Next Door's Cat
By
Arthur Mackeown
Next Door’s Cat
Published by Arthur Mackeown at Smashwords
Copyright © 2011 by Arthur Mackeown
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Next Door’s Cat is a work of fiction. Though some actual towns, cities, and locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author. Any similarities of characters or names used within to any person past, present, or future is coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles or reviews.
" 'Allo?"
“I told you to keep your cat out of my garden."
" An' a Merry Christmas to you, an' all"
"Don't you get clever with me."
"You got yourself a wrong number, Missis."
"That's what you said last time. Well, this time it won't wash."
"Wot are you? Some kind of looney?"
"If I've told you once about that cat of yours peeing in my flower beds, I've told you a thousand times. I'll have the law on you, I will."
"Won't do you no good."
"We'll see about that."
" 'Cos I ain't got no cat."
"Now where have I heard that before?"
"Won't let us 'ave pets."
"Who won't?"
"The 'ome."
"What home?"
" 'The Green Cedars Retirement 'Aven For The Elderly,' tha's wot they call this dump."
"Are you telling me this is a wrong number?"
"I told you before."
"Well, why didn't you just hang up, instead of letting me make a fool of myself?"
"I don't mind, do I? I was ‘oping you'd be me granddaughter. She always says she'll phone at Christmas, only she forgets. You know wot kids is like..."
"Well, I'm really sorry, but…"
"You can phone again some time, if you want. Even if it's about the cat."
"Are you trying to pick me up over the phone? I'll have you know I'm a respectable widow, I am, not some..."
"Why don't you hang up, then?"
"Because you sound a bit like my Bill."
"Well, you don't sound nothin' like my Dorothy, God rest 'er soul."
"That's because my name's Ethel..."
"Mine's Fred."
"Do you like fruit cake...Fred?"
"Only if it ain't got nuts. Me teeth can't 'andle nuts."
"Well, I can always take them out again, I suppose."
****
About the Author
Arthur Mackeown is a 65 year old British ex-pat, at present residing in the Middle East. After working for some years as a not-very-successful artist and sculptor he turned to writing short stories, and has published work in various print and online magazines.
Ebooks by this author:
Gold--a collection of short stories now available for $0.99 on Smashwords and other online distributors.
The following single short stories are now available free of charge on Smashwords and other online distributors.
The Banker of Bread
Treasure
The Deadline