Ian burst through the front door, stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Natalie hunched in the hallway, sniffling loudly. Hey love, are you home? he shouted, but she was too busy wiping tears to answer. I couldnt make sense of a thing you said you were wailing and I couldnt hear a word. Then the phone died on me, just my luck. Whats happened, Nat? You look like youve seen a ghost.
Murrays gone she whispered, barely audible. Hes not back.
Ians eyebrows shot up. He vanished? Where could he have gone? Did he hide somewhere in the flat?
No, Natalie said, shaking her head. Your sister Victoria she told me Murray bolted out into the hallway when she was stepping out with Michael for a walk. But you know, Ian, Murray would never run off on his own. Why would he dash out into the street when he almost died out there? I think she let him out on purpose
What?! Ian clenched his fists. Where is she now? Wheres Victoria?
Probably at the shop I dont know. Ive been looking all day, but theres no sign of him. Nobodys seen him. How could that be, Ian? Can a person really be that cruel, chuck a defenseless little creature out into a winter night? It just doesnt happen.
People, maybe not. But Victoria she could. Shes done similar things before. Dont worry, she wont be kicking around our flat any longer. Honestly, why did we even let her stay?
A month earlier
Ian was heading for the bus stop when something grey caught his eye beneath a thin blanket of snow. At first he thought it was just a stone, but the rock was trembling like an old, rattling refrigerator. That odd shiver made him stop hed never heard a stone shiver from the cold before.
Curiosity got the better of him, so he stepped off the pavement and got closer. Thats when he realized it wasnt a stone at all, but a tiny grey kitten, quivering on the frostcovered ground.
Well, look at that, Ian muttered, scratching his head. What are you doing here, little one?
It wasnt a question he expected an answer to. Any decent person knows what stray animals are trying to do in winter simply survive. The kitten made no mews, no pleas for help, just lay there and tremble, as if itd given up on anyone caring.
Ian gently scooped the shivering furball up, brushed snow from its coat, slipped it into his jacket, and hurried to the bus stop just as the trolley rolled by. While the bus took him home, he thought of how Natalie had always wanted a grey, tabby kitten but never found the time to visit the shelter. It was like fate had dropped one right at his feet. When somethings handed to you, you grab it.
Nat, Ive got a surprise for you, Ian announced, pushing open the front door.
Natalie laughed, wiping her eyes. Youve been spoiling me lately gold earrings for no reason, that new phone Ive been dreaming about, cinema tickets what now? A skitrip voucher?
Its better than that, Ian beamed, unzipping his jacket and pulling the kitten out. Found this little guy out on the street. You wanted a grey, stripy one, right?
Natalie gasped, cradling the kitten. Hes frozen solid! Put him in, Ill warm him up. And you, get undressed, wash your hands, head to the kitchen dinners ready.
She stared at the kitten, eyes softening. Hes gorgeous.
Thus Murray the cat entered Ian and Natalies lives. They debated names for a while, tossing around Tom, Lucas, Felix, but finally settled on a classic.
I think Murray suits him better than Tom or Lucas, Ian said.
Agreed, love.
It was late November, the first snow had just fallen, so the kitten hadnt yet learned the perils of a British winter. Thank goodness for many, that would be the last test.
In the two weeks that followed, Natalie and Ian fell head over heels for Murray. Honestly, theyd loved him from day one, and each day only deepened that affection. Murray quickly warmed to them, too, purring whenever they handed him a treat or nudged his tiny head. Even when he knocked a remote off the nightstand, they never scolded him, just asked politely for a bit more care.
Promise youll be more careful! Murray seemed to meow back, leaping onto the bedroom dresser a dozen times a day and occasionally toppling the TV remote.
Everything was blissful until a knock sounded at the door one Sunday morning.
What on earth could that be at this hour? Ian squinted at the clock half past six. It was still dark outside.
Maybe the neighbours? Natalie guessed. Did something happen to them?
Ill have a look.
Ian opened the hallway door and found Victoria standing there, a small boy in tow. He looked about five, cheeks rosy from the cold.
Hey brother, Victoria smiled. Were dropping by, hope thats okay?
I guess Ian began, but Victoria kept talking.
Ive got my son, Milo, with me. Hes five. Can we stay for a bit? My flats a mess and I cant get a proper place right now. Could you help with the luggage? Ive been lugging it up to the fourth floor and my knees are begging for mercy.
Ian, though a little taken aback by the suitcase, welcomed them in. It was odd for guests to arrive with bags, but he shrugged.
Whats happened to you? he asked.
Victoria rolled her eyes. My husband threw me out. Hes found someone else, can you imagine? Ive got nowhere to go. If you dont mind, Ill crash here for a while, maybe celebrate New Year together. Its been years since weve really spoken, right?
I know why weve drifted, Ian replied. Its hard to build anything on a lie.
Victoria laughed it off. Old grudges are like fog theyll clear. I made a mistake, who hasnt? Everyone slips up.
Ian wanted to say more but held his tongue. He didnt want to start the day with a fight, and Natalie would never approve of him taking a jab at his sisters plight.
The backstory was messy. Their parents had both passed away five years earlier, leaving a threebedroom council flat that was set to be inherited by Ian and Victoria. No other relatives. At the time, Victoria was pregnant the father unknown and kept pressing Ian to give up his share of the inheritance, saying she needed the house more. Their mother had even coaxed Ian, Sweetheart, Victorias got a baby on the way, she needs a roof. Ian, still living in a student hall, gave in, thinking hed sort his own place later, perhaps with a mortgage.
When Victorias son was born, she sold the flat and moved in with a new boyfriend, Val, who needed cash for his business. Its my flat, Im doing what I need, she told Ian. He was furious the deal had been different. She never sent any of the proceeds his way; everything went to the business. Their mother stayed out of it, saying theyd sort it themselves.
A decade earlier, when they were kids, Ian had once found a stray kitten on the street and brought it home, only for it to disappear. He never suspected his mother, whod let the animal stay because there was room in the rural house they lived in then. The only person who could have taken it was Victoria, and she never admitted it.
Tell me where you put it! Ian had shouted then, but shed just shrugged, denying any involvement. After that, Ian stopped bringing animals home, and his relationship with his sister grew icy.
Now, with Victoria back, things turned sour fast. She started complaining about Murray, saying he kept her awake, lounged on her sofa, gave her the weird stare. Then her son caught a cold.
That must be an allergy to your cat, Victoria said, recalling how her own cat, Biscuit, used to be like a cucumber.
Maybe its just a cold, Ian countered. You walk him outside all the time. Even if its an allergy, what are you going to do? Murrays family.
Victoria scoffed, Family? Youve always been the one dragging stray animals home. How does Natalie put up with you?
Natalie, of course, loved animals as much as Ian did. Victorias hostility was baffling. What have they ever done to you? Ian asked, his voice softening.
Theyre just a nuisance. I cant sleep because of Murray. My son cant either. Its stress! she snapped. When you have your own kids youll understand.
Ian fell silent. Children were a sore spot. He and Natalie had been trying for years without success; doctors gave no clear answers, and Victoria knew that too. The pain was raw.
Im suggesting we put the cat in a shelter, Victoria said, trying to sound reasonable. Milo is my nephew, Im his aunt, and we cant keep suffering because of a cat. Mom would agree.
What? A shelter? Ians anger flared. Murray lives here, not you. If you dont like him, youre not welcome. I didnt invite you. Find somewhere else to live.
He thought about tossing his own child into a shelter a thought that never left his mouth.
For a while Victoria seemed to calm down, but she kept moving Murray off the sofa, shoving him into the far corner. He endured it, then started his own little revenge knocking her phone off the nightstand, tugging at her favourite sweater.
Your cat is ruining my stuff! she shouted. Why even have a pet if you cant control it?
When Victorias son, Milo, started pulling Murrays tail and even stole his favourite plush toy, hiding it in his suitcase, Ian finally lost it.
Listen up, Ian snapped. Dont forget youre staying in my flat. If you want to stay, stay away from my cat!
Victoria muttered an apology and backed off.
On New Years Eve, Natalie kept crying on the phone, trying to explain something Ian could never quite grasp. He left work early, drove home, and found Natalie sitting in the hallway, still sniffling.
Ian, are you home? she asked, voice trembling.
Im here, he replied, stepping inside. Whats wrong?
Murrays vanished she whispered, eyes red. Hes not here.
Ians heart sank. How could he disappear? Could he have hidden somewhere?
No. Your sister Victoria said he ran out when she was out for a walk. But you know how Murray is he wouldnt run off alone. I think she let him out on purpose
What?! Ians fists clenched. Wheres Victoria now?
She went to the shop, I think. Ive been searching everywhere, but theres no sign of him. How could anyone do that, Ian? Throw a helpless kitten out into a winter night?
Humans wouldnt but Victoria could. Ian said, his voice low. Shes done this before. Ill find Murray, I promise.
He searched the streets until darkness fell, but Murray was nowhere to be seen.
The next morning Victoria arrived with Milo, and Ian gave her a hardhearted interrogation.
Why did you do it? Why let the cat out in the cold?
It wasnt me, brother, she shrugged. I opened the door and he bolted. I didnt chase after him. My child comes first, not some cat.
Ian stared at her, seeing the lie plain as day. He knew Victoria had done it deliberately.
Later that evening, as the clock edged toward midnight, the doorbell rang. Ian opened it to find Murray, shivering but alive, eyes wide and fur frosted. Hed somehow survived the night and found his way back.
Natalie! Hes back! Ian shouted, scooping the cat into his arms.
They wrapped him in blankets, fed him, and Natalie clutched him tight, never letting go.
Murray purred contentedly, as if saying, Im home, Im loved. Natalie whispered, Hes perfect.
The New Years countdown began. Ian, will you open the champagne? Natalie asked.
Of course, he replied, popping the bottle, the fizz spilling into glasses as fireworks burst outside.
They say the way you greet the New Year sets the tone for the rest of it. That night, Murray snuggled between them, and in the quiet moment Natalie felt a new life stirring in her heart, as if the cats return had sparked something fresh.
From then on, Murray was a permanent part of their flat, their lives, and, in a way, their future.
