“Jeremy, your dad asked if we could pop over for the dayhe needs help fixing the roof. He cant manage it alone anymore.” Emily looked hopefully at her husband. “Lets go, and Sophies been wanting to visit her grandad too.”
Jeremys father-in-law lived in a quiet villagea strong, hardy man, but even he was feeling his age now.
“Dad, come on, lets go!” Fourteen-year-old Sophie chimed in.
“Have you two ganged up on me?” Jeremy huffed. “I get two days off a weekcant I just enjoy them?”
His wife and daughter lowered their eyes and turned away. Sophie retreated to her room, Emily to the kitchen. “Thats right,” Jeremy smirked to himself. “Forgot who has the final say, didnt you? Well, Ill remind you.”
Truthfully, he hadnt planned anything major for the weekend. On Saturday, he was meant to check out a used Land Rovera mate was selling it, decent mileage, reliable. If he haggled well, itd be perfect for fishing trips. Hed saved up, tightened the household budget, even cut back on family expenses. Sell the old car, top up with a loanhow 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 the boysfireside banter, a few pints, the usual. Bliss.
And now thisdragged off to the countryside? Maybe another time, when he had a free moment.
The next morning, after confirming with the car seller, Jeremy set a time to meet. The Land Rover was parked in a garage in a quiet neighbourhood.
“So youre really swapping the car?” Emily butted in again.
“Whats it to you?” Jeremy grumbled.
“Do as you like,” she sighed. “But Sophies growing upwe were going to get her some proper clothes, maybe a nice coat and boots. Not to mention”
“Shell manage another year. Back in my day” He nearly launched into another lecture but stopped himself.
Deep down, Jeremy knew he was being unfair to his family, though hed never admit it. “Spoilt them, thats the problem,” he told himself, though the excuse rang hollow.
Fifteen years ago, hed been a penniless graduate when he met Emilya lively, blue-eyed girl whod laughed at his jokes and fallen for him. Their early years were toughrented flats, then Sophie came along. They scraped by on his engineers salary, saved by Emilys parents, who kept them stocked with fresh veg, jams, and pickles from the village. Her dad visited weekly, lugging bags of groceries, playing with Sophie, then slipping them a few quid before heading back.
Jeremys own parents were far away, raising four other kidsno help to spare. Hed never climbed the career ladder, but side gigs kept them comfortable. His wage was the backbone of their lifethanks to him, they had their own flat, a reliable (if not flashy) car. Emily, a librarian, didnt earn much but made their home warm and welcoming. Jeremy never left the house in a wrinkled shirt, and her cooking was the envy of their street.
When had he started believing his word was law? He couldnt say. But lately, only his opinion mattered. Laughter had faded from their flat. Emily smiled less. Her dad stopped visiting with his bags and jokes. Jeremy cared more about his mates approval than his wifes thoughts. Even this car swaptheir idea. Sure, theyd saved for other things, but this was too good to pass up!
He found the garage easily. The seller wasnt there yet, so Jeremy lit a cigarette and glanced around. Rows of garages separated the terraced houses from the nearby council flats. Ahead, a road; beyond it, tangled shrubs. From those bushes emerged a kitten, drawn by the sound of the car and the jangle of keys.
It padded closer but kept its distance, sitting just out of reach. It had long given up on people but still hopedmaybe this time? Maybe food?
When the two men finally left the garage, shaking hands, Jeremy lingered. His eyes caught the kitten. It mewed but didnt approach.
“Howd you end up here?” Jeremy mused, studying it. “Just a scrap of a thingshould be playing, eating, sleeping safe. But here you are, fighting to survive. Tough break.”
He stubbed out his cigarette, got in the car, and glanced once morethen saw it. The hope fading from its green eyes.
The kitten stood and trudged back into the bushes. To live out its bleak little lifehungry, scared, ignored. One kind act could change everythinggive it love, warmth, a home. But no one cared.
“Ive seen that look before,” Jeremy thought, struggling to place it. Then it hit him. Emily. Just like that, the light had left her eyes yesterday when he cut her off. And Sophiehead down, silent, vanishing into her room. No arguing, no pleading. Just gone. Like this kitten. Sure, they had food and shelter, but they ached for attention, kindness. And hed given none. How had he let this happen?
He fought the guilt, called himself soft, but he already knew what hed do next.
He found the kitten curled on a scrap of cardboard in the bushes. Fear flickered in its eyes as Jeremy scooped it upthen tentative hope.
“Sophie!” Jeremy called from the doorstep. “Look what Ive brought you.”
Her wary look melted into delight. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tiny! He must be starving!”
“Absolutely ravenous,” Jeremy confirmed. “Never had a proper meal in his life. Hes yours nowours.”
“Jeremy, whats got into you?” Emily searched his face. “Somethings different.”
“Everythings different, Em. Your dads waiting, and youre not even packed! Fifteen minutesfeed the little one, then were off. Baths and cuddles can wait till were home. Clocks ticking!”
Though hed barked it like an order, his girls joy warmed him. While they packed, Jeremy called his matesfishing was off.
The roof repair was quickjust a few slate tiles and fresh ridge caps. Up on the ladder, Jeremys dad-in-law handed up materials but stayed groundedheights didnt agree with him anymore. After, Jeremy surveyed the garden. “Not planting this year?”
“Too much for one,” the older man sighed. “Had my wife, had a garden. Without her”
“Grandad, my school breaks soonIll help,” Sophie offered, stroking the now-dozing kitten in her arms. “Whiskersll love it herebetter than our flat.”
“Well be back next weekend,” Jeremy said. “Help dig, Em can sort the beds. Dont be shywere family. Well manage it together.”
They drove home after dark, the radio humming softly. Sophie dozed in the back, hugging Whiskersbathed, fed, and worn out from his first real playtime.
“Doesnt take much, does it?” Jeremy smiled. Just someone who cared. And helpingsuch a small thing. Good thing he found me. Thingsll be different now.
“What was that about Sophies new clothes?” He nudged Emily. “Take her shopping tomorrowget whatever she needs. And treat yourself. My girls should look their best.”
“What about the car?” She leaned into his shoulder.
“This ones finejust needs proper care. The Land Rover can wait. First, lets get your dad a tiller. Saw his gardendigging it by handll wreck his back.”
They chuckled quietly, careful not to wake Sophie or Whiskers.
City lights glowed ahead. The engine purred, tyres whispered. The stereo played an old song from their youth.
In the back, Sophie and Whiskers slept, curled together. Emily rested her head on Jeremys shoulder, smiling that same youthful smile.
If someone asked him now”What more do you need to be happy?”
Hed say: “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
