Feline Charm

by Kitty Wells

  “He wants to get the hoover out,” said Dad in an undertone. “Jenny, do you think he’s ill?”

  Maddy bit her lip to keep from bursting into giggles. There was a banging noise from the cupboard under the stairs, and then Jack reappeared, dragging the hoover.

  “I’ll just be a minute, Mum,” he said cheerfully as he plugged it in. “Dinner smells great.”

  Mum put her hand on his forehead with a frown. “Jack, do you feel all right?”

  “I’m fine!” He started up the hoover, raising his voice over its roar. “I just thought I’d be really, really good, that’s all.”

  “Oh.” Mum stared at Dad, who gave a helpless shrug. “Well … thank you.”

  The spell continued during dinner. “May I have lots of vegetables, please?” asked Jack, holding out his plate. “Especially broccoli. It’s really good for me.”

  “But you hate broccoli,” said Mum weakly, spooning some onto his plate.

  “Yes, but vegetables are important,” said Jack. He started busily cutting up the green spears. “You and Dad are always saying so.”

  Dad rubbed his beard. “The worrying thing is, I don’t think he’s having us on,” he muttered to Mum. “It’s like he’s had a personality transplant.”

  Or a cat spell, thought Maddy, sneaking a tiny scrap of pork chop to Ollie in her pocket. She was beginning to feel a bit concerned. What if the magic was permanent? It would be awful to have such a goody-two-shoes for a brother – he’d show her up without even trying!

  Then she had an idea. The whole point was for her to get some practice, wasn’t it? So why shouldn’t she change Jack back again?

  She gently tapped Ollie. The little cat seemed to understand. He touched her finger with his cool nose in response, and Maddy felt the magic rush through her once more, like a fizzy drink in her veins.

  BE YOURSELF AGAIN! she shouted silently at her little brother. GO BACK TO NORMAL!

  Jack froze with his fork midway to his mouth … and then came back to himself with a shiver. He gaped down at the broccoli. The surprise on his face was so comical that Maddy had to pop a hand over her mouth to stop herself laughing. Fortunately her parents were both staring at Jack!

  “BLEURGH!” he said, dropping his fork with a clatter. “What am I doing? I hate broccoli!”

  Maddy’s parents relaxed with twin sighs of relief. “Pick up your fork and don’t be rude,” said Mum happily. “Here, Jack, have some more mash instead.” She heaped a big spoonful onto his plate.

  “Yes, and then maybe later we’ll have a good old messy game of something!” put in Dad.

  Jack gave Maddy a look that said, Have they gone mad, or what? She smiled at him and shrugged.

  After dinner, Maddy returned to her bedroom and took Ollie out of her pocket. “The magic really works!” she exclaimed.

  “Of course it does,” said Ollie, preening himself on her palm. “And, as you’ve seen, it can be very powerful – so you need to be careful what suggestion you make to someone.”

  “I will,” promised Maddy. There wasn’t any school on Monday because of a teacher training day, so she’d have to wait until ballet class on Monday afternoon to use the magic on Rachel.

  She smiled to herself, imagining it. Since she’d first started to use the feline magic, this was one time she didn’t see how anything could possibly go wrong!

  But when Monday afternoon came, a troubling thought occurred to Maddy. “Ollie, what if Rachel doesn’t go?” she said, taking a clean leotard from her drawer.

  “Mm?” Ollie was sitting on the chest of drawers, admiring himself in the oval mirror. She’d groomed him for almost an hour earlier, with a tiny brush she’d found on the end of one of Mum’s eyebrow pencils, and his fur was looking particularly soft and fluffy.

  “Because she said that she’d see me at school, remember?” continued Maddy, tucking the leotard in her bag. “But she knew we didn’t have school today. So what if she’s already decided to stop ballet, and won’t be back again?”

  Ollie frowned. “Yes, that’s a point. We’d better use the magic on her now, to get her to come to the class.”

  “Can we?” breathed Maddy. Somehow this seemed far more magical than using the power on someone who was standing right next to her.

  “It’s not as effective, but it sometimes does the trick. Let us take arms against a sea of troubles!” said Ollie, striking a heroic pose.

  Maddy blinked. “Do what?”

  “Hamlet. We can but try,” explained Ollie. With a final loving glance at himself in the mirror, he padded across the chest of drawers to Maddy’s hand. “Touch my fur and think of Rachel,” he instructed. “See her really clearly in your mind – every freckle, every hair.”

  Remembering how touching Greykin’s fur had once made her visualize the school bully clearly too, Maddy closed her eyes and rested a finger on Ollie’s striped back.

  Immediately an image of Rachel popped into her head. Maddy could see her best friend’s long blonde hair pulled back in a slightly messy ponytail, her glasses perched on top of her nose, her bright blue eyes.

  “Now – give her the suggestion!” said Ollie.

  Maddy’s face screwed up as she shouted in her mind: COME TO BALLET CLASS! YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT TO COME TO BALLET CLASS THIS AFTERNOON!

  The Rachel in her mind didn’t react. Maddy thought the words at her a few more times for good measure, and then opened her eyes. “I don’t know whether that worked or not,” she said doubtfully.

  “Only one way to find out …” said Ollie, rubbing his head against her finger. “And now, if you’d be so kind – I think you might have just enough time to groom me again before we leave!”

  Chapter Five

  Maddy’s mother dropped her off at ballet class a bit earlier than usual, so that she could do some shopping. The moment Maddy walked into the changing room, she was glad of it – because there sat Rachel, already dressed in her leotard!

  “You came!” burst out Maddy. None of the other girls had arrived yet, so it was just the two of them in the small room.

  Rachel’s cheeks turned pink. She traced a slipper-clad toe on the floor. “Um … so you guessed I wasn’t going to come back, then, after my awful audition.”

  “But you did come back,” said Maddy happily. Placing her bag with Ollie in it on the bench, she started changing into her own ballet things.

  Rachel frowned. “Yes, it was pretty weird, actually. I had already told Mum that – that I didn’t want to do ballet any more. And then, about half an hour ago …” She shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know – suddenly I just really felt like coming.”

  “Weird,” agreed Maddy. She moved on quickly in case Rachel started asking awkward questions. “I’m so glad you came, though. You can’t give up ballet, Rache. You know how much you love it!”

  Rachel sighed and played with the elastic band of her ballet slipper. “I don’t love looking so stupid, though. Maddy, it’s awful. I know how to do the steps, but I just can’t! I freeze up.”

  Madame Dumont came into the changing room from the studio. “I thought I heard voices in here,” she said with a smile. “You two are early.”

  Suddenly Maddy realized that this was her perfect chance, before class started! She closed her eyes, willing Ollie to send her the cat magic. Immediately the prickling feeling swept through her, from her slippers all the way up to her ponytail.

  Opening her eyes again, Maddy gazed at Madame Dumont. LET RACHEL AUDITION AGAIN! she shouted in her mind.

  The ballet teacher started slightly, as if someone had pricked her with a pin. “Rachel, would you—?” she began, and then stopped, her red eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

  “What, Madame?” asked Rachel.

  Their teacher slowly shook her head. “Never mind. It was just a thought.”

  GIVE RACHEL ANOTHER CHANCE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! shouted Maddy, even louder this time.

  Madame Dumont straightened decisively. “Rache
l, I am going to give you another chance!” she announced. “Would you like to audition again?”

  Rachel’s eyes widened. “What? I mean – Madame, how could I? I’ve already auditioned—”

  “Yes, but you weren’t really dancing your best, were you?” said Madame. “I know you can do better than that, Rachel. Come along now, before the others get here. We shall see what you can do!”

  She strode away into the studio, where Maddy could hear her giving instructions to Miss Henry at the piano. Rachel looked as pale as snow. “What am I going to do?” she hissed, grabbing Maddy’s arm. “I don’t want to audition again. I did badly enough the first time!”

  The cat magic was still tingling through Maddy. Without answering her friend out loud, she thought, DO IT! YOU’RE NOT NERVOUS AT ALL! YOU’LL DANCE REALLY, REALLY WELL!

  Rachel jumped. “Did you say something?” she gasped. “It sounded like—”

  “Me? No,” said Maddy innocently. “But why not just give it a go, Rachel?”

  The colour was returning to Rachel’s face. “Maybe I will,” she said suddenly. “I – I don’t really feel nervous any more. You know what, Maddy – maybe it would even be fun!”

  Without waiting for Maddy’s response, Rachel pushed through the swing doors into the studio. Maddy slipped after her and stood against the wall, watching.

  Rachel went to the centre of the room and took up the position, her arms curved. Maddy could already see a difference. Her friend seemed relaxed and confident, instead of looking as if she expected someone to drop an anvil on her head!

  “Now begin,” said Madame.

  As Miss Henry started to play, Rachel leaped into the dance. There was a wide smile on her face, and her movements were feather-light as she skipped and spun about the studio.

  Maddy slowly straightened up from the wall, staring. Was this really Rachel? But – she was wonderful! She had practised so much that her movements had a tight precision to them, and now that she wasn’t nervous any more, there was a real fire and passion to her dancing as well.

  In fact … Maddy swallowed. In fact, Rachel was even better than she was.

  There was a whispering noise behind her. Turning, Maddy saw that the other girls had arrived, and were gaping through the window in amazement.

  The music ended and Rachel’s dance ended with it, perfectly on the beat. She held the pose for a moment, arms above her head, and then dipped into a low curtsy.

  Applause burst out from the changing room. The girls rushed in, swarming over Rachel like excited puppies. “That was wonderful!” gasped Poppy. “Wow, you’ve really got better!”

  “You certainly have!” agreed Madame warmly. “I am most impressed, ma petite. Now, I must just go and change something. Please, girls, start warming up.” Her skirts swirled about her ankles as she strode off towards her office.

  Rachel was smiling as if she’d never be able to stop. “Maddy, did you see me?” she cried, bouncing over to her. “I did it, I really did it!”

  Suddenly Maddy felt awful for her moment of jealousy. Rachel had been trying so hard for ages – she should be happy for her. “You were fantastic!” she said, squeezing Rachel’s arm. “You’ll get to be in the show now for sure.”

  “Gosh, yes,” said Sue. “In fact, I bet …” She trailed off, looking from Maddy to Rachel and back again.

  Cold prickles swept over Maddy. Sue couldn’t mean that Rachel might get Clara instead of her, could she?

  “The barre, girls,” called Miss Henry.

  Taking her place, Maddy woodenly began the warm-up exercises. No, it was impossible. Rachel would be in the show, of course, but Madame couldn’t give her the part of Clara. She just couldn’t!

  When Madame entered the studio again, she was holding a sheet of paper. “Now then,” she said, motioning for them to stop. “I know you must all be anxious to hear the results of the auditions.”

  Maddy’s hand slipped off the barre. She stood very still, her heart pounding.

  “I must admit to being surprised,” said Madame, smiling at Rachel. “But, Rachel, all your practising has finally paid off – that was quite the loveliest dancing that I’ve seen in a long time. I would like you to dance the role of Clara.”

  No! Maddy felt as if Madame had just thrown a bucket of cold water over her. Rachel looked stunned as well. “Me?” she gasped.

  Madame nodded. “Yes, my dear, and I think you will do wonderfully, so long as you don’t get nervous.”

  “Oh, I won’t,” breathed Rachel. “Honestly, Madame – I feel like I could never ever be nervous about dancing again!”

  No, because I’m helping you out with cat magic, thought Maddy. The least Rachel could do was give her a sympathetic look! But her eyes were shining as if she’d forgotten all about her best friend.

  “Now then, the other roles,” said Madame, consulting her sheet. “Maddy, I would like you to be Rachel’s understudy. This is very important, in case Rachel can’t dance for any reason.”

  Rachel did give her a look now, biting her lip anxiously. Maddy somehow managed to smile as if she were delighted with this news.

  Distantly she heard Madame continue: “I would also like you to dance as one of King Rat’s mouse minions. Now, Poppy …”

  A mouse minion. Maddy felt close to tears. The worst thing was that she had been Clara, she just knew it. That was what Madame had had to go and change, crossing Maddy’s name off the list and adding Rachel’s to it!

  When Madame had finished announcing all the parts, she began class as usual. Maddy danced in a daze, trying to hide how awful she felt. Rachel was still dancing better than any of them, moving gracefully through the steps.

  The moment class was over, Maddy hurried back to the changing room. Behind her, she could hear the other girls congratulating Rachel. When Rachel came in, her happy smile faded to a look of concern.

  “Maddy?” she said, coming over to her. “You – you’re not cross, are you?”

  “Of course not!” said Maddy, putting on a bright smile. “I’m really pleased for you.”

  “Really?” said Rachel, her blue eyes wide and hopeful.

  “Of course! You’ve worked so hard, and – and you really deserve this.” Maddy’s voice came out thin and strained. She knew that she should be pleased for her friend, but how could she be?

  Rachel gave her a keen look, as if trying to work out whether Maddy meant what she said or not. “But aren’t you disappointed that you’re not Clara?”

  Maddy shrugged, looking away as she undid her ponytail. “Maybe a little. But we’ll have lots of fun being in the show together – that’s the important thing.”

  Rachel’s face lit up. “It is, isn’t it? Oh, Maddy, I’m so glad you’re not upset. I can hardly believe it – I’m going to be dancing with Snow Bradley! I can’t wait to tell my parents – they’ll be so surprised …”

  Maddy’s smile felt plastered onto her face as Rachel jabbered on and on. Finally Rachel noticed that she wasn’t saying anything. “Maddy, are you sure you’re OK?” she asked again.

  Maddy pulled on her jacket. “Yes, positive.”

  Rachel looked uncertain, but didn’t pursue it. “Well – what about the third cat?” she asked, lowering her voice. “You said he’d come to life. Tell me all about him!”

  A small, nasty part of Maddy wanted to tell Rachel exactly what the problem had been. But she couldn’t; that would be mean. “No, I – I was just making it up,” she faltered.

  Rachel stared at her. “Making it up?”

  Maddy swung her bag over her shoulder. “Yes, to cheer you up, because you were so nervous. I thought it would take your mind off things.”

  Rachel seemed lost for words. Finally she shook her blonde head. “Well … thanks, I guess. But, Maddy, it really seemed like—”

  “I’ve got to go; Mum’s probably here,” broke in Maddy, backing away a step. “See you at school tomorrow, Rachel. And – and well done, getting Clara! I’m really happy for you
.”

  And before her friend could answer, Maddy fled from the changing room, fighting the tears.

  Chapter Six

  On the way home Maddy suddenly realized that things were even worse than she had thought. Now that the problem was sorted, Ollie would be leaving.

  Her throat felt tight as she slumped against the seat of the car, holding her bag to her chest. It wasn’t fair. She had only known Ollie for a few days, and now it might be ages and ages before he came to life again!

  Her mother touched her shoulder as she parked in their drive. “I am sorry that you didn’t get Clara, sweetie,” she said. “But how lovely for Rachel! And you two will have lots of fun dancing together.”

  “I know,” muttered Maddy. She wished her mother hadn’t said anything.

  As soon as they got inside, Maddy headed up to her room and shut the door. Her fingers shook slightly as she unzipped the side pocket of her bag. She had an awful feeling that Ollie would already be ceramic again, and that she’d find him cold and stiff.

  But he was as alive as ever, blinking up at her from his pillow.

  Maddy’s shoulders sagged with relief. “You’re still here!”

  Ollie winked at her. “Trying to get rid of me already?” he asked, leaping out of the bag onto her arm.

  Maddy stroked his long fur with a finger. “No, of course not! Only – only I thought the problem would be solved, now that Rachel’s got a part in The Nutcracker.”

  She tried to keep the resentful tone from her voice, but she didn’t succeed. “Oh, Ollie, why did she have to get Clara?” she burst out. “I was supposed to get it!”

  The little cat gave her a sympathetic look. “The magic doesn’t usually make mistakes like that,” he said gently. “Things have worked out the way they were supposed to, Maddy.”