“I have a surprise for you,” she said. “No, don’t worry. Chiquita is OK. But. . .”
They walked indoors, and he gaped at the shambles – the food-strewn carpet, the shattered lamps.
“Did someone break in?” he asked.
“It was That Cat, followed by Chiquita, and chased by my own Flora. I’m afraid Chi is a bad influence on her.”
Two days later, Beulah gazed in satisfaction. The carpet was professionally cleaned, the lamps were replaced.
And Carlos had paid.