Snippet 47: Kate Kisses Gabby (The Gabby is a Gentleman Version)

Kate was cooking... again.

Gabby had spent nearly fifty years firmly thinking of her as Purple Cat, but after three weeks in her company he found himself mentally using the name Kate. It wasn't just the cooking, but the way she meekly fetched and carried and rarely volunteered an opinion or suggestion. He stared glumly at his shoes. If Kate had been able to find any boot polish he'd probably have been able to see his face in them.

He'd spent a lot of his time in Malton suggesting she do the cooking and all.

"That smells good," he said, half-heartedly, as he planted his shot-gun by the door. It did too.

She smiled at him. "Almost done," she said.

"Anything I can do to help?" he asked, walking across to the stove.

Force of long habit had him wrapping his arms around her to reach the pan. She didn't slap his hands away with a comment that he should keep them to himself, but instead stood very still for a moment. Then she turned within the circle of his arms and kissed him.

For a minute or two his mind raced in a circle that mostly consisted of the thought "Purple Cat is kissing me!" Then he very carefully took a step backwards.

"You know," he said, "I've spent the last fifty years, on and off, wondering what it would be like if Purple Cat actually kissed me. If you happen to see her around anywhere Kate, let her know."