Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Six

I felt like I was running downhill in a dream, the slope was getting steeper and steeper and I couldn't stop.There is nothing in the street that I can recognize. I don't know the stunted trees with broken limbs and the huge wooden buttresses supporting the crumbling eaves. I only know the smell.I also have the impression that the footsteps are in front, Zou's and my footsteps.If I quicken my pace, I can catch up. I will Arnold.Slater's house number was written on the back of his hand.No. 12, at the end of this dangerous street.But I'm going to the residence of an old man in a wheelchair, and he can't be that man.Anyway, I won't stop here, I'm already close to Zou's heels.I picture her walking down the street, restless.Is it that hard to find a damn cat?There are all kinds of houses on this street that have been renovated, abandoned, and unused.Number 12 wasn't too bad, the house must have been owned by the HOA because of the well-crafted handicap-friendly features with wheelchair access to the front door with a concrete ramp and sturdy handrails.I ring the doorbell.

Arnold.Slater wasn't in a wheelchair, and I could see it folded up in the hall behind him.But he doesn't appear to be a threat to anyone who can outrun a tortoise.He was an old man in a field coat, blinking from the sun, and holding on to the doorknob as if for support.He frowned at me, and I tried to remember him.Is he trying to remember me too? Hello, I said heartily.You are Arnold.Slater?I heard you might have cats to sell. Sell ​​a ghost.He said. I'm sorry, I said.Don't you have a cat? He moved away slowly to make room.Several, he said, giggling hoarsely.come in. I looked at his small, strong wrists peeking out of his raincoat.I reassure myself that this person can't hurt me, and step through the door.

I have cats, he said.That's just Merry, that's Poppy, that's Kathy, and, look, that's Bospero. A mustard-colored figure darted down the hallway and disappeared into the gloom.A vision of a mysterious society suddenly appeared in my mind, the Freemasonry, fanatics among the cats spread all over London, they were like-minded and made friends, and secretly connected like a secret river flowing through London's underground. Good name.I said. Cats have their own names, he said.You have to recognize them. I'm so excited.His words seemed to come from far away and took a long time to reach me, like someone who is drunk and trying not to show drunkenness.I've tried my best to appear like a lively young woman who can't wait to find someone to talk about cats.Like a child, I guess.

He was displeased.They are not like children, not like my children.They can all take care of themselves. My mind was buzzing as I impatiently shifted my weight from one foot to the other.It was the people at the church who called me over.They say you have cats to sell. There was another hoarse laugh, as if something was stuck in his throat.I have no cats to sell.Why should I sell cats?Why do people always think that way? That's another point I want to talk to you about.Has anyone else tried to buy a cat from you? They are crazy.I bring in the weird cats and they call people to me like I own a pet shop.

what kind of person? A stupid woman who wants to keep a cat. I could barely laugh out loud.You mean women used to come here and want to buy cats?How many people have been here? two.I told them both that cats were not for sale. That would be interesting, I said, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.Because I have a friend who may have come to you.Could it be her?While talking, I fumbled for Zou's photo in my jacket pocket, and then took it out and showed it to Arnold. He was immediately confused and suspicious.How is this going?Why are you asking this question? I wondered if she was one of the women who came here looking for cats.

Why are you asking this question?I thought it was you who wanted a cat.How is this going?Are you a policeman or something? My mind was in such a mess that I could almost hear the buzzing in my head.In my haste, I wanted to run away and continue to chase, and now I had to come up with a plausible explanation for what I wanted to do. I want to find a cat too, I said.I just wanted to make sure I came to the same place as her. Why don't you ask her? I want to scream, I want to cry.So what?This is not a checkpoint on the Iraqi border, this is a house with four dirty cats in the Hackney district.I'm just going to keep pushing to the next square in this ridiculous game I'm playing, and he's the only one who can help me.I tried to think, it was so hard.Poor Zou couldn't find a cat here, that's obvious.

I'm sorry, Mr. Slater, I said.Arnold.I'm just looking for a cat. That's what they all said. who? The woman in the photo. Thank goodness.I said to myself. They all wanted a cat and had to find it today, not tomorrow. I know that feeling.When you think of something in your mind, like a hamburger, you have to eat it and refuse to give up. Hamburger? Well, Mr. Slater, if I come to you and want to ask you for a cat, which I have already done, and you say your cats are not for sale, which they are, then you will do What advice?Where would you call me?Arnold.Slater's attention was still on Zou's photo.I put it back in my pocket.Arnold, I said, more quietly and more urgently: where are you telling her to go?

Who is the other one? He started to look at me with sharper eyes, he may have started to think of me.I stopped to think but nothing came of it, I couldn't think of any possible excuses other than telling the truth. It doesn't matter, it's no big deal, Arno.Just a cat.I just want to know where you sent them? There are pet stores, he said.There is an advertisement in the newspaper.That's the best way. oh.I said.that's all?Walk into a dead end. I just tell them to go to the corner. I pursed my lips and tried to stay calm, as if it didn't matter at all.Sounds good, I said.Have you heard from her since?

I just told her to come over and have a look. So she probably found her cat. I don't know.She never came back to me. So that sounds like the place I'm looking for, I said.Sounds like a great place for cats. Then I don't know, he said.Just a place around the corner.They sell everything, including Christmas trees for Christmas.I bought wood from them to make a fire, and he sent the wood over.He has a few kittens, I don't know if they are still around. What's the name of the store, Arnold? There is no store name.It was originally a fruit and vegetable store, but later the store was rented out, and then it became a different store, and then it was handed over to Vic.Murphy.

Vic.Murphy.I said. That's right.I told them to go to Vic.But the signboard of the store still reads Fruit and Vegetable Store.Uh, not greengrocer, but Buckley's. How do I get there? It's only a minute or two to walk. But it took more than a minute or two for Arnold to explain to me how to get there, and then I was gone, leaving him with his cat and his bewildered, he must be still thinking about that photo Don't know what I want to do.I glanced at my watch, it was just after half past six.I won't act rashly, I'll just take a look from a safe distance.I look like a different person than I used to be, so there should be no problem.However, I still found it difficult to breathe and my chest constricted.

To get to that location I had to pass a long, dark street lined with boarded-up houses.I recognize this street.At first I thought it was part of my lost memory coming back, but then I saw the sign for the street, Tilbury Road.My car was towed here.I walked in a daze, startled and in disbelief. It was a row of humble shops in a mostly residential street.There was a laundromat, a food store with fruits and vegetables on display outside the store, a lottery store, and Buckley's Fruit and Vegetables were closed, the doors were locked, and the green metal shutters on the front door were drawn, as if they hadn't been open for weeks up.The door is covered with advertisements, and some names and medals are also sprayed.I approached and pushed the door but it didn't budge.There was a letterbox opening in the door, and I opened it to look in, and I could see a pile of letters on the floor.I went into the food store next door and there were two Asian men behind the counter, the younger one was restocking the cigarette rack and the older one with the white beard was reading the evening paper. I want to find Vic.Murphy.I told him. He shook his head.do not know.He said. He used to have a shop next door, the one that sold wood and Christmas trees. The man shrugged.Gone, close up. Do you know where he went? have no idea.It was a bad shop.A few people were changed to run the business, all of which ended in bankruptcy. I have something important to do with Vic.Murphy.I said. The two grinned at each other.owe you money? no.I said. I think he ran away with some bills unpaid.A few people came to look for him, but he was long gone. So it's impossible to trace his whereabouts? Shrug again.Unless you ask the guy who moved him. who is he? His name is George. Do you have his phone number? No.But I know where he lives. Can you tell me? Belham Road, number 39, I think. That Vic.What kind of person is Murphy? Weird, the man said.But to open a shop there has to be weird.I mean, selling wood and Christmas trees and stuff.I think he just has some wood he wants to get rid of and go somewhere else. Does he have a cat? cat? I want to buy a cat. You should go to the pet store, baby. I heard Vic.Murphy also sells cats. I have no idea.He may have a cat.There are always some cats around, but it's not clear who owns them, is it? I didn't think about it.I said. They love whoever feeds them, cats. Right?I said. Not like a dog.You might as well have a dog, a dog is a true friend. I will remember. Protection is also available. That's right. I don't think you can get your money back. What? With Vic.Murphy collects debts. I've told you he doesn't owe me money. Another said the same.They said they were friends and didn't want to scare him away.I took Zou's photo out of my pocket. Is this girl one of them?I asked. The man looks at the photo.she is female.He said. That's right. They are all men.Except you.