The Forever House is Fenella's cubby house, and for her it's a magical place. When she was younger, she and her best friend Matilda used to pretend it could fly them anywhere in the world. It's still a place where Fenella goes when she feels troubled, and it's where she feels safe. Fenella is a shy, artistic girl, very unlike boisterous, sporty Matilda. She longs to have a cat, but she is so deeply allergic to cats that owning one is out of the question. Her doctor says that sometimes children grow out of allergies, but Fenella doesn't think this will happen to her. And then a cat does come into her life. He's a beautiful stray, and Fenella names him Dream. She is overjoyed when he chooses to make his home in The Forever House, but she knows that her mother, Anna, will never let her keep him. He must remain her secret. And then she and Matilda have a huge falling out. Fenella has a cat, but she has lost her friend, and she has never felt lonelier.