Cathy was shelling peas in the kitchen one evening when Tibbles said, "If you don't mind me saying... you're very dirty."

The cat was lounging across the table, cleaning her whiskers with her paws.

"I've not had the chance to bathe since I got here." Cathy's cheeks flushed with heat, and she raised her hand to her face to wipe away the dirt.

"Then please, let me return the kindness you have shown me. I know the perfect place where you can bathe." Tibbles stopped washing and crossed her paws.

Cathy put down the bowl of peas and rubbed her arms, smudging the soot. Beneath the hem of her mucky dress, grime covered her ankles. She would give anything for a bath and to wash her hair.

"That sounds wonderful."

"Follow me." Tibbles waited for Cathy by the kitchen door. Once the door opened, the cat shot out into the darkness.

Cathy could make out the white and black of Tibbles' fur in the moonlight, bobbing across the lawn, and she followed her. She ran past the pond and through the gated garden. Through the garden beyond the wall and the perfectly pruned rose bushes, although she didn't stop to admire any of them. Hurrying, she followed Tibbles out the other side and towards a thick forest.

The invisible shackles around her ankles grew heavier with every step she took. The further she ran, the stronger the pull to return. It was a feeling she couldn't place. A niggling need to step backwards.

Suddenly Tibbles turned and pointed to a small gap in the treeline.

"Through there, you'll find everything you need. So I'll be off now."

"Thank you, Tibbles. I'll never forget this."

With a nod, the cat disappeared into the dark. Leaving Cathy all alone.

Beyond the treeline, Cathy could hear rushing water. She headed into the trees, ducking under branches and stepping over brambles until she reached the waterfall. Below was a shallow pool. Hundreds of fireflies lit where she should step so she wouldn't slip. A shaft of silver-blue moonlight reflected from the surface of the pool.

Tibbles was right. This place was perfect.

Cathy unlaced the front of her dress and slipped her arms out of the sleeves. The fabric rustled as it dropped to the floor. She dipped her toe into the water to find it warm. Lowering herself into the pool, she sighed with contentment. A simple thing, like taking a bath, now seemed luxurious. Everything she'd taken for granted, she never would again.

To her right, something silver glittered in the moonlight, catching the corner of her eye. It was the silver handle of a hairbrush, and next to it was a bar of soap and a washcloth. Cathy smiled to herself. She knew there was something special about Tibbles, and magic was afoot. This was a strange place. Things were seldom as they seemed.

Sliding down beneath the water, she relaxed. The constant aching of her tired body faded and the heavy weight around her ankles lessened. For a moment, she felt her freedom return, if only fleetingly. She reached for the soap. The fragrance of roses filled the air as she massaged the thick lather from the soap into her matted hair. Cathy dipped her hair into the water, running her fingers through it to remove any tangles. Then she scrubbed the grime from her skin.

She placed the soap on the rock, and another glimmer of light appeared to her right. A white robe hung from the branch of a tree. Cathy grinned again and sliding out of the pool, she grabbed the robe and slipped it on; she wrapped it around herself. Cathy brushed her hair and when she'd finished; she returned the brush to where she had found it and picked up her clothes.

Hurrying through the rose garden, she headed towards the house.

"What do you think you're doing?" Hex hissed from amongst the rose bushes.

Cathy froze, pulling the robe tighter around her and crossing her arms over her chest. "I was just bathing."

"Bathing? Outside... where any creature roaming the woods could have stumbled across you?" Hex shook his head and stepped closer to her.

Cathy took a step backwards. "There was no one around. I made sure I was alone."

"I can't have a member of my household acting in such an irresponsible manner. The Fairy Guard could have discovered you... do you know what would have happened?" Hex hissed. "I'll tell you what would have happened. They would have held me responsible and that I will not permit."

"I'm really sorry," Cathy said. "I'll never do it again, I promise."

"This is what happens when I take a half-feral creature into my home, expecting her to know what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. There is only one punishment for your lack of good judgement."

"Please don't. I'll be more careful in the future," Cathy pleaded.

"It's too late, my dear. You'll thank me one day when you realise this was for your own good."

Before Cathy could say another word, Hex was by her side, his hand gripping her arm. With more strength than he appeared to possess, he dragged her towards the house.

She struggled to keep up as Hex stormed through the gated garden, past the pond, across the lawn, and into the kitchen. Closing the door behind them he whirled around to face her and with the coldest of stares he said the words, "You left this house, you wandered too far, you broke the trust given to you." Sneering at her he continued, "I hereby remove ten links from the chain that binds you. From this moment, you may go no further than the rose garden."

The invisible chain clinked. With a disapproving look, Hex slammed the door behind him.

Cathy shivered. She had turned icy cold. The fire had all but died out. Only a few glowing embers remained in the hearth. Tears slipped down her cheeks and, slumping into a chair at the table, she placed her head in her hands.

Tibbles stayed hidden as she watched Hex from the window ledge outside. And she wondered if the foolish sorcerer had forgotten a time when someone else had worn a magic chain. Or how much it had cost him.

Tibbles also watched Cathy sob until she could cry no more and exhaustion overtook her sorrow.

And then, feeling desperately sad, she jumped down from the window ledge and headed home.