A Rat and A Ransom

Tom was the only child of his parents, Ben and Amy Lewis. He was nine. Not particularly tall for his age, but strong and wiry, with large deep blue eyes and a mop of dark wavy hair. He lived a privileged, but rather lonely life. Much of his time spent reading, or sitting in front of his computer. In most cases if he wanted something, and his parents agreed, he could have it, except the one thing he really wanted—a pet. Tom loved animals and desperately longed for a puppy, but his parents would not allow it.
However, one rainy day he perched on the window seat in his bedroom. Unable to see clearly through the misted window, he rubbed the glass vigorously with his sleeve. Squinting through the rain, he could just make out the shape of a cat in the garden below. It appeared to be messing with the gardener’s watering can.
Tom had no idea why the cat found the watering can so fascinating. Intrigued, he shot to his feet… raced down the stairs and out through the back door. At his approach the cat fled. Curious, Tom lifted the watering can and peered inside…