In this YouTube video, author Lois Letchford introduces herself and her memoir before reading aloud Chapter 17 of Anne Spine’s novel The Killer Cat Runs Away. The narrated passage follows a cat’s point‑of‑view as it wanders through a neighbourhood, recognizing familiar landmarks such as Mrs Patel’s grocery shop, a pizza parlour, and a crossing guard near Ellie’s school. The cat overhears children preparing for a pet‑show evening, noting the various animals they will bring. Hopeful that Ellie might hear its yowl and rescue it, the cat’s optimism is shattered when it learns that Ellie’s beloved cat, Tuffy, has been “cat‑napped.” The narration conveys the cat’s disappointment and empathy for Ellie’s loss, ending with a somber reflection on the missing pet.
Chapters
Hello, I'm Lois Letchford, author of the book Reversed: A Memoir of a Literacy Problem Solver Adult Dyslexic, reading from Anne Spine, The Killer Cat Runs Away, chapter 17. Haven't you heard? Suddenly, through the tangles of unthreaded wool covering half the cage, I thought I saw somewhere I recognised. Yes, Mrs Patel's grocery shop. She hates me napping on her vegetables. Arif kept walking, and I thought I recognised the pizza parlour. No need to ask, my order's pepperoni. And then I reckoned that we must be getting near to Ellie's school because I saw the crossing guard. Since that fur fight in the playground, She's tried to shoo me off every time we've met. Behind me, I heard voices. Children were gathering to cross the road, all chatting merrily. What's in the box you're carrying? That's Harry, my stick insect. What's in your jar? Bertha, my beetle. I saw George bringing his rabbit. Serena is bringing her mice. My heart leapt. Thursday! My wonderful pet show evening! So maybe Ellie would be walking along the street. I could yowl really loud, and maybe she would recognize my voice. I might be rescued after all! Almost at once, my hopes were dashed. The very next thing I heard was, isn't it a shame about poor Poor Ellie! Why? Isn't she coming tonight? No! Haven't you heard? Her pet's been catnapped! Who? Tuffy? The wonderful cat she used to talk about all day? Yes, that's the one. So beautiful, she told us, and strong, and clever! She misses him so much, she's spending all her money on lost cat flyers and hands them out everywhere she goes. Perhaps she'll come tonight so she can give a flyer to everyone in the audience. Maybe she will, but I don't think so. How could she bear to watch us all walking the hall so happily with our outfits? Surely she can't do that. Not even the most beloved Tuffy. Poor Ellie. Oh, poor Ellie. My heart sank in my boots. If Ellie couldn't bear to come, then it would be poor Tuffy too.
