For Aruthir for his birthday.  Thanks to RiverOtter for the beta.

The Cat

            “Please, Dad, can’t we keep him?”

            The Gaffer sighed, and looked none too kindly on the animal Marigold held in her arms.  This was no kitten, but a rangy and ragged tom, his ear battered and with a large lump on the inside of his right foreleg that told of battles with other toms and that was undoubtedly filled with infection.  By rights he ought to tell the children no….

            But it wasn’t that long since their mum died, and he knew full well that there was no way he could say no to that look in his daughter’s eyes!