**A Lucky Gift**
“Oh no, disaster!” Lottie glanced at her watch and quickened her pace, though she was already nearly running. “If I’m late, hell”
The damp, chilly November day was hardly inviting for a stroll. Slush covered the pavement, the sky hung grey and heavy overhead, and a miserable mix of rain and sleet drizzled down. To make matters worse, the overnight frost had turned every puddle into a treacherous patch of ice. Lottie, her nose buried in a woolly scarf, winced as she slipped yet again. Near the bus stop, she finally lost her balance and landed hard, unable to hold back a frustrated curse.
“Wow! My mum always says swearing in public isnt proper!”
A boy of about ten smirked down at her.
“Need a hand?”
Lottie shook her head. What help was there now? Her cream coatchosen for style, not practicalitywas ruined, smeared with mud. The puddle hadnt been deep, but it was enough to confirm her plans were wrecked. James would be furious.
“So, not in a hurry anymore?”
The boy seemed determined to stick around. Lottie stood, brushing uselessly at her coat, shivering as the cold seeped through her soaked trousers. She shot him an irritated glare.
“Dont be cross! Didnt mean to upset you. Its just here! Take him, yeah? Ive got school, and hell freeze out here. Cant keep himweve got dogs. Already missed first period. Mums smart, but if I skip more lessons, she wont understand.”
A tiny kitten shivered as the boy pulled it from inside his jacket.
“A money cat,” Lottie muttered absently, reaching out to stroke its fur.
“A what?” The boys eyebrows shot up.
“A money cat. See his colours? All mixed up. They say cats like this bring luck, happinesseven wealth.”
“Perfect! Hes meant for you, then! For luck! Go on, take him!”
Lottie shook her head. “I cant! Ive no time to look after him.”
But the boy wasnt listening. He shoved the kitten into her hands, waved, and leapt onto the approaching bus.
“Hell bring you happiness! Promise!” His words faded into the street noise, leaving Lottie standing theredrenched, muddy, and now holding a kitten. She was late everywhere, with nowhere left to rush to.
“Well then,” Lottie chuckled, recalling the boys earlier scolding about swearing. “Guess the days not so dull after all. What am I going to do with you, little luck-bringer?”
She cuddled the trembling kitten close, stroking its tiny body. “Never had a cat before. How do I even look after you? What do you eat?”
The kitten mewed pitifully, and Lottie sighed. Could she really abandon it? Strangely, she pitied them boththe kitten, and herself. Unmoored, needed by no one, not since her mum had passed.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She tucked the kitten inside her coat. “Warmer now? Thats better.”
The screen displayed Jamess name. She grimaced. Here it came.
“Where are you?” His tone was icy, and Lottie braced herself for an excuse.
“Near home, at the bus stop. I fell.”
“What did you do?”
“Slipped and fell.”
“Right. Cant even stand up? How much longer do I have to wait?”
Lottie exhaled, calculating how long itd take to clean up.
“I asked you a question! How long? Mum wont be pleased if were late.”
“I” she began, but the kitten sneezed, its pink nose poking from her coat. Lottie startled, nearly dropping her phone. “James, I dont think well make it today. Im soaked, filthy, and”
“Are you hearing yourself? Is this a joke to you?” James exploded, and Lottie held the phone away from her ear. “We planned this for ages! I got Mum to set the tableshes meeting my fiancée! And you?”
“But weve been before. She knows were engaged.”
“And thats your excuse?” His voice trembled with rage.
Lottie stayed silent, staring into the kittens oddly intent green eyes.
“Are you listening? Why arent you answering?”
His tirade dwindled, the calm after the storm. It always went this wayfirst fury, then reason. At first, she hadnt known how to handle it. James was her first serious relationship, and she had no frame of reference for how men should communicate.
Lottie had grown up in quiet stability. Mum, Gran, Grandadno one ever raised their voice. Her father had died when she was little, and Mum, heartbroken, had devoted herself to Lottie, her ageing parents, and her work. Lottie, like her mother, had been a late-in-life child. Olivia had been born when her parents were nearly forty; Lottie arrived when Olivia was forty-three.
“Why so late, Mum?”
“Because I was foolish. Chose career first. Loved my jobyou know how it is with surgeons. Always on call. If you slack, youre out of the loop. So I never stopped. Shouldve started earlier, love. Shouldve had you sooner. And maybe more.”
Lottie would press a hand to her mothers mouth, refusing to hear it. Mums fear of not seeing her grow up had always felt like a premonition. Every milestoneprimary to secondary school, GCSEs, A-levels, universitywas met with her mothers relieved sigh:
“Good.”
Lottie knew nothing of her health struggles until the end. Olivia hid it, not wanting to worry her. Only when it was too late did she sit Lottie down.
“Darling, Ive done all I can for you. The rest is up to you.” She hugged her weeping daughter. “Dont cry. Well cry together later. For now, listen. In this folderdeeds to the flat and car. Youre a catch now. So choose a husband carefully. Take your time. Keep quiet until youre sure. Watch him. If he puts your happiness before his own, marry him and be happy.”
“How will I know?”
“Let me tell you how I knew your father was the one, and you decide, alright?”
Lottie nodded.
“You know we were at uni together. Barely acquaintancesjust hello in the halls. Both broke students, living on instant noodles. My parents helpedthey were in the countryside, sending parcels monthly: veg, preserves, meat. Your father had no one. Parents gone, an aunt too far. Then my mum fell ill. Seriously. Two months in hospital. Dad nursed her while I took exams. Forbade me from visiting. First time I was without their help. First month, I scraped by. Second month, I fell sickbadly. Pneumonia.” Olivia smiled ruefully. “Typical doctorstreat others, neglect themselves. My roommate left for holidays. I was alone. First two days, fine. Thenfever, couldnt move. The halls were empty. The lads left were cooking, ran out of salt. Sent your dad to fetch some. Instead, he found me. Delirious, starving. Woke up in a strange roomtea, soup, meds by the bed. My arms ached… Why are you laughing? You get it, dont you? He never learned to give injections properly. But he tried. Later, I found out hed pawned his mothers wedding ringthe only thing he had of herto buy me medicine and chicken.”
“This one?” Lottie touched the ring on her mothers finger.
“Yes. He redeemed it, slipped it onto my finger when we married. And we barely knew each other, love. If a man does that, keep him.” Olivia laughed. “Not that you need to fall ill, butwatch. Hell show you, sooner or later. Just dont dive in headfirst, even if youre in love. Promise me.”
“Mum…”
“Promise!” Olivias voice sharpened, and Lottie nodded hastily.
“Alright.”
“And neverneverlet anyone shout at you, speak rudely, or worse, raise a hand. If they do, kick them out. Nothing good comes of it.” Olivia cupped Lotties cheek. “I know this talk means little now. But I hope youll remember when the time comes.”
Now, meeting the kittens unblinking gaze, Lottie recalled every word. She lowered the phone. How had she forgotten? Was James anything like the man her mother described? Did love mean enduring this? A day, a yearno. This wasnt love. You didnt treat loved ones this way. Suddenly, she realisedJames had proposed, but never said he loved her. “Why say
