2. Second-in-Command Shakespeare woke with a start, his green eyes instantly wide and his claws extended. He scanned the room and his heart gradually stopped pounding. When you’d spent weeks living rough like Shakespeare had, you learnt to always be alert and ready to run – or fight. After the last few weeks I’ve had, thought the cat, I’m lucky to be alive at all! He looked around at Sophie’s bedroom – pink curtains, cream walls and a pair of fluffy slippers. Perfect. Shakespeare stretched out luxuriously, hooking his claws into the super-soft bedding. Peace and quiet and a nice comfy duvet, at last. What more could a feline want? The window was open and Shakespeare could hear some barking outside. His whiskers twitched nervously. Bad memories. He leapt effortlessly up on to the sill, being careful to stay hidden behind the curtain, and spied on the meeting below. What a strange gathering of animals. He looked at the black and white dog standing at the front of the group, clearly in charge.
