‘Darling cat!’ Leroy let me go and I climbed over to Angie, and wrapped my paws around her neck. I did a whole stream of purr-meows, and licked the tears from her face.
‘Aren’t you going to say it?’ Graham asked, beaming.
‘Say what?’
‘Thank you, Universe,’ he teased.
Angie smiled into his eyes. They looked at each other for a long moment.‘When I can stop crying,’ Angie said, and Graham took THE HANKY from his top pocket and handed it to her. ‘Oh dear … I’ve missed this hanky too … it’s good to see you, Graham … and, yes … thank you, Universe!’
‘Let me have Timba … please, Angie,’ Leroy said, and I went, purring, back to him and touched noses. Leroy had grown taller and stronger. His aura was huge, and he seemed quieter, more grown-up.
‘You’ve had a long drive in the snow,’ Graham said. ‘Will you stay and have lunch? Lisa’s not here, but we can have toast and soup, or something.’
‘OK, thanks. Then we’ll take Timba home,’ Angie said, and no one seemed to notice Vati who was sitting on the rug, watching everyone, his eyes lonely and anxious. He didn’t want me to go. What should I do? I looked at the sunshine now streaming through the window, drying the last drops ofmelted snow.
‘Don’t run away again, Timba,’ said Leroy, as if he’d read my mind. He stroked me thoughtfully. ‘We’ve got to sort your fur out … make you all nice and glossy again.’
A lot of talking went on over lunch, and Vati slept, but I kept awake, listening for clues, and watching the white light from the Spirit Lion who had settled along the back of the sofa where Rick and Leroy sat with trays on their laps. The Spirit Lion was waiting for something to happen, and it did.
Leroy took a mobile phone out of his pocket and showed it to Rick.‘I got a smartphone now,’ he said proudly. ‘Would you like to see my art work?’
‘OK. Yeah … show me,’ said Rick, with not much enthusiasm.
‘It’s awesome,’ said Angie.
Leroy was flicking the screen, his eyes sparkling with excitement.‘I only do lions,’ he said, and began to show Rick his pictures. ‘These are the White Lions of Timbavati in Africa.’
Rick came alive. He stared at the pictures in stunned silence.‘You didn’t do these, did you?’
Leroy nodded.
‘They are … mind-blowing. Brilliant!’ said Rick, and looked intensely at Leroy. ‘So why the White Lions?’
‘They came to save the world,’ Leroy said, and he began to talk fast and passionately. ‘There’s only a few of them left … three hundred in the wild, and some are in zoos. In Africa they believe the White Lions came from the stars … Angie’s reading me the book.’
‘Oh I know about them, Leroy,’ said Rick. ‘I’ve been there…to Timbavati, and seen the White Lions. I went on a volunteer conservation scheme, when I was training to be a vet.’
Leroy stared at him in awe.‘I’m gonna go there when I’m old enough … aren’t I, Angie? I’m gonna help the White Lions change the world.’
‘I don’t know about changing the world,’ said Rick. ‘But it changed my life, going there. I didn’t want to come home. But it’s not easy to raise the money, Leroy, and you need to be a strong person …’
‘I don’t care.’ Leroy looked fierce. ‘I’m a good survivor, aren’t I, Angie?’
‘But these pictures are extraordinary. They’d love them at the Timbavati Centre.’
‘When I’ve got enough,’ said Leroy, ‘Angie’s gonna help me frame them, and I’m gonna have an exhibition and sell them for loadsa money. Then I can buy a plane ticket and go to Timbavati and work with the White Lions.’
‘You’re deadly serious, aren’t you?’ Rick said.
‘Yeah … deadly serious.’ Leroy stared at Rick, and the light of the Spirit Lion was all around him. ‘I don’t want to do nothing else … and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. No one’s gonna stop me.’
His words were electric, and even Graham and Angie were listening to him, spellbound. And Vati’s eyes were dancing all over the place, watching the sparks and the light of the Spirit Lion.
‘I believe you,’ said Rick. ‘You’re an amazing young man. How old are you?’
‘Twelve.’
‘Wow. You are so talented,’ said Rick, ‘and determined. I really believe you’ll do exactly that … and good luck! I shall come to your exhibition, and I’ll be the first to buy one of those incredible lion pictures.’
Leroy beamed.‘Can I have your mobile number, and your email?’ he asked. ‘I’ll add you to my contact list. BUT,’ he added, wagging his finger at Rick, ‘those pictures are gonna be EXPENSIVE.’
My dilemma was solved for me very neatly later that day when Angie picked Vati up for a cuddle.‘Poor little Vati, he’s so thin,’ she said tenderly, and Vati stared at her intently. ‘He’s not himself, Graham. What’s wrong with him?’
Graham sighed and started tapping his fingers on the chair arm.‘I’m afraid Vati has never been the same since Lisa had him de-clawed.’
There was a furious silence, and Angie’s face went crimson.
‘WHAT?’
Vati nearly jumped out of her arms with fright. Immediately she lowered her voice, and calmed him.‘It’s OK, darling,’ she whispered tenderly. ‘Let me see those darling paws.’