Creative Writing - 29.06.2020

Okay, so I am adding a complete short story this week rather than exercises.  I wrote this a couple of years ago as an entry for a creative writing competition.  Unfortunately, it didn't win, but I still think that it is a passable entry.  Let me know what you think?

Moggy  by Esther P. Clarke

 

I languish on the purple sofa, rubbing my black coat against its softness. 

‘Tabbikins, it’s dinnertime, my lovely!’  The shrill voice of my mistress calls out and I quickly jump off the sofa and run towards my dinner.  Disappointment hits me.  I was hoping for something nice, not the usual rubbish she so lovingly slops out each day. 

‘It’s your favourite,’ she smiles, watching as I gingerly tuck in.  I know I have to eat it or she’ll think that something’s wrong and take me to the vet which is even worse.  I finish eating and lick my lips to get rid of the horrid taste before I go and rub my body against her legs in mock appreciation for my dinner.  This makes mistress smile broadly as she reaches down to tickle my chin. 

 

I always go for a nap on the sofa after dinner while mistress gossips on the phone to her family that live far away.  I can hear her voice floating in my dreams, as she happily chatters away.  My nice snooze on the sofa is rudely disturbed by the master’s return home when he roughly picks me up and drops me on the floor.   

‘John, don’t do that!’ Mistress shouts, ‘Tabby’s sleeping. 

‘You think more about that silly cat than you do about me.’ I go and cower in my basket in the corridor.  I liked the other master better.  This one is not good. 

 

 

‘Oh, Tabby, who’s mummy’s clever girl then?’ The mistress coos when she comes to find me, waving Mr Mouse above my head.  I jump up on my hind legs to try and catch Mr Mouse, but she pulls him out of my reach.  The master is sat playing vigorously with his X-Box and shouts at her to shut up. 

‘Don’t be so nasty!’ She throws Mr Mouse angrily at the master so I give chase, but it lands on master’s lap, ruining his game.  He gets mad and throws a cup at me, but it misses and breaks on the wooden floor.  I run and hide, listening as mistress and master argue hotly.  I no longer like this place. 

 

‘My little sweet,’ my mistress tickles my stomach and I am purring in delight with my eyes half-closed. 

‘What is it with you and that cat?’ Sneers master from the corner of the room.  ‘it’s not a baby, you barren old cow!’ 

‘Well, it’s my baby!’ Mistress cries.  I get up quickly and rub against her legs, feeling her hot tears falling on me.  I hate the master even more today. 

 

The days pass and their arguments increase.  It’s having a real effect on my wellbeing and my fur is falling out as a result.  During these dark times, my love grows even more for mistress.  I look beyond the horrible cat food she always buys for me, the regular trips to the vets and the negative atmosphere I am having to live in, knowing that I am surviving because she’s the kindest and most loving human soul I’ve ever known.  I will try my hardest to protect her now that she’s started limping and her face is regularly swollen since the arguments with master have worsened. 

 

‘John, please don’t!’ Mistress shouts after the master made a grab for me because I had peed on the bathroom floor, yet again.  I avoid his grasping hands and run to hide under their bed. 

‘I’m going to kill that bloody cat,’ he shouts as he comes looking for me.  I can see mistress trying to pull him back, but he slaps her and she starts crying.  His hands try to grab for me as I hiss at his angry face.  He finally pulls me out by the tail as mistress sinks her teeth into his shoulder. 

‘You bitch,’ he throws me at the wall and I return under the bed.  I watch him wrestle mistress to the top of the stairs, grabbing her neck as she helplessly gasps for air.   

 ‘Enough is enough,’ I meow.  I was going to stand up to this bully once and for all, so  I follow them out to the hallway and sink my sharp claws into master’s fleshy bare legs.  He yowls like a wounded cat and stumbles… 

 

The flat is a haven of peace and quiet as mistress strokes my head with her bandaged hand. 

‘Now nothing will ever keep us apart,’ she whispers, as I gaze at master’s empty chair and purr in utter delight.