CHAPTER 19: The Hide-Out and Problems

"Tats! We're going to have to begin rehearsing our songs for the ball soon –"

"– and we've found a neat hide-out for the Junkyard Singers to use!"

Tatiana stared at the two queens excitedly bouncing up and down in front of her. In an instant, laughter was bubbling up inside her, and then spilling from her mouth. "Okay, well, show me this hide-out the next time we practise, which will be…" Tatiana paused and raised her eyebrow, waiting for someone to volunteer the information.

Victoria and Jemima looked at each other, then back at Tatiana. "Now!" Simultaneously, they each grabbed one of Tatiana's front paws and began to drag her away.

Tatiana looked back at Mungojerrie, who had been present during these proceedings (Victoria and Jemima had accosted Tatiana as she and Mungojerrie were returning from their walk) with pleading eyes.

Mungojerrie shrugged but wore a grin that said, "Sorry, Oi'd love ta 'elp ya, but Oi can't", in a scene that was reminiscent of the one that had taken place when Tatiana had first arrived at the junkyard.

The three queens soon arrived at a box that was positioned in the side of a junk pile. They crawled into it, and Tatiana discovered that the cave-like enclosure was large enough to comfortably accommodate the three cats, contrary to its exterior appearance.

"This" – Tatiana pointed a claw at the ceiling – "won't collapse, will it?"

Jemima shook her head. "No, Misto had made sure of that."

"In that case…" Tatiana gazed around before smiling. "Seems like a good spot. Does it echo much?"

"Misto has taken care of that, too. Laaa!" Jemima sang to show that it no longer echoed, but had beautiful acoustics. "See?"

"That's good, then."

"So," Victoria began in a business-like manner, "which songs are we going to sing at the ball?"

"'Memory'," Jemima answered immediately. "That is," she added hastily, "if you two would like to sing it…"

Tatiana nodded. "I was actually going to suggest that one myself."

"Okay, that's one, but we've still got two more to figure out." Victoria glanced at Tatiana.

The multicoloured queen began slowly, "Well…there is one song that I've heard that I really like…my human's mother used to play it all the time…"

The other two queens looked at Tatiana curiously.

"Hey, Tatiana, how is the Junkyard Singers'…gathering place…thing?"

"Oh, it's great!" Tatiana beamed and let out a slight giggle. "You did such a great job improving it, Misto. Thanks so much!"

Mistoffelees bowed, a smile on his face. "My pleasure. How's your dancing coming on?"

"Well, I won't be entirely certain until the rehearsal tomorrow, but I think it's going okay…at least, I hope so."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Mistoffelees told her.

"Thanks." Tatiana smiled, grateful for his faith in her.

"So, what's this 'hoide-out' loike?"

"It's pretty neat," Tatiana replied before gently kissing Mungojerrie on the lips.

"Ya orll fit in it?" Mungojerrie asked with a grin.

"Just." Tatiana chuckled.

Mungojerrie grabbed Tatiana's paw and led her to his box, where he sat down. "Now," he began, "there's somethin' Oi need ta discuss with ya. About the Borll."

Tatiana looked at Mungojerrie curiously. "Okay…"

Mungojerrie took a deep breath before proceeding. "Well, now that we're ta become moites, we git ta do the Moitin' Dance at the next Borll. Munkustrap 'as orlready approved it. But we need ta figure out a dance ta perform."

Through this speech, Tatiana's grin had been becoming wider and wider. Now, she turned serious. "No lifts," she told him.

"Okoiy," he agreed, "but that's not the problem."

"There's a problem?"

Mungojerrie nodded. "There are certain thin's that each couple ta do the Moitin' Dance 'as ta incorporoite inta theirs. One of 'em is jes' before the end. The queen is supposed ta loiy stretched out across 'er father whoile the tom sorta…cloims 'er."

"But I don't have a father," Tatiana pointed out.

"Oi know," said Mungojerrie, his ears beginning to droop. "That's the problem. We've gotta foind someone ta do it fer ya. It wouldn't be too bad if ya 'ad grown up in the troibe and looked up ta one of the older toms as a sorta father figure. As it is, ya 'aven't even met 'em."

The two cats heaved sighs and stared at the bottom of Mungojerrie's box.

"What's got you two so depressed?"

Mungojerrie and Tatiana glanced up just as Rumpelteazer launched herself into the air and landed with a thud in between them.

"Arrangements for the Ball," Tatiana informed her.

"If it's the Borll, ya should be 'appy!"

"We should, but we're not." Tatiana explained the situation to her sister-in-law-to-be.

In a matter of minutes, Rumpelteazer was looking as depressed as her brother and Tatiana. All she said was "Oh".

"Yeah."

"Oi'll need toime ta think about that one. In the meantoime, let's talk 'bout somethin' else. Ummm…"

"Have you had any more issues with Bombalurina, Demeter or Cassandra?" inquired Tatiana after a brief silence.

Rumpelteazer shook her head vigorously, beaming. "Nup," she announced happily. "Thanks ta yoo," she told Tatiana.

Mungojerrie put his paw over Tatiana's. "That's moiy queen," he said proudly, gazing adoringly at her.

Tatiana blushed and shrugged modestly. "It wasn't anything really. All that was needed was an explanation."

"Well, thanks anywoiy. 'Ow's yer dancin' comin' along?" Rumpelteazer asked politely.

"Okay, I think. Demeter and Victoria have been really big helps so far, and they say I'm improving. I just hope I can improve enough in time for the Ball." Tatiana sighed.

"Oi'm sure ya'll be foine," Rumpelteazer told her.

"You're the second Jellicle to say that today."

"Then it's probably true. 'Oo was the other?"

"Misto," answered Tatiana. "Actually, third. Jerrie basically told me the same thing."

"Ah, well, in that case, it's gotta be true."

Tatiana smiled. "Thanks, Teazer."

Rumpelteazer returned her smile but fell silent and began gazing at Mungojerrie and Tatiana's overlapping paws. After a minute or so, she noticed Tatiana's bracelet. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.

"Jerrie gave it to me," Tatiana replied, glancing coyly at the tom in question.

"Awww, 'ow sweet!" Rumpelteazer cooed. She bent down so as to closer examine the piece of jewellery. "Oh, isn't it pretty?" She looked up at her brother. "Oi never knew ya was so romantic!" she teased, causing him to blush underneath his fur. The two queens burst into giggles.

"Oh, shush up, Teazer. Can't Oi show Tats jes' 'ow much Oi love 'er?" Mungojerrie said defensively.

"Sure ya can, bro. Oi was jes' teasin' ya." Rumpelteazer paused. "Ya didn't steal it, did ya?" she burst into giggles again.

"No, Oi did not!" Mungojerrie said sharply. "Oi've given up theft, in case ya 'ad fergotten. Besoides, Oi don't think Tats would appreciate me stealin' somethin' fer 'er. She'd want me ta git it the 'onest woiy. Which Oi did." Mungojerrie looked at Tatiana.

The young queen leaned over and quickly gave Mungojerrie a gentle kiss.

"Good for you, bro." Rumpelteazer slapped her twin on the back before standing and stretching. "Oi'll leave ya two alone. 'Noight." The stripy queen skipped off.

"'Night, Teazer," Tatiana and Mungojerrie chorused, Mungojerrie in his Cockney accent.

When Rumpelteazer was out of sight and out of ear-shot, Tatiana turned back to Mungojerrie. "So…what do we do?"

Mungojerrie shrugged. "Oi dunno…but if Oi know Teazer, 'er moind will be workin' overtoime on this one. She'll come up wif somethin' before long." He smiled tenderly at his queen.