[2] Andrew MacDhui, a widowed veterinary surgeon working in fictional Inveranoch, Scotland in 1912 has a young daughter, Mary Ruadh, who is attached to her pet ginger cat Thomasina (who narrates some of the story).

MacDhui is a bitter and resentful atheist because his wife died young, and while he had desired to be a medical doctor to save humans, his overbearing father forced him to be a vet like himself.

The village children talk of a local "witch" named Lori who is said to cure ailing animals through magic.

Mary recovers Thomasina's body, and her friend Hughie Stirling suggests giving her the best funeral the village children can arrange.

MacDhui goes to confront Lori over this and ends up helping her care for a badly injured badger that is beyond her ability to heal.

Coming upon Thomasina's grave on his way home, the inscription on the gravestone reveals his true nature to him, and he calls on God for forgiveness then returns to Mary.

Lori comes at Reverend Peddie's request, and Thomasina, who has been sleeping in a drawer scented with lavender at Lori's cottage, wakes up and suddenly remembers her true identity and her past life with Mary and is impelled to make her way back to Mary through a rainstorm.