Olivia had been living alone for several years in a modest cottage on the edge of a sleepy English village. Whenever someone pointed that out, she would chuckle and reply, Am I alone? Nonsense, Ive got a big family! The locals would smile and nod, while behind her they would exchange glances, rubbing their temples as if to say, What a characterher family consists of no husband, no children, just a menagerie
That menagerie was exactly what Olivia called her family. She paid no mind to the village gossip that, if you keep animals, you should stick to a sensible fewa cow or a few chickens, maybe a dog for security and a cat to chase mice. Olivia owned five cats and four dogs, all of whom, to the neighbours amazement, lived inside the house rather than out in the garden where they belonged.
The villagers kept their comments to themselves, knowing it was pointless to argue with someone who would simply laugh and say, Oh, you lot, enough of the streetsour home is just fine for all of us together.
Five years earlier, Olivia had lost her husband and son in a single tragic accident. They were returning from a fishing trip when a lorry barreled into oncoming traffic on the highway. Shaken but still standing, Olivia realized she could no longer live in the flat that held too many reminders of the people she loved, nor could she walk the same streets and shop at the same stores without the weight of sympathetic glances from neighbours.
Six months later she sold the flat and, with her cat Misty, moved to the countryside, buying a little house on the village outskirts. In summer she tended a garden, and when winter arrived she took a job in the local community centres canteen. Over time she brought all her animals home, some having begged at the railway station, others having turned up at the canteen looking for scraps.
Thus a large, eclectic family of kindred souls gathered around the oncelonely womaneach of them once solitary and a little battered, now healed by Olivias generous heart. Love and warmth were never in short supply, and food, while never abundant, was always enough. Olivia knew she couldnt keep rescuing beasts forever, and she kept promising herself, No more, after this.
In March, after a spell of bright, sunny days, Februarys chill returned, laying down a prickly blanket of snow that trapped latehour wanderers and whistled icy wind through the night. Olivia rushed to catch the sevenhour evening bus, the last one out of her village. She had two days off ahead, so after work she darted into the shops, buying provisions for herself and her tailwaving clan, lugging the heavy bags in both hands.
She reminded herself of the promise and tried not to glance around, focusing on the pets awaiting her at home. Yet, as the old saying goes, the heart sees all, and it made her stop short of the bus stop, just ten metres away.
A dog lay beneath a bench, staring at Olivia with a vacant, almost glassy look. It had been there a while, its fur dusted with snow. Passersby hurried past, bundled in scarves and hoodies. Surely someone sees it? Olivia thought, her heart tightening. She dropped the bags, rushed to the bench, and reached out. The dog blinked slowly.
Thank heavens youre still breathing! she exhaled. Come on, dear, get up, come with me
The dog didnt move, but it didnt resist when Olivia lifted it from beneath the bench. It seemed all but ready to abandon the world. Later, Olivia could barely remember how she managed to haul herself, two heavy sacks, and the trembling animal back to the bus station. Inside, she claimed the far corner of the waiting room, cradling the scrawny pooch and warming its frostbitten paws with her hands.
Come on, love, pull yourself togetherwe still have a house to get to. Youll be the fifth dog, just to keep the count even, she murmured. She offered a piece of minced meat from her bag. At first the dog refused, but after a bit of warming, its nose twitched, the eyes brightened, and it ate.
An hour later the bus had long since left, leaving Olivia and the dog stranded on the road. She fashioned a makeshift collar from her belt, though the dog, now christened Milly, already trailed her, pressed to her legs. Ten minutes later, a car pulled over and the driver rolled down the window.
Oh, thank you! Dont worry, Ill put the dog on my lapit wont get messy, Olivia babbled.
No need, the driver said, let her sit on the seat. Shes not a lapdog, after all. Yet Milly snuggled into Olivias lap, shivering, and somehow fit perfectly.
Its just warmer this way, Olivia smiled.
The driver gave a short nod, glanced at the improvised collar, and turned up the heater. They rode in a comfortable silence, Olivia hugging the nowcozy Milly, watching the snowladen scenery flash past. The driver stole occasional glances at the womans profile, noting how she cradled her rescued companion. She looked a bit weary, but also calm and content.
He dropped them off at Olivias cottage and helped carry the bags. The snowdrift was so deep that he had to push the sagging gate hard enough for it to swing. The rusty hinges finally gave way, and the gate collapsed onto its side.
Never mind, Olivia sighed, its about time I fixed it anyway.
From the house came a chorus of barking and meowing. The owner hurried to the door, flung it open, and her whole furry family poured into the yard.
Well, did you miss me? she shouted, Ive finally arrivedwhat would I do without you lot! Meet the newest member
Milly peeked shyly from behind her saviours legs, while the other dogs wagged their tails and nosed the stillladen bags the driver held.
Oh, dont just stand there, the owner laughed, come inside if youre not scared of our big clan. Fancy a cuppa?
The driver set the bags down but lingered at the gate.
Its getting late, Ill be on my way. Youve got enough to feed nowyouve been waiting for me, he said, and drove off.
The next afternoon, a faint knocking sounded in the courtyard. Olivia slipped on her coat and stepped out to find the driver from yesterday, hammering fresh hinges onto the gate, his toolbox spread around.
Good afternoon! he called, I broke your gate yesterday, so I came to fix it. By the way, Im Victor, and you are?
Olivia, she replied.
The tailwagging family sniffed the newcomer curiously as he crouched to pet them.
Olivia, dont stay out in the cold, come inside. Ill be done soon, and I could do with a cup of tea. Theres a cake in the car and some treats for your big family
And so the strange but friendly visitor stayed a while, sharing tea, cake, and a few more laughs with the evergrowing, everloving household that Olivia had built from sheer kindness.
