Because It's You - English Version

¤ 34 - Return

Nate sighed for the umpteenth time. She had been in the playroom all day and watched the kittens play. Dad would taking her back to Brighton tomorrow, and she felt bad leaving them here. Could she take one, or two, or even all of them home with her?

Nate pulled out her phone to call Dad. She didn't know whether the Sunday Mom meant was that Dad would arrive here on Sunday or he would only leave on Sunday.

"I'm watching a cricket match on television," Dad said from the other end of the phone. "What's going on?"

"When are you leaving? Is it today or tomorrow?" asked Nate.

"Where to?"

"Didn't Mum say you'll come to pick me up?"

"Did you tell Matilda I'll come to pick her up?" Nate heard Dad ask Mum.

"Did I mention it was THIS Sunday?" said Mum. "There are many Sundays. Tell her, stop being such a nag. Just hang up!"

Nate didn't get to reply because the call went dead. She put her phone away in annoyance. Why didn't Mum just send her the money if she didn't intend to ask Dad to come pick Nate up?

Nate went downstairs to meet Frida. She felt bad for asking to return to the UK out of the blue and now she had to postpone it. Frida, who was writing something at the front desk, was happy to hear that Nate had postponed her return.

"You don't need to rush home. I'm willing to employ you here until you're done with your things," said Frida.

What kind of things? Nate had no things here anymore. Frida went to take her folder to the examination room, while Nate sat at the front desk. She turned her head as the front door opened. It was too late to run and hide.

"Hi," Julian greeted her. "Are you busy?"

Nate had the urge to ignore him. But she was on duty, and Julian was her customer. "Not really. How can I help you?"

"What time do you finish work? Can you spare a minute for me?"

"I'm waiting for Dad. I don't have a minute for anything else."

Nate felt bad because Julian went silent. She tried to avoid his eyes by pretending to be busy checking the schedule book in front of her.

"But I want you to check on Muffin for me," Julian said, making Nate look up at him.

"What happened with her?" Nate asked worriedly.

"I don't know. She hasn't been eating and seems restless for the past few days," replied Julian. "You've been the one taking care of her all this time. So, maybe you'll understand her situation better."

Nate immediately looked for Frida to have her leave without Julian needing to persuade her. She immediately followed Julian to his flat in his car. Her mind began to fill with the possibility that Muffin had eaten something wrong, or she accidentally swallowed something, or that she was indeed not feeling well.

When they arrived at Julian's flat, the bluish gray cat was curled up on the carpet. Muffin ran over to her as soon as Nate came in, before she could even take off her shoes.

"Look, she recognised you right away," said Julian.

"What's wrong with you, Muffin? Are you sick somewhere?" Nate picked Muffin up and carried her inside.

Nate tried to give Muffin the wet food she brought from the clinic. She immediately ate it with gusto.

"She's eating well. Is it possible she's stressed from moving to a new place?" Nate mumbled.