We must train hard, says Nero to Sirin and Princess Kitty. We may be called on to help at any moment. Most of these cats on the cruise wouldn’t know what to do if there was danger. We must be prepared for any eventuality.
Both the youngsters stare at him, and then Sirin nods. My guardian is not what he seems. I’d like to be like him. But I can say no more as it is all highly secret. I have worked out some things for myself, but he’s unlikely to tell me about his activities. He only thinks of me as someone he has to look after.’
Nero was astonished to hear this. Lord Nelson looked like any other wealthy cat on board, used to having his every need catered for and prepared to relax and enjoy his privilege. Although he noticed that Nelson hadn’t gravitated to Bruno’s circle of wealthy cat influencers. He kept to himself. And if you caught him looking at you, it was as if he could see right through you, knowing everything you had done or were likely to do.
When he thought more about it, there was something different about that upper-class cat. Nero had seen Nelson almost offhandedly grab hold of a pickpocket as the fellow attempted to relieve one of the older females of the contents of her handbag. Nelson summoned one of the security staff, who carried the thief off to the brig.
‘Yes, let’s do that,’ says Princess Kitty Kiss. ‘We can be the Three Mousecateers. The name has cats in it! But I don’t want to carry a sword around, or a musket, whatever they are.’
‘That’s a great idea,’ say both Nero and Sirin at the same time. Then they all laugh.
‘You don’t have to carry weapons,’ says Nero. ‘We want to help other felines, not wound them.’
So it was settled. They all made a vow, clinking their glasses of milk.
‘I don’t think I will tell my mother right now,’ says Nero. ‘She’ll think I am heading for trouble. She could even forbid me to meet you.’
‘That’s no good!’ says Sirin. I won’t say anything, either.’
‘I’m travelling alone,’ says Princess Kitty. ‘So, I can’t tell anyone in any case. But I’m so pleased to do things with you two. It’s fun!’
The images and videos are generated by AI from the author’s text prompts.
