Scottie in the next street heard it first and joined in too. Then Patch, who lived on the corner and had the loudest bark in the neighbourhood, added his deep voice to the call. Both of them came running out to help. Within minutes the whole team had assembled in Mrs Perkins’s front garden.
‘This is ridiculous,’ said Ben. ‘Lara, you’re overreacting!’
But Lara took no notice. ‘I need a volunteer,’ she barked. ‘Someone brave and agile, with an excellent head for heights.’
Maggie the black-and-white cat stepped forward straight away. She stood on her hind legs and puffed out her chest like she’d seen Lara do. ‘At your service,’ she saluted.
‘OK, come with me,’ said Lara. Everyone followed as she led Maggie to the back of the house and showed her the window. The cat understood immediately what she had to do.
With one bound Maggie leapt on to the trunk of a nearby tree, digging her claws firmly into the bark. She’d climbed trees before, but never one as tall as this. Higher and higher she went until she was level with Mrs Perkins’s upstairs window. Then she began to make her way cautiously along a branch towards the house. She looked down and immediately wished she hadn’t. She was reassured by remembering that cats have nine lives.
‘Be careful, girl,’ called Felix from below. ‘That branch gets thin towards the end. It might not hold your weight.’
‘Don’t worry! I’ll be OK,’ replied Maggie bravely.
Everyone gasped as Maggie suddenly lost her footing and started to fall. Her claws extended and she scrambled for a hold as she saw one of her lives slipping away. She crashed through some leaves before her claws finally dug into a branch and she hung, back legs kicking, while beneath her the children and animals held their breath. Like a skilful acrobat, Maggie somersaulted round and managed to swing herself back on to a thicker branch. There was a collective sigh of relief from below. The brave cat was soon edging slowly back along the branch towards the window.
Now for the tricky bit, breathed Lara.
As Maggie reached the end of the branch it began to buckle under her weight. She leapt for the open window and just managed to hook her front paws over the edge. Another life gone! In the blink of an eye she had slithered through the gap and was in.
Star punched the air in delight.
Everyone waited. I hope Mrs Perkins likes cats, thought Spud. She might get a shock if she suddenly sees one coming down her stairs!
A minute later Maggie’s face appeared at the window. ‘Call an ambulance!’ she miaowed urgently. ‘Mrs Perkins has fallen and hurt her leg!’
Lara couldn’t speak Cat but she could understand it. She turned to Ben and pointed to the mobile phone in his pocket, but Ben had already got the message.
‘OK, Lara,’ he said. ‘I’m really sorry I doubted you. I’ll ring for help.’
When the ambulance came, the paramedics found Mrs Perkins lying on the kitchen floor with Maggie sitting close beside her. ‘I was in such a hurry to hear the carols I slipped and fell over,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t move. I’m so glad this little one came and found me!’
‘Will she be OK?’ asked Sophie, as Mrs Perkins was carried into the ambulance.
‘Yes, love,’ said the paramedic. ‘It’s not too bad. She’ll be home in time for Christmas. Lucky you raised the alarm, though. She could have been there for some time.’
‘It’s Lara we have to thank for that,’ said Ben, giving Lara a pat. ‘And Maggie, too, of course.’