A Kitten Called Cat

Chapter Thirty Three - Two Visitors

When I woke up, Terri was sitting next to me on my bed. She was reading some sort of text book and making notes on a pad.

"What ya' doin'?" I asked in a pretend American accent.

"I'm in the first year of a remote study degree," she explained. "But I had to stop when I dashed over to England to be with you. I was thinking about... like... trying to catch up but I've pretty much decided that it's just not on so I'll have to jump back on the course next term."

"I'm sorry!"

"Ain't your fault. Anyway, it means that I can have a bit of a holiday while you're here. I've gotta talk to Nonno tonight but I don't think he'll mind." She thought for a moment. "D'you wanna go swimming?"

"I can't go in the water with my poorly side," I explained. "But please don't let me stop you."

"I can't just abandon you. You're supposed to be my guest."

"No, you got to go!" I insisted. "I'll come and watch."

The swimming pool was absolutely incredible. It was huge and the back wall was made of glass so that it looked as if you were going to be washed away, down the hillside, into the sea! It was set on a terrace that was paved with the same red tiles that they had on the roof and there were all sorts of sun beds and tables and things around it.

I sat with my legs dangling in their little bubbly pool so the bubbles tickled my toes. I could enjoy the wonderful view whilst Terri swam her serious training lengths. It was probably a good thing that I wasn't allowed to swim - next to Terri's elegant crawl, my splashy doggy paddle would have just been embarrassing!

I jumped a bit when Nonno appeared out of the bushes behind us wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks and a pair of sandals with a towel draped over one shoulder. He was surprisingly muscly for such an old man but a bit wrinkly.

"Hello, Small Cat," he said. "Do you not swim?"

"I can't swim until my wound has completely closed," I explained.

When he heard that, his face darkened. "Theresa!" he said. "It is not good that you enjoy to swim when your sister cannot."

I didn't know what the rules were about interrupting Nonno but I knew I had to stand up for my sister. "Excuse me, Nonno. When I told Terri  that I couldn't join her, she didn't want to go but I insisted that she did. I'm enjoying watching her."

"Then it is well, Theresa," he said. "I am happy of your kindness to your sister, Small Cat."

But then his eyes seemed to twinkle as he said, "I hear your walk, this morning, was eventful."

"Oh no!" I said, turning bright red. "Does everybody know about it now?"

"Naturally not. When I ask the guards why they smile, they ask to tell me in private."

"You must thank them for me when you see them."

"Not thank. They are of the family. It is the job and so none will ever know. However I say you..." He said something in Italian and looked to Terri.

"Appreciate their discretion," she translated and he nodded.

He thought for a moment then turned all serious and looked around. "Small cat," he said, "if ever I must send you a message and you must know the words are mine, I say, 'Beware the small crocodiles'. You, also, Theresa. No others will ever know this... excepting your Master, naturally."

"Si, Nonno," Terri and I said together.

He kicked off his sandals, put his phone and towel onto one of the tables and dived smoothly into the pool, cutting through the water like a knife. Then he and Terri had a bit of a race. I didn't quite see who won but it was very close.