“Forgive me interrupting but I know Ziggy and Stardust are very ill. Could you please tell me what’s wrong with them and whether anything can be done?”
“I was coming to that. The most significant lack is that of taurine. Taurine is essential for proper heart functioning, the bones, digestion, the brain and the eyes. Arachidonic acid is important in the circulatory system and the gastrointestinal system; blood circulation and digestion, in other words. I am very sorry to say that, to a greater or lesser extent, Ziggy and Stardust have problems with all these.”
He held up a hand to forestall my outburst.
“Most of them are amenable to treatment. Their problems with their bones are minimal and a proper diet would restore them. The same goes for the circulatory problems. The gastrointestinal difficulty could be treated with drugs. It is possible, but not certain without further tests, that the heart problems could also have a positive prognosis. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about their vision and I do not know how much, if any, damage has been done to the brain.”
“You mean they’re going blind?”
“Just that.”
“Oh.”
I slumped back in my seat as if I’d been dealt a physical blow. No matter how much you steel yourself for bad news, the reality is always a shock. Ziggy and Stardust were going blind and, by the sound of it, had all sorts of other problems, too. A wave of guilt engulfed me. It was my fault. I had caused this by taking them with me. If only I’d taken more time to think things through, instead of letting Hermes sweep me along, I’d surely have been able to make arrangements. If only I’d paid more attention to them in Bartimarm, I might have spotted the problem earlier. If only…
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” the vet said sympathetically. “One would not normally expect to see symptoms as severe as these for at least six months. I’m puzzled as to why they have appeared so quickly. You were in a difficult situation and did the best you could. I take it they showed no other symptoms of ill health?”
I shook my head. “No, not until a few days ago. Oh, they were a bit peaky for a week but nothing to suggest this.”
“I understand. If it’s any consolation, I don’t think I would have reacted any earlier than you.” He made a little grimace that was meant to be a smile. “The problem with animals is that they can’t tell us they’re not feeling well.”
I gave a short, shaky laugh. “I had the same thought when I first suspected they were sick.” I pulled myself upright. “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Both Ziggy and Stardust are going blind. On top of that they have problems with their hearts, their blood, their digestion, their bones and possibly their brains.” He nodded silently. “Okay. It’s a lot to take in, but, assuming money was no object, could they be cured? Failing that, what quality of life could they realistically expect?”
He steepled his fingers and pursed his lips. “That is difficult to say. If we were able to resolve all the problems with the heart, circulatory system and digestion, they might be fine. They’re only seven years old so they’re not elderly by any means. They will never regain full vision, but it is possible the decline could be halted. Impaired vision would make them less mobile, but otherwise their quality of life would be fine.
“On the other hand, and I will be entirely frank with you, I cannot guarantee either that the internal problems can be fully resolved or that, even if they were, your cats would not continue to suffer from ever-declining vision ultimately going completely blind.”
“I appreciate your candour. Now I’m going to put you on the spot. What would you recommend?”
He regarded me thoughtfully for a long moment. “I would recommend you don’t waste your money. We would do our best, of course, and if, as you imply, money is no object, there are a number of things we could try. I would be misleading you, however, if I was to let you believe that they could be cured by throwing money around.”
I nodded slowly. “Again I appreciate your candour. I was coming to the same conclusion.”
“I’ll take care of everything. We can arrange for cremation if you wish or a small memorial.”
“Really? Do, people really have their pets cremated? No, I don’t think I want that.”
“In which case, and I almost hesitate to ask this, would you agree to an autopsy? Your cats exhibit the most remarkable symptoms I have ever seen.”
“I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”
“Thank you.”
“May I see them?”
“Of course.”
Both cats seemed pleased to see me. I took them out of their cages and spent some time stoking them and apologising to them, the tears streaming down my cheeks. They purred and licked my hands as if to say they forgave me. Eventually I realised I was just putting off the final goodbye and put them back in their cages. It was difficult to comprehend I would never see them again. I shook the vet’s hand, thanked him for his efforts, and paid his bill. Caught by a sudden impulse, I wrote a cheque for £1,000 and handed it to him.
“It’s not much but could you please pass this on to someone who is researching cat diseases.”
He held the cheque as if he didn’t quite know what to do with it.
“I will,” he said. “And thank you.”
Chapter 27
I wasn't in the mood for the girls’ chatter. They were sympathetic but Ziggy and Stardust hadn’t been their cats and they were excited about their own ploys. Lorca started to set out my itinerary for tomorrow. It seemed to consist of rushing around town collecting things from various places. What I wanted or needed to do didn’t come into it. I told her to shut up in no uncertain terms. That I had overstepped the mark was evident from the stunned silence that followed.
Fiona stood, her mouth set in a grim line. “Come with me.” Her tone brooked no argument.
She shut the kitchen door and turned on me.
“That was completely uncalled for. Just because you think the world has ended doesn’t mean everyone else is dead. And while we’re on the subject, why are you in such a funk. I know you were very fond of them but they were just cats, for heaven’s sake. Cats die all the time. They get run over by cars, killed by foxes, catch diseases. If you’re that upset about not having cats, go and get some more. But in the meantime, get your head out of your arse and stop treating everyone else as if it was their fault.”
I was shocked. Fiona never talks like that. She can be a bit bossy sometimes and a bit manipulative but I’d never known her to lay into someone like that before, particularly when that someone was me. It was like a slap on the face. I blinked rapidly and stared at her. A shock it might have been but it was effective. She was right. I was in a funk and they were only cats and the world hadn’t come to an end and I had responsibilities. I straightened and looked at her.
“You’re right. Sorry, Fee, I’m behaving like a bit of an arse.”
“A total arse,” she agreed then hugged me tightly. “I really am sorry about Ziggy and Stardust. You know I’m not a cat person but even I quite liked them.”
“I know. I appreciate it. I’d better go and mend fences.”
I went round and kissed the women and apologised.
When I got to Lorca I added, “Tell me again about my itinerary and this time I’ll tell you why I can’t do it.”
She gave me an extra hug and said, “Then I’ll tell you why you will do it. Triss tells me you browbeat Fiona’s legal friend.”
“Browbeat is too strong a word but I was quite forceful.” I looked her in the eye. “Sometimes I do listen to what you say.”
“You’d better if you know what’s good for you,” she said with a grin.
“That’s a challenge that can’t be refused.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I had no doubt she would. I would probably enjoy it, too.
“What’s with all this charging around you want me to do?”
“I told you. I’m going to revolutionise Galactic fashion. Yo
u’re collecting the wherewithal.”
“Wherewithal?”
“You can’t make clothes without material, can you?”
I had no answer to that. “I need to go back to my house. I want to buy a table tennis table and Fiona and I need to be at the solicitor’s at five. Other than that, my time’s yours. Fiona could always take the van.”
“I couldn’t drive something that size,” Fiona said aghast.
“It’s not really difficult. I’ll take the car and head over first thing. You take the van and I’ll meet up with you when I’m done.”
“That sounds feasible,” Lorca said, forestalling Fiona’s protests.
Fiona, aided by Lashak’ka and Jarmasin, made dinner after which we sat around and watched something inane on TV. The girls were familiar with trivee but the idea of watching images in two dimensions was quite alien to them. This surprised me as the progression from one-dimensional sound to two-dimensional pictures to three-dimensional images seemed a natural one.
At bed time I was again told I was sleeping in the double bed… with Triss and Lashak’ka.
“Triss isn’t into women,” I said.
“Then it’s time she learned,” Lorca said with a leer.
We were all a bit uncertain when we climbed into bed. I put an arm round each of them and pulled them close.
“Please relax,” I said. “Nothing needs to happen if you don’t want it to. We could just go to sleep.”
Lashak’ka giggled. “And let this go to waste?” She fondled my erection.
“I don’t mind so long as I don’t have to take part,” Triss said.
“S’okay. I’ve never done it with another woman either,” Lashak’ka said.
“Would you?” Triss enquired.
“I don’t know. Yes, with the right person.”
“And… am I…?”
Lashak’ka propped herself up on one elbow. “Oh, yes. You all are. You’re all so beautiful and sexy.”
Triss blushed. “Well… I’m not sure.”
“Don’t worry,” I said soothingly. “If you want to, it’ll happen in its own good time. If not, it won’t.”
Triss may have been concerned about making love to another woman but she had no problem trading kisses with me and no problem sharing me with Lashak’ka. She also had no problem, when her hand stole down to grab my erection, with finding Lashak’ka’s hand already occupied. They glanced at me and giggled before giving me a full workout. I had to gently disengage them before I had an accident.
“Who’s first?” I said. They hesitated. Neither seemed to want to be seen to be greedy. “One of you climb on there…” I pointed down, “…and one of you on here…” I indicated my face. “You can swap round later.”
“You go first,” Lashak’ka said to Triss.
Making love to two women at once is beautiful, sexy, wonderful and complicated. It requires you to concentrate on two things at once, both demanding your full attention. None of us were experienced and there was a period of stopping and starting accompanied by frustrated sighs until I decided to let Triss do her thing down below and concentrate on Lashak’ka who was sitting on my face. This seemed to work to everyone’s satisfaction. Round two was even better. We collapsed in a sweaty heap and I was dimly aware, as I sank into an exhausted slumber of the girls exchanging a tender kiss.
The next day passed in a blur. We stowed Julian’s toys in the garage and Fiona, Lorca and Jarmasin went off on their errands, though slowly as Fiona was still leery of driving the van, while Triss, Lashak’ka and I made for my house. They seemed much more relaxed around each other as if the previous night had broken some unspoken barrier.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where you lived,” Lashak’ka said.
I laughed. “You’re in for a disappointment. It’s much smaller than Fiona’s and not nearly so nice.”
Coming home was really strange. It was my house yet, somehow, it wasn't. Had it only been three weeks since I’d left? I remembered thinking at the time that I would never return and that was proving true. As we walked up the path it was as if I was seeing it for the first time. I noticed the weeds peeping through the gravel on the path and that the front door could do with a coat of paint. There was the pile of sawn branches still stacked behind the hedge. I’d put them there after I trimmed the overgrown tree in the back garden last year and never got round to disposing of them. I noticed these and half a dozen other things; all intimately familiar and all adding to an impression of genteel scruffiness. I opened the door and ushered the girls inside. Triss wrinkled her nose.
“It’s a bit stuffy. It hasn’t had any air,” I said. “I’m just going to let John and Frances know we’re here before they call the police.”
John was at work, of course, but Frances was in.
“I wondered whose the car was,” she said.
“I hired it.”
“Come in and have a cup of tea.”
“I can’t, I’m afraid. It’s only a flying visit. I’m just collecting some stuff then I’m off again.”
“Goodness me.”
“I only popped in to tell you I was here and that I’m going to be selling up. Actually my sister, Fiona, will be doing all the work.”
“This is very sudden.”
“I know. The project I rushed off to has suddenly got much bigger and they want me to stay on. I’ve no idea how long I’ll be gone for but it’ll probably be some time so it seemed silly to leave the house sitting empty.”
“I suppose so. Are you selling everything?”
“Yes. Everything’s provided in my new place.” I had a sudden thought. “If there’s anything you and John want, just tell Fiona.”
“Oh, we couldn’t.”
“Yes, you could. I appreciate all the help you’ve given me over the years and, if it’s of any use to you, I’d much rather you had it than it went to auction.”
“Well, if you’re sure.”
“I am. I’ll tell Fiona to make sure you get a chance to look round before she empties the place. There might be a couple of things she wants but other than that…”
“It’s very good of you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“How are your cats, by the way?”
“I’m afraid I had to have them put down. They caught something nasty that baffled the vet.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. They were nice wee animals.”
I managed a grin. “Dandy didn’t think so.”
Dandy was John’s and Frances’ dog, a Westie who thought he was the bees knees and made up with sound and fury what he lacked in stature.
“Och, he wouldn’t have hurt them. They used to tease him something rotten.”
It was true. One of Ziggy’s favourite tricks was to lie on the roof of the garden shed in full view of the dog and watch with amused indolence as the wee terrier worked himself into a lather of frustration.
“I’m afraid you’re right.” I sighed. “I shall miss them.”
“Losing a pet’s always hard,” she said shrewdly. “We’ve had four dogs and the last was no easier than the first.”
“It was hard to have them put down though there was really no choice.”
She patted my arm sympathetically.
“Well, I’d better let you get on if you’re sure I can’t tempt you with a cup of tea.”
“No, no. I appreciate the offer but I need to get moving. I shall miss having you as neighbours.”
“Aye, well, good luck in your new job.”
There. I’d done it. I’d talked about the cats without dissolving into a snivelling wreck. Fiona had been right. She generally was. I packed a few things, mostly clothes and my CD collection and stuffed all the papers about the house and car into a folder to give to Fiona. Another folder was used for my passport, NHS card, birth certificate and so on. If I ever returned, I wanted to be legal. The cat food, still sitting on the kitchen counter where I’d left it, taunted me. Almost viciously, I threw it in a cupboar
d. There was no point in flagellating myself for having forgotten it. For all I knew it might have made no difference in the long run. A final look round and that was it. I seemed to be taking a very small amount for the eight years I’d lived in the house. Frances was watching at her window as we drove off and waved.
Last time I’d left I’d had a feeling I wouldn’t return. This time I knew I wouldn’t; certainly not to this house, probably not to my home city and possibly not at all. It was a very strange feeling: Crawford MacAdam, citizen of the galaxy.
I barked a short laugh. “I’ve just realised I’m now officially and literally ‘of no fixed abode.’”
Lashak’ka looked thoughtful. “I suppose that’s true. We’ve got homes to go back to but you haven’t.”
“Once the house is sold, that’s it.”
Triss said nothing. She had a wistful look on her face and I wondered if she was wishing she was home right now.
The rest of the day was manic. Lorca, or Lorca and Fiona, seemed to have purchased something at every draper’s in town, most of which were up narrow side-streets or moated with double red ‘no loading’ lines. My back and shoulders were aching by the time we’d finished and there was barely time to collect the table tennis table before Fiona and I had to be at the solicitor’s.
The solicitor was smiling smugly, as if she had done something extra special, as she pushed the papers across the desk for me to sign. Just to wipe her smile away, I read them from end to end, stopping to clarify points every couple of sentences. In reality there was nothing to it. I was giving Fiona a free hand to manage all my financial affairs in any way she liked. She could cash in my insurance policies, sell my house, pawn my furniture and give me nothing. I knew she wouldn’t, of course.
“Well, everything seems to be in order,” I said at last and signed the paper. “Fiona, please add fifteen percent to the bill as agreed. I’m sure, if you need further assistance, you’ll receive the same excellent service as I have.”
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