Emily, are you home? I burst into the flat and froze the moment I saw her huddled in the hallway, sniffling uncontrollably. I didnt catch a word of whats happened to you. You were sobbing so hard I couldnt make sense of it, and then, as if the universe were mocking me, my phone died. Whats wrong, love? You look not yourself.
The cats gone, Emily managed to whisper. Milo isnt here.
What do you mean hes gone? Where could he have vanished to? Could he be hiding somewhere in the flat?
No. Your sister Grace she said Milo bolted out into the stairwell when she was taking Harry out for a walk. But you know, James, Milo would never run off on his own. Why would he risk the street, especially when he almost froze to death? I think she let him out on purpose
Are you serious? I clenched my fists. Where is she now? Wheres Grace?
She probably went to the shop I dont know. Ive been looking for Milo all day and theres no sign of him. Nobodys seen him. How could that happen, James? Would a decent person really throw a defenseless animal out into the cold, winter night? Thats just monstrous.
The person, no. Grace, yes. Shes done dodgy things before. Dont worry, she wont be in our flat any longer. Honestly, why did we ever let her stay?
A month earlier
I was heading for the bus stop when something grey caught my eye beneath a thin blanket of snow. At first I thought it was just a rock, but it wasnt any ordinary stone it shivered like an old fridge left out in the frost. Id never seen, let alone heard, a rock tremble from the cold, so I stepped off the pavement and got closer.
Thats when I realised it wasnt a rock at all, but a tiny grey kitten, quivering on the frosted ground.
Well, look at that, I muttered, scratching my chin. What are you doing out here, little one?
It was a rhetorical question. Any sane person knows that stray cats are just trying to survive, doing whatever they can to stay warm. This one wasnt meowing for help, just trembling, as if itd given up on anyone caring.
I scooped the shivering bundle up, brushed the snow from its fur, slipped it under my jacket, andone hand on the cat, the other on the straphustled to the bus stop just as the trolley was pulling in.
On the way home I remembered Emilys endless wish for a grey, tabby kitten, but we never had the time to visit a shelter. Fate, it seemed, had dropped one right at my feet. When something comes your way for free, you take it.
Emily, Ive got a surprise, I announced brightly as I stepped into the flat.
She smiled, wiping her eyes. Youre spoiling me these days, love. One minute its gold earrings, the next its a brandnew phone, then tickets to the cinema. Whats this one? A skitrip voucher?
Even better! I beamed, unzipping my coat to reveal the kitten. I found him out on the street. Exactly the kind you wanted grey and striped, right?
Oh my, Emily gasped, cradling the tiny creature. Hes frozen solid! Put him in, Ill warm him up. And you, get changed, wash your hands, head to the kitchen dinners ready.
She glanced at the kitten again, eyes softening. Hes beautiful.
And just like that, Milo arrived in our lives. We argued over names for ages, tossing around options, before finally agreeing on the classic Milo. It felt more fitting than Tom or Lucas.
It was late November, the first snow had fallen, so Milo missed out on any romantic winter street adventures. Thank heavens, because for many cats that would be a cruel introduction to the world.
In the two weeks since Milo moved in, Emily and I grew attached to him faster than you could say catnip. Hed already stolen our hearts on day one, and each new day only deepened the bond. Milo seemed to love us just as much hed tumble off the nightstand without a scold, just a gentle reminder to be more careful next time.
Promise youll be more careful! hed mew, hopping back onto the dresser, then toppling a remote onto the floor.
Everything was peachy until one chilly Sunday morning, when someone knocked at the door.
Who could be visiting at this hour? I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, glancing at the clock half past six. It was still dark outside.
Maybe the neighbours? Emily guessed. Did something happen to them?
Ill check.
I opened the hall door to find Grace standing there, a young boy in tow his son Harry, about five years old.
Hey, brother, she said with a grin. We thought wed pop round. No problem, right?
I hesitated a little luggage isnt exactly welcome in a casual dropby but I let them in. Grace looked exhausted.
Whats up? I asked.
My husband threw me out, she replied, shrugging. Hes found someone else. Ive got nowhere to go, so Im staying here a while, maybe until I sort things out. And New Years is right around the corner. We havent spoken in four years, but were family, arent we?
The truth is, you and I stopped talking because of lies, I said bluntly. Its hard to build something on a false foundation.
She rolled her eyes. Old grudges, love em and leave em. We all make mistakes.
I wanted to say more, but pulled back. I wasnt about to start the morning with a fight, especially with Emily likely to intervene.
A few years back our dad had died, leaving the threebed flat we now owned to Grace and me. No other relatives. When Grace got pregnant the father a mystery she started begging me to give up my share of the inheritance, claiming she needed the house more. My mum, ever the peacemaker, nudged me: Your sisters got a baby on the way. She needs a roof. I was living in a student hall then, so I agreed, thinking Id figure something out later.
After Harry was born, Grace sold the flat and moved in with a new boyfriend, Val, who was starting a business and needed cash. She told me, The flat was mine anyway, Im doing what I think is right. I was furious the agreement had been different and expected at least half the money, but Val spent it on the venture. My mother stood back, saying adults will sort it out.
Fast forward to today: Graces story about the missing kitten resurfaced. I remembered picking up a stray kitten years ago and losing it, then finding another that also vanished. Id never suspected Mom, but the only person who could have taken the cat away was Grace.
Tell me where you put him! I shouted once. She kept denying it, even though her eyes gave her away. The cat had been a constant source of tension between us ever since.
When Grace arrived with Harry, she immediately started complaining about Milo. She claimed he kept her awake, lounged on her sofa, stared at her oddly. Then Harry caught a cold, and Grace blamed the cat, saying, Its an allergy. My little one used to be as fresh as a cucumber before.
I dont think so, I argued. Hes just out for a walk. Even if its an allergy, Milos family.
Grace laughed. Family, right? I thought youd outgrown the kittencollector phase. How does Emily put up with you?
Emily, of course, loves animals as much as I do. Grace, however, seemed to despise them. They just get in the way of a good nights sleep, she huffed. When you have kids, youll understand.
That hit a sore spot weve struggled for years to have a child, doctors cant pinpoint the issue, and Grace knew all about it. The tension was palpable.
I suggested, halfjoking, that we give Milo to a shelter, pointing out that Harrys wellbeing mattered more. Grace snapped, You think Im the one to blame? My son is yours, Im your sister. We shouldnt suffer because of a cat.
I lost my temper. What shelter? Milo lives here, not you. If you dont like him, leave. I wont have you kicking him out of my flat.
She stared at me, then fled with Harry, suitcase in tow. I gave her a few pounds for a bus ticket about £10 and told her to sort her life elsewhere. I told Mom shed overstepped, but the call ended without any further drama.
On New Years Eve, Emily and I sat at the dinner table, the clock ticking down to midnight, Champagne still uncorked. The thought of celebrating with Milo missing gnawed at us.
James, did you hear that? Emily whispered, eyes wide. Someones at the door.
Im guessing its Grace again, I muttered, getting up.
When I opened the door, there he was Milo, shivering but alive, his little body trembling from the cold night. Hed somehow found his way back.
Emily! Hes back! I shouted, scooping him up. We rushed him to the kitchen, wrapped him in a warm blanket and fed him. Emily clutched him tight, not letting go.
Milo purred contentedly, as if saying, Im home, where Im loved.
James, one minute to midnight, Emily said softly. Want to pop the Champagne?
Absolutely.
I smashed the bottle, poured the sparkling wine into glasses, and as the fireworks burst outside, we toasted to a fresh start. They say the way you ring in the New Year sets the tone for the year ahead.
So now Milo lives with us, andwell, with our future little one too. Emilys belly is beginning to round, and Milo seems to sense the new life on the way, nuzzling against her as if welcoming a new family member.
And thats the story, mate. Cheers to Milos return and to better days ahead.
