Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2 If the muffled shouting coming from Larry's office was anything to go by, the poor Ninja Cat boss was getting it in the neck from the Home Secretary. They couldn't make out every single word, although IDIOT, FOOLS and NINCOMPOOP featured heavily. Fluffypaws wasn't holding back and the cats could tell he was enjoying every minute. The door swung open to reveal an angry but triumphant Sir Fluffypaws. He stood for a moment

looking down at Toto and her gang. 'You should count yourselves lucky. If I had my way, you'd all be exiled to Van Felines land, like we did with ne'er-do-wells back in the old days. Perkins!' he screamed to a tiny white Singapura cat in a black suit who looked like he was quite terrified of Fluffypaws. 'Call Claridge's, tell them to book my usual table for lunch. I've worked up quite the appetite and I fancy three courses. REVENGE, JUSTICE AND JUST DESERTS FOR PUDDING! Pah! I say, that was rather good, wasn't it? Sally forth!' He brushed everyone in the corridor aside and stormed out of the building, with poor Perkins following on behind. 'In here. Now.' The cats looked up to see Larry shaking his head at them. They sheepishly shuffled into his office and closed the door behind them. 'Oh no, he's not angry, he's disappointed... that's

the worst, Silver whispered to Toto, who was feeling more and more like she'd badly let Larry down. It might not have been EXACTLY her fault, but it WAS her responsibility. As the only fully fledged Ninja Cat it was down to her to uphold the good name of the order.

'What on earth were you thinking? Actually, don't answer that; you weren't. Do you have any idea of the grief this has caused me? Since the retrieval of the Crown Jewels, Fluffypaws' name has been a laughing stock, which meant the one enemy we had in the animal government had been sidelined. He has even just been demoted to MINISTER FOR HORSE MANURE, and trust me, that's a job no one wants.' Silver and Socks looked at each other and suppressed a laugh. 'Exactly, it should be hilarious!' continued Larry. 'But when you lot all decided to jump out of that window and destroy his boat you gave him ammunition to come after the Ninja Cats again!' 'Sorry, boss,' they answered in unison. 'He wanted to throw the book at you: strip you of your deputy status and even suspend Toto!' The little ninja swallowed hard. To be suspended would be the

worst- she'd prefer to resign than bring shame and embarrassment on the order. Luckily Larry's tone softened. 'The PM wouldn't hear of it, given all the work you've been doing up to now bu—' 'Huzzah, all's well that ends well!' cried Catface, and went to help himself to a drink at Larry's milk cabinet. 'Not so fast! That doesn't mean you're out of the woods, the ninja boss said reproachfully. 'Have any of you heard of GLENVIEW CORRECTIONAL CAMP?' Socks gulped. 'I'm taking it that's not a good gulp,' Silver whispered, and his little brother shook his head. 'Quite right, young Socks,' Larry continued. 'Glenview is a beautiful camp in the wilds of Scotland. Sadly for you four, that's the only thing lovely about it. It's been going for fifty years now, with incredible results. Any animal who's been a bit naughty- you know the kind of thing: BITEY SHEEPDOGS,

SCRATCHY CATS, PARROTS WHO USE NAUGHTY WORDS- gets sent there and after some... err, let's say correctional activities, they come out the other side a model animal. And you four are off there for a week, taking the train from Euston Station first thing tomorrow morning.' Socks and Silver let out a groan, but Catface looked quite chipper about the news. 'Don't groan at me,' their boss chuckled, clearly enjoying their discomfort. 'This is the best I could do. Count yourselves lucky old Fluffypaws isn't better connected!' The cats headed for the door, and Larry went back to studying papers on his desk before adding, 'Did he really blow a gasket when you sank the boat?' 'He was furious.' Catface grinned. 'Terrible news, said Larry, suppressing a smile. 'Toto, can you stay behind for a word?'