Chapter 9 Miss Cathy the kitty cat

The moment Teresa entered the kitchen a frying pan came straight at her face, knocking everything she was carrying out of her hands.

The view in front of her was something like this-

Two maids yelling at the top of their voices.

The third was running as if a hellhound was after her.

There was a brave fourth soldier trying to desperately catch something.

And then there was the fifth front swinging the broom at her invisible opponent in the middle of a mighty duel.

" What in the world are they doing? " Teresa wondered as she tried to get back from her upside down, stretched position, where she had fallen.

Just then she heard a faint, "Meaow, " behind her ears. She twisted her head with much difficulty. There was a slight brush of whiskers against her cheeks.Her eyes met those hazal wonders, slit like a hungry reptile. Teresa dared not blink, wondering if this was a friend or an enemy. Just then it swished its majestic white paws, grabbing something as it did.

Teresa sprang up on her knees. She could clearly see the struggling little grey tail, tightly gripped in those elegant paws.

"Miss Cathy got it. Miss Cathy got it. " somebody yelled.

Teresa finally stood up rubbing her head and butt vigorously.

"Was all the fuss over this tiny thing? " she thought, looking at the mouse caught in its death trap. The kitchen rearranged itself like nothing had ever happened. Everybody went back to where they used to be. Steam coming from here and there. The tap tap noise from all the chopping. The goods being taken to their respective tables.

Teresa looked around at their instant transformation , mesmerized at their speed.

The kitchen still needed time to get Susan's food ready, so Teresa followed the snow white cat around as it strolled back on the green. Teresa liked the green too. It felt comfortable to run on the lawn bare foot. She tried stroking the cat on its head but it strangely turned its rear towards her.

"Do you like back scratches? I see. " She obediently rubbed her as if submitting to her need.

It took just a few rubs before she found the cat comfortably sitting on her knee. The two soaked in the warm sun as if they were so used to it.

"Did you see that? " somebody whispered in the ears of the on looking Dusty, who had silently been seeing.

"Did you see how even Miss.Cathy attached itself to this new one? I am telling you, she's a piece. She has already made her way in the most important places of this household. It's not even a month since she's been here. You better keep a look out for this. " The voice behind Dusty repeated itself as Dusty just nodded and then left the scene.

" Teresa, the food is ready, " came a shout from inside the kitchen. Teresa immediately ran yelling, " Coming. "

Unaware of the fact that there were another pair of eyes watching her, Teresa went inside.

The eyes were straining from behind the hole in the back gate. It followed Teresa as she hopped and Miss. Cathy elegantly wiggled her white back behind her.

" So this is where you live, " The handsome owner of those eyes confirmed to himself."No wonder you were so full of air."

It was the boy Teresa had a tussle with in the market.

Carter was his name.

"Where were you all day? " Susan asked as her tired eyes lit up the moment Teresa entered through the door.

Teresa smiled as she manoeuvred the cart around and brought her table.

" It's been a long day, and I can't wait to tell you about it, " She said, pulling Susan's back to her side to rest.

" Tell me what adventure you had today and then I will read one of those three for you today." Susan pointed at the next installment of their trilogy with her eyes.

Their seconds passed into minutes and minutes into hours as it was soon time for tea and neither realised.

" Teresa, how can you be so careless? Madam has medicines to take after lunch. " a senior maid scolded Teresa as she went to get a glass.

"I am sorry, we were reading a very interesting book... " But before she could finish what she was saying the maid gave her a terrible push.

"Ouch... what was that for, " Teresa was foolishly smiling. She didn't even understand whether it was out of hate or spite or a reprimand.

"How dare you address yourself and Madam together? How dare you imply you are anywhere near?" The tone in the woman's voice was almost malicing. It made Teresa take a step back .

" I didn't mean anything like that. " Teresa tried justifying herself.

A slap flew with a swift swish of hand and landed hard on Teresa's face. The loose hairs flipped as her head turned with force. It wasn't like she was slapped for the first time or like it was the hardest she had ever had. In fact it didn't even come close to the beatings she would often have. But the thing was she wasn't expecting it in the first place. It was more surprising than a shock.

She didn't waste a moment to get back straight up and then bowed with a smile, grabbed the medicines, food and then ran. She didn't quite understand why she was running, perhaps it was just instinct that had kicked in.It was like she always did. Run from situations she didn't think she could handle.

The senior maid couldn't believe the response she just received. Her smacks usually sent them crying or begging for forgiveness. But this one just slid. Like literally she just slid from under her nose and it made the senior maid's anger flare up.

"Teresa ,come here at once. What do you think you are doing? " was the voice Teresa's ears caught as she was happily fleeing. Teresa had the door to Susan's room just in front. Only a moment's distance between herself and her safe haven.