Before long, the train arrived at the Bric-à-Brac station. For a moment, Tate considered staying on the train; there were certainly other relatives she could visit. Maybe Pierre was happier without her. As she peered out the window, she saw a poster tacked to the wall of the station house. On it was a picture of her! Below the photo, it read:
Have you seen this cat? Sadly missed by Pierre since her disappearance on December 2. Answers to the name "Tate". Please call with any information, 06.61.22.35.00.
P.S. She likes smoked fish.
When Tate finished reading the poster, she laughed out loud. The train conductor dropped his hat when he heard it. A nearby passenger swallowed her throat lozenge, and the baby who had been crying the whole way suddenly stopped. Very few people have heard a cat laugh, but it does happen. Cats laugh only when they are truly surprised, which is not very often. Tate bounded off the train, ran through the station house, and scampered down the road toward the farm.