[A woman sits on the train with her tortoiseshell kitten in a cage.]
-Meow.
-Quiet, Lemon.
-Meow.
-Shh.
[Another woman and her child join the train at the station.]
-Look, it’s a little kitten, Maddy.
[The little child runs towards the cat and immediately strikes up conversation with the woman and her cat.]
-Awesome. What’s it called?
-Lemon.
-Like the fruit?
-Yes
-Why’s she in a cage?
-I’m taking her to my mum’s house. She’s going to live with her for a while.
-Why’s she in a cage?
-So she can’t get out. Not many people would like a cat running free in the carriage.
-Meow.
-Oh yeah, I suppose not. My name’s Ellie.
-That’s a lovely name. Have you got a cat?
-We can’t have one cause Mummy’s allergic.
[The mother smiles at the other woman.]
-Why’s it called Lemon?
-That’s what my son wanted to call her.
-Meow.
-Lemon. It’s a funny name.
-Yes, I suppose it is.
-What’s your name?
-Lily
-That sounds like my name. Lily. Ellie. Lily. Ellie
-You better go find a seat with your Mummy.
-Yeah, ok. Bye bye little kitten.
-Meow.
-It just spoke to me. Did you hear that?
[Her mother nods.]
-Bye Ellie.
-Bye Lily.
[The child and the mother find a seat further along the train.]
-Meow.
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 