

Looking up, I saw Munkustrap standing on the car boot. He stared at me for a second, then leapt off the boot, & came up to me with a grin on his face. I saw that he had also found himself an owner (his collar, I noted, was much nicer than mine!). I grinned at him, then turned back to Old D, & said "Deuteronomy, I would like to introduce Mungojerrie, & his sister, Rumpelteazer!"

The twins came forward with big grins on their faces, & Mungo took the 'courtesy' to give Old D an extravagant bow. Deuteronomy laughed, & Mungo looked up, & said "Sir, me an' me sis 'ave bin lookin' to get into this, er, your tribe for ages, & we was wonderin' if we-"

But Old D held up his paw for silence, then said "Say no more, I see no reason why you should not be in this Tribe. I therefore invite you both to join our Tribe!"

The twins practically jumped for joy. I assumed that I would be given the task of showing the kittens around, but before I or Deuteronomy could say another word, Misto piped up "I can show Mungojerrie & his sister round, if you like?"

Old D looked at the twins, who nodded, then nodded to Misto, who practically bounced on the balls of his feet, before leading the twins away. I watched them until they were out of sight, then looked down, blinked, & backed away slightly, for I'd found myself staring at what I'd at first taken to be a double-act. Looking again, I saw 2 female kittens staring intently at me. They couldn't have been much older than Misto, & I immediately deduced that they, also, were twins, though their markings were the oddest that I'd ever seen. They both had a patch over each eye, the same facial markings, & a teardrop-shaped mark by their mouths, but their colouring couldn't have been more different - 1 was a black, brown & white calico, the other had brown, black, yellow, white & ginger on her. I looked questioningly at Old D, who smiled, then said "Ah, Tugger, you must meet our 2 newest members. This is Tumblepatch," he gestured to the calico, "& this, is her twin, Ceramia! Their owners moved recently to Jellicle Territory."

I took a second to take in this info, then, with my usual charming smile, I took each of the kittens' paws, in turn, & kissed them lightly, telling them how pleased I was to meet them. The 'mix-coloured' one giggled furiously, but the calico just grinned, & bowed with a cheeky smile. I returned the grin, then looked at Deuteronomy & said "So, anything new happened in my unfortunate absence?"

"Yes. I have a new wife, & she happens to have had kittens," said Deuteronomy, his smile wavering slightly. Noting this, I said "Cor, that was quick, wasn't it!"

Old D raised his eyebrows at me. "Actually, they're not mine," he said, fixing his beady eyes on me, "she was already pregnant when I 'took her on'. And I can tell you now, your aunt was not happy. Though she was slightly forgiving when Roxi, that is, Thyroxine, had a pure white kit."

"Wow," I said, enthusiastically ", that's pretty cool. Might I be permitted to see these new kits?"

"Certainly."

Deuteronomy led the way to his chamber. On the way there, I asked him if he knew who the father was, but he gave me a look, & I decided it might be better to drop the subject.

Once in the chamber, a warming sight met my eyes. A ginger & brown tortoiseshell queen was nursing 3 small kittens, a brown & white tabby, a little brown & ginger kit, & the pure white one that Old D had told me about. The mother looked up, &, surprisingly, smiled warmly at me. I was momentarily taken aback, for I hadn't expected her to be Ok, having a strange tom turn up, presumably, without notice. But then she said "Hi, you must be Tugger!", & I presumed Old D had told her about me, so I said "Er, yeah, that's me. So," my confidence gaining as Deuteronomy also entered ", who have we got here then?"

Thyroxine, the queen, stared pointedly at Deuteronomy, who smiled back at her, then, looking sideways at me, pointed to the little brown & white tabby, & said "He is Tumblebrutus," then, pointing to the ginger & brown kit ", she is Electra. And the little white one is called Victoria. Now," he said, looking warmly at Roxi ", if you've seen enough, Tugger, I am sure Thyroxine would be glad of some peace & quiet."

Roxi nodded, & we left.

And as we walked outside, I got the shock of my life. For there, standing literally right in front of me, was the most gorgeous young queen I had ever seen. She was so unrecognisable that it took me a few minutes to realise that I was staring at a slightly older, extremely 'matured-in-a-short-time', Bombalurina! Looking closer, I saw a smaller, gold & black face, peering out from behind Bomba, & figured that it was Demeter (the sisters had never been found out of each others' company before, so I didn't see things should have changed!). I grinned at the sisters to show recognition, but then, something strange happened. I grinned an especially toothy smile at Demi, but the only look I got back was pure terror, before she bolted!

I stared after her, then raised my eyebrows at Bomba, who was now looking grim. She frowned for moment, then gave me a weak smile, & said "Sorry about that Tugger, it was nothing personal, really. She's like that with all toms, except Munkustrap, & Deuteronomy."

I turned to the latter, but he just nodded towards Bomba, & said "Perhaps Bombalurina would be more able to explain Demeter's behaviour than me."

I was slightly surprised to find that he said this with a sigh. Quizzically, I turned to Bomba, who also sighed, then proceeded to tell me the shocking story behind Demi's jumpiness. And it certainly was shocking. Apparently, Macavity had, to get back at Munk for apologising to me, kidnapped, & raped, Demeter, & she was now pregnant with his kittens. I was stunned into silence. Macavity had raped Demeter, & left her pregnant with his kittens! I couldn't believe it, I couldn't really think straight. But I did know one thing - if it was the last thing I did, I would kill Macavity. I remained silent for a few moments, before a thought came into my head.

"So, how'd the Jellicle Ball go?"

I could immediately tell that I had unwittingly said the wrong thing. Old D sighed again, & Bomba swiftly lowered her gaze to the floor. I looked cautiously from one to the other, then said, slightly nervously, "Er, didn't it go well then?"

Bomba let out a half sob. I looked at Deuteronomy, who sighed once more, then told me that the Ball was called off, because that was the night that Demi had gone missing. Bomba let out another audible sob, then gave me an apologetic look, before heading after her sister. It was probably lucky, that at that moment the twins came up to me & suggested that we head for home, or the people would be missing us, because Old D didn't look as though he wanted to discuss the matter any more. I know I certainly didn't - I just wanted some time alone to figure out how best to kill Macavity! Waving goodbye to Deuteronomy & Misto, who had also turned up, I set off home with the twins.