Prompt for 16th November 2018 – "Steal"  

It's been four months now. And I promised myself this would never happen. My life has been turned upside down!

I was always so careful you see; precise, meticulous even. I had order in my life almost to the point of obsession. Routine - I need routine to function; without it I am at a loss, a mess. And everything I have, has its place. Everything.

But now... I creep, wide-eyed around the house, peering around doors and corners. A feeling I have never known grips me and I can literally hear my heart beating ... ba boom, ba boom... baa boom!

My hair is a mess. My face remains in the anti-wrinkle cream jar. A myriad of colour palettes for my eyes, cheeks and lips sit abandoned on the bathroom vanity. I am still in my pj's and dressing gown, the belt trailing behind me like a lost soul as I go from room to room, upstairs, downstairs and back up again. All because ... because of that one fateful day when my life changed forever.

It was stolen you see. Oh, I never saw that coming, believe me. Like everything else in my life it was guarded, secured, impenetrable. Yet, in one moment ... gone!

It happened in the Retail Park on a Wednesday. As usual I was doing my weekly shop; nothing extraordinary, just food - enough to see me through another week and for my fridge and cupboards to look as though someone actually used them from time to time. I'm not great at cooking for one even though I have all the books with quick, easy recipes made from readily found ingredients at the local supermarket. I get by.

Forgive me, I digress...

As I was saying, I was innocently shopping minding my own business as I do, when I found myself staring into the most amazing blue eyes. I did not realise in that split second, that I was looking into the eyes of a thief! I was naive in such matters.

I came to a shuddering stop then tried to make my way nonchalantly around him. I found myself muttering "Excuse me" and "Please let me by" while trying to side-step as I made my way round to the boot of my car. I was a little alarmed when I saw he followed me.

I heaved my shopping into the boot and quickly closed the door. I froze as he touched my leg. And then it happened!

As I looked into that thief's eyes - he did it.

And in that moment, as I heard the mournful meow that fell from his fluffy little face, I knew ... my heart was stolen.

He's been with me now for four months. Such a playful, affectionate little kitten - hiding everywhere - he is the reason I traipse up and down stairs so much.

I made enquiries of course in case anyone had lost him. No-one has come forward so I can keep him!

I have named him Turpin after the Highwayman and fellow thief. I must admit, he has erased my once clinical, pristine, sad existence and has replaced it instead with great joy.