“All You Need for Happiness”
“Gary, Dad asked if we could pop over for the day. He needs help fixing the roofhe can’t manage it alone anymore.” Emma looked hopefully at her husband. “Lets go. And Sophies been wanting to see her grandad.”
Garys father-in-law lived in a quiet village. A tough, healthy man, but even he wasnt immune to time.
“Dad, please, lets go,” fourteen-year-old Sophie chimed in.
“Have you two ganged up on me?” Gary snapped. “I get two days off a weekcant I spend them how I want?”
His wife and daughter fell silent, eyes lowered. Sophie retreated to her room; Emma vanished into the kitchen. *Good*, Gary thought smugly. *Theyve forgotten who has the final say. Well, Ill remind them.*
Truth be told, his plans werent grand. Saturdaytest-drive a used Land Rover his mate was selling. Reliable, decent mileage. If he haggled right, itd be his. Perfect for fishing trips.
Hed saved enough, cutting back on household expenses. Sell the old car, top up the loan. Sick of driving that beat-up Fordembarrassing in front of the lads. Eveningfishing with the boys. Campfire, banter, a few pints. Bliss.
And now thisdragged off to some village. Later. When he had time.
Next morning, Gary arranged to meet the seller. The car was in a garage on the outskirts of town.
“Still set on changing the car?” Emma prodded.
“Whats it to you?” he grumbled.
“Do what you want,” she sighed. “But Sophies growing up. We talked about getting her proper clothesa coat, boots. Never mind me…”
“Shell manage another year. At her age, I” He bit back the lecture.
Deep down, Gary knew he was unfair. But admitting it? Impossible. *Spoiled them, thats the trouble.* A weak excuse, even to himself.
Fifteen years ago, hed been a broke graduate when he met Emma. A bright, laughing girl with blue eyes whod loved him back. Their early years were hardrented flats, then Sophie arrived. Survived on his engineers salary, barely. Thank God for Emmas parents. Weekly deliveries of homegrown veg, jams, fresh bread. Her dad would drop off bags of food, gulp a cuppa, play with Sophie, then slip them a few quid before heading back to the village.
Garys own parents, raising four others, couldnt help. He never climbed high career-wise, but side gigs kept them afloat. His wage was the backbone of their life. Theyd scraped together a flat, a secondhand but solid car. Emma, a librarian, earned little but made their home warm, cared for her Gary. His shirts were always pressed, his trousers sharp. The whole block envied his wifes cooking.
When had he started believing his word was law? He couldnt pinpoint it. Lately, only his opinion mattered. Sophies laughter faded. Emma smiled less. Her dad stopped visiting with treats, his jokes gone silent. Gary cared more about his mates approval now. Even this cartheir idea. Sure, the money was meant for something else, but this was too good to pass up.
The garage was easy to find. The seller wasnt there yet. Gary lit a cigarette, scanning the row of garages separating the terraced houses from the flats. Beyond the road, bushes rustled. From them emerged a kitten, drawn by the cars noise.
It padded toward the humans but kept its distance. Sat. Waited. It had learned not to trust people, but hope flickered in its tiny chest. *Maybe this time.*
The men emerged, shaking hands. Gary lingered, lost in thought. His gaze landed on the kitten. It mewed but didnt approach.
*Howd you end up here?* Gary studied it. *Should be playing, eating, sleeping safe. Instead, just surviving. Tough break.*
He stubbed out his cigarette, got in the car, and glanced backjust as hope died in those green eyes. The kitten turned, slunk into the bushes. To live out its bleak, hungry, lonely life. A life big, strong people could change with a scrap of kindness. For love, loyalty, a life given wholly in return. But they couldnt be bothered.
*Ive seen that look before.* Gary racked his brain. *Emma. Just like that, yesterday, when I cut her off. And Sophiehead down, silent, disappearing into her room. They didnt argue. Just left. Like this kitten. Fed, sheltered, but starving for care. And I let it happen.*
He fought the guilt, called himself soft, but already knew what hed do.
He found the kitten curled on windblown cardboard. Fear replaced indifference in its eyesthen tentative hope as Gary scooped it up.
“Sophie!” he called from the doorway. “Look what Ive brought you.”
Her disbelief melted into joy. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tiny! He must be starving.”
“Absolutely ravenous,” Gary confirmed. “Never had a proper meal in his life. Hes yours now. Ours.”
“Gary, I dont recognise you,” Emma murmured, searching his face. “Whats happened?”
“Plenty. Grandads waiting, and youre not even packed! Fifteen minutesfeed the little one. Baths and cuddles can wait. Clocks ticking!”
Though he barked it like an order, their happiness warmed him. While they packed, he called his matesfishing was off.
The roof was quick workjust a few slate tiles and a fresh ridge. All done atop the ladder. Emmas dad helped haul materials but stayed groundeddizzy spells. After, Gary surveyed the land.
“Not planting the veg patch this year?”
“Too much for one,” her dad sighed. “With your mum, it was easy. Now…”
“Grandad, my holidays are soon. Ill help,” Sophie offered, stroking the kittennow named Tiggersleeping in her arms. “And Tiggerll love it here. Better than the flat.”
“Well be back next weekend,” Gary said. “Help dig, Emma can sort the beds. Dont hold backtell us what you need. Youre not alone. Thats what familys for.”
They drove home in the dark, the radio low. Sophie dozed in the back, Tigger cradled closebathed, fed, exhausted from his first day of play.
*So little to make him happy*, Gary mused. *Just someone who cared. And helping him? Nothing. Glad I found him. Everythings different now.*
“That stuff you mentioned about Sophies clothes,” he said, nudging Emma. “Take her tomorrow. Get whatever she needs. And treat yourself. My girls deserve to shine.”
“What about the car?” She leaned into his shoulder.
“This ones fine. Just needs upkeep. The Land Rover can wait. But your dad could use a tiller. Saw his gardendigging it by handll wreck his back.”
They chuckled softly, careful not to wake Sophie or Tigger.
City lights glowed ahead. The engine hummed; tyres whispered. The stereo played an old, familiar tune.
On the back seat, Sophie and Tigger slept, curled together. Emma rested her head on Garys shoulder, smiling dreamilyjust like when theyd met.
If someone asked him now, *What more do you need to be happy?*
Hed say, *Nothing.*
