**A Mothers Heart**
“Mum, whos Mrs. Whitby? Is she our owner? Then why doesnt she feed us properly?” Tiny curious eyes stared up at Daisy, waiting for an answer. “No, darling, shes not our owner. Shes just an old, sick woman. Doesnt know what shes doing…” “Mum, will the big cats eat me too, like they did with my sister?” whispered Ginger, trembling with fear. Daisy sighed deeply. “No, my love, they wont eat you! I promise!” She began licking her precious, now only child, until Ginger gradually calmed and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Daisy had been born in the basement of a block of flats. There had been four kittens. Her mother had been very youngit was her first litter. The moment another tomcat appeared, she forgot all about them and vanished into the night. Still, Daisy remembered her fondly. Despite her flightiness, her mother had given them warmth and care before leaving. She had nursed them, taught them to eat on their own. After she disappeared, the kittens had no choice but to leave the basement. At first, they stayed together in the courtyard, where kind souls sometimes left scraps.
Time passed Grey Brother was hit by a car, and Stripe was torn apart by dogs. Daisy mourned them, tears falling over their still little bodies. She stayed beside them until the caretaker shooed her away, watching as he scooped them onto his shovel and tossed them into the bin. Her sisters fate remained unknown.
As she grew, Daisy learned the harsh laws of the streets. She kept to herself, staying invisible. Then, one day, she stumbled into hell Mrs. Whitby.
Shed met the woman by the bins, where Mrs. Whitby rummaged eagerly, stuffing things into a vast shopping bag. Her wild eyes locked onto Daisy. “Puss, puss, come here!” No one had taught Daisy to fear toothless old women, so she approached, hoping for food. Suddenly, Mrs. Whitby grabbed her under one arm, snatched her bag, and hurried toward the building.
Inside the flat, Daisy was dropped onto the floor. “Youre Daisy now,” the woman muttered before ignoring her completely. Dozens of hungry eyes turned toward her. “Puss, puss!” Mrs. Whitby called from the kitchen, where she sorted through her treasures, and the cats scattered toward the sound.
Daisy looked around in horror. She hadnt imagined humans could live like thispiles of filthy clothes, mountains of unwashed dishes, the stench of urine and waste, swarms of flies and cockroaches. And catsso many cats. Most were frail, sick, terrified. But a few were strong, aggressive, the favourites. Why Mrs. Whitby kept the others, even she didnt know.
This was Daisys new lifestarving, afraid, watching kittens die, knowing grown cats would devour the newborns if Mrs. Whitby didnt drown them first. She adapted, finding a quiet corner to hide in.
Then, one day, she realised with dreadshe was going to be a mother. A tomcat had courted her briefly on the streets, and now, in this hell, her kittens would be born.
She gave birth silently. Two perfect babiesa black girl like her father, and a ginger boy, just like Daisy. Button and Ginger.
She guarded them fiercely. But hunger drove the other cats closer, and the kittens, now with open eyes, kept trying to escape their hiding spot.
The memory of that day haunted her. She had dozed off for just a moment when she heard Buttons tiny squeakthen the crunch of bones. The naive little thing had crept out. Daisy snarled, fur standing on end, ready to fightuntil she heard Gingers small voice. “Mum Did they eat Button?” She turned and saw his wide, terrified eyes. What would happen to him if she died now? She stepped back, shielding him, whispering through tears, “Well escape. Ill save you.” Then she waited for her chance.
“Open up, police!” A sharp knock at the door. Mrs. Whitby scrambled in panic. “Weve had complaints from your neighbours!” They werent leaving. Grumbling, she finally opened the doorjust as a ginger cat shot past, a kitten clutched in her teeth, racing down the stairs.
James looked into her pain-filled eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks. He understood. “Dont worry, Ill take care of him. Hell be safe.” Beside him, Ginger sat quietly, purring as he licked his mothers face.
Daisy was dying. Her little heart couldnt bear losing her daughter. She dreamed of herof Button calling her to the rainbow. And so, she let go. Her battered heart stopped forever.
Rain fell the day she died. James buried her in a birch grove, then stood with Ginger by her grave. He remembered how theyd come into his lifea dark time, just after losing his parents in a crash. But duty called. The mad old woman, the reeking flat and then, the ginger cat with her kitten, staring helplessly at the door. Yes, he was the officer whod helped them escape. Hed crouched beside them. “Ran away? I dont blame you. Come live with me. I wont hurt you, promise.” He opened his car door. And just like that, his life had meaning again.
He called her “my beauty.” Ginger stayed Ginger. His wounded heart had room for themthe best food, toys, a towering cat tree. He tried so hard to erase their past. When Daisy fell ill, he begged her to stay, carrying her to the finest vets. But her eyes had begged back*Let me go.*
Now, Daisy ran across the rainbow, Buttons little black paws padding beside her. She was at peace.
“Mum, what about Ginger? Hes all alone now,” Button asked. Daisy smiled. “Hes not alone. Look!”
The rain stopped. Over the birch grove, a rainbow appeared. James sighed, lifted Ginger into his arms, and kissed his tear-streaked nose. “Well be alright, little one.”
And they walked to the cartwo wounded hearts, but never lonely again. A strong young man and a tiny kitten. Ginger.
