After breakfast we head back to the studio for another morning of filming.
In today’s scene the villain stands at a window, holding me and looking out over the city, saying, ‘One day all of this will be mine, I tell you – all mine …’
Then I purr and look out of the window too, with a menacing expression.
Again, everything goes brilliantly. I’m taking to Hollywood like a duck to water.
And now it’s time for more FUN with with Madison. I cannot wait.
Her car pulls up outside the studio and her driver toots the horn. Madison waves and opens the door. I hurry over and jump up on to the seat next to her. Amelia follows slowly behind.
‘I have an amazing treat booked for you, Pie,’ announces Madison. ‘I’m taking you to the
Happy Tails
PET SPA!’
I have never been to a spa before. It’s obviously the kind of thing celebrities like me should do a LOT, so I am very glad to have Madison as my guide.
When we arrive at Happy Tails PET SPA it’s the smell that hits us first. Clouds of perfume and fur-spray come wafting towards us. Amelia immediately starts coughing. We peer through a haze of steam and bubbles, and I see that the spa is already full of many different pets, who are being shampooed and styled, having a pedicure or relaxing in the Jacuzzi.
Big Barbara, Madison’s fierce bodyguard, looks a bit out of place standing among the pink fluffy cushions and ribbons and bows.
Guests at the Pet Spa
Before I’m handed over to the staff for my treatments, Madison takes a hairbrush out of her bag with a flourish and begins brushing my fur herself. She asks Amelia to take photos.
Madison’s hairbrush, like her T-shirt, has COOLEST ON THE CATWALK written on it in sparkly pink lettering.
‘And now,’ Madison proposes, ‘let’s try out the perfumes! I’m just the right person to choose the perfect fragrance for you, Pie.’
Amelia tries to join in. ‘Pie likes napping in our laundry basket, so how about Fresh Linen?’ she suggests. ‘Or this one – Meadow Lawn. Pie loves to roll in the grass!’
But Madison doesn’t seem to hear her and chooses Intense Cinnamon and Rose. Amelia starts coughing again. To be honest it IS a little overpowering.
Then I have my treatments. My fur is in curlers, my whiskers are combed, and my paws are moisturised with catnip-scented cream. Bliss!
‘Some owners don’t really have an eye for glamour,’ Madison says to the spa therapist, glancing down at Amelia’s bitten nails, then back at her own glittery manicure. ‘So it’s lucky Pie has me now!’
One more spray of perfume, one more photograph, and it’s time to leave.
Amelia is quiet on the way back to the hotel, but I am utterly entranced by my fabulous reflection in the car window. I have been backcombed and floofed-up so much I am twice my normal size.
I might feel a little bit itchy from all the products, but I look
Chapter Six
Putting the ME in Meow
The next morning, when we walk out of the hotel to wait for our lift to the studio, we are surprised to see a handful of fans gathered outside … waiting for ME!
‘Hey! Marshmallow Pie! Can we get a photo?’ they call out, leaning in to take selfies with me.
‘You’re becoming famous, Pie,’ says Amelia, once we’re in the car. She smiles at me, although she seems a bit startled too. ‘I suppose those photos the press took of you and Madison must be on all the celebrity news websites by now.’
‘Not to mention he’s all over Madison’s social media again,’ says her dad. ‘Look!’
He shows us on his phone.
There are pictures of Madison and me at the Happy Tails PET SPA all smiles, her sparkly hairbrush catching the light.
I see that Amelia is biting her nails, something she only does when she’s anxious. ‘I suppose it’s helping Pie get the attention he deserves,’ she says, ‘… but I can’t help feeling Madison cares more about selling her things than about Pie.’
I don’t know what Amelia is talking about. This is the life! I’m FAMOUS, and everybody wants to be my friend.
Things are great at the studio too. In the scene we are filming today, the villain jumps to her feet, picks me up, shouts ‘PREPARE MY PRIVATE JET FOR TAKE-OFF!’ and strides out of the room.
I give a fierce yowl, and my diamond collar twinkles and shines. I am magnificent.
But Amelia is a bit quiet. Her dad looks at her. ‘This is all very tiring,’ he says. ‘After the filming’s over for today, let’s have a restful afternoon back at the hotel.’
Amelia is lying on her bed reading a book, while I settle down for a catnap. Her dad has a cup of tea and is watching a police drama on TV. On the screen are two mean-looking crooks. One of them has a grouchy dog …
‘Hang on a minute,’ exclaims Amelia, just as my eyes have closed. ‘That dog – it’s Buster!’
I open my eyes. UNBELIEVABLE. It is him.
Buster lives in the flat below us at home. He is an actor too. To be honest, I’ve never forgiven him for ruining my first ever audition. Plus, whenever I get a new chance to shine, he seems to catch a lucky break as well.
Now here he is, in Hollywood, like me. It’s SO annoying. We just can’t get away from him.
I soon cheer up, though, because Dexter phones Amelia with some EXCELLENT NEWS …
‘We’ve got it – the VANITY FUR interview for you and Pie!’ he tells her. ‘And it’s happening tomorrow!’
‘AMAZING!’ replies Amelia.
‘There’s one condition, though,’ Dexter carries on. ‘They want Pie to do a very special photoshoot with Madison afterwards.’
‘Oh,’ says Amelia.
For a moment I think that Amelia doesn’t look very happy as she hangs up the phone, but I must be mistaken because she puts on her best, most cheerful smile.
‘I’m so happy for you, Pie!’ she says to me. ‘I’ll be really proud to do the interview with you, and I’m sure the photoshoot will be fantastic too.’
A little later, I hear Amelia and her dad chatting together. ‘When Madison heard about the interview the other night,’ Amelia says, ‘I saw her busy texting someone. She might have suggested the photoshoot to VANITY FUR then.’
‘I wouldn’t be surprised,’ agrees her dad. ‘She certainly seems to know everyone in town.’
You’d think today couldn’t get any better, but then there’s a knock on the door. The bellboy delivers a parcel, and it’s for ME.
Inside is a hamper of gifts. There’s a shiny satin pillow, a packet of fishy snacks and a cat-sized baseball cap – all emblazoned with the COOLEST ON THE CATWALK logo.
There’s a note inside too. It says:
I am thrilled with my presents. Madison is SO generous.
I squeeze into the now-empty hamper, cleaning a few fishy crumbs from my whiskers and enjoying the rustle of the gold tissue paper.
I LOVE this trip more and more each day. My first ever fans approached me this morning, I have an interview with VANITY FUR tomorrow, AND I have fancy gifts to enjoy – all thanks to Madison. I am SO lucky to have found my new friend.
Chapter Seven
Best Friends Forever
The next morning, Amelia, her dad and I arrive for our interview at the VANITY FUR offices. I am wearing my COOLEST ON THE CATWALK baseball cap, just as Madison asked me to.
‘I’m really pleased we can do this interview together, Pie,’ says Amelia. ‘I’m so proud of how far you’ve come.’
I feel happy too. It doesn’t seem long ago that Amelia was training me for my first audition, and now I’m a Hollywood star! I suddenly feel very grateful that she’s always had faith in me, and I give her a little nuzzle.
Dexter is waiting for us inside. We leave Amelia’s dad in reception, flicking through the magazines, and follow Dexter to a very smart office.
All the furniture is gleaming silver, and the walls are covered in signed photographs of celebrity pe
ts.
Madison is here already, chatting and laughing with the journalist, even though the photoshoot isn’t until afterwards.
As soon as we are seated, the journalist turns to us with a friendly smile. ‘So, Amelia and Pie, how are you enjoying your visit to Hollywood?’
‘Oh, Pie is LOVING Hollywood!’ Madison answers for us. ‘I’ve taken him to all the coolest places. We’ve been having so much fun!’
Madison is right, but this is meant to be Amelia’s big moment. Amelia struggles to make herself heard because Madison keeps jumping in to answer the questions.
‘And how did Pie get started with his acting career?’ the journalist asks us.
‘Well—’ Amelia begins, her eyes brightening.
‘I taught him everything he knows!’ Madison interrupts. ‘I coached him. You might say I made him into a star!’
That’s not strictly true, I think to myself. I begin to feel uneasy. Why is Madison saying this? I would never be here if it wasn’t for Amelia.
‘Pie has risen from unknown animal actor to video sensation to movie star,’ the journalist continues. ‘What do you feel has led to his success?’
‘Pie is awesome,’ Madison replies, ‘but I’d say his success is all down to the support of his favourite person …’
I glance over at Amelia in relief. NOW she’s going to get her big acknowledgement!
‘And that’s ME, of course,’ Madison declares with a little laugh. ‘I am Marshmallow Pie’s BEST FRIEND.’
Oh no. This time there is no mistaking it. Amelia looks sad and hurt, and I am sure I see tears in her eyes.
THIS ISN’T RIGHT.
But there’s no time to fix it, because the journalist is getting to her feet.
‘We’re running late. Time to head over to the photoshoot,’ she announces. ‘We’re going to the Forecourt of the Stars! This is where the most famous Hollywood celebrities are invited to leave their handprints in the cement on the pavement. We’ve arranged for Pie to add his pawprints, and Madison will help him!’
‘This is a GREAT honour, Pie!’ says Dexter.
‘Thanks to ME!’ adds Madison. ‘Come on, let’s go!’
She grabs me and marches back through reception, with Amelia and the others hurrying along behind. Amelia’s dad jumps to his feet and follows too.
I JIGGLE and BOUNCE in Madison’s arms as we rush on ahead down the street.
And it starts to dawn on me …
I have been dazzled by Madison. I thought she was so kind and generous, showing me exciting places, taking photos with me and giving me presents.
But was it ever really about me? Or was she just trying to get more attention for herself all along, like Amelia said?
I think back to everything my human has done for me, right from the very start. It was AMELIA who trained me and started my career, but that’s not all.
She looks after me, worries about me, and understands me best. She loves me, not for what she can get, but for myself.
She doesn’t push to the front and show off, or wear expensive clothes and have her nails done, but Amelia is perfect, just as she is.
We make a great team, me and Amelia. She is my best friend.
By the time we arrive at the Forecourt of the Stars, a large crowd has gathered and the photographers are waiting. In a cordoned-off area, a square of wet cement has been specially prepared for my pawprints.
‘Here he comes!’ the photoshoot director announces through a loudspeaker. ‘It’s MARSHMALLOW PIE!’
An excited hubbub rises from the crowd.
‘Look this way, Madison!’ call out the photographers.
Madison begins lowering me into the cement.
But this is ALL WRONG – I don’t want to do this.
I glimpse Amelia making her way to the front of the crowd, and I twist and turn frantically to escape.
‘He’s trying to get away!’ Madison cries out, gripping me tightly.
At last I wriggle free and leap from Madison’s arms!
The COOLEST ON THE CATWALK baseball cap falls off and rolls away …
… and as I land and make a dash for Amelia, my back paws flick wet cement all over Madison’s pink gemstone-encrusted tracksuit. I knock into the barrier too, sending three steel posts crashing noisily to the ground.
‘My outfit!’ cries Madison.
I jump up into Amelia’s arms and purr loudly. This is where I belong.
‘Look at them! This is just adorable!’ the director calls out. ‘Is that Amelia, Pie’s owner? Hey, Pie, Amelia – come and finish the photoshoot!’
So it’s Amelia who gently helps me to make my pawprints in the cement. This time it’s Madison in the background. She is sulking, making a fuss about her dirty clothes.
Amelia smiles happily, the cameras flash and the crowd erupts into cheers and applause.
‘I don’t usually like having my photograph taken,’ Amelia says to her dad as we stroll back to our hotel. ‘But this time I can’t wait to show everyone at home!’
‘I’ve had a word with the journalist who did the interview,’ Dexter tells us, ‘as I’m not entirely sure she was given the right information. The magazine has agreed to ask you some more questions, without Madison there this time.’
It turns out VANITY FUR has got a title for the article. It will be …
Chapter Eight
Time to Go Home
A few days go past.
Amelia finishes the new interview, and I finish my filming – which involves doing the same scenes many more times, but from a slightly different angle. The producer, Rocky Milan, says we are free to go. The film won’t be released until later in the year, but it promises to be a HUGE hit.
We haven’t seen or heard from Madison since the day of the photoshoot, but I don’t mind. I know now she wasn’t a real friend after all. Everything is much calmer and more relaxing now.
‘We’re better off without people like that in our life, Pie,’ Amelia says. ‘But I hope that Madison has learned something important. She needs to think of others if she’s ever going to have a real friendship like ours.’
It’s our last night in Hollywood. We are in our hotel room, bags packed.
Dad has his feet up, reading the newspaper. I am sitting on Amelia’s lap, purring contentedly.
‘What would you like to do on our last evening here?’ Amelia asks me. ‘We have so much to celebrate – your fantastic movie success especially!’
It’s true. Although things with Madison turned out badly, I have a stunning career on the big screen to celebrate. But there are more important things than that, I think to myself, moving in closer for a cuddle.
Amelia gently brushes my fur. ‘That’s the last of the backcombing and sticky fur-spray from the pet spa gone,’ she laughs, putting my green bow tie back on. ‘You look normal again!’
Luckily, my ‘normal’ look is amazing enough as it is.
‘What shall we do for dinner?’ asks Amelia’s dad. ‘Shall we go back to the roof-terrace restaurant?’
‘No,’ says Amelia. ‘Let’s just be cosy together here and watch a movie with some popcorn.’
So that’s what we do.
It certainly has been an amazing trip. But I realise I am looking forward to going home too. Because even an international superstar like me needs a break from the high life. Sometimes.
The End
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Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar in Hollywood Page 2