Read Magic Kitten: A Christmas Surprise for Free Online

Gramps was reading a newspaper and Gran was knitting. She had started a new scarf in pink, brown and yellow stripes.
    There was the sound of voices from the kitchen.
    ‘Hi, Gran. Hi, Gramps,’ Molly said, bending down to put her presents with the others. A sudden thought struck her. Surely there was one missing. ‘Oh, no,’ she gasped. ‘I’ve forgotten to buy one for Flame.’ In all the urgency of gettingFlame away from his enemies, she’d completely forgotten to get him a present.
    ‘What’s that, love?’ Gramps asked, looking up from his paper.
    Molly told him. ‘…and Flame’s going to be the only one without a present to open on Christmas morning,’ she finished glumly.
    ‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ Gran said.
    Molly looked at her in surprise. It sounded like she really meant it. ‘I’ll just have to go to the shops and get one. Maybe Dad will take me. I’ll ask him,’ she said on her way to the door.
    ‘I think it’s too late, dear,’ Gramps said. ‘The shops all close early on Christmas Eve.’
    ‘Oh, yes,’ Molly remembered withdismay. She stopped and turned back round. This was awful. What was she going to do? Flame would have to go without a present.
    Gran looked thoughtful. ‘I’ve got an idea,’ she said, producing the scrap of blue and white sock from her knitting bag. ‘I reckon I could make this into a toy mouse. I’ll only take a few ticks to make some ears and a tail.’

    ‘Do you mean it?’ Molly gaped at her gran. Maybe she did like Flame a little bit, after all. She flew over and gave her a huge hug. ‘That would be perfect! Thanks, Gran. You’re the best!’

Chapter
EIGHT
    Molly felt full of the magic of Christmas as she walked into the cathedral. The ancient walls flickered with the light of countless candles, and footsteps echoed on the stone floor.
    Even though it was long past Molly’s usual bedtime, she didn’t feel a bit tired.
    Flame was in her shoulder bag. And it didn’t matter if everyone could see him.Animals and their owners were all welcome for the special Christmas Eve service.
    ‘Isn’t it gorgeous in here?’ she whispered to him, looking at the candlelight flickering on the stained-glass windows and the big vases of flowers and holly and ivy.

    The church was packed and everyone was in a good mood. There were hot drinks, mince pies and bags of fruit and nuts to nibble. A special band with amazing instruments from all round the world played and dancers performed folk dances. And then the cathedral choir sang and everyone joined in with the carols.
    Molly caught sight of Shona with her parents. She hesitated for a moment and then waved at her. Shona looked surprised and then she waved back, smiling. ‘Happy Christmas!’ she called.
    ‘Happy Christmas!’ Molly replied happily.
    ‘I’ve got my pony. You’ll have to come over and see him. He’s gorgeous,’ Shona said.
    Molly bit back a grin. She was glad they were friends again, but Shona would never change.
    After the service finished, Molly and Flame, her parents and grandparents all trudged home through the snow. A big silver moon shed its light on to the glittering snow crystals underfoot.
    Molly held her bag close to her chest, so that she could stroke Flame without anyone noticing. ‘This has to be the best Christmas Eve ever,’ she whispered to him.
    Just before she went up to bed, Gran pressed a tiny package into her hand. ‘For Flame. I hope he likes it,’ she said.
    Molly threw her arms round her and kissed her cheek. ‘I love you, Gran.’

    Gran’s eyes looked moist and shiny. ‘I love you too, Molly.’
    Molly slipped Flame’s present under the tree before she went up to her bedroom. She felt so excited that she was sure she wouldn’t sleep a wink. She’d just lie there in the dark, waiting for Christmas Day.
    After undressing and cleaning her teeth, Molly slipped into bed. ‘Good night, Flame,’ she whispered, breathing in his sweet kitten smell as she cuddled