Later that evening, Alby was sniffing around the garden when the cat suddenly appeared on the wall in front of Number 26.

‘Any room out here for a cat?’ he said, curling up on the bricks.

Alby wandered over and sat down on the grass nearby.

‘Any cat who did what you did today is welcome here,’ he said. ‘Actually, I hate to admit it but you do have a way of growing on a dog.’

‘It took me a while to get used to you at first,’ continued Alby. ‘But now that I am, you’re not too bad – for a cat.’

‘Ah!’ the cat grinned, and rolled over onto his back. ‘A compliment! Well, what do you know!’

‘Don’t let it go to your head just yet,’ Alby told him. ‘After all, you’re a cat and I’m a dog. There are certain things we have to do to keep up appearances, you know.’

‘I know. But tell me, how are you feeling after your terribly unpleasant ordeal?’ asked the cat.

‘That is one experience I’ll be happy to put behind me,’ sighed Alby. ‘I’m just glad not all humans are like that one.’

‘Yes,’ agreed the cat. ‘But I have a feeling that particular human won’t be a problem any longer.’

Suddenly the door at Number 28 was flung open, and the cat’s human began her familiar call. ‘Here Pussums. Come back, come back, wherever you are!’

Then there was silence for a few minutes, another call, and a bang as the door closed behind her.

‘I must say, it’s so nice to be loved,’ cooed the cat.

Suddenly there was a click as the porch light flicked off and Number 28 was shrouded in darkness.

‘You were saying?’ joked Alby.

‘Very funny,’ sniffed the cat.

‘Oh dear,’ Alby laughed. ‘It looks as though you’ve missed curfew.’

‘Looks that way,’ agreed the cat.

‘I guess you’ll need to find a place to stay for the night.’

‘You wouldn’t happen to know anywhere half decent, would you?’ asked the cat.

‘Hmmm ...’ smiled Alby. ‘As a matter of fact, I do. If you’ll just follow me ...’

And the two of them headed towards the sunroom at Number 26.