“What do you think of her?” Teaser asked her friend Phantom. They all looked at Angel who was sticking close to Munk.

“Too up on herself.” Presto said. “Just because she found out when Macavity was attacking!”

“But it could have been really bad if she hadn’t told us.” Teaser pointed out.

“She’s really sweet.” Phantom told them. “But some of the adults don’t like her.” “They wouldn’t dare do anything to her because Munk would go mad.” Presto sighed. “And Deuteronomy.” “And we don’t want Deut mad!” Phantom giggled.

Munk raced up to them. “Has anyone seen a henchman around? Someone’s seen one around.”

“Who? Your Angel?” Teaser teased Munk. Munk growled.

“No Jerrie and Rumple. They were unusually serious, but if they’re playing us up again I’ll skin them both.”

“Not seen anything.” Phantom told him and Presto nodded in agreement.

“Stay around the junkyard until we find out if he’s gone.” Munk ordered and raced off. “And if you see Tugger with his new football ignore him or he’ll be playing with you until midnight.”

Angel looked round. She was still a bit scared of the older cats, which had attacked her. She didn’t think they’d do anything, not while Munk loved her. She smiled and cleaned her whiskers. She and Munk had the same markings and everything. Made for each other. She smiled.

“Hello.” Teaser came up.

“Hi.” Angel smiled at Teaser who sat down next to her.

“Me, Phantom and Presto were going to go and catch some mice. Do you want to come?” Angel looked at Teaser and smiled.

“I’d love to.” “Let’s go.” Teaser bowled Angel over and they raced over to the others.

“Should we be going this far?” Angel asked nervously. “I was told that someone had seen a henchman.”

“Jerrie and Rumple?” Phantom laughed. “They’re the biggest jokers in this place!”

“Are you sure they weren’t serious?”

“Sure.” Teaser laughed. “Munk has to take it seriously because if it turned out to be true he’d be in big trouble.”

“Ok.” Angel relaxed.

Angel dived at a mouse and smiled as the others clapped her. “This is great.” She proclaimed. “I love Munk but we’ve never done anything like this.” Presto went red.

“I heard one of the adults say you were too young for Munk.” Angel shrugged.

“I don’t care. I love him.” She went red and accidentally lost the mouse she’d captured.

“Hello kittens.” They all looked up. It was Carbucketty obviously dressed in a henchman outfit.

“Pretend to be scared.” Muttered Teaser.

“Argg!” Screamed Angel. “Help.” Phantom smothered a laugh.

“Henchman!” Teaser ran away and the others followed.

“Did you see him?” Teaser laughed. “He thought we were serious.”

“This way.” Presto led them round a bend then they all hit behind a rock. They heard Carbucketty go past them.

“Right.” Teaser smiled. “We can go home!”

They set off back. “Err. Can anyone else hear something?” Phantom asked.

“Yes.” Teaser whispered. “Someone’s behind us.” Angel whimpered.

“What shall we do?”

“RUN!” Screamed Presto as they all heard someone coming through the bushes.

All four of them set off at a flat out sprint. Teaser was at the front. Angel was last.

“Angel!” Yelled Phantom. “Hurry.” Suddenly Angel fell over. Teaser spun round and looked. There was something going on.

“We’ve got to help her.” Angel suddenly appeared.

“It’s no henchman. That’s Munk.” Munk leaped up. Slightly muddy but smiling.

“Kittens!” He exclaimed. “I’ve been trailing you thinking you were henchmen then I smelt Angel and decided to have some fun.”

“I didn’t know you had a sense of humour!” Presto gasped.

“Neither did I.” Munk strolled along next to Angel.

“We were laughing at Carbucketty earlier.” Presto smiled.

“Poor guy.” Munk agreed. “Cat flu really knocks you weak kittens out for a few days. Why were you laughing at him? Don’t any of you catch it!”

“No.” Phantom said. “He was dressed up as a henchman.” Munk stared.

“Oh no.” He groaned. “You four, go back to the yard. Which way did he go? That wouldn’t be Carbucketty. That’s Macavity doing a shape change.

Everyone was called for a meeting. Munk leaped onto the tyre. “Basically Mac’s getting to know who’s ill or not around.” He said.

“Deuteronomy and I have discussed it and the only way he’d know would be if an insider had told him. We think there’s a traitor here.”

“That’s obvious.” One of the older queens snapped. “And it’s probably someone who’s just arrived.” Munk debated with this for a moment.

“Maybe.” He shrugged.

“So Angel.” The queen turned to Angel who looked innocently at her. “How did you know that Macavity was attacking?” There was a horrified silence.

“Well?” Someone else said. Angel looked at Munk for protection. To her shock he narrowed his eyes.

“Angel?”

“I overheard him.” Angel shivered. “I was hiding in a bush and he was looking for me. I heard him say that he was going to attack. I felt I had to come to warn you, but now I almost wish I hadn’t. And I hate you!” She glared at Munk, burst into tears and fled into their lair.

Munk lay on the tyre and looked at the stars. Not Angel. He prayed. Please, she cannot be in league with Mac. Another voice seemed to whisper in his mind. You hope not, but she could be. She’s in the ideal place. Think of all the plans she could pick up from you. You’ve got the rest of the tribe to think about. Munk, you can’t let them down. Munk got up and went into his lair to see Angel who was sitting on her chair and crying.

“Angel.”

“Go away!” Angel told him. “I never want to see you ever again. I’ll leave tomorrow. I could go and join Mac’s gang since you think I belong there.”

“Angel.” Munk begged. “I had to pacify the others.”

“But you weren’t even nice about it!” Angel told him. “You just looked at me as if it was a new idea.”

“I’d never even thought about it!” Munk begged. “Come to bed and we can talk about it.”

“I’m not sleeping in there with you.” Angel stormed out into the night.

Munk waited for Angel to come back. He looked at the clock. She’d been gone for over three hours. “Angel?” He went outside. “Angel. Where are you?” There was no reply. As the dawn rose Munk was still hunting. He’d been into every bush and every hiding place. She couldn’t find her scent anywhere. He sat down on the tyre and kicked Tugger’s football off the tyre.

“Angel!” Munk raced up to her and stood in front of her. “Where have you been? I was hunting for you all of last night.”

“Oh.” Angel swept past him and linked paws with Teaser Kitten who had just come up to her. Munk stared after her. He grabbed a flower and ran in front of Angel again.

“I’m sorry. Please. I love you.” Angel took the flower, snapped it and dropped it on the ground.

“Well?” Munk stepped back. Did she really not love him anymore? He turned and fled.

There was a meeting later and all the cats were sitting by the tyre. Suddenly there was an outcry. Mac had appeared over the fence. Munk flew forward and snarled.

“I’ve only come for what’s mine.” Mac sneered.

“Which is?” Munk sneered.

“Angel.” Mac said. Munk stared.

“No.” He shook his head.

“Yeah.” Mac nodded. “She’s my spy. I thought you’d worked that one out. I could repeat every single thing she said to you last night.” Munk staggered. Everyone had moved away from Angel who stood looking terrified.

“I’m not.” She gasped.

“Why do you think I wanted to kill you at first?” Mac asked. He looked at the Jellicles. “I’m her father!”

“You’re not!” Angel screamed at him. “My father was Buskin from the farm.”

“Whatever you want to believe my dear.” Mac grabbed her.

“No.” Angel bit him and scratched but he twisted her ear until she squealed. “I’m not going with you.”

“Guards!” Mac called and three guards dragged Angel off.

“Have fun.” He told them before vanishing. Munk was curled into a tight ball by the tyre. All the cats had ignored him. It was my fault for bringing Angel into the yard, he admitted to himself.

Angel sat in a miserable heap where Mac had left her. Suddenly everything had been turned on its head. I’m not Mac’s daughter. She suddenly looked around. Where was Mac? She fled! She raced through the town. A car sent her flying into a ditch and she stayed there for the night, cold, wet and miserable. Why did Mac leave me? She wondered. Why didn’t he just kill me then and there? She shivered again as a human walked past.

Munk stood up again as Mac strolled into the yard. Everyone was sitting on the tyre having a meeting.

“What?” Munk spat.

“Just coming to say hi.” Mac said. “I’ve disposed of your pretty little queen.”

“She’s not mine.” Munk shook his head. “She’s a traitor.”

“You’re as blind as the day you were born.” Mac sneered at Munk.

“Why?” Munk laughed. “Because I don’t trust you an inch?”

“Then why did you trust me when I told you that your queen was my spy and my daughter? She’s neither. I’m just telling you so I can laugh at your face when you suddenly realise that you’ve lost your beautiful queen forever!” Munk stepped back.

“No.” He shook his head. “You’re lying.”

“For once in my life I’m telling you the truth. I’ve got you back Munk for all the times you’ve had a go at me, and I’ve got your pretty girlfriend back for destroying my plans.” Munk pulled himself together.

“How did you know that Carbucketty was ill then?” Munk asked.

“Here’s a hint. Take a very close look at Tugger’s new football…” Mac vanished.

Munk flew up to Tugger and grabbed the red football. He drove his claws into it and burst it.

“Hey!” Tugger began then stopped. A small metal thing was inside it. A voice came out of it.

“And I thought you’d discover this weeks ago.” Mac laughed. Munk sat down.

“I’ve had my queen killed… I’ve lost her for ever…” Tugger was still staring at the metal thing.

“What is it?” Tugger pawed it.

“It’s a microphone.” Phantom told him. “You can speak into it and listen to other cat’s conversations.”

“Then, Mac could hear everything?” Tugger looked at her.

“Yeah.” Phantom looked at him in horror.

“Even what we were saying to each other the other night?” Tugger’s jaw dropped.

“Yes.” Phantom said bleakly and threw the machine as far away as she could. It smashed into pieces. Munk suddenly raced up the junk and launched off the top of a car. Everyone watched him go.

“Just let him go. He needs to get over her.” Tugger told Phantom as she watched Munk vanish from her view.

“You think she’s dead?” Phantom stared. Tugger shuddered.

“Yeah. Mac’s not one to keep kitten’s for fun and he certainly wouldn’t want an ex queen of Munk’s.”

Phantom sat next to her sister.

“Tugger thinks that Angel’s dead.”

“It seems unlikely that she’s alive.” Teaser looked miserable. “I was just beginning to like her too.”

“Me too. She was great fun when she got away from the older cats.”

“I wish we could find her. Even if it was only…” Teaser motioned. “Or her collar or something. Just for Munk.”

“Yeah. We could go and ask Mac for it.” Phantom’s ears pricked up.

“And have him kill us?” Teaser nodded sarcastically.

“No.” Phantom shook her head. “He wanted to get Munk because Munk’s beaten him so many times and he wanted Angel because she ruined his great attack plan.”

“So he wouldn’t kill innocent kitten’s like us?” Teaser opened her eyes wide.

“I don’t think so.” Phantom and Teaser Kitten looked at each other.

“He’ll kill us.” Teaser flattened herself against the wall.

“Nah.” Phantom really felt just as nervous as her sister. “Not in broad daylight when there are humans wandering around. No one will take any notice of us unless Mac starts a fight.”

“Here he is.” Teaser backed away.

“What?” Mac looked in disgust at the two terrified kittens. “I’ve come like you asked and if this is an attack plan I’ll kill you before you can blink.”

“No.” Phantom’s voice wobbled. “You know the tabby kitten you killed?”

“Mmm.” Mac smiled nastily.

“We… we were wondering if…” Teaser trembled.

“If we could have her… or even just her collar.” Phantom and Teaser said together. Mac suddenly laughed.

“Well, I’ll let you two into a little secret.” They both leaned closer, wanting to know this secret.

“I didn’t kill her. I took her a few miles from the Junkyard and left her. She’s by Miller’s pond. For all I know or care, she’s still there.”

Teaser and Phantom fled. They stopped just outside the junkyard.

“Let’s go and find her!” Teaser said. “We can make Munk the happiest cat alive!”

“But what if she’s dead. She’s been gone a while and there’s no telling that we could ever find her.”

“Shall we try without telling anyone then?” Teaser smiled. “We can have an adventure.”

“Shall we just go for a look around the pond then we can decided what to do?” Phantom suggested.

“Right!” Teaser smiled. They linked paws and set off.

Phantom looked around.

“This is the wrong way.”

“I know. Shall we stay here for the night then go back tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Phantom nodded, happy that Teaser hadn’t wanted to go on. They pushed their way into a bush.

“Can you smell something?” Teaser whispered.

“Yeah.” Phantom nodded. “It’s that way. Let’s go through the bush then across the field to the next bush.”

“Deal.” Teaser smiled and stepped forward. There was a squeal and a small cat or possibly a kitten raced in front of them.

“Go away.” She squealed. “I’ll go! Don’t attack me!”

“Angel!” Phantom and Teaser gasped.

They chased her across the field. They overtook her after a few seconds.

“I’m going!” Angel told them madly. “I promise, you won’t find me here again.”

“Angel.” Teaser said. There was a tiny pause.

“Teaser?” Angel whispered.

“Yeah.” Teaser came up to her but Angel backed further away.

“I’m going. I’m leaving here tomorrow, don’t worry.” Angel explained. “Only I need a rest. I can’t go now.”

“You can come back home.” Phantom soothed.

“No I can’t.” Angel shook her head. “Munk hates me and they’ve all branded me a traitor. I tried to join other tribes but they’re all telling me they don’t want a traitor.”

“Mac’s told us how he found out. Then he told us you were dead or else we would’ve come sooner.” Teaser went up to Angel and hugged her. “You’re safe to come back.”

“Why would I want to?” Angel snapped suddenly. “None of you trusted me so I’m not going back.”

“Where are you going tomorrow?” Teaser Kitten asked.

“To drown myself.” Angel said in an icy cold voice.

Teaser Kitten and Phantom stared at each other.

“You can’t!” Phantom pleaded.

“Why?” Angel turned on them. “I’ve nothing. I’ve not got a home, no family, no one loves me, no once cares…”

“We care.” Phantom said. Angel laughed.

“Oh go home to your precious boyfriends! Think of me occasionally when you’re snuggled up next to them and then think that I’ve been lying in a ditch for over a week.”

“Well, come back and join us.” Phantom asked.

“Yeah.” Teaser Kitten nodded. “We can make you your own den…”

“Why should I?” Angel asked.

“Ok.” Phantom turned her back on Angel and started walking towards the hedge. “I suppose we won’t see you in the Heavyside lair.”

“No.” Angel agreed. “I don’t think you will. I don’t think drowned cats go there.” Teaser Kitten suddenly started sniffing.

“Angel, will you come and live with me?”

“What?” Angel turned.

“I don’t want you to drown.”

“Do you really want me to come back?” Angel asked.

“Yes.” Phantom turned back, tears pouring down her face. “Please Angel. At least show Munk you’re alive. He feels terrible. Could you tell him you forgive him, just to make him feel better?”

“I suppose I could.” Angel hesitated. “And I could always leave after that.”

“Yeah.” Phantom and Teaser Kitten agreed.

“Ok. Let’s go now.” Angel led the way.

Munk went up to Deuteronomy.

“I’m leaving.” Munk told him.

“Why?” Deut asked loftily.

“Because if I can’t be fair to all cats what use am I?”

“I can’t do without you therefore you’re not leaving.” Deut looked at the tabby that looked so scruffy now it was impossible to believe that a week ago he had been one of the most handsome cats in the junkyard.

“You’re going to forbid me from going?” Munk laughed. “I don’t care. I’m leaving anyway.”

“Is it because of Angel?”

“What do you think?” Munk snarled. “I’m leaving. Now! This minute.”

Deut let Munk go. Munk raced up to Tugger’s den.

“Phantom?” Tugger stuck his head out the den.

“No. It’s me.”

“Have you seen Phantom or Teaser Kitten?” Tugger asked Munk. “They’ve both vanished.”

“No.” Munk shook his head. “I’ve just come to say goodbye and thanks.” Tugger looked at Munk.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know.” Munk shrugged. “I’m sure I can find a human to look after me.”

“You’re leaving forever?” Tugger’s eyes became huge. “Munk, please! I need you; you’re my only really good friend here. Everyone else just thinks I’m a flirt.”

“Then make friends with Misto.” Munk looked at Tugger. “Because no one needs me.”

Tugger hesitated.

“Can I walk along the road with you? I need to see if Phantom or Teaser Kitten are there.” Munk shrugged.

“Do what you want. I’m going now though.” Tugger put up a paw.

“Give me one sec.” He vanished inside his den.” When he appeared he threw his old football into Munk’s paws. “Don’t ever forget me.” He begged.

“Soft cat.” Munk sneered with a little shake in his voice.

Phantom looked over the hill. She went back to her friends.

“Let’s wait for a while. There are two tomcats down there. I didn’t dare go closer. I couldn’t smell if they were Jellicles or not. The wind was blowing the wrong way.”

“Yeah.” Angel nodded. “Why don’t we sleep here for the rest of tonight? It’s dry enough.” Teaser Kitten yawned.

“I’m tired enough to sleep anywhere.” They curled up together and slept, unaware that Munk and Tugger were walking along only a hundred meters to their left.

“Phantom!” Tugger called. He climbed up a hill by the junkyard. “Phantom! Where are you?”

“Tugger!” Phantom stood up and went to him. Suddenly Tugger nearly ran away.

“A ghost!” He backed away from a very scruffy Angel who stood up too.

“No.” Phantom laughed at Tugger. “Mac lied. He just dumped Angel, he didn’t kill her.” Tugger paused then suddenly realised that Angel would appear and find Munk gone.

“Oh Heavyside!” He gasped. “No!”

“I told you it was useless.” Angel saw Tugger’s reaction. “He’s got a new mate.”

“No.” Tugger shook his head. “He left about three hours ago. I’m going to catch up with him.”

Tugger ran like he’d never run before. He went through the town, trying to find Munk’s smell. “Munk.” He called, knowing that the human’s would just think he was meowing.

“Here Tabby.” A voice called. Tugger leapt onto a wall. Below him was a little girl trying to stroke Munk who was backing away from her. The little girl was wriggling forward and trying to get Munk to go to her. Tugger leapt so that he landed inches from the girl and spat angrily. The girl ran into the house calling for her Mum.

“What now?” Munk sat up.

“She’s alive!” Tugger panted. “Angel’s alive. She’s waiting at the Junkyard for you.” Munk sat down.

“She’s alive?”

“Yes.” Tugger pushed Munk to the gate. “She’s alive!”

Munk walked slowly down the street.

“Why should I care?” He stopped suddenly.

“Because you can explain to her how Mac fixed us up. You can still have her as your queen!” Tugger told Munk. “You can tell her that you’re sorry and that you love her. Why did she come back if it wasn’t for you?”

“I don’t know.” Munk was still stunned.

“Then let’s go and find out.”

Munk burst into Teaser Kitten’s den where Angel was. She turned and she and Munk stared at each other. The other cats vanished.

“Angel?” Munk looked at the scruffy cat that was now dust coloured.

“Munk?” Angel laughed. Munk was always so perfect, to see him dust coloured was funny.

“Yeah.” Munk nodded. “Listen. I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you. I did. I was just so scared. I thought I’d let everyone down, you included and in a way I have! Angel, I love you and I have to tell you that…” He trailed off as Angel started washing her paws. “Angel?” Angel looked at Munk.

“I think I still love you, but I always thought that you’d do anything for me.”

“I will.” Munk nodded. “Anything you ask, I’ll do it.” Angel smiled.

“Leave the tribe and come with me.” Munk gasped and sat down.

“Why?”

“Ok.” Angel headed for the door.

“I will.” Munk promised. “I just want to know why.”

“Because I’ll never be accepted here.” Angel told him.

That night Angel led the way out of the junkyard. Munk looked behind him. This morning when he’d left he’d been going to try and block out the memory of Angel, now he was going to start a new life with her. They got to the gates and Angel looked at Munk.

“Are you sure you want to come with me?”

“Stop me!” Munk challenged. “I’d die for you!” Angel smiled.

“Ok.” She walked out the gates and suddenly started to laugh and cry at the same time.

“Angel?” Munk asked doubtfully.

“We’re not going anywhere you big fool!” Angel smiled. “I was just making sure you loved me. I was thinking about going, but I can’t take you away from all this!” Munk looked at his beautiful queen.

“Really? Can we go back to bed then?” Angel smiled.

“I’m staying with Teaser Kitten and Phantom.” Munk’s face fell.

“Don’t you want to stay with me any more?”

“Maybe.” Angel smiled. “One day.” She stepped forward and let Munk kiss her.