Free Blackbriar by William Sleator

Philippa almost shouted, and jerked the leash so hard that the cat was dragged a few inches along the pavement. Now even more stubborn, he lay there limply, pretending to be asleep. Philippa’s bundles were beginning to slip from her aching arms.
    Just as she was about to give him another tug, a plump little man with shaking jowls rushed blindly past. His foot caught on Islington’s leash and, almost falling over, he slammed into Philippa, knocking most of her parcels to the ground and dragging Islington a few more inches along the pavement. For a moment he seemed terribly angry. “Madam,” he said, “it is people like you, who stand idling in the center of a busy street, who . . . who . . .”
    Philippa was about to interrupt with an equally furious retort when suddenly the man caught sight of Islington huddled at his feet. “Why,” he said, “what a gorgeous Siamese!” He squatted down and began to stroke the cat passionately, Islington writhing uncomfortably under his touch. “I’m so sorry, madam,” he said, looking up at Philippa. “I didn’t realize you were leading this beautiful animal. A male, of course. What depthless eyes, what an uncanny intelligence they seem to possess!” Then, quickly darting around, he began to help Philippa gather up her bundles. Luckily the lamps had not fallen, and since the bags were strong, nothing was scattered over the pavement. When the parcels were restored, he turned again to Islington, holding the squirming, twisting head between his fat hands and staring into the cat’s face.
    After the man had remained in that position for just a bit too long he sighed and slowly stood up. He removed his hat, and bowing politely to Philippa, who was speechless, he said, “I must congratulate you for possessing such a fine creature, my dear lady. What spiritual qualities he has! Of course, one realizes that most Siamese have deep inner lives, but this one seems particularly sensitive, particularly open to the highest influences.”
    “Well,” Philippa said, who had no idea what he was talking about, “I don’t know about all that , but I must admit that he is a wonderful companion, a real boy. But he can be an awful pest.”
    “Oh, of course, of course,” the man said, his jowls quivering. “But if he weren’t a pest, if he didn’t have a mind of his own, of what importance would he be, after all? Cats like this are impossible to find. Why, I would give anything, anything to own such an animal. Only think of the possibilities, only think how he could be used—” He stopped suddenly, clearing his throat. “Good-bye, madam,” he said, putting on his hat, “and—thank you, thank you!” He trotted off down the street, turning around several times to stare longingly back at them.
    “My, my, Islington,” Philippa said brightly, “you certainly seem to have an admirer, don’t you?”
    Islington, blinking and alert, seemed more than ready to be on his way.
    They returned to the car, where Philippa left her parcels as well as Islington, his leash hooked securely around the steering wheel, while she finished her shopping. She spoke briefly to the people in the stores, and since Blackbriar was not mentioned, the conversations were all very pleasant. Eventually she pulled Lil up in front of the library, and left the car, with the motor running, in a no-parking zone.
    For a moment she couldn’t see Danny at all, but then she noticed his blond head bent over one of the tables. She went and stood behind him, but he was so immersed in what he was doing that he didn’t notice her at all until she cleared her throat and said, “Well, well, look at the scholar here. Not going to school really seems to be doing you some good.”
    He started at the sound of her voice, then said, sounding strangely tense, “Oh, this isn’t schoolwork, it’s not what you assigned,” adding quickly, “I did find all the books you wanted me to, though.” There was an odd expression in his eyes,