THE KITTEN 

By Tessa Harvey

    Henry had been a little excited to be learning new things. He absorbed knowledge like a thirsty sponge. He felt silly, standing with a sobbing girl on the footpath of this narrow grey street.
    The house door opened straight onto the street. They stood on either side in straight rows. But the other children would come yelling and calling around the corner any moment.
    Something glittered in the dry gutter. He stepped off the steep curb, bending down to grasp the small object. "Look," he showed Anna, "here you are. Stop crying." Anna looked at the beautiful glass marble, green and blue colours, swirling in a mesmerising patterm. Sniffing again, the small girl smiled, her blue eyes luminous from her tears. "Home," she whispered softly.
    Their mother had finished her shift at the local chocolate factory. The children thought she smelled delicious.
    Noticing the slight tension in her elder children, Daisy greeted them warmly. "Some choccy samples after tea - apple and a biscuit for now. Anna, you look after the biscuits and Henry, cold drinks only. Leave the jug. I'll be back soon dears." 
    Harry was in daycare, only a couple of streets away. Mr. Bryant drove by, recognised her and both adults waved cheerily.
    When he reached home that day, though, his wife was not in the garden, though the front door was ajar. Slamming the door of his white sedan, he called and went to the front door, but the house felt cold and empty.

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