Chapter 2

Fancy Francine wanting to be a slave! Diana laughed out loud as she drove home through winding country lanes and sheets of driving rain. The drought had certainly ended very spectacularly this last week!

Diana lived in a large house all on its own at the end of a mile long lane. She enjoyed the solitude, which was greatly alleviated by the presence of seven cats. As she reached her open gate and drove up to the garage, she saw three of the greedy creatures waiting for her, sheltering in the porch. The other four soon appeared (how did all manage to keep dry in this weather?) They prowled around mewing piteously, anxious for food and affection - with food very much the superior priority! She let them in and was almost bowled over in the rush as seven sleek felines made a beeline for the kitchen. A feline beeline, though Diana amusedly.

Diana fed the hungry tribe and went into her sitting room. Sometimes she wondered why these cats needed her. There was a lush expanse of countryside out there, teeming with birds and small tasty rodents and yet these unenterprising animals depended totally on her for their sustenance. What a pitiful lot! She knew that the Americans, thanks to those dreadful Pilgrim Fathers and their continuing malign influence on the national psyche, would despise such a lack of Get up and Go and Protestant Work Ethic! But she loved them all, especially Fortescue, the prettiest and most knowing. Fortescue was a quick eater and adept at pushing her way to the front of the queue. Soon she came and joined Diana, leaping onto her knee and purring loudly.