Emma was watching her fiancé, James, his face twisted with rage, as he snapped at Molly, the little dachshund whod clumsily stepped on his pristine white trainers with a muddy paw. Bullet, the scrappy mutt whod always tried to protect the tiny pup, got a heavy leather leash cracked across his nose. Thats when Emma finally got why her cats and dogs always barked at James.
She was perched by the window, winter settling over the streets of Manchester. The lights in the houses flickered on, but Emma didnt care whether it was bright or dark she had a lot on her mind. Shed got a cosy flat, a solid job as a paramedic, and a decent life, yet love seemed to keep slipping through her fingers. All her schoolmates were married with kids, and here she was, still single.
She wondered if she was doomed to stay a perpetual spinster. Whats wrong with me? she thought, glancing at her furry friends who gathered around her like small, silent counsellors.
Emmas parents had both passed away early, one after the other, leaving her in her Grans care. Gran had always dreamed Emma would become a doctor. After school Emma applied to medical school but didnt get in, so she enrolled in a nursing college and now pulls allnighters on the ambulance service. Gran had moved into a suburban house so Emma could have some space to start a love life, but nothing seemed to click.
As a child Emma wanted both a cat and a dog, but her mother was allergic to fur. The truth came out the day Emma proudly brought home a teenaged kitten, only for her mother to suffer an asthma flareup. The kitten, Ginger, ended up with Gran.
When Emmas parents were gone, a stray cat named Whisper was found near the bins. Emma longed for a dog too, but Gran was wary of the responsibility.
These days Emmas family consists of five loyal, fluffy companions. Bullet started life as a fleacovered, skinny pup shivering by a supermarket in a blizzard. He tried to slip into the warmth of the shop, but the security guards chased him away. Emma snatched him up, shoved him into her bag, and hurried home.
Bullet was a whirlwind, running around like a jet plane thats why everyone called her Bullet. She quickly became best mates with Whisper.
Soon a tiny dachshund named Molly appeared at Emmas doorstep. Her owners, moving to a new flat, decided she didnt belong in the new place and abandoned her in the courtyard on a cold night. The limping little one realised shed been left behind and spent a week whining by the entrance, trying to slip into the warm lobby until Emma heard about her plight from the local dogwalkers. Emma took Molly in, nursed her cold ears, and discovered she was the perfect house dog calm, sensible, and tidy, almost like a wise older lady.
Mollys ears would flare up in the frost, so Emma wrapped her in a cosy fleece scarf. Molly looked absurdly adorable, waddling down the street like a tiny, stern governess.
One early morning, hurrying to her night shift, Emma stepped out of the lift and a snowcovered, shivering cat rolled onto her feet, meowing like a dying engine. She scooped the feline into the stairwell, fed it two cheese and ham sandwiches, and stuck a note on the wall: Please dont chase the cat away! Ill collect it after my shift. Emma, Flat 15. She named the newcomer Victoria, after her own middle name, and the cat took to the title like a queen. Victoria, a dignified, ambitious cat, quickly imposed order on the household, patrolling the rooms even at night, making sure everything was spick and span.
Later, Emma rescued a quiet little kitten from the park, calling him Milo. Two crows nearly snapped him up, but Emma saved him. Milo grew into a shy, gentle cat who never argued or fought. All five of the former strays lived together peacefully, trying not to upset their human.
Emma didnt expect any suitor to be okay with such a menagerie. Gran warned her: Lovebirds these days arent keen on a house full of animals, love. Theyll think its a hassle. Emma replied, Then hes not the one for me, Gran.
She dated Alex, a trauma surgeon, for six months. Alex could barely stand the sight of any pet, and after they split, Emma didnt lose much sleep. Then came James a handsome, charismatic swimmer, champion of the county, who seemed to adore Emma and even helped walk Bullet and Molly. Things were looking weddingready.
But the pets started to avoid James. Bullet snarled at him, Molly hid behind Emma and barked, and Victoria hissed whenever he tried to pet her. One evening, while Emma was cooking, she stepped onto the balcony and saw James, face twisted with anger, stomp on Mollys paw after shed accidentally stepped on his white trainers. Bullet tried to intervene and got a heavy leather leash slashed across her snout.
Emma sprinted down the courtyard, snatched the leash from Jamess smiling face, and gave him a firm grip on his hands. What the hell, James! That hurts! she shouted. She finally understood why her animals despised him. You think its funny? Youre hurting my pets! Do you want me to hit you back?
James muttered something about teaching her a lesson and laughed cruelly. Emmas heart shattered. Shed spent a year believing James was her destiny, never really seeing the darkness behind his charming grin.
A year later, after almost resigning herself to solitude, Emma truly fell for someone else. They met by chance when Alex, a trauma doctor on night duty, brought a crash victim into the ER. Their eyes met, and Emma felt a jolt like lightning. Shed never believed in love at first sight, but this time she was convinced.
Alex, using his hospital contacts, got Emmas number and called her the next evening. They started seeing each other. Emma sensed Alexs seriousness he was tall, quiet, and thoughtful. She was both thrilled and frightened, fearing another heartbreak. She decided to keep her pet brigade a secret, figuring shed explain everything once they were married.
Six months later Alex introduced Emma to his sister Sophie and her husband, and they all drove to Alexs hometown to meet his parents. Emma met his flata tidy bachelor pad in a leafy suburb. Alexs occasional visits to his flat started to look suspicious when Emma kept hearing about relatives visiting with flu. She knew she couldnt keep lying forever.
Finally, Emma confessed. She gathered all her animalsBullet, Molly, Whisper, Victoria, and Miloand took them to Grans house. Gran wasnt thrilled. Emma, you cant start a marriage on a lie, she scolded. Alex is a decent man, and youre beginning with deceit.
Emma begged, Gran, I cant live without them, and Im terrified Alex will leave me if I go without them. Gran relented, on the condition Emma would keep visiting every day when she wasnt on shift.
Alexs doubts melted away, and he proposed with a lilaccoloured heartshaped ring. Im not bringing a dowry, love, Emma joked, laughing.
Wedding plans were in full swing. Emma had to buy a dress, pick a venue, and sort the catering. After a night shift she called Gran, promising to be back by evening to handle the final details. Exhausted, the bridetobe and her groom finally arrived home after lunch, still scrambling to finalise the guest list and the menu.
The next morning Alex tried to throw away an empty box, but it was packed with cat and dog food. Whered that come from? he asked. Emma brushed it off, changing the subject.
Meanwhile Gran let Bullet and Molly out to play in the fresh snow. A pensioner delivering the mail hurried inside, forgetting to shut the gate properly. Victoria, Whisper, and Milo darted out, while Ginger stayed behind. The animals formed a tiny parade, with Bullet leading, Victoria keeping them in line, and Mollys scarf fluttering like a banner. Passersby stopped to watch the odd procession, smiling at the sight of a dog in a scarf and a cat marching like a minigeneral.
Alex heard the clatter at his door, opened it, and stared in amazement as a dachshund in a red jumpsuit trotted in, followed by a larger dog and a gaggle of cats, all covered in snow. What on earth is this? he asked.
Emma burst into the hallway, covering her face, sinking onto the shoe rack, and silently sobbing. Alex, these are mine. All of them. She whispered, Gran had them.
Bullet and Molly started barking at Alex, while Victoria hissed, So no dowry after all?
Alex slipped on his coat, got into his car, and drove off. Emma called Gran, trying to calm her down, not wanting to upset her.
That night, Emma thought the wedding was over, hugging her furry companions tightly, feeling empty and guilty for the lies. Hours later, there was a knock. Alex stood on the doorstep with bags of pricey pet food. Dont close the door, Im just coming in, he said.
A few minutes later he walked in, holding a dachshund in a red coat. This is Nika, and this is Mara, he announced, pulling out a ginger cat from under his jacket. They belong to Sophie. Want them in your pack?
Years have passed. Emma and Alex often laugh about the whole circus. Who knows how different things would have been if Emma hadnt tried to hide her dowry of pets?
