“All You Need for Happiness”
“James, your dad asked if we could pop over for the day to help fix the roofhe can’t manage it alone anymore,” Emily said, glancing hopefully at her husband. “Lets go. And Sophies been wanting to visit her grandad.”
Jamess father-in-law lived in a quaint villagea hardy, sprightly man, but age was finally catching up with him.
“Dad, please, lets go,” chimed in fourteen-year-old Sophie.
“Have you two ganged up on me?” James huffed. “I get two days off a weekcant I spend them on myself?”
His wife and daughter lowered their eyes and turned away. Sophie retreated to her room, Emily to the kitchen. “Thats more like it,” James smirked to himself. “Forgot who has the final say, did you? Ive just reminded you.”
Truthfully, his weekend plans werent grand. On Saturday, hed planned to look at a used Land Rovera mate was selling it. Not brand new, but dependable. Perfect for fishing trips. Hed saved up, cutting back on household expenses. Sell the old car, top up with a loan. How long could he keep driving that beat-up hatchback? It was embarrassing in front of the lads. That evening, hed arranged a fishing trip with his old crowdcampfire, banter, and a few pints. Bliss!
But nowoff to the village? Later. When he had time.
The next morning, after confirming with the seller, James set a time to see the car. It was parked in a garage in a quiet neighbourhood.
“So youre really changing the car?” Emily butted in again.
“Whats it to you?” James grumbled.
“Do as you like,” she sighed. “But Sophies growing upwed talked about getting her some proper clothes. A coat, decent boots. Never mind me…”
“She can manage another year. At her age, I” James bit back the rest.
Deep down, he knew he was being unfair, but admitting it was another matter. “Spoiled them, thats the problem!” he justified to himself, unconvincingly.
Fifteen years ago, hed been a broke graduate when he met Emilya cheerful, blue-eyed girl whod laughed at his jokes. Their early years were toughrenting, then Sophie came along. They scraped by on his engineers salary, helped immensely by her parents. Her dad visited weekly, lugging sacks of fresh vegetables, jams, and pickles. After a quick cuppa and a play with Sophie, hed slip them a few notes before heading back to the village.
Jamess own parents lived far away, raising four other kidsthey couldnt help. Hed never climbed the corporate ladder, but side gigs had lifted them to comfortable means. His salary was the backbone of their budget. Thanks to him, they owned a flat and a reliable, if not new, car. Emily, a librarian, earned little but kept their home warm and welcoming. His shirts were always pressed, his dinners legendarythe envy of their neighbours.
When had James started believing his word was law? He couldnt pinpoint it. Lately, only his opinion mattered in the house. Sophies laughter grew rare, Emilys smiles fewer. Her dad stopped visiting with his treats and jokes. James no longer cared for his wifes thoughtshis mates approval mattered more. Even this car swap was their idea. Sure, the money was meant for other things, but this was too good to miss!
James found the garage easily. The seller wasnt there yet, so he waited, lighting a cigarette. Rows of garages separated the terraced houses from the flats. Beyond the road, bushes rustledand from them emerged a kitten, drawn by the sound of the car and clinking keys.
It padded toward the humans but kept its distance, sitting patiently. It had long given up on people, yet hope flickered in its tiny frame: “Maybe theyll notice? Maybe even feed me?”
The two men emerged, chatting, shook hands, and parted. James lingered, lost in thoughtthen his gaze fell on the kitten. It mewed but didnt approach.
“Howd you end up here?” James mused, studying it. “You should be playing, eating your fill, napping safe. But here you are, just surviving. Tough break.”
He stubbed out his cigarette, got into the car, and glanced at the kitten once morethen saw it. The hope fading from its green eyes.
The kitten stood and trudged back into the bushesto live out its bleak little life, full of hunger, fear, and human indifference. People who could so easily save it, make it happy, and in return get love, loyaltyits whole life. But they couldnt be bothered.
“Ive seen that look before,” James thought, struggling to place it. “Emily! Just like the light left her eyes yesterday when I cut her off. And Sophiehead down, silent, vanishing into her room. They didnt argue, didnt ask again. Just… left. Like this kitten. Sure, theyre fed and warm, but like this little thing, theyre waiting for kindness, attention, understanding. And Ive given none. How did I let this happen?”
He fought the lump in his throat, calling himself soft, but already knew what hed do next.
He found the kitten curled on a scrap of windblown cardboard. Indifference turned to fear in its eyesthen timid hope as James scooped it up and cradled it gently.
“Sophie!” he called from the doorway. “Look what Ive brought you to look after. Up for it?”
Her wary look melted into delight.
“Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tiny, so thin. He must be starving!”
“Absolutely starving,” James confirmed. “Never had a proper meal in his life. Hes yours nowours, I mean!”
“James, I dont recognise you,” Emily said, searching his face. “Whats got into you?”
“Plenty, love. Your dads waiting, and youre not even packed! Fifteen minutes to get ready and feed this little one. Bathing and spoiling can wait till were there. Clocks ticking!”
Though hed barked it like an order, the joy on their faces warmed him. While they packed, James rang his matesno fishing trip for him.
The roof was fixed quicklyjust a few slate tiles and a new ridge cap. His father-in-law, though spry, couldnt handle heights anymore. Afterward, James surveyed the garden.
“Not planting this year?”
“Wish I could, but its too much alone,” the older man sighed. “Had your mumhad the garden. Without her…” His voice trailed off.
“Grandad, my half-terms coming upIll help,” Sophie offered, stroking the now-dozing kitten, Whisper. “And Whisperll love it herebetter than our flat.”
“Well come next weekend, help dig, Emily can plan the beds,” James said. “Dont be proud, Dadjust ask. Youre not alone in this world. Thats what familys for.”
They drove back after dark, the radio humming softly. Sophie dozed in the back, cuddling Whisperbathed, fed, and worn out from his first real day of play.
“Doesnt take much, does it?” James smiled to himself. “Just someone who cares. And helping himsuch a small thing. Glad I found him. Everythings different now…”
“What were you saying about Sophies new clothes?” He nudged Emily. “Take her shopping tomorrowget whatever she needs. And treat yourself. My girls should look the part!”
“What about the car?” Emily leaned into his shoulder. “You were so set on it.”
“Whats wrong with this one? Its solidjust needs proper care. A new one can wait. Right now, your dad needs a tiller. Saw his gardendigging by handll ruin his back.”
They chuckled quietly, careful not to wake Sophie or Whisper.
The city lights glowed ahead, the engine purred, the tyres whispered.
On the back seat, Sophie and Whisper slept curled together.
Emily rested her head on Jamess shoulder, smiling dreamilyjust like she had when they were young.
And if someone asked him now, “What more do you need to be happy?”
Hed say: “Ab-so-lute-ly nothing.”
The lesson? Happiness isnt in thingsits in the love we give, the time we share, and the small kindnesses that cost us little but mean everything to those who receive them.
