Chapter 1

 

“We're in a pickle, Miss Priss,” Herbacia muttered to the marmalade cat sitting on her knee. The two of them were high above the trim lawn in front of Orchard Cottage, perched on a stout limb of the oak tree which guarded the gate to the path leading to the house. “You shouldn't have climbed so high today of all days. How am I going to get Granny to her appointment now?” Miss Priss gave Herbacia an indignant glare. “Oh, I know it's not your fault the ladder fell, but I wouldn't have needed to rescue you if you had stayed put in the kitchen. We could be here for hours. No one comes this way but the Armstrongs and they're away for the whole day.” Miss Priss meowed plaintively. “There's no point grousing – I won't shout for Granny. She's not strong enough to lift the ladder. What we need is a miracle.”