Chapter 19

After five happy years of marriage and three children, Diana was moving back into her cottage in the Old Wood. The Church wanted to sell the large rambling parsonage and so Diana had arranged for the cottage to be tastefully extended. The work was over and she and her brood were moving in. The six cats seemed delighted to be back. Sukie had soon found her favourite chair again and was sleeping happily.

Stephen was upstairs putting the children to bed and reading them their favourite bedtime stories. They all seemed delighted with this home in the woods. Except for little Francine who, being only three months old, was probably too young to fully appreciate the beauties of her new location, far away from that bustling little village!

Diana decided to go and revisit the clearing where she and her twelve silly friends had carried out that ritual six years ago. It was that piece of occultism that had brought her and Father Stephen together, and what a blessing meeting him had been. Far from being an idle rich girl with too much time on her hands, she wondered these days whether there were ever enough hours in the day to do all the things she had to do. The Sunday School, the Mothers Group, the Old Folks Groups, The Flower Group and above all three children who seemed always to be clamouring for attention. And there were her cats, of course. She managed not to neglect them.

She sat down on the grass her back against some ancient oak and yawned. It was a warm night in June and she had been busy since dawn. She fell asleep. As she slept she could have sworn she saw something bright that almost lit up the entire wood, just like six years ago. But she was too tired to react.

Hours later she opened her eyes and almost screamed. Two women were standing and looking at her. One of them was carrying a basket. A cat basket.

"Who are you two? I suppose you know this is private property?"

"Hello Diana. My word you look happy. Marriage and motherhood become you my dear!"

"Francine? Is it really you after all these years? Where on Earth have you been."

Both women laughed at this and Diana got to her feet. It was Francine, but how transformed. And how naked!

"I think we have someone you lost the same night I left" said Francine. "Let her out, Frederica. She'll be getting impatient!"

And the girl called Frederica opened the basket. Inside was a sweet furry shape that she recognised as the long lost Fortescue.

"Meow" said Fortescue politely.

It was nice to see Diana again! Diana was overjoyed to see Fortescue and picked her up and cuddled her. Then her attention returned to her long lost buddy.

"Why are you naked, Francine? Did you go skinny dipping and have your clothes stolen by some idiot? There's a lot of them around. Idiots, I mean!"

"Would it interest you to know that I have not had a stitch of clothing on this extremely battered, but I think rather impressive, body for six years? Or that I shall stay this way until I retire?"

"It would indeed interest me! Retire from what? And - yes, that is quite a job you've done for yourself Francine! You're really like one of those bodybuilder women. It's that what you've been doing? Training for something?"

"One question at a time, Diana! I suppose it might embarrass you if we came into your house?"

"Stephen's quite OK with nudity. We often disport ourselves here in the altogether. And the kids are in bed. Come along in, both of you."

As they walked back to the cottage, Diana's nose wrinkled.

"I can tell you've not been swimming Francine. You pong something terrible! You'd better take a shower when we get inside!"

They reached the cottage and Diana released Fortescue whom she had been hugging affectionately. The cat made straight for the kitchen.

"I hope you like this new cat food, darling Fortescue. It's a great favourite with all the others! New Improved Katto Feast, it's called."

The sound of purring increased. Finally a dish of the new cat food was placed on the floor and Fortescue was tucking into her first cat food in six long years.

Francine went upstairs and had a long and very hot shower. She had forgotten what luxury it was.

Finally all three were together.

"I've sent Stephen to bed! Now, Francine! What have you been up to and why did you steal my cat, you wicked girl!"

"Francine didn't steal your cat, Diana. It was the other way around! Believe me!" said the other girl, Frederica in a slightly foreign accent - German, it sounded like.

Very funny! But I'm just happy to see you again. Although I've married and have three children, I miss you, Francine. I've named the latest after you. Come and look at her. But be very quiet. We mustn't wake her!"