Grace followed Cuddle through the crowd that had gathered. The little kitten bounded towards The Krazy Katz and hopped on to the drummer’s lap.
He was tall with a ripped T-shirt and a chain hanging round his neck. Grace thought he looked a little scary.
But the drummer’s tough face melted into a smile. “Hello, kitty-cat,” he said. “Do you want to play?”
Cuddle hopped on to one of the drums, making an echoing boom. She flicked her crooked tail in delight, and pounced on the next drum.
Boom! She sprang all over the drum kit, filling the room with noise. Ba-boom, bang, boom, bang, boooooom! She finished by swiping the cymbals with her front paw. Craaaaaaash!
The girl with pink hair laughed. “I guess she does want to play – play music!”
Grace picked up Cuddle. “I’m so sorry,” she began.
But The Krazy Katz were clapping and cheering Cuddle’s performance.
“Your kitten should be in our band,” the girl with the keyboard said. “She sure is cute.”
The pink-haired girl nodded. “Our lead singer has just quit,” she said. “We need a new member.”
Grace could feel excitement bubbling inside her like lemonade. “Did you hear my friend Chloe singing?”
They all nodded. “She was brilliant,” said the drummer.
“And do you know the song she sang?” Grace asked.
“ ‘Cat That Got the Cream’?” the pink-haired girl asked. “It’s my favourite.” She strummed the opening notes on her guitar.
Grace beamed and hugged Cuddle. “You need a singer – and Chloe needs a band. Maybe she could sing with you?”
The three Krazy Katz grinned. “That would be fantastic!” the drummer said.
While Grace and Cuddle led the rock band through the busy practice room, Olivia put the finishing touches to Chloe’s new outfit. She had used the nail scissors she kept in her sequinned bag to cut the dress diagonally across, so it hung longer on one side than the other, and chopped off the sleeves. She brushed out Chloe’s red hair so it swept over one of her shoulders.
Chloe twirled around on the spot. “Thank you! I feel like a rock star.”
“Now all you need is a band,” Grace said with a smile. “Chloe, these are The Krazy Katz.”
“Hi, Chloe,” the girl with pink hair said. “We’d love you to sing with us.”
“I’d like that!” Chloe replied.
Cuddle twitched her whiskers. Sparkly green cat brooches appeared on Chloe and the two Krazy Katz girls and a glittery green baseball cap appeared on the drummer’s head. They matched Cuddle’s shining eyes.
“Where did these come from?” Chloe exclaimed, stroking the twinkling jewels in her brooch.
“Cuddle can do more than play the drums,” Olivia said, scratching Cuddle behind her black-tipped ear. “She’s a magic kitten!”
“Maybe Cuddle should be in the show,” the girl with pink hair said. “She’s definitely talented!”
The door to the practice room opened and the stage manager stuck his head round. “Chloe!” he called. “It’s your turn to perform.”
Grace squeezed Chloe’s hand. “Come on, it’s time to go.”
But Chloe shook her head. “I can’t do it,” she said.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Olivia replied, putting an arm round her. “You’ve got a new outfit, a band – and an amazing voice.”
“There’s one thing I haven’t got,” Chloe said, looking at the floor. “My good luck charm.”
“You don’t need luck,” Grace said. “You’ve got talent.”
Chloe looked up. “Really?”
Olivia nodded. “And you’ve got me, Grace and Cuddle to cheer you on. Friends are the best lucky charm of all!”