Chapter 15

Blaze

Across the country dog owners were desperately trying to cash in on the Cuch craze.

But try as they might, not one dog showed the slightest interest in rock music.

Some were trained to ‘dance’ set moves with their owners - and one even appeared on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent - but none could dance as if inspired by the music.

Scientists and animal behaviourists came up with all sorts of theories about why Cuch danced, but for all their big words and fancy talk, the Lee household knew the truth: he just loved rock music.

And the Cuch effect was making a difference to people’s attitudes.

Across the country new state of the art heated rescue centres were springing up.

Alex and Janine also set up ‘The Cuch Foundation’ to raise money for animal causes.

Now wherever Cuch performed people were invited to put money into special collection buckets and the cash was used to set up new quality rescue centres.

Some of the cash also paid for unwanted dogs to be boarded while they waited for a new home. The money meant that the number of dogs being put to sleep was dropping dramatically.

The Cuch Foundation even had a collection point and plaque at the Birmingham Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where a rockin’ picture of Cuch took pride of place alongside Ozzy Osbourne.

Life was so hectic that it seemed a long time since Alex and Janine had held one of their impromptu rock parties at home.

Everyone was so tired they decided to take a two-week break from touring and just enjoy being at home doing nothing for once.

Those two weeks were the nearest thing to being ‘normal’ that the family had experienced for a long time.

It also gave them time to get acquainted with new cat Blaze. While they had been away, sometimes for days on end, a neighbour offered to ‘cat sit’ to make sure Blaze was fed and watered.

But now the family had more time to get to know her.

Actually Blaze turned out to be bad tempered and cantankerous.

Her favourite word was ‘hiss’ and she only seemed happy when snuggled next to Cuch in their shared basket.

Although everyone loved her, they realised Blaze was happiest when left alone.

By the end of the second week everyone had recharged their batteries and were feeling much more relaxed. Everyone was curled up on the sofas in the lounge: Alex and Janine on the three-seater (Janine hugging all the cushions to herself) and Lucas and Grace on the two-seater.

For once they had hardly played any music for two weeks. Even Cuch had enjoyed a good rest.

On this Friday night Janine put a soft rock CD on - but very quietly. They were still in reflective mood.

No heavy metal, no heavy rock tonight, just the gentle sounds of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ in the background.

“Sing us a song Grace,” Janine said, handing her the microphone which was always plugged into the speakers.

Janine had discovered that Grace had a nice voice and often encouraged her to sing.

“No, not tonight,” Grace said. “Too weary.” And she nestled her unruly hair into Lucas’s lap.

The music was on so quietly that Cuch hadn’t even been inspired to stir from his basket. Everyone was in chilled out mode. Even Blaze looked almost happy for once.

“Look at her,” Lucas said as he watched Blaze give a big yawn and stretch, then snuggle up to Cuch.

Grace took the microphone. She didn’t want to sing, having no confidence in her voice anyway. But she thought it would be fun to do a pretend ‘interview’ with Cuch.

“And what do you think of your new friend?” she said thrusting the microphone under the dog’s mouth.

“How are you two getting along?”

The family laughed at the sound of Cuch’s snuffles and a great big yawn amplified by the speakers.

“And what do you think of your new home Miss Blaze?” Grace said - tentatively putting the microphone near the cat. She knew not to get too close.

“Watch out,” Lucas warned. “She’ll have you.”

And sure enough, there was an amplified hiss which made Grace drop the microphone.

Too scared to reach into the basket to retrieve it she left it there. Blaze had lashed out at her with lightning reflexes once too often.

Everyone laughed at the ugly looking cat who looked permanently cross.

“Of all the cats to choose...” Grace scolded Lucas.

“Don’t stop believing’ ...” continued the CD.

“That’s nice Grace,” Janine said as she lay back on the sofa, feet tucked under Alex, staring absent mindedly at the ceiling.

“Yes, great song,” she replied.

“No, I mean that harmony you just did,” Janine said.

“What harmony?”

“That harmony. Listen everyone.”

Everyone listened carefully to the lovely humming sound harmonising with the melody playing softly in the background. The beautiful humming was clearly coming out of the speakers.

“But Mrs L. I’m not singing...”

Janine sat up and looked at Grace whose mouth was wide open as if in amazement. It was clearly impossible to hum with your mouth open but the humming was still continuing.

Alex and Lucas sat bolt upright and suddenly it was as if everyone’s senses were on full alert.

The humming was a really beautiful sound and was now much louder, as if more confident. There was also a little rhythmic beating noise in addition to the song on the CD.

The microphone was still lying where it had been dropped - in Cuch’s basket.

Blaze was staring into the microphone gently patting it.

“Janine...” Grace said slowly... in a voice which sounded almost scared to say any more.

“Is - that - cat - singing?”