“Tom, your dad asked if we could pop over for the dayhe needs help fixing the roof. He can’t manage it alone anymore.” Emily looked hopefully at her husband. “Lets go. And Lucys been dying to see her grandad.”
Toms father-in-law lived in a quaint village in the Cotswolds. A tough, hardy man, but even he wasnt getting any younger…
“Dad, come on, lets go!” piped up fourteen-year-old Lucy.
“Have you two ganged up on me?” Tom grumbled. “I get two days off a weekcant I just spend them how I want?”
Emily and Lucy dropped their gazes and turned away. Lucy retreated to her room, Emily to the kitchen. “Thats right,” Tom smirked to himself. “Forgot who has the final say, did you? Well, Ill remind you.”
Truth was, he hadnt planned anything major for the weekend. On Saturday, he was supposed to check out a used Land Roverhis mate was selling it. Good condition, reliable. If he haggled right, itd be perfect for fishing trips. Hed saved up, tightening the household budget. Sell his old car, take out a small loan. How long could he keep driving that beat-up hatchback? It was embarrassing in front of the lads. That evening, hed arranged a fishing trip with his old crewcampfire, banter, a few pints. Bliss.
And nowa trip to the village? Maybe another time, when he wasnt so busy.
The next morning, after calling the car seller, Tom arranged to meet. The Land Rover was parked in a garage in a quiet neighbourhood.
“So, youre really changing cars?” Emily couldnt help herself.
“Whats it to you?” Tom muttered.
“Do what you want,” she sighed. “But Lucys growing up. We were going to get her some new clothesproper boots, a coat. Never mind me…”
“Shell manage another year. At her age, I” Tom bit back the rest.
Deep down, he knew he was being unfair. But admitting it? Impossible. “Spoiled them, thats the problem,” he told himself, though the excuse rang hollow.
Fifteen years ago, hed been a broke graduate when he met Emilya lively, blue-eyed girl whod laughed at his jokes. Their early years were hardrenting a tiny flat, then Lucy came along. They scraped by on his engineers salary, saved only by Emilys parents. Her dad brought fresh veggies, jams, and preserves every week, slipping them cash before heading back to the village. Toms own parents were too far away, raising four other kids. He never climbed the corporate ladder, but side gigs kept them comfortable.
Thanks to him, they had their own flat and a decent, if not flashy, car. Emily, a librarian, didnt earn much, but she made their home warm, kept Toms shirts crisp, and her cooking was the envy of their street.
Somewhere along the way, Tom started believing his word was law. Lucys laughter faded. Emily smiled less. Her dad stopped visiting with his hearty jokes. Tom cared more about his mates opinions nowhence the Land Rover. The money was meant for something else, but this was too good to pass up.
The garage was easy to find. The seller wasnt there yet, so Tom lit a cigarette and waited. Rows of garages separated the houses from the estate behind. Ahead, bushes lined the road. From them, a kitten emerged, drawn by the sound of the car and jingling keys.
It padded closer but didnt enter the garage. It sat a few feet away, waiting. It had given up on people, but a flicker of hope remained: Maybe theyd notice. Maybe even feed it.
The men eventually stepped out, shaking hands. One lingered, lost in thought. His eyes landed on the kitten. It mewed but didnt approach.
“Howd you end up here, little mate?” Tom mused. “Should be playing, eating, sleeping safe. But here you are, just surviving. Tough break.”
He stubbed out his cigarette, got in the car, and glanced backjust in time to see the hope fade from the kittens green eyes. It trudged back into the bushes, to a life of hunger and indifference.
Tom froze. “Ive seen that look before.” It hit himEmily, yesterday, when hed cut her off. Lucy, quietly slipping away. Theyd stopped asking, stopped expecting. Just like this kitten. Fed, warm, but starved for attention.
He fought the lump in his throat. “Soft,” he muttered. But he already knew what hed do.
He found the kitten curled on a scrap of cardboard. Fear flashed in its eyesuntil Tom scooped it up, cradling it gently.
“Lucy!” he called from the doorway. “Look what I brought you.”
Her sceptical look melted into delight. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tiny!”
“Starving, too,” Tom said. “Never had a proper meal. Hes yours nowours.”
“Tom?” Emily searched his face. “Whats got into you?”
“Plenty. Your dads waiting, and youre not even packed! Fifteen minutesfeed the little guy, then were off. Bath him later.”
His stern tone couldnt hide the warmth in his chest as his girls buzzed with joy. While they packed, Tom called his matesfishing was off.
The roof was fixed in no timejust a few slate tiles and a new ridge. Toms dad handed up materials but stayed off the laddervertigo.
“Not planting the garden this year?” Tom asked after.
“Too much for one,” his dad sighed. “Your mum kept it going. Without her…”
“Ive got half-term soonIll help!” Lucy offered, stroking the now-snoozing kitten, Whiskers. “And Whiskersll love it here.”
“Well be back next weekend,” Tom said. “Help dig, Emilyll sort the beds. Youre not alone, Dad. Thats what familys for.”
They drove home after dark, the radio low. Lucy dozed in the back, Whiskers nestled in her armsbathed, fed, and exhausted from play.
“Doesnt take much, does it?” Tom smiled. Just someone noticing. And helping? Thats nothing. Glad I met him. Thingsll be different now.
“What were you saying about Lucys new clothes?” He nudged Emily. “Tomorrow, take her wherever you want. Get her everything. And something for you. My beautiful girlsgot to look the part.”
“What about the Land Rover?” She leaned into his shoulder.
“This ones fine. A new one can wait. But your dad could use a tiller for that gardendigging it by handll wreck his back.”
They laughed quietly, careful not to wake Lucy or Whiskers.
City lights glowed ahead. The engine hummed, tyres whispered. The radio played an old, familiar tune.
On the back seat, Lucy and Whiskers slept, curled together. Emily rested her head on Toms shoulder, smiling like she had when theyd first met.
If anyone asked him now, “What more do you need to be happy?”
Hed say, “Absolutely nothing.”
