I snapped a picture and uploaded it to Facebook and Instagram with the caption ‘Look who is finally home and giving me some morning loving. Missed my little man - #catselfie #catcuddle #catsofinsta’. It’s all about the hashtags these days.
Bing took in a deep breath and stretched all his paws out in front of him. I saw his sharp claws digging into the bed, but I didn’t tell him off. Not when I saw that one of them had snapped off. Poor guy. He must be traumatised by something to be this close to me. What on earth happened to him? I’d still like to know how he managed to get all the way to Huddersfield on his own.
I moved my fingers which were in front of his face and his eyes opened, watching them closely. With an almighty jump, he launched himself forward so his head was pushing into my hand for me to stroke him. He half stood up and fully faced me now, rubbing his head all over my hand.
“Good morning, did you sleep ok?”
I took his stance of front end down, back end up in the air and tail upright as a good sign.
“Shall we get up?” It was a little after eight o’clock and I needed a cup of tea.
As I motioned that I was getting up, he jumped down on the floor but didn’t run to the door. He stood by the bed, tail up in the air and looked back to make sure I was going to follow him. He wouldn’t take a step forward without me.
“I’m coming,” I reassured him as I swung my legs out of bed and put my feet next to him, “come on then. Bathroom first.”
Once he had demonstrated how close a cat can get to a human on the toilet without sitting on it himself, we made our way downstairs in unison and into the kitchen.
We walked past his food bowl. There were still biscuits covering the floor around it from when I got him home last night. He didn’t seem to know what to do with himself. I put fresh biscuits in his bowl and cold water in the dish next to it. He went straight to the food and took a mouthful of biscuits whilst looking around the kitchen as though making sure he was in the right house. Biscuits went everywhere as he struggled to contain them whilst mewing at the same time. Some made their way into the water bowl and were now swollen and floating on top.
“Shall we get some fresh water?” I asked him as I reached down to pick up the dish. I tipped out the water and let the soggy biscuits get forced down the drain and filled it up with fresh water. As I placed it back down beside the food, he was helping himself to his biscuits. The ones on the floor had already been eaten. He must be starving, although he doesn’t look skinny.
I flipped on the kettle and realised I had left my phone upstairs in bed.
“I’ll be back in a second, Bing. Hang on.”
He didn’t hear me, so I snuck out whilst he was indulging in Purina’s finest.
Walking into my bedroom, the sound of squeaking panicked me. Had I stood on a mouse? What the hell was that?
I happened to glance to the landing and saw Bing hurtling up the stairs looking for me. He was all fluffed up and his tail resembled a feather duster. He stopped when he was in between my legs.
“Hey, what’s the matter? I only came upstairs.”
Mew. Mew. Mew.
“Come on you silly sausage,” I reached my hand down towards his head and he jumped up to meet it halfway. A half-eaten biscuit dropped out of his mouth. “I’m only getting my phone.”
I wondered if I should ring the vet. It was as though he was suffering from post-traumatic stress. I’ll give them a call.
They don’t open until half past eight, so I left a voicemail for a vet to call me back. They knew all about Bing being missing so hopefully they’ll call me straight away.
“Let’s go back downstairs, you can finish your food whilst I have a tea.”
My phone rang just after half eight and it was Dr Stevens. I filled him in on Bing’s adventures and his current strange mood.
“He’s certainly acting out of character, but I wouldn’t worry just yet. Let him settle back in at home. He’s obviously glad to be back and he seems to have missed you,” he seemed as shocked as I was, “give him a couple of days. If you’re still worried on Monday, give us a call and I’ll make sure he’s seen first thing. Make sure he has plenty of water, don’t overfeed him though. Give him what he usually has and try keep him indoors for now. Check him over if you can. If you notice any fleas, ticks or injuries then we’ll see him straight away but I don’t want to cause him any more stress by bringing him in now.”
“That’s fine, I’ll stay in with him today and see how he does over the weekend. Thank you for calling me back.”
I was sitting on the couch with my tea in my phone free hand and Bing had made himself comfy on my lap.
“We’ll stay in today, ok? Just us. We can have a lazy day.”
And we did.
31
Our lazy day went by very quickly. I forgot how much I loved daytime telly. The fabulously dressed Lorraine Kelly is followed by Jeremy Kyle, who looks ready to have a heart attack at any moment once he starts on a rant at the feckless guests. Phil and Holly are amazing at their job. No wonder they always win the Daytime TV awards. Their chemistry is surely envied by every married couple in the world. The Loose Women panel look like they’d prefer to be broadcasting after the watershed so they could say what they really wanted to say about today’s headlines. The lunchtime news was an excuse to get up and make a tuna toastie which Bing was happy to share with me. Judge Rinder makes me laugh so much but I’m sure I’ve seen those guests on the Jeremy Kyle show before now. When did Warwick Davis start hosting a game show? Tipping Point, I would be amazing at this game. I always made a profit on the 2p machines at Seahouses in Northumberland. My brother used to get so angry when he lost all his money and I was winning all the crappy prizes. I struggle to enjoy The Chase. The chasers are a little bit too obnoxious for my liking. I know it’s their job, but still, I hate them.
I should ring Sarah. I can’t believe she hasn’t been pestering me for information on mine and Zack’s date. The one date that should have made national news and she hasn’t been ringing or texting me. She can’t be that busy, surely.
I rang, but there was no answer, so I sent her a message.
“Hey! Where are you at? Are you ok? I had the most eventful night EVER! Ring me! Xx”
That should get her attention without fail. My phone will be buzzing any minute now.
An hour later I sent her another message.
“Hey, what’s going on? Where are you? I need to tell you about last night!”
By nine o’clock that night…
“Have you lost your phone or have your fingers fallen off and that’s why you can’t reply? I’m getting worried. I’m going to call Max Xx”
Suddenly, my phone buzzed and I had a message.
“Hey, sorry! Really busy. Will talk later x”
Something is going on with her. She seemed really off before my date with Zack and now she doesn’t want to hear any potentially juicy gossip. For all she knows, Zack and I could have been up all night having wild, passionate sex and we were now in hospital from falling off the bed when trying and failing to perform a weird and wonderful karma sutra position.
“Ok, call me when you can. I’m here if you need me Xx”
I didn’t want to bother her if she didn’t want to talk to me right now. I know she is really worried about the move to Canada and doing as much wedding planning as she can before she leaves. When we were doing our final exams at university, I didn’t see her for a week because she was so worried about them. Once they were out of the way, she was back to her crazy self, buying us Jägermeister and tequila shots.
My phone buzzed again. This time, it was someone who wanted to speak to me and even spend time with me.
“Hey you,” Zack’s message began, making my cheeks stretch into a big cheesy grin, “how’s the kitty doing? Is he alright? I’ve managed to rebook our table at Ricci’s for tomorrow night. It’s not until quarter to nine as its last minute, but we can go for a drink before. I’ll pic
k you up in a taxi at half seven. How does that sound? x”
“That sounds perfect, I’ll lock Bing in the house so he can’t interrupt our night again :) he’s not left my side all day but seems to be relaxing now. Thank you for taking me to pick him up X”
“Not a problem, I didn’t want you driving to Hudds on your own on an evening. And it was nice to meet the other man in your life. I hope he likes me x”
“I’ll need to introduce you properly. Maybe soon whilst he is in a loving mood X”
I attached the photo of Bing snuggled up to me in bed and sent it to Zack.
“I’ve never been jealous of a cat until now :p I’ll speak to you tomorrow x”
I managed to giggle out loud which woke up Bing who was nestled in my feet on the couch. His mouth stretched into a yawn and his left paw reached forward at the same time, tickling my knee. When he relaxed again, he stared at me. He had never looked so happy to be in my company. Maybe this would change our relationship forever. My luck with men was finally on the up.
32
Circle Lounge was quiet for a change when we arrived. All the seats were empty and music was playing through the speakers. The bouncer had opened the door for us and Zack guided me in with his hand on my back. I could almost feel the electricity vibrating through my body as we walked to the bar and stood side by side. I ordered a dry white wine and he ordered a bottle of Budweiser. I tried to pay but he wouldn’t allow it, but I needed to thank him for helping me to rescue Bing on Wednesday. Maybe I could sneakily pay for dinner. I’d need to figure out how I could do it.
We picked the table by the window and finally could pick up from where we left off without any interruptions.
“So how has the kitty been since he’s been back home?”
“Very odd, he’s not been right at all.”
“Oh?” he looked concerned. “Have you taken him to the vet? I thought he was being really loving?”
“Yea, that’s what I mean. It’s odd.”
Zack laughed. “Is it that out of character for him?”
“Yes, very. He can be a such a wanker. I used to think he was trying to kill me the way he would carry on.”
“I had a cat like that.” He took a swig of his beer and I got a good view of his hands. They were so big and manly. Focus Jenny, focus now. “When I was younger, my mum had this ginger Tom cat. He was nasty. Hissed at me all the time. Used to terrify me. I had to sleep in the garden one night because he wouldn’t let me get close to the door to knock for help.”
“Aw no,” I was imagining a young child Zack being scared by a big nasty cat and being kept out of his house! I felt really sad for him. Imagine, a small child being kept out of his own bed. Is it too soon in our relationship to climb on his lap and cuddle him? “How old were you?” I took a sip of wine.
“Twenty-two.”
I accidentally spat the wine back out into the glass and laughed a little too loudly.
“What’s so funny? He was a bully!”
“I’m sorry,” I couldn’t stop giggling, “I just had visions of you as a small child being traumatised by a vicious tiger, not an adult and a little cat.”
He tried to hide his smile behind his bottle of Bud.
“It was really scary you know, I feared for my life on a daily basis.”
“Why didn’t your mum help you?”
“She didn’t believe me! Whenever she was around he was all Mr Nice Cat. Rubbed against my legs. Curled up on my lap. Then when she was gone, even if she just left the room, oh the little git made my life hell.”
“I can sympathise. My relationship with Bing has been rocky to say the least. But yesterday, something changed. I wonder if he’ll go back to the old ways. I hope he doesn’t.”
“What’s the worst thing he’s ever done to you?”
I tapped my nails against my glass whilst I thought about my answer. There have been so many things, it’s hard to think of what the worst was. The mouse in the toilet? The spider corpses left around the house? Shitting on my pillow?
“Well, I’ve now got an OCD where I have to kick my shoes before I put them on because I just never know if he’s left a half dead, half alive, half eaten creature in them for me to find. Which I have done on many occasions. Even if I’m at someone else’s house, I can’t put my shoes back on without giving them a little nudge out of habit.”
“You see, people don’t realise, but cats are too intelligent to be domestic pets. They should have their own planet.”
“No, they shouldn’t. They’d wipe us out before we could destroy all the catnip.”
We talked, we laughed, we flirted, and we got to know each other for what felt like hours. In fact, we almost missed our reservation at Ricci’s so had to make a quick dash out of the door. It’s only a two-minute walk across town, but when Zack grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed it tight, I would gladly have walked around with him all night. Forget the food, this is what I wanted.
“Is that your phone?”
“Hmm?” I was in a hand holding daze.
“Your phone, it’s ringing. Don’t tell me Bing has run away again? I don’t think we’d be allowed back to Ricci’s if we cancel a second time.”
I’d happily go to Burger King with you and bump into lovely Rob if that was the only place I could spend time with you. Hang on, he’s right. My phone is ringing.
“It’s my friend Sarah,” typical that she wants to talk to me now. “Hang on, I won’t be long. Sorry, nothing is going to ruin tonight. I promise.” I swiped to answer her horrible, bad timing, owes me a HUGE apology, phone call. “Hello?”
I’m not sure what the noise was that came through the phone, but I’m pretty sure it was not human.
“Sarah? What’s going on?”
I could barely make out a few words between the wailing and crying.
“Max... wanker… left me… bastard… slag whore… fucking prick.”
“Woah, woah, calm down!”
Zack could hear her cries as I had to move the phone away from my ear and had a look of panic on his face. We stopped walking as we were just in view of the restaurant.
“Sarah, what’s going on? Talk to me.”
“I can’t… he’s… wedding off. I need you.”
I looked up at Zack with regretful eyes. I didn’t know what to say. It turns out, I didn’t need to say anything. He nodded at me.
“I’m on my way.” I threw my phone back in my bag. For fucks sake.
“Come on, we’ll get you in a taxi.” He looked so disappointed.
“I am so, so, so, so, sorry.” I can’t believe this is happening again. I feel like I’m not destined to have the man of my dreams. He will go off me now. He won’t want to even attempt to see me again. What man would?
“Your friend sounded really upset, what happened?”
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t sound good. Not good at all. I’m really sorry. I hate that this has happened again!”
“Listen, it’s ok. Shit happens.”
He seems annoyed. This is our last date, I can tell.
We arrived at the taxi rank and he ordered me a taxi through the little window.
“Silver car.” Said the operator. When I looked at the five silver taxi’s waiting in front of me, he eventually got off his backside to point to the Nissan on the end.
We walked to the car and I turned to Zack to say goodbye, probably forever. I wanted to cry.
Zack suddenly put both of his hands on my face and pulled me in for a kiss. An amazing kiss. A tingle-tastic, tongue twisting kiss. The best kiss I have ever had in my life. It was so unexpected. Is this a goodbye forever kiss? A ‘this is what you could have had’ kiss? I can’t believe how good this kiss is, it was just like my dreams.
“I planned on doing that at the end of our date,” he said as he pulled away from my lips, his face still close to mine, “if this is where our date is ending then I had to do it now.” He was smiling. This was a good sign, right?
“
I’m glad you did, I was worried you would go off me for ditching you again.”
“Your friend sounded like she needed you, and quickly. You tell me when you’re free and we will try again.”
“Third time lucky?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be counting it as our third date too, by the way.” He lent in for another kiss which was interrupted by the taxi driver coughing. “Go on, get going. Text me tomorrow.”
“I will do,” I cheekily pulled him in for another sneaky kiss before climbing into the taxi, “I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”
He closed the door for me and gave a little wave before heading back to the window to order his taxi too. Thinking back to the call from Sarah, it didn’t sound good at all. What was I going to find when I got to her house?
33
I arrived at Sarah’s house quite quickly. These taxi drivers don’t mess about. Especially on a Friday night when they would be getting a lot of business. It was a race to get back to the taxi rank for the next fare. Normally I would comment about them doing twice the speed limit, but I needed to get to my friend as soon as possible. If I just kept my head down and didn’t see what was happening, then it wasn’t really happening.
I ran through her door and found her in a heap on the kitchen floor, surrounded by used tissues. Her hair was matted in, what looked like, a combination of tears and snot. Her bloodshot eyes looked up at me. We’ve both been in some states, but I have never seen her like this. Not ever. I can only remember ever seeing her cry once. We went to Leeds Fest when we were twenty but lost each other in the crowds. When we eventually found each other, in our drunken states, it was a very emotional reunion.
“Sarah! What the hell has happened?” I ran towards her and sat down next to her and she collapsed into me.
“He’s gone.” She managed to say. “We’re over.”
“What do you mean? You can’t be over. What’s happened?”
She pulled the last of the tissues from the box and blew her nose. I had an urge to get her a glass of water. All that crying must have made her dehydrated. My mother would be so proud of my maternal instinct. I stood up and went to the cupboard.
Blind Date Page 13