Page 40 of A Skirl of Sorcery (The Cat Lady Chronicles #3)

Four hours later, Thane and I were seated in my garden, sharing a bottle of wine.

I’d left a spare glass out for Bin. Once he arose he might enjoy a drink before he returned home to Green Humbleton, and he certainly deserved one.

I suspected he’d skedaddle as soon as he could, but I wanted to make sure he knew how grateful I was for his help.

The trows had been invaluable in catching Jimmy Leighton.

Although it was too light yet for Bin, all the cats were with us.

My motley crew were stretched out together in the day’s last patch of warm sunshine, while Tiddles was on Thane’s lap offering him the furry comfort he needed.

I had spared him no details. He had listened but asked no questions. It was a lot to take in.

‘We can tell the world, if you wish,’ I said. ‘We can set the record straight and clear your name.’

He shook his head. ‘I know the truth now. That’s enough.’

‘Say the word and I’ll kill her. And the entire Barrow pack alongside her.’ I was only half-joking.

Thane smiled faintly. ‘Nah. It’s in the past now. We should let sleeping dogs lie.’

From her position on his lap, Tiddles looked up and narrowed her eyes. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured, scratching her ears. ‘We don’t need to put a cat among the pigeons. It’s all done now. Thank you for finding out the truth, Kit. I don’t need anything else. I don’t want anything else.’

I raised my glass towards him. ‘You’re the boss.’ Tiddles miaowed sharply. ‘Stop that,’ I told her. ‘You’re not in charge here, Tiddles, no matter what you might think.’

Naturally, she ignored me. She yawned, stretched out her front paws and miaowed again. I lowered my wine glass without taking a sip and gazed at her as she started to groom herself. She was looking very smug and self-satisfied.

‘Are you sure?’ I asked, my heart sinking.

Thane frowned. ‘What?’

I didn’t look at him: my attention was wholly on the ginger cat as I asked her, ‘That’s the name you choose for yourself?’ Her whiskers quivered.

I glanced across the garden and saw that all five of my cats had abandoned their patch of sun. I caught a brief glimpse of She Who Loves Sunbeams vanishing inside where she’d be safely out of the way. I had never thought of my furry brood as cowards but there was a first time for everything.

I looked at Thane. ‘What?’ he demanded. ‘What name has she chosen?’

I bit my lip. Perhaps I was a coward too.

‘Kit! Tell me!’

I sighed. Then I gave in to the inevitable and told him.