Ill never forget the night Emilys fiancé, Max, let his temper flare and struck the little terrier Milly, whod clumsily stepped in the mud and left a filthy paw print on his pristine white trainers. Bullet, the scrappy mutt whod always tried to protect the pup, took a heavy leather leash straight to the snout. Thats when Emily finally understood why her cats and dogs could never stand Max.
Emily sat by the window, lost in thought. It was a bleak winter evening in York; the street lamps flickered on, the houses glowed, and she didnt care whether it was light or dark. She had a flat, a steady job as an ambulance technician, and a life that wasnt half bad, but love seemed to have left her on the sidelines. All her schoolmates were married, raising children, while she remained single.
She wondered whether a pretty, sensible girl like herself was doomed to wander the world as a perpetual spinster. What makes me any different? she asked the loyal, furcovered crowd that surrounded her, wagging tails and purring softly.
Emilys parents had both died young, one after the other, so shed been raised by her Gran, whod always insisted she become a medic. After school she applied to medical school, didnt get in, and settled for a paramedic course. Now she spent long shifts on the ambulance, while Gran, living in a tidy suburban house, hoped Emily would eventually find a partner though nothing seemed to work.
As a child Emily dreamed of having a cat and a dog, but Mum was allergic to fur. The truth came out when Emily, eyes shining with delight, brought home a teenaged kitten named Biscuit. Mums asthma erupted that very day, and the tiny feline was whisked off to Grans care.
When her parents passed, a stray cat called Tish appeared near a rubbish heap. Emily longed for a dog, but Gran feared the extra responsibility.
Now Emilys household was a small menagerie of five devoted companions, without whom life would feel unbearably empty. Bullet had been found shivering, halfstarved, by a Tesco parking lot. The cold pup tried to slip into the warm aisles, only to be chased away by stern security guards. Emily slipped the trembling creature into her bag and hurried home.
Bullet was a lively, quickthinking girl, darting around with the speed of a racing plane thats how she earned her name. She instantly befriended Tish.
Soon after, a tiny dachshund named Milly appeared at Emilys doorstep. Her owners, moving to a new flat, decided the little dog didnt belong in their freshly renovated home and abandoned her in the courtyard on a frosty night. The limppawed pup realized shed been left behind and spent a week whimpering by the entrance, trying to slip into the warm stairwell, until Emily heard the local dogwatchers cries for help. She took Milly in, tended to her chilled ears, and discovered she was the perfect house dog calm, sensible, and as tidy as a proper English lady.
During the cold months, Emily wrapped Millys ears in a soft, knitted scarf. The dachshund looked rather amusing, waddling down the pavement like a miniature matron in a frock.
One early morning, hurrying to her night shift, Emily stepped out of the lift and was almost trampled by a snowcovered lump that turned out to be a starving, frostbitten cat. She scooped the feline up, set it by the boiler, fed it two slices of cheese and ham, and stuck a note on the wall: Please dont chase the cat away! Ill be back after my shift Emily, flat 15. The cat, delighted by the attention, answered the name Nora a nod to Emilys own middle name and quickly assumed the role of headmistress of the household.
Nora, a large, dignified cat with lofty ambitions, kept the other animals in line. She patrolled the flat each night, checking every corner, making sure everything stayed shipshape.
Later, Emily rescued a tiny kitten named Mishka from a park, just as two crows were about to snatch him. As an adult cat, Mishka remained modest and quiet, never picking fights. All five rescued pets lived together peacefully, careful not to upset their beloved owner.
Emily never lost hope, even though she knew not every potential suitor would welcome such a bustling menagerie. Gran would often sigh and warn her: Oh, love, think of it two dogs and three cats! Its a sizeable household, and not everyone will be keen on the extra chores. Emily would retort, Then he isnt the right man for me, Gran.
And indeed, the first bloke she dated, Alex, a paramedic shed met on her first night shift, could not stand animals at all. After they split, Emily felt little remorse.
Then Max entered her life a handsome, jovial swimmer whod won the county championships. He knew how to charm, often taking Bullet and Milly for walks, and it seemed they were heading toward a wedding.
But the pets grew oddly hostile. Bullet snapped at Max, Milly hid behind Emily and barked, the cats kept their distance, and Nora hissed whenever he tried to pet her.
One evening, while Emily was preparing dinner, she stepped onto the balcony and saw Max, his face twisted with anger, slam his foot down on Millys muddy paw, which had landed on his trainers. Bullet lunged to defend the tiny dachshund, only to be struck hard by Maxs leather leash. Emily sprinted down, snatched the leash from the smiling fiancé, and slapped him across the hands with it.
Emily, what are you doing? It hurts! he protested.
She shot back, It hurts you, but not them? How dare you beat my animals! Ill take you down if you keep this up.
Max tried to shrug it off, Just a little warning so they dont step on my feet.
Get out and never come back! Emily shouted.
Max laughed cruelly, Arent you tired of living in this zoo? Youve turned my guests into freeloaders!
The words echoed in Emilys mind for weeks. She had convinced herself that Max was her destiny, yet she never truly saw the darkness beneath his carefree smile.
A year later, on the brink of accepting solitude, Emily fell genuinely in love. It happened by chance when Dr. Alexander Hart, a trauma surgeon, was on duty the night they brought a crash victim into the emergency ward. He glanced up, their eyes met, and she felt a jolt like electricity. She never believed in love at first sight, assuming it belonged only in novels, but here it was, undeniable.
Alexander, using his position, managed to get Emilys phone number and called her the next evening. They started seeing each other, and his quiet, thoughtful demeanor made Emily feel he was serious. She was both thrilled and terrified, fearing another heartbreak. She decided to keep her furry family a secret, thinking she could marry him and reveal everything later.
Six months later, Alexander introduced Emily to his sister, Sophie, and her husband, and they all drove to the Midlands to meet his parents. Emily also introduced them to Gran. She visited Alexanders tidy singleroom flat often, but the occasional relatives visiting excuse grew thin. She knew she had to decide: confess about her fiveanimal brigade or keep up the lie.
She finally chose honesty. She gathered all the pets and took them, together with their belongings, to Grans house. Bullet and Milly were already there, the cats adored the old wooden stairs, and they all got along with Biscuit, the cat shed rescued years ago. Gran, however, was horrified.
Emily, you cant do that. Alexander is a respectable man; youre starting with deception, she warned.
But Gran, I cant live without them, and Im scared hell leave me if Im honest, Emily pleaded. Ive got no other way.
Gran sighed, Fine, but youll have to come every day when youre not working. Trust me, this wont end well.
Each day, Emily visited her animal clan, and Alexanders suspicions faded. He eventually proposed, presenting her with a heartshaped amethyst ring.
I dont have a dowry, love, Emily joked, laughing.
Wedding plans rushed forward. After a night shift, Emily called Gran, promising to be back by evening to pick up her dress, sort the restaurant menu, and visit the jeweller with Alexander.
The exhausted bride and groom returned home just after lunch, still needing to decide on guest numbers and menu choices. Over tea and scones, they tallied the attendees.
The next morning, Alexander tried to toss away a box, but it was overfilled with cat and dog food packets.
Where did these come from? he asked.
Never mind, Alex, Ill explain later, Emily replied, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Gran let Bullet and Milly out for a frosty walk, and a pensioner delivering letters hurried by. The door swung open, and without the latch fully shut, Nora, Tish, and Mishka darted into the yard, while Biscuit stayed inside. The animals gathered briefly, then scampered back out, led by Bullet, with Nora keeping the line.
Passersby stared at the peculiar procession, especially at the crosswalk. Bullets sharp memory guided the troupe home to Emilys flat, where Millys scarf fluttered comically as she trotted.
Alexander heard the shuffle at the doorway, opened it, and froze at the sight of a dachshund in a scarf, a massive mutt, and a parade of cats, all covered in fresh snow.
What on earth is this? he blurted.
Emily burst into the hallway, hid her face, sank onto the shoe rack, and wept silently.
Emily, are these yours? All of them? Alexander asked, bewildered.
Yes. They were with Gran, she whispered, her cheeks swollen.
Bullet and Milly started nipping at his trousers, while Nora hissed threateningly.
You said thered be no dowry, Alexander muttered.
He put on his coat, got into his car, and drove off. Emily called Gran to calm her, not wanting to upset anyone further.
Its over, no wedding. Thats how I wanted it, she thought, hugging her exhausted companions. She didnt call Alexander to explain; the truth felt pointless now. Her heart was heavy, her face swollen from tears.
Hours later, a knock sounded. Alexander stood there, carrying bags of premium pet food, smiling despite everything.
Dont shut the door, Im coming in, he said.
A few minutes later he entered, holding a dachshund in a bright red jumpsuit.
This is my dog, Nika, and this is Maru, he announced, pulling out a ginger cat tucked under his jacket. Will you let them join your crew?
Years have passed. Emily Johnson and Dr. Alexander Hart still reminisce about that chaotic chapter, laughing at the absurdity. Who knows how different their lives would have been if the dowry hadnt become a stumbling block?
