“Jeremy,” his wife Emily said softly, glancing up at him with hopeful eyes. “Your dad asked if we could visit for the dayhe needs help fixing the roof. He cant manage it alone anymore.” She hesitated before adding, “And little Sophie wants to see her grandad.”
Jeremys father lived in a small village, a sturdy man whod always been the picture of health. But time had caught up with him at last.
“Daaaad, lets go!” chirped Sophie, barely fourteen but already sharp as a tack.
Jeremy huffed. “You two conspiring against me? I get two days off a weekcant I spend them how I want?”
Emily and Sophie fell silent, their eyes dropping. Sophie retreated to her room; Emily vanished into the kitchen. *Good*, Jeremy thought, smirking. *Forgot who has the final word, did you? Well, Ive just reminded you.*
Truth was, he had no grand plans for the weekend. On Saturday, hed arranged to look at a used Land Roverreliable, decent mileage, perfect for fishing trips. If he haggled well, he could swing it. Hed saved up, cutting back on the familys expenses. Sell the old hatchback, take out a loanno shame in upgrading. That evening, hed meet the lads for a night of fishing, swapping jokes by the fire, a few pints under the stars. Bliss.
And now thisa trip to the countryside? Later. *When he had time.*
Next morning, after confirming the car viewing, Jeremy headed out. The Land Rover was parked in a garage on the outskirts.
“Still set on buying that car?” Emily asked, poking her nose where it didnt belong.
“Whats it to you?” he grumbled.
“Do as you like,” she sighed. “But Sophies growing upwe talked about getting her proper clothes. A coat, decent boots. And Im not even mentioning myself…”
“Shell manage another year. When I was her age” He bit back the rest.
Deep down, Jeremy knew he was unfair to them, but admitting it was another matter. *Spoiled them, thats the problem.*
Fifteen years ago, hed been a broke graduate when he met Emilybright-eyed, laughing, with the bluest gaze hed ever seen. Shed loved him back. Those early years were hardrented flats, Sophies arrival, scraping by on his engineers wage. Thank God for Emilys parents. Her father brought sacks of vegetables, jars of preserves, fresh eggs, slipping them cash when he thought no one was looking.
Jeremys own parents were miles away, raising four other kidsno help to be had. He never climbed the corporate ladder, but side gigs kept them afloat. His salary was the backbone of their lifehed bought them a flat, that hatchback. Emily, a librarian, didnt earn much, but she made their house a home, kept his shirts pressed, his dinners legendary. The neighbours envied him.
When had he started believing his word was law? He hardly noticed. Laughter faded in the flat. Emily smiled less. Her father stopped visiting with his jokes and sacks of produce. Jeremy stopped caring what she thoughthis mates opinions mattered more. The Land Rover? *Their* idea. Sure, the money was earmarked, but this was too good to pass up.
The garage was easy to find. The seller wasnt there yet, so Jeremy lit a cigarette, eyeing the row of garages separating the terraced houses from the estates. Beyond the road, bushes rustled. Thena kitten emerged, scrawny, wary, ears twitching at the sound of keys jangling.
It lingered near the garage but didnt enter, watching. Too used to disappointment, yet still hoping: *Maybe this time? Maybe food?*
The men emerged, shook hands. The seller left. Jeremy hesitated. His gaze snagged on the kitten. It mewed but didnt approach.
*Howd you end up here?* Jeremy mused. *Should be playing, eating, nappingnot fighting to survive.* He stubbed out his cigarette, got in the car, and glanced back
The hope in those green eyes flickered out.
The kitten turned, slunk back into the bushes. To whatever short, hungry life awaited it. People couldve saved itgiven it love, food, warmth. But no one cared.
*Ive seen that look before.* Jeremy frowned. *Emilyyesterday, when I cut her off mid-sentence. Sophiewhen she trudged to her room without a word. They have food, shelterbut like this kitten, theyre waiting. For attention. For me.*
He fought it, called himself soft, but he already knew what hed do.
He found the kitten curled on windblown cardboard. Fear replaced indifferencethen, as Jeremy scooped it up, tentative hope.
“Sophie!” he called from the doorstep. “Look what I brought you.”
Her disbelief melted into joy. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tinyhe must be starving!”
“Absolutely starving,” Jeremy confirmed. “First proper meal of his life. Hes yours now. Ours.”
“Jeremy…” Emily searched his face. “Whats happened?”
“Whats happened? Your dads waiting, and you two arent even packed! Fifteen minutesfeed the kitten, grab your things. Baths and cuddles can wait till were there. Clocks ticking!”
His tone was firm, but their smiles warmed him through. While they readied, he rang his matesfishing was off.
The roof was quick workjust a few slate tiles and the ridge. His father handled the ground work but couldnt climbdizzy spells. After, Jeremy surveyed the garden.
“Not planting this year?”
“Too much for one,” his father sighed. “Your mum kept it going. Without her…”
“Grandad, Ive got half-term soonIll help,” Sophie offered, stroking the now-dozing kitten. “Whiskersll love it herebetter than the flat.”
“Well come next weekend,” Jeremy said. “Help dig, Emilyll sort the beds. Just askwere family.”
They drove home in the dark, the radio humming. Sophie and Whiskers slept in the back. Clean, fed, exhausted from play.
*So little to make him happy,* Jeremy thought. *Just one person who didnt walk away.*
He nudged Emily. “About Sophies new clothestomorrow, take her wherever. Get whatever she needs. And something for you. My girls ought to look the part.”
“What about the Land Rover?” She leaned into his shoulder.
“Whats wrong with the old one? Runs finejust needs care. The new one can wait.” He grinned. “Better get your dad a tiller. Saw that gardendigging it by handll wreck his back.”
They laughed softly, careful not to wake Sophie or Whiskers.
The city lights glowed ahead. The engine purred. On the back seat, Sophie and Whiskers slept in a heap. Emily rested her head on Jeremys shoulder, smiling like she had when they were young.
If anyone asked him now*What more do you need to be happy?*
Hed say: *”Ab-so-lutely nothing.”*
