Arthur nodded and pointed to the bulging backpack at the foot of the bed and grinned.

‘Your mum packed that, did she? I bet there’s enough food in there to keep you going for weeks.’

‘And you’ll thank me later for it,’ she replied, appearing out of the kitchen. ‘I’ve heard enough stories about the standard of army food.’’

‘But Mum, I don’t think we’re going to an army base.’

‘Maybe, but as General Hammond here refuses to say anything much about where you are actually going, it can’t hurt to be prepared, can it?’

‘Oh I don’t think you need worry,’ grinned the general. ‘You can be sure that we’ll take good care of them. And, speaking of which, I’ve just been informed that our plane is already waiting for us on the tarmac, so I suggest that we get our skates on.’

‘What, right now?!’ asked Arthur, panicking that he was about to forget something important.

‘Arthur, come on,’ called his mother when he suddenly darted into his room and didn’t reappear again. ‘Everyone’s getting ready.’

‘Yes, yes, I’m coming,’ he called back. What is it that I’m forgetting? He wondered, looking about his room. But there was nothing that stood out.

‘Ah ha! Of course!’ he exclaimed as the cat happened to wander in at that exact moment and meow at him. ‘Cat—it’s you!’

Hurriedly removing the sandwiches and other provisions his mother had packed for him, he laid the pack on the floor in front of him.

‘What? Don’t look at me like that. I know you understand why the general’s here.’

The cat meowed.

‘Yeah, yeah, come on, quickly,’ he whispered, pushing it closer to him.

Meowing again, the cat got in.

‘Okay, now whatever you do, remember to stay quiet and stay hidden, got it?’

‘Arthur!’ called out his mother, again. ‘Come on, whatever are you doing there? We’re all waiting.’

‘I’m coming, I’m coming!’ he shouted and heaved the backpack onto his shoulders.

Although it was understood that they weren’t going to be gone for long, he still felt bad about saying goodbye to his mum. She was looking tearful again.

‘Now just do as you’re told and don’t get up to any mischief,’ said Sasha, shaking Arthur’s hand.

‘I will.’

‘And please call us when you get there,’ said his mother.

‘Of course. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,’ replied his father, patting Arthur on the head.

And with a wave, they turned and followed the general to the lift.

Outside, three large, blacked out SUVs were parked in a line near the entrance. As they emerged, men dressed in black uniforms got out and stood between them and a small crowd of onlookers that had gathered to see what was happening. Recognising several of his neighbours, Arthur couldn’t help but wonder what they must be thinking, seeing him coming out with the general.

‘Quite the little show we’re putting on for everyone, eh?’ said his father, putting his things into the boot. ‘There’s plenty of room in here, you know,’ he added, looking puzzled as to why Arthur was still clutching his pack.

‘Yeah, I know, but I might need something.’

‘You can’t be hungry already, surely. Your mum said you just ate before I arrived.’

‘Yeah, I did, but not much.’

‘Fine. Suit yourself.’ He smiled and opened the door for him.

Getting in, Arthur gazed up at the windows of his flat, which all faced that side. He could see his mum peering out, holding his sister. They both waved.

‘It’ll all be okay,’ said his father softly, as Arthur turned to watch them out the back window. ‘Sometimes life throws us curve balls and forces us to do things we don’t necessarily want to. Just try to think of it as a little adventure—nothing more, nothing less.’