“Jeremy, your dad asked if we could come down for the day,” Emily said, her hopeful eyes fixed on her husband. “He needs help fixing the roofhe cant manage it alone anymore. And Sophies been missing her grandad. Lets make the trip.”
Jeremys father-in-law lived in a quiet village in the Cotswolds. A strong, hardy man, but age was finally catching up to him.
“Dad, please, lets go,” chimed in fourteen-year-old Sophie, tugging at his sleeve.
Jeremy scowled. “Did the two of you plan this? I get two days off a weekcant I spend them how I want?”
Emily and Sophie exchanged a glance before looking away, defeated. Sophie retreated to her room while Emily busied herself in the kitchen. Jeremy smirked. “Thats right. Forgot who calls the shots here, didnt you?”
Truthfully, his weekend plans werent grand. On Saturday, hed arranged to see a used Land Roverhis mate was selling it. A few miles on it, but solid. Perfect for fishing trips. Hed saved up, cutting back on household expenses, even skimped on Sophies new winter coat. Sell the old car, stretch the loan. Sick of rolling up in that battered hatchback, embarrassing in front of the lads. That evening, hed meet the boys by the lake for a night of fishing, bad jokes, andinevitablytoo many pints. Bliss.
And now thisdragged out to the countryside. Maybe next time.
The next morning, Jeremy called the seller to confirm. The car was parked in a garage, tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood.
“So, youre really swapping the car?” Emily asked, stepping into his path.
“Whats it to you?” he grumbled.
“Do what you want,” she sighed. “But Sophies growing up. We were going to get her a proper coat, some decent boots. Never mind me…”
“Shell manage. When I was her age” He bit back the rest, swallowing his pride.
Deep down, Jeremy knew he was 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 Emilybright-eyed, quick to laugh, with a smile that lit up the room. Those early years were tough. Renting a damp flat, Sophie arriving sooner than planned. His engineers wage barely stretched. Thank God for Emilys parents. Weekly visits with bags of fresh veg, homemade jams, a fiver slipped into his palm before her dad hurried back to the farm.
Jeremys own parents had four other mouths to feed. He never climbed the corporate ladder, but side gigs kept them afloat. Emily, a librarian, didnt earn much, but she made their home warm. His shirts were always pressed, his dinners legendarythe whole block knew it.
Somewhere along the way, hed stopped listening. His word became law. Laughter faded. Emilys father stopped visiting, his jokes silenced. Jeremy cared more about his mates opinions now. Even this cartheir idea. The savings were meant for something else, but this was too good to pass up.
The garage was easy to find. The seller hadnt arrived yet. Jeremy lit a cigarette, scanning the row of lock-ups separating the terraced houses from the council estates. Across the road, bushes rustled.
Out crept a kittentiny, ribs visible beneath matted fur. It mewed softly but kept its distance.
“Whered you come from?” Jeremy muttered. The kitten stared back, hope flickering in its green eyes before dimming. It turned, vanishing into the undergrowth. To die alone. Unseen.
And then it hit him.
That look. Hed seen it before.
Emilys face last night when hed cut her off. Sophies silence as she shut her bedroom door. They had food, warmthbut like this kitten, they were waiting. For him to notice.
He crushed the cigarette, guilt clawing at his chest. Weakness, he told himself. But he already knew what hed do.
He found the kitten curled on a scrap of cardboard. Fear flashed in its eyes as he scooped it upthen tentative trust.
“Sophie!” Jeremy called, stepping inside. “Look what Ive got for you.”
Her scepticism melted into delight. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so skinny!”
“Starving,” Jeremy confirmed. “Never had a proper meal. Hes yours now. Ours.”
Emily studied him. “Whats got into you?”
“Plenty,” Jeremy said. “Your dads waiting, and youre not packed! Fifteen minutesthen were off.”
His tone was firm, but their smiles warmed him. As they scrambled to leave, he called his mates. Fishing was off.
The roof was quick workjust a few replacement tiles. His father-in-law, though steady handing up materials, couldnt climb anymore.
“Not planting the garden this year?” Jeremy asked.
“Too much for one,” the old man sighed.
“Ive got half-term soon,” Sophie offered, stroking the now-napping kitten. “Whiskersll love it here.”
“Well come next weekend,” Jeremy said. “Help dig, plant. Youre not on your own, Dad.”
They drove back after dark, the radio humming softly. Sophie dozed in the back, Whiskers curled in her armsbathed, fed, exhausted from play.
“Doesnt take much, does it?” Jeremy thought. Just not walking past.
He nudged Emily. “About Sophies coatwell go tomorrow. Get whatever she needs. You too.”
“What about the car?”
“This ones fine. Well manage.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, just like she used to.
Sophie and Whiskers slept soundly behind them. The city lights glowed ahead.
If anyone asked Jeremy now what else he needed to be happy?
“Nothing,” hed say.
