The Cat Burglar

"The moment I woke up, I knew something wasn’t right." Shirly pulled her dressing gown tighter around her upper body. She did not like the way the officer was looking down as he spoke. "Hey, talk to my face not my boobs."

"S ...sorry, I ugh ..." The young cop turned beetroot. "So, ugh, how did you know something wasn't right?"

"The curtains. I always make sure they're tight shut at night. I can't cope with the morning light. It hurts my eyes. This morning there was a chink." Shirly rubbed at her eyes, they were red and she kept blinking.

"So you think someone opened them enough to see out?"

"Exactly. But I live alone. Nobody should be in my bedroom looking out."

PC Green looked around the room. It seemed too tidy for a crime scene. "And has anything else been disturbed, is anything missing that you know of?"

"My knitting. The ball of wool was knocked to the floor and had rolled across the room." Shirly pushed a stray grey hair back behind her ear. Green was just that, green. He was not used to talking to old, sorry senior ladies in a state of undress.

"How about I go make us both a cup o' tea while you get yourself dressed. And I'll check the doors and windows while I'm at it." He raced out of the room. The kitchen was just down the hall. As he filled the kettle he looked out at the back yard. There were high fences all round. It was doubtful anyone would have got in that way.

As the kettle boiled he checked the back door; it was firmly locked. He tripped over an empty saucer as he turned to find the cups. He picked it up and put it in the sink. He noted that there was not a lot of milk left but it should be enough for two cups.

The police radio crackled. "Anything to report PC Green?"

He answered in a whisper, afraid Shirly might hear. "The lady reported an intruder but to be honest Serge I think she's just lonely and a little confused. "

"Better safe than sorry Green, better safe than sorry." Brad had expected him to say 'stop wasting time and get on to the next call'. Maybe this was as much as the Sergeant thought he was capable of. Still, it was a bit weird. When he arrived the woman had the chain on the door. The back door was locked. Maybe there was a broken window in the living room.

The first thing he noticed on entering the room was a china vase on the floor near to the window. Had a burglar knocked it over when gaining entry? The window seemed in tact and firmly shut. Then he saw the curtain move, ever so slightly. Was someone hiding behind it? He pulled out his truncheon and crept towards the window.

"This is the police. Come out from there." As he pulled back the fabric something black and hairy shot out and across the room and slid under the sofa. The poor thing seemed terrified, clawing at him as he tried to retrieve it. Eventually he got a firm hold just as Shirly appeared, now wearing a floral dress and a pink cardigan.

"I've found your burglar love." He held the cat firmly against his body, stroking its head.

"Of course, the stray. I found it shivering in my shed last evening and brought it in. I gave it a saucer of milk. Silly me, I forgot all about it."

598 words