Interesting smells

Caractacus, known as Crackers to his friends (and enemies) was on a night exercise, sniffing his stations and keeping an eye cocked for Scapa. Scapa was not British. Crackers had it on good authority he was foreign and had done at least 6 months in a quarryteam breaking rocks before being allowed into No.33 with that Italian lot.
Crackers territory was a good 10 minutes if he skipped the rhubarb patch and the herb garden (gone wild). The two sheds were a must and the greenhouse had to be the best spot in the garden, mice were a problem to Crackers, they were now so rare the only chance was to be up just before dawn, not his lifestyle.
He was on his last lap when the attack came, Scapa flowed in from his right and Tacit leapt at him from behind. Crackers fought valiantly, his back legs went off like steam pistons and his right hook batted Scapa into touch. Turning to face his two foes he became aware of a third attacker, Cassy, ranging in from ahead at full speed. Crackers knew when to run.
Swerving to his right he raced for the rhubarb patch and leapt into the forcing bucket which was lying on its side, here he could defend himself against all comers.
Scapa, Tacit and Cassy regrouped, whilst he was in the bucket they couldn't touch him, an attack would be one to one, face to face. Time was of the essence; daylight could bring a clod of earth, a broom handle or a well-aimed boot. The lads withdrew a few yards and considered their options.
Carti appeared on the scene, she purred into the bucket, 'Are you OK Crack's? What have you got in there?' Crackers stuck his nose out and sniffed but the scent of Carti was over powering. 'You on your own Carti?' he said. 'Of course Crack's! I've come over specially to see you.' Crackers was flattered, she'd been over before and he'd got absolutely nowhere. He slinked out of the bucket with his best slink and nudged against Carti, he began to feel he was at last getting somewhere when they jumped him.
The three Italian cats defeated him. He had put up a good fight but now had to concede. Scapa recognised Crackers as a brave tomcat and allowed him a third of his original territory i.e. the rhubarb and herb patch. It excluded the sheds and greenhouse but included the scratching post, which remained communal. Crackers slunk away to lick his pride.
Later when Crackers saw Carti he asked her why she had betrayed him. It was Scapa her new beau. Getting up before dawn was not a problem for Scapa and his mice were always fresh. 'A lady has to eat' said Carti 'and I'm not getting any younger.'
Meanwhile Scapa was having a catnap and pondering. Caractacus was a hero and yes love rules without rules etc, but mostly, he thought, history repeats itself…on all levels…