Not wanting to get up, but finding that hed forgotten to charge his phone, he lay watching his baby sister taking little side steps along the edge of her cot. She hadnt started to walk yet but seeing that she was barely having to hold on to the edges at all, he understood that it wouldnt be long now.
All of a sudden, the words liquorice sticks filtered through his mind, and with them, the weirdest feeling that he and the cat might really have been talking to each other the previous night. Deciding that he was going to have to go and find out once and for all, he got up quietly and crept out into the garden. The cat was stretched out on his favourite patch of sunny grass near the rose climbers.
Alright, Cat, said Arthur, perching himself on the swing.
The cat didnt react.
Hey? he called out. Earth to Cat!
Whaat!? meowed the cat unhappily, making him jump. Cant you see I was sleeping? I was having the greatest dream ever. I was able to fly! And, if you really must know, Id be a lot more all right if breakfast wasnt always those same dreadful, dry biscuits. And now that you bring it up, I need you to have a little word with your mum for me. You know, ask her to come up with something a bit more exciting for a change. What dya say?
So, its really true, then. We can talk! Arthur said, mouth agape.
Oh Lord, didnt we go through all of this last night?
Well, yeah we did, but
But you woke up thinking that maybe youd dreamt it?
Well, actually yeah, but
But, as you can see, you didnt, and yes, we can.
Well, yeah, but
But before he could finish, a screeching sound made them both look towards the porch door. His sisters head had just appeared in the doorway, and she was looking very pleased with herself.
Anna! puffed his mother, seconds later, looking decidedly flustered. You cant run away before breakfasthow far do you think youll get on an empty stomach? Arthur, come and eat, and dont leave the door open to the porch. How many times have I told you?
But, Mama! It wasnt me!
Of course it wasnt. It never is, she said, making a point of stepping outside and looking around.
Ugh! he groaned. But it was pointless to argue. And in any case, what did it matter? He was always in trouble for just about everything that went wrong, especially where it concerned his baby sister. His mother went back inside, closing the door with a bang.
Well, Cat, that settles it, then. We definitely need to go fishing again today.
It took him much longer to finish all his tasks that day. The list had included helping his aunt vacuum the entire cottage, which, whilst not big, was still a pain, especially when you were in a rush not to be there. On top of that, hed also been told to mop the floors in the kitchen, which hed ended up having to do twice because no sooner had he finished the first time, than the dog had traipsed through, leaving muddy paw marks everywhere.
What took you? Ive been waiting ages, meowed the cat, spotting him coming up the path.
Aunty M decided I needed to help her vacuum everything. Come on, lets get out of here before she and mum come up with something else for me to do.
Good idea. But dont think for a moment that your life is harder than mine. I just woke up with ants in my fur!
In all the excitement of discovering that he could talk with the cat, Arthur had quite forgotten about the events of the previous afternoon, and it was only once they climbed up onto the railway path that everything flooding back. Drawing nearer to the spot where the train had stood, two hefty crane engines were now lifting large pieces of tangled metal out of a very large hole.
Cat, look there. Thats where a weird-looking black train was parked last nightYoure not thinking what Im thinking, are you?
Well, not unless you were also thinking that weve just missed the turning for the lake path.
Halt! Thats as far as you! growled a man, suddenly appearing from down the side of the embankment, dressed like a security guard. This section of the line is closed.
Closed? But why? What happened? Arthur asked, seeing that a whole load of trees on either side of the hole had been blown over, and that most of them were blackened and charred.
Nothing happened, the man replied tersely.
Nothing!?
Thats right. And that means that theres nothing here that you need to be concerned about. Now, be on your way before I phone your parents and tell them that youre trespassing and poking your nose into things that dont concern you!
Pretending for a second not to have heard him, Arthur craned his neck to see what else he could see.
Go on! Be off with you, said the guard, noticing the cat by Arthurs feet and becoming more agitated. And take that fleabag with you!
Fleabag, indeed. I bet he has more fleas that I do, grumbled the cat, as they headed back towards the main crossing to the lake.
You know, Cat, I have this really strange feeling that whatever happened here was somehow connected with that white light last night. Only, I still dont get why it made my hands go all weird?
And my tail!
Really? What happened to your tail?
It went all black hole-like. It totally freaked me out. I thought I was about to get sucked into myself or something.
Army, train, white light, a huge hole in the railway line. What do you reckon it could mean?
That its probably time to get the heck out of dodge, while we still can.
Arthur stopped and looked at him.
Whats that supposed to mean?
Beats me. I think I heard it on a cowboy film once.
Really!?
Reaching the road, Arthur found that the barricades from the previous evening had all been removed. The men, too, were gone. The only signs that anything had happened were dozens of scorched patches of ground, all triangular in shape and about the same size.
What do you think could cause burn marks like that? he asked, crouching down to examine one of them.
Giant pizza slices, mused the cat, and jumped out of the way as a twig came hurtling towards him.
Well, whatever they were, theyve all been cleared away, by the looks of it.
Disappointed not to have found anything more and guessing that he probably wasnt going to now, Arthur left the cat stalking something in the hedgerow and headed to the jetty. On the other side of the lake, yesterdays crowd had returned; groups of kids were jumping and shouting near the waters edge, while their parents lay on towels nearby, looking like pink seals.
Damn birds! meowed the cat, catching up to him.
No luck? Arthur asked, casting out his fishing line.
Luck? Depends on what you mean by luck. I wasnt trying to eat them, if thats what you were thinking. Not much into featherstheyre always getting stuck in my teeth. No, if you must know, I was just trying to teach them a lesson.
Really? What kind of lesson?
I dont know, just a lesson What? he meowed, seeing Arthurs puzzled look. Why should there have to be a reason for wanting to teach pesky birds a lesson?
Yeah, but Cat
But before he could finish what he was going to say, the tip of his rod dipped sharply.
Oh my God. Its a monster! he cried, striking hard and feeling a heavy weight suddenly twisting and pulling on the other end.
Speaking of fish, it might come as a surprise to you to know that Im not into fish much, either.
What kind of cat are you?
The roast chicken kind.
Arthur laughed.
You know that theyre birds too though, right?
Not the way I get served them, theyre not.
It must have taken a full ten minutes before Arthur was been able to land it. The fish had weaved left and right, breaking the surface, and thrashing about wildly before diving again, attempting to tangle his line in the reeds. Finally managing to haul it onto the jetty, Arthur watched triumphantly as it flopped around on the weathered wooden boards. By far the biggest ever, in his mind he could already picture the expressions on everyones faces when he brought it home.
So, do I take it that youre planning on keeping it, then? asked the cat.
Too right I am! This ones for the frying pan. Aunty M will have a fit. Shes always laughing because I never catch anything big. Now lets see what shes got to say!
Right you are, then.
Just look at it! Why would you ever think I wouldnt want to keep it.
Oh, no reason, really, purred the cat. Only it seems pretty desperate to try to make a deal with you, thats all.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
A what?! Oh, come onyoure having me on?
Arthur stared at the fish and then at the cat and back at the fish again.
Honestly?
Yep, its true.
What sort of deal? he asked, bewildered. And why cant I hear it?
No idea, but it keeps going on about some kind of box thing. Its quite hard to understand him, actuallyhe has a really strong fishy accent. Apparently, this box fell into the lake last night during the white light, and hundreds of men came looking for it afterwards. If we agree to let him go, hell take us to it.
The white light? You mean the fish saw it, too?
What did I just say?
Well, yeh, but
So, you have to decide and decide quickly because he says that he cant breathe.
Oh right, said Arthur, suddenly feeling terrible. OK, fineI guess. And gently placing the fish back in the water, they watched it floating lifelessly in front of them.
God, you dont think that its?
No idea.
Wellgo on, ask him then!
What, ask him if hes dead?
Yes!
Dont you think thats a strange question to ask someone?
No!
Fine!
Also, why cant I hear you talking to him? Is this why you dont like fish? Because you can speak with them?
Me? No! I dont like them because they taste like mud. And actually, Ive never talked to a fish in my life. Well, at least not until this one started just now.
Cat, theres something really strange going on, isnt there?
Really strange! agreed the cat. And it says it just needs a moment to get its breath back.
Before long, the fish wiggled its fins and began to swim in little circles. Finally turning in their direction, it poked its head out of the water.
He says hes ready. And that the box isnt far. Apparently, well find it under an uneven stone in the middle of some long water grass, which isnt very deep.
What do you reckon? Do you think its really telling the truth?
No idea, but good luck finding it because Im not going down after it.
Arthur grinned. The cat absolutely hated getting his fur wet, and he remembered how hed showered him several times with the garden hose when he was younger.
OK, but you know youre going to have to come with us all the same.
Me? But I just told you: I dont do swimming!
Who said anything about you having to swim? Wait here, Ive got an idea And tell the fish to wait, too!
Leaping down from the jetty, he ran back along the path to where he recalled having recently seen a large piece of discarded Styrofoam. It was still there, and apart from a few chips in it, it looked ideal for the job. Returning with it, the cat stared at him in horror.
No, no, thats no good at all. Ill get seasick for sure.
Its a lake, Cat, not the sea.
Then Ill get lake-sick. Either way, listen to what Im trying to tell you.
Sure Now dont worry, youll be just fine.
Im serious!
Arthur placed the Styrofoam into the water and got in. Pushing down on it to make sure that it would float OK, he distracted the cat, grabbed him, and placed him on top.
Argh! Now look what youve doneall my paws are wet!
Yeh, well, dont worry about that. Just think what a hero youre being. Anyway, Im the one whos going to be doing all the work. All you have to do is sit there.
Said the captain to the rest of the Titanic!
With a fin visible above the surface and keeping to the edge of the reed beds, the fish led them out deeper than Arthur had ever been before. The water, which had been warm near the shore, soon began to feel cold, and discovering that the jetty had disappeared from view, he began to panic.
Cat, how much further? he asked nervously.
Actually, were here already.
Really?
Apparently. And all you need to do is dive down and look under a stone inside the reeds below us.
OK, but that sounds a bit vague. Its going to show me exactly where, right?
Im thinking not.
What! Why?
He said that it wasnt part of the deal.
Of course it was part of the deal! Tell him!
I would but its too late. Hes already gone.
Blast!
Tempted for a moment to just forget it and swim back to the shore as fast as he could, Arthur gazed across the lake at the people swimming.
Come on, you can do this, he mumbled to himself. Its not that deep.
Thats right, champyouve got this, purred the cat. Now, please hurry up before any of those pickle fish decide that I look like a tasty snack.
Pickle fish? I think you mean pike, and I doubt theyd be interested in you.
Maybe, maybe not, but I bet there are plenty of other monsters lurking in here.
Cat, relax, will you?
Glancing into the murky water, and unable to see any further than his waist, Arthur took a deep breath and dove down. Although it was only a few metres, the water pressure made it hard for him to reach the bottom, always pushing him back towards the surface. In the end, he had to make half a dozen attempts before he finally found it.
Ouch! meowed the cat, as Arthur burst out of the water, gasping and tossing something on to the Styrofoam platform.
I found it.
Yeah, you dont say. I swear you just aimed it right at my nose!
No I didnt. Cmon, what do you reckon, then?
I reckon it looks like a piece of junk.
Noooo, Cat, dont say that. The fish seemed to think it was important though, didnt it?
Or did he? Maybe he just said the first thing that came into his little fishy head, to escape a good frying.
OK, but you know he couldve just lied and swam off.
Doesnt mean anything. I have a funny feeling that fish might be tricky, like birds.
Back at the jetty, Arthur hauled himself up and set about examining what hed found. Jet black and about the size of his fist, at first glance, the box had seemed to be exactly thatjust a box. It even occurred to him that perhaps the cat might have been right, after all. But, as he rubbed it clean with the bottom of his T-shirt, a faint edge appeared around the sides of it. Giving the impression of being a lid, there were words written above it.
Hey, this is weird, he said, showing them to the cat. It says, To open what is both known yet unknown, speak this word times three. What do you think that means?
Not a clue, just open it already.
Ive tried, but it wont budge. Look. And holding it so the cat could see, Arthur tried to pull the top off.
My turn, then. Give it here, weedy.
To you?
Well, I dont see anyone else asking.
All right, keep your whiskers on.
Placing the box down, Arthur watched as the cat dexterously held it down with one paw and attempted to cut around the faint line of the lid with the other.
Yow! he hissed, breaking a claw.
See! What did I tell you?
But I was close, I reckon.
Sure, you were, Cat. Come on, this is useless. We need some real tools.
Stuffing the box into his pocket, and gathering his things together, they headed back to the cottage. The big cranes, which had been removing the twisted wreckage from the railway tracks, had gone. Now, with only a few men and machines left to finish up, it was clear it would soon look as though nothing had happened.
See that? he said, without really meaning for it to sound like a question.
Halting by the garden gate, Arthur peered through a crack. Spying that the coast was clear, he slipped through, darting between apple trees, until he reached the tool shed about halfway down the slope. The key, as always, was under the rusting watering can.
Come on, come on! he mumbled, trying to coax the old lock whilst at the same time keeping a wary look out. After a rather unfortunate incident a few years ago when hed almost, accidentally, demolished it, hed been banned from ever entering again. The door swung open with a click.