Chapter 12. Mischief does a very good thing

Mischief poked his nose through a crack in the side of the blackout curtain that hung down, covering the bedroom window in the little flat that Margot and he shared. It was really really dark and wet tonight. Even with his magnificant mancat eyes wide open, it was black as pitch in the street. There was not a person or creature to be seen. Where was Margot? Daylight had faded into Afterdark several hours ago. She should be home by now.

Just then, he got a glimpse of movement as Margot turned the corner and walked briskly homeward. She looked up at the window just then, and saw his paw peeking out the window. He tapped the window to wave hello and Margot laughed out load. What a smart little mancat he was turning into.

It's just frightful out there, Mr. Mischief, she said as she untied her headscarf, shook it dry, then tucked it inside the arm of her coat before hanging it up on the hook behind the door. You are a very lucky little cat, to live inside where its dry and safe all day. And, because I'm so happy to see you waiting for me, I'm going to let you share my delicius dinner. By now, Margot had picked Mischief up, danced him once around the flat as she snuggled him close to her face, and scritched him on the chin, which it what she always did before she put on her apron and made a little dinner for one person to eat. One person and one cat actually. Tonight it was sardines on toast, and this was definitely one of Mischief's favorite meals. Usually he ate most of the sardines and Margot ate most of the toast.

Just as they were settling down to dinner, there was a knock on her door. Who would that be? Perhaps it was the landlady with the post. She was expecting for a letter from her Jim. "Mrs. MacLeod, are you home" called out a young lad's voice. "Why,that sounds like Billy Todd from Jenny's building." "O dear I hope everything is all right". Margo popped up from her chair and opened the door. "Mrs. MacLeod can you come". It's Jenny down the street. She's asked me to fetch you". "She said perhaps the baby is coming and she doesn't have anyone to keep her company until the midwife gets there." Margo had already whipped off her apron and was buttoning up her coat. She looked at Mischief and said "I think you will come along." "You will be great company for Fiona while I sit with her mother".

The three of them stepped out into the street, Mischief bundled up tightly in Margot's arms, with Margot and Billy huddled under one umbrella. Just then, the air raid sirens started wailing. Oh darn it, not tonight, Margot thought. If Jenny is really in labour, in the middle of an air raid, the midwife won't be able to get to her flat. Margot knew this could be a dangerous situation indeed. What should she do? Quickly she made up her mind. "Billy, you must run to the air raid shelter, its not safe for you to be out here." "Tell Mrs. Cole, the midwife, to come to 120 Falstead Rd., straight away, when the all-clear is sounded." "If Jenny can walk, I'll bring her and Fiona along shortly." "Lets cross our fingers that this air raid will be over quickly." "Off you go,Billy your mother will be frightfully worried about you." Billy turned and trotted away towards the shelter at the top of Pelham Street and Margot and Mischief continued rapidly towards Jenny's flat.

"Oh Margot, I'm so glad you're here". "I was dreadfully worried when I heard the sirens". "Do you think we're in for a long night?". Margo hugged her friend and said, "don't you worry about those bombs, Jenny. haven't we been hearing the sirens almost every night for 2 weeks now? We'll be just fine." I've brought Mischief along to amuse Fiona, while we get you sorted". Mischief chose that moment to disentangle himself from Margot's arms and dropped to the floor where he made a dash for the kitchen. Fiona was just finishing her tea and there was likely to be a few crumbs for him. "Hello my kitty" she crowed, when she saw him. Mischief and Fiona were fast friends by now. Margot and he usually visited wih Jenny once a week, so Mischief made no fuss when Fiona scooped him up and hugged him, quite tightly, around the middle as she made her way out to the front room, where Margot and Jenny were talking.

"Are you still having pains? " Margot asked. "Yes, I am, but they're still quite far apart and not regular at all." "The midwife told me this could happen in the last couple weeks before the baby arrives." "She said they will not likely amount to much, but to send for her anyway if I'm worried." "Do you suppose I should?" "I really didn't want to get Mrs. Cole out on such a night, if there is no need." All of this came tumbling out of Jenny's mouth in a rush. "I told Billy Todd to send her over after the all clear is sounded." "Mrs. Cole is quite used to coming out in all kinds of weather. You known babies don't always wait for nice spring evenings to arrive", Margot replied. Margot was watching her friend closely, and thought to herself, "Hmm, I hope Mrs. Cole does get here soon, because I don't know the first thing about bringing babies into the world."

I don't think you can walk to the shelter, so we must all get into the cellar quickly, Margot decided. She pointed Jenny towards the stairs, while she turned 'round to pick Fiona up. Where had she disappeard to with Mischief? She was sitting on the sofa with him a few seconds ago. "Fiona, where have you gone?" she called. No answer. Then, it happened. Margot never even heard the bomb falling towards them. While she watched in horror, a great huge force sucked the air right out of the flat, then, whoosh, blew it back in again with a tremendous roar. The walls and ceiling in the litle flat shuddered and started to shift, chunks of ceiling plaster broke away and fell crashing to the floor, the glass in the front window blew out of its frame, throwing shards across the room, while other slivers fell to the floor leaving razor sharp edges poking up through the floorboards. Thundering crashing, banging sound could be heard throughout the flat as the chimney bricks scattered across the roof top and into the flat through the immense hole that suddenly appeared in the ceiling. While it seemed like it may never end, it was actually all over in just a few moments. Margo shook her head and watched in disbelief, as glass and plaster dust flew from her hair. What had happened? It took several moments for her to realize that a bomb had fallen, perhaps very closeby. She cautiously stood up, then stumbled a bit as she tried to get her bearings back. Where was she? She knew she was at Jenny's flat but where exactly she couldn't tell. And, where was everyone else? It was dark as night inside what was left of the flat and nothing was where it should be. She had to find her way over to the stairs and see if Jenny and Fiona were all right. She could hear Jenny calling. "Margot, Fiona, where are you?" "I'm down here, just inside the cellar doorway". "Are you all right? "

"Take deep breaths and stay right there," Margot responded. "The ARP Wardens will be along shortly, I'm sure, to help us climb out of this rubble." "Promise me you won't move an inch until they get here, in case you're hurt somewhere." "All right" Jenny responded. "Is Fiona okay?" Margot spun around in the dark. "Where was Fiona?" She was so little, perhaps she was covered in debris and couldn't move. Well, Margot would just have to find her and quickly. And she certainly could not let Jenny know that her little girl was perhaps buried under the debris from the bomb. "Fiona is just fine," Margot answered, saying a silent prayer that this was true. "She and Mischief are tucked up right here beside me."

Frantically Margot began digging through the debris heaped on the floor of the flat between her and the kitchen. It was impossible to move. There was glass everywhere and everytime she moved, she dislodged more plaster dust and debris. "Fiona, where are you?" whispered Margot. And, what about Mischief? Was he all right? Of course no one responded. All of a sudden, she heard voices. "Lord almighty boys, lookat this, it looks like the roof of the bakery landed right here on top of 120 Falstead". "Gracious, what a mess. Is there anyone inside? "Margot tried to call out to them through a throat full of plaster dust, "Yes", she croaked "we're in here. Please you have to help us."

"RightyO Missy, you stay put, we'll get some lads in there with shovels and put you back to rights as soon as possible." "The flat is pretty much a wreck. You're a very lucky bunch. You might all have been killed." "How many are you?" "Well, there's me, my friend Jenny, her little girl Fiona, and my cat, Mischief, in here somewhere." But please don't worry about me. First we have to find Fiona, she's so little, she might be hurt, and Jenny, well, she's safe in the cellar, but now she's stuck down there, and she might be going to have a baby today."

Without another word, one of the ARP Wardens started across the room for the basement to deal with Jenny, while the others started moving upended furniture, and debris, looking for Fiona. Margot, well she just sort of sat down on a chair, that somehow miraculosly was exactly in the same place it was, just before the blast.

While she was sitting there, very still, she heard a very small sound. It was coming from the kitchen, or where the kitchen should be, "Mommee", it sobbed, "its very dark in here. Me and Mischief we're very very frightened." "Will you please come for us soon?" Margot jumped up, "Where are you Fiona? Keep talking, we'll find you." "Praise Heaven", Margot thought, she's alive. " I doesn't know where we are", Fiona sobbed, "It doesn't look like home in here at all." Then, "Oh no, Mischief, don't leave me here all alone" Fiona's sobbing was rapidly turning into a wail. "Its so dark, I need you to stay with me." Then, to Margot's surprise, she saw something, pushing its way through an impossibly small space very close to the floor. It was Mischief. Somehow, he had found a way out through the rubble that was barely big enough for a mouse to squeeze through let alone a plump well fed mancat. They're in here, Margot called frantically, "I think I've found them." "See, just there, where my cat squeezed out". "Fiona's under there" Margot gestured to a spot at the very bottom of a huge pile of broken plaster and bricks. The ARP Wardens looked at each other, then the pile. "Okay lads, this is going to be very difficult". "We have to find a way to move all this rubble, without shifting the balance" "there's a little girl stuck under there".

By this time, Mischief had jumped up on Margot's lap. He turned around twice, then bumped his head against hers to get her attention. He placed his front paws gently on her shoulders and looked quietly in her eyes for several moments. What on Earth? Margot knew he was telling her something very important. She sensed he was saying. "I know you want me to stay here with you, because its safer here, but I've got a job to do." "I have to go back into that crawl space and stay with Fiona and help her to be brave, while we wait for the ARP Wardens to rescue her. " "Don't worry too much. We'll both be here with you very soon." Then, without any further ado, Mischief jumped off Margot's lap and squeezed back into the very spot he had just come out of. He made his way very carefully, very quietly, back into the pile of rubble, where he found Fiona's little hand, licked it gently, then curled up into a ball right beneath her chin. Fiona, who had been whimpering since Mischief left, hiccuped just once, then drifted off to sleep with him purring steadily into her ear.

Chapter 11 Sorrow and Sadness, Joy and Gladness

Penchance was restless. She prowled along the top of the dry stone fence encircling the colony, hoping her senses would tell her what action, if any, needed to be taken. She knew that her colony was well taken care of and God willing, they would enjoy a safe, healthy summer season. The fields were once again full of plump juicy mice, the forest teemed with tasty creatures for her family to eat, and many new kittens had joined the colony that spring. She knew that Whiteflower Field was well fortified against any unfriendly intruders who might come this way. So what on earth was happening to her, that she couldn't settle down on a flat stone ledge and enjoy the warmth from the sun. Her prowling had turned into pacing by now. Something was going to happen here and she needed to know what it was.

In the early afternoon sky, she could hear the constant drone of aircraft. Loud and menacing, these planes drew closer overhead. The sounds they were making today seemed to fill the air with rage and hate. Penchance suddenly stopped moving and looked upward. This was where the danger was coming from. From the sky, from those airplanes. There was going to be terrible bloodshed here, in Whiteflower Field, very soon. She must somehow sound the alarm. In one glance, she could see a family of young kittens playing in the crevices in the fence, their mother watching them through sleep slanted eyes while the perimeter guards enjoying this opportunity to groom themselves in the sunlight.

Penchance opened her mouth and cried out "seek shelter now". Too late, the air around Whiteflower Field filled, then overflowed with a terrifying moaning whistle that rapidly turned into a tortured scream as the bombs hurtled out of the sky towards them. Many of the cats were frozen with fear, only their eyes staring around frantically, trying to will themselves to move towards the safety of the church ruins. Others immediately arched their backs, bared their teeth and stood ready to fight this unknown danger.

It was of course too late for any of them to reach safety. A huge "stick" bomb exploded just inside the church yard. Its force rocketed many of the cats back into the stone fence, killing several of them instantly. The force of the blast picked up huge marble tombstones and tossed them around like twigs, tearing up huge holes in the graveyard where they landed. One section of the fence was crushed and crumpled into gravel, destroying many homes. All the kittens playing there simply disappeared, never to be seen again.


Penchance knew nothing of this. She was picked up by the blast and thrown across the churchyard. Landing with a bone crunching thump against the steps of the church ruin, she lay silent and still.

Much to her surprise, Penchance found herself far away from the carnage at the Colony. She realized she was walking through a peaceful meadow, in a place where she had never been before. A family of kittens pranced and played beside her, chasing butterflies and tumbling over themselves, full of joy and excitement in this beautiful place. In the distance she could see a bridge, spanning a sparkling stream. She found herself being drawn to that place. The kittens scampered ahead of her, tripping happily over the bridge, where their mother stood waiting for them, sadness glittering in her eyes.

To Penchance's continued amazement, her parents stood silently on the other side of the bridge, watching her approach. As Penchance placed her front paw on the bridge, her father spoke,saying "You need not cross today my princess, your destiny is not yet decided. One day, nature will lead you back here, but today the choice is yours. You may return to your family in Whiteflower Field and help those who can be saved, and tell those who cannot, of this place, where we wait for them, with and joy in our hearts to see them again". "This is the Bridge, which all beasts know they must cross one day." "If you return, tell those whose path leads them here, that peace and all good things wait for them, that all pain and suffering will be extinguished and they will have all their dreams fulfilled."

Penchance stood silently, gazing at her parents, seeing the kittens she had taken with her to the bridge re-united with their mother, knowing that it was her choice, if she put her other paw down on the bridge, she could cross, and she would be greeted with love and understanding. But if she turned away, she must go back.

O how she wanted to stay here, to curl up beside her mother, content in the encircling warmth of her mother's body. To pounce, like she had as a child, onto her father's back, and play hide and seek in the safety of her family's den. The decision was hers to make. Penchance stood still for another moment, then lifted the other paw....

Chapter 10 - Mayhem's War Begins

Mayhem was unsettled. There was something unusual going on, he could feel it. Fred and all the other fighter pilots were sitting in their quarters, occasionally getting up to stare moodily out the window or put the teapot on, but mostly they were just talking quietly together or writing letters home.

Then the door opened and the Seargent Major was saying. "Okay men, its wheels up for us, Get your kits together, we're next". Let's show those Jerry's who is in charge". Mayhem felt the fur on his neck bristle,then stand up. His instincts were telling him "protect your family". So, when Fred hunkered down to give him a goodbye belly rub, like he always did before leaving on a mission, Mayhem jumped onto his lap and attempted to crawl inside his jacket just like when he was little.

Fred had never, not even once, considered bringing Mayhem along on a mission, but tonight was different, this was not a regular milk-run. The enemy had bombed London last night and there had been serious casulties there. Tonight the 401's orders were to drop their bombs on Berlin. They were going to be the first squadron across the channel and they knew they would be taking heavy fire.

Fred knew he would get into serious trouble from the Sergent Major if he ever found out Mayhem had come along...but if he didn't find out, this would be the best story ever to tell the lads about when he got home. "Okay Mayhem, its going to be a really tight fit, but..in you go"...Fred opened his jacket. Mayhem squirmed inside and settled down. Fred, along with the rest of the 401 fighter squadron, ran out to his airplane and climbed in while the flight mechanics finished the final safety checks.

"Okay Mayhem, here we go", Fred laughed, "I bet you are the first cat ever to fly across the English Channel in a Hawker Hurricane". The aircraft started to rumble, then roar, as it made its way down the grassy runway. Mayhem shivered, partly from fear, but mostly from excitement. Then the aircraft was practically jumping off the runway, into the air. Minutes later, Fred was saying, "okay Mayhem, we're in the air, if you don't squirm too much, you can come out and take a look at the world from up here". Mayhem's nose popped out of Fred's jacket, then the rest of him. He stood up in Fred's lap and looked out the window. Where on earth was he...opps he obviously wasn't on earth. Everything was black - and very noisy and cold - Suddenly, the roaring sound of the aircraft seemed to double. Fred looked out his window and waved. The RAF planes were flying in formation as they started out across the English Channel and his buddy Stu had just dropped in on his left wing to take his position.

"Okay Mayhem, you need to settle down for a while. I have some serious business to attend to here." Fred wrangled Mayhem back inside his jacket. They had left the channel behind now and were flying over France towards Berlin. Fred was on guard, he knew German fighter planes could and would often appear out of nowhere. Fred wanted to get this mission accomplished and get home. This was his last flight before he left on a 3 day leave. He missed Margot and was really really eager to get home for a few days

Fred found his target, and dropped all eight rockets. Then with the rest of the squadron, he turned back towards the channel and home. Suddenly, to his left and just above him, he heard a burst of enemy gunfire. It was away too close. The figher had targeted his rear rudder. Immediately Fred tried an evasive maneuvre but it was too late. He heard the sickening thwack as enemy gunfire found his rudder. Fred twisted around to look at the damage and to his horror, realized it was totally destroyed.

Where was he? He was going to have to try to land the aircraft and very soon. He looked out the window one more time, to see his buddy Stu's aircraft settling in beside him. Fred smiled quietly when he saw Stu's sad salute, then returned his salute and motioned him to be on his way back. He knew that Stu would get a message to Margot on his behalf.

Now back to business at hand. Would he be able to get this aircraft down. How long would he have before someone realized an allied aircraft was coming down behind enemy lines. Would he be able to survive the landing and make it away safely from the crash site. And, what about Mayhem...

Chapter 9: A lesson for Bella

This is absolutely ridiculous, grumbled Bella as she crouched motionless in the long grass near the edge of the north pathway leading out of the colony, I've been crunched into this position for hours - or at least it feels like hours. George the old scout was in charge of training the females for this mission. He knew the females Bella had chosen would be excellent members of his team, but first they had to learn about staying still and silent for long periods of time. They were going to be in very dangerous situations on the journey to the city and back and their ability to remain unnoticed by humans, or other wild creatures could save their lives.

Lavender had directed him to be very tough on the four females, because the time for training was running out. The teams were leaving the colony when the moon was in its third quarter, less than 3 nights from now. The darkness of a nearly moonless night would make their first journey into the city safer. Lavender and George knew they had many enemies in the night darkness, searching for prey, and they did not want to lose any one through carelessness to an owl or a hawk.

Bella flicked her the tip of her tail in annoyance, and thump, out of nowhere pounced Rudy. He landed with his full weight on her head and shoulders and before she could even squeak, he had pinned her paws and bit down - quite forcefully, this time - on her neck. "You're dead - again" he growled. This is the 3rd time I've caught you moving today! Bella, we're not just playing here... if you move, even one tiny flicker, after George gives the order to be still - you may never come home to the colony again. The danger you face is real. You cannot be careless or you put us all in jeopardy.

"Let's take a short break" called George, seeing Lavender striding toward them. The cats uncurled themselves from their hiding places and stretched themselves out. Whew, that feels so good, thought Bella as she leaned deeply into a stretch, then arched her back prettily before stretching out her back one more time.

Hello father, she murmered as he walked past her. Greetings Bella my princess, are you making me proud? Lavender growled. Bella hung her head for a moment, then looked up into the kind eyes of her father and realized he was not angry with her. This is the hardest work the colony will ever ask you to do, my child, he said, fear not, I'm proud of you already. You will do fine. But, you must learn patience, the other females are watching you. With that, he continued on his way to where George was waiting. He had news that must be shared.

We cannot wait any longer, we must leave at dusking tonight. Our scouts,have returned, bringing news of homeless, starving cats in Nottingham. We must try to rescue them. I've asked George to select two teams made of 1 male guard/scout and two females. Take heed of what he says, then make yourselves ready for the journey. The rest of your training must take place as you travel.

Bella looked at the other recruits, and then at the guard/scouts. The seriousness of the mission struck her like a stone. Would the others trust her as a team member? or would they remember her petulence during the training? In that moment she vowed she would not let anyone down. She would do her part to keep her team safe.

Rudy, you will take Fernfrost and Winona and leave by the north pathway at dusking, just 5 hours from now. Gabriel, you will leave with Bella and Greymist from the secret pathway, two hours later when full darkness is upon us. Lavender and I will follow at dawning tomorrow. Go now, eat and rest, an for no reason do not be late returning. With this, George turned away from the recruits and strode out of the training field, towards his den.


Bella stood up, stretched out to her full length in one lithe motion, then jumped gracefully onto the broken fence to make her way back to the ruins of the church. Thank the Queen's Memories, she purred to herself, at least that obnoxious Rudy won't be hovering about, watching my every move, waiting for me to make a mistake, so he can chastise me. Bella was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn't even even notice Rudy's amber eyes watching her leave,with something that looked almost like disapointment.

Chapter 8 - Mayhem gets a job.

Mayhem was quite content. For the first few weeks on the base he stayed very close to Fred, spending most of his days tucked safely inside Fred's uniform jacket, sharing bites of his food, staying warn and safe. But....

Fred knew he couldn't continue to hide Mayhem very much longer. He was growing at an extraordinary rate, perhaps because of the teaspoon of condensed milk he got for a treat every evening - but probably due to the huge population of mice in and near the barracks...which was falling rapidly due to Mayhem's prowess as a mouser. In fact, this skill was what finally allowed Mayhem to move freely about the barracks .

Exeter was quickly becoming a major airforce base in England's war effort and its airfield was being rebuilt and enlarged to house more RAF divisions and their aircraft and troops. When the fields were torn up to be turned into landing strips, the mice living in the grass were forced to search for new homes. Many of them retreated to the warmth of the barracks. Fred soon realized that his quarters had significantly fewer mice problems because Mayhem was working diligently to capture and eat every mouse that foolishly came near.

Finally, one morning Fred approached his squadron leader. "Sir", he said, "the lads in the RCAF quarters are finding evidence of mice in their footlockers and in the cupboards." "I have a suggestion that might solve the problem." What's that? asked the leader "Well, sir", Fred started, "I think we need a cat in the barracks". "It's unusal, but I'd like to give it a try. What do you say?""I say, lets do it" responded the Squadron Leader. I think it just might work. If it does, I'll bring the idea to the Base Commander for the other divisions to try.

Where will you get a cat? he quieried. Fred smiled sheepishly, then reached into his jacket and brought out Mayhem. "I've actually had him for a little while now and he's no trouble at all. " "Well, I'll be damned," laughed the squadron leader. All right young man, you may keep this cat in your barracks, but mind you, I'll be checking to make sure he's doing his job. And, if it doesn't work out, he'll have to go. Do you understand? "Yes sir" agreed Fred.

Mayhem quickly became a favorite with the soldiers in Fred's barracks. Many of the young pilots were farm boys and were used to having cats and dogs in the barns at home in Canada. Mayhem's presence made the barracks less utilitarian and much more homelike in their eyes.

Mayhem took his role very seriously and quickly became an indomitable mouser and a great friend to all the young men. But he was definitely Fred's cat first and foremost. He seemed to understand how dangerous Fred's missions were and whenever he left, Mayhem would curl up on his bunk and wait quietly for him to return . He had a 6th sense, or he could hear the drone of the aircraft returning long before anyone else could, so every time Fred arrived back to the barracks after a mission, Mayhem would be waiting at the doorway to present him with a delicious freshly caught mouse. Naturally the men noticed this quite quickly and Mayhem's ability to predict a safe return of the bomber squadrons became a source of great pride to them and Fred. Mayhem was becoming quite a celebrity on the airbase.