"It's a good animal," Re-l said. "It kept me warm when I was coming home." A good thing, too, after all the trouble she'd gone to to get it.

She left the tea to brew and went over to Gabriel, guiding him over to the stool and pushing him down on it. She gave the kitten a scratch between the ears and it settled into his lap, purring like a train.

"I'm glad you see things the same way," she said. "It makes it simpler."

She handed him his tea and went to look for a dustpan and brush.