How the Marlowes Came to Mellowdene

When Cecile visited Natalie Marlowe's "mental hugging" business (Mentis Amplectendo) a few months ago, there were two things that left her with a positive impression. One - and I won't go into details other than say it left Cecile feeling particularly affectionate - was a particular "fur grooming" method. The other was a friendly encounter with someone who lives above the business. Atlanta Marlowe.

Cecile and Atlanta share similar outlooks on life, and it would not surprise me if they also shared the underlying mischievous nature that adds the frisson to our marriage. What led me to this suspicion?

Our boy Brendan is friends with Hughie Grunt and this means Cecile often meets up with Hughie's mother, Constance. On one such meeting, Cecile mentioned how Atlanta seemed a very friendly person and how she had warmed to her in the brief time they had talked. Constance had chuckled, and when Cecile had queried why, the reply was simple. Atlanta had effectively said the same thing to Salome Persis when she and her husband had visited the Persis's carpet business. Constance had witnessed the exchange.

This led to Cecile and Atlanta sharing lunch at the Blackcurrant Cafe (where else) and then another. And another. It wasn't long before the families met. We had a nice meal then settled to chat.

After the meal had been cleared. Beverley volunteered to wash the dishes and Atlanta's two boys said they would help (apparently this is one of their regular chores). Brendan tagged along. With just the adults remaining, we retired to the living room.

"I've never asked before - what prompted you to move to Mellowdene, Atlanta?" asked Cecile.

"Melvin's work, primarily," said Atlanta, glancing across at her husband, "but we weren't originally going to settle here."

"Oh?"

"The initial plan was to move to Catsholme. We knew a few cats there, but I wasn't sure I could settle in the place."

Cecile glanced at me and I shrugged. Why would I know?

Melvin moved the conversation along. "It's because she thinks they're weird."

Atlanta's head swung and she glared at her husband. "Melvin! I do not think they're weird." 

Turning back she continued. "There's nothing wrong with Catsholme. All the cats are friendly with one another as you would expect of any Sylvanian community. But my upbringing made me feel that it wasn't the place I should make a permanent home."

"Because?" prompted Cecile.

"I was raised as a sea cat. My father is a sea trader, and ever since I was a girl we'd occasionally anchor at the natural dock east of North Beach.

 

 

"We'd have some dealings in Acorn Valley but the hill cats from Catsholme would frequently come along to do business. We got to know something about them. For one thing, the place is virtually all cats. I can't be doing with all that. You see, I'm used to associating freely with all races, and since I married Melvin I enjoy living amongst more than just cats."

"They have some funny rules too, don't forget that," added Melvin.

"I wouldn't say 'funny'," said Atlanta, "but restrictive enough to stop me wanting to live there. And I'm not just going from rumour. We went to see John Silk."

Both Cecile and I nodded. We knew John Silk.

Sylvania has many villages, towns and even a few cities. Despite all Sylvanians sharing common values, there can be additional factors varying between communities - rules or conventions that alter the ways those communities live their lives. Sometimes it's geographical features - consideration of natural hazards, such as coastal dangers or seasonal extremes - but it can be social traditions. As such, there can be differences in by-laws and conventions, often usually minor, but it is sensible for communities to have an awareness of these differences. If only for transacting business. John Silk helps in this area. So who is John Silk?

He's related to the Golightly family. This cat family is fairly well established in Mellowdene. They were amongst the first cats to move here who weren't hill cats. Holly Golightly's brother is Johnny Silk and he's employed by Mellowdene council to interpret community law. By this I mean he maintains an in-depth knowledge of every community's particular laws. He may act as a mediator, a legal adviser, or play the part of an advocate for any of those places.

 

Atlanta continued. "He was most helpful. He told us that there are some unusual aspects of Catsholme life. It isn't just that they prefer that only cats should live there. Johnny has the impression that many residents are expected to keep a particular secret. He didn't know exactly what, but he thinks it involves some black-robed cats."

Cecile and I exchanged glances. I suppose it made sense that there would be some hill cats that had knowledge of the Mist Cat tribe's comings and goings.

"Well, that explains why you didn't want to live in Catsholme," said Cecile, "but not why you wanted to move to this general area."

"Tell them about my brother," said Melvin.

"I will, dear," said Atlanta, "in my own way." She returned to her explanation. "You will know about the importance of the canal to both Catsholme and Mellowdene. You may also know that the canal boats that were in use a few years ago were..."

"Falling apart," said Melvin.

"Past their best," said Atlanta, smiling at her husband. "Now Mason - Melvin's brother - is in business with Lawrence Seabreeze. I believe you know the Seabreezes?"

"Doris is an old friend," said Cecile. "I knew her before she was married, when she was simply Doris Columbus."

"I've met her a few times, mainly through our sisters-in-laws. She seems nice. But anyway, back to the canal boats. When Lawrence was in Mellowdene - something to do with his part in the Seafood Restaurant - he saw the canal boats and that they were overdue a replacement. Given his wife is from the village, he thought it would be a nice gesture to supply three or four narrow boats to solve the problem." 

I knew Lawrence technically owned the canal boats but didn't know how that had come about.

"The trouble was," said Atlanta, "even though the boats would be welcome, the Catsholmers have always been quite an independent community."

"Less so than when the hill cats lived in Hawkshade," I commented. "They were really isolated then."

"So I believe. And whilst they are generally comfortable with their relationship with Mellowdene these days, they would have been uncomfortable accepting charity from a rabbit, especially one not from Mellowdene."

"So that's where my brother came in," said Melvin. "He wasn't from Mellowdene either, but he is a cat. They were prepared to do business with him, but they still weren't happy about a long-distance business relationship."

"Obviously, this was resolved," said Cecile.

"It was. Natalie was looking for a location to set up her mental hugging business, and Mason's job means he can easily relocate. They decided to move to Catsholme, solving the canal boat issue."

"But they didn't end up there," said Cecile, "and I'm not clear how that brought you here."

"Me," said Melvin.

We looked at him. He was watching himself idly rotate his ankle. He must have realised we were waiting for him to continue as he paused and lifted his gaze. Smiling sheepishly, he said, "I suppose you could call me a boat engineer. I've been involved in boat construction. Part of the problem with the old canal boats was that they had nobody with the skills to maintain them properly. They'd need someone to keep the new boats running. I could do that. Maybe train a couple of likely Catsholme youngsters. I figured, if Mason was moving,  I could too."

Cecile turned to Atlanta. "So that's why you moved? Were you happy with this? You being a sea cat?"

"Oh, the ocean was never the main attraction for me. Marrying Melvin meant I was already spending more time ashore," said Atlanta, "and I was living in a bustling community. The main thing I liked about being a sea cat was the variety of people I met. I was able to get that in one place whilst raising our children."

"So there wasn't a problem moving away from the coast?"

"Not really. We just needed to make sure the children would be okay at the new place. I know Marina was concerned there'd be nowhere for her to swim - again, sorry she couldn't come for the meal; her swimming lessons with Miguel Woolly are important to her - but we told her we'd sort something out. Troy and Sheridan are happy to go anywhere - they are good boys. Anyway, it became clear that Natalie's business couldn't easily operate from Catsholme - especially when she heard what Johnny Silk had to say. She'd have a wider clientele here in Mellowdene. And I knew that she wanted a posher house than most used by the hill cats."

Melvin gestured. "And Natalie can wrap Mason around her smallest claw."

"It worked out well," Atlanta explained. "The houses on Cherry Blossom Avenue are more Natalie's style. And they decided to have a pool, which suited Marina just fine."

"Too posh for me," said Melvin. "Our place in The Mews is ideal. Near enough the canal for my work, but only a short walk to the centre of Mellowdene."

"Anyway, that's how the Marlowes came to live here rather than Catsholme."

"Because our wives call the shots," teased Melvin.

"Melvin!"

"As it should be," said Cecile, winking at me. "It's interesting that you're an engineer though, Melvin. My cousin Colt Ivory is too."

"Any relation to Rowan Ivory?" asked Atlanta.

"My brother," smiled Cecile. "You know him?"

Melvin laughed. "Oh, yes."

Atlanta started to chuckle. 

I could see why Cecile liked Atlanta. There were definite similarities between them. Also, I liked Melvin's sense of humour and his straight talking. I found myself smiling. As was Cecile. And then we wondered about Rowan. What had he done this time?

We were not to find out. Not yet anyway. The door opened and in came Beverley, Brendan, Troy and Sheridan. Brendan was a little damp. Cecile raised her brow in silent query.

Beverley laughed. "Washing up's done, mum."

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