Emily watches her fiancé Mark, his face twisted with anger, as he slams the little dachshund Molly, who has accidentally stepped on his pristine white trainers, with a harsh kick. Bullet, the sprightly terrier who wants to protect the tiny pup, takes a solid smack from Marks heavy leather leash across the nose. The punch makes Emily finally understand why her cats and dogs despise Mark.
Emily sits by the window, deep in thought, as a winter evening settles over the rows of houses. The lights flicker on in every frontroom, but she feels indifferent to the darkness or the glow. She has a flat in a decent suburb, a solid job as a paramedic, and a life that isnt worse than most. Yet every one of her former schoolmates has married, started families, while she remains alone.
She wonders whether she, a pretty and sensible woman, is doomed to stay a perpetual spinster. What makes me any different? she asks herself, glancing at the fluffy companions that gather around her, tails wagging in unison.
Her parents both passed away early, one after another, so she grew up under her grandmothers roof. Determined to become a doctor, she applies to medical school after finishing secondary school, but she isnt accepted. Instead she enrolls in a nursing college, trains as a paramedic, and now works long shifts on the ambulance. Her beloved granny has long moved to a detached house in the countryside, hoping Emily will eventually find a partner, though love still eludes her.
As a child Emily dreamed of owning a cat and a dog, but her mother was allergic to fur. The truth becomes obvious the day Emily brings home a brighteyed teenage kitten; her mother immediately suffers an asthma attack, and the kitten ends up with grandma.
After her parents die, a stray cat she names Toby appears near the local tip. Emily also longs for a dog, but her grandmother protests, fearing the extra responsibility.
Now Emilys household is a small zoo of five loyal friends. The terrier Bullet is rescued as a thin, fleacovered puppy shivering by the supermarket doors. He tries to slip into the warm aisles, but the security guard drives him away. Emily scoops him up, stuffs him into her bag, and rushes home. His boundless energy earns him the nickname Bullet, as fast as a jet plane.
Soon a dachshund called Molly arrives. The owners of the neighbouring house move to a new flat and abandon her in the cold yard, fearing shell ruin the new flooring and furniture. She howls all night, circling the entrance until a local doglover tells Emily her sad story. Emily takes Molly in, treats her chilled ears, and discovers shes the picture of a perfect house dogcalm, sensible, and tidy, much like a wise lady.
During frosty walks Emily wraps Molly in a warm knitted scarf. The little dachshund looks comically dignified, waddling along the pavement like a miniature governess.
One early morning, hurrying to her night shift, Emily steps out of the lift when a snowcovered ball rolls toward her feet. It turns out to be a famished cat, its fur crusted with ice, staggering from hunger and cold. Emily darts the cat into the lift, offers it two cheese and ham sandwiches, and sticks a note on the wall: Please dont shoo the cat away! Ill be back after my shift Emily, flat15. She names the feline Catherine, borrowing her own middle name, and the regal cat instantly claims the title, commanding the other pets with an air of authority.
All the animals fall into line beneath Catherines stern yet fair rule, keeping the flat spotless. Even at night the selfappointed housekeeper prowls the rooms, checking every corner.
Later, while strolling through the park, Emily spots a tiny kitten being harassed by two crows. She scoops up the shivering furball, names him Mishka, and watches him grow into a quiet, wellmannered cat who never quarrels or claws.
Emily knows her menagerie wont win over every potential boyfriend. Her grandmother often warns her: Darling, youve got two dogs and three cats already. Not everyone will be happy with that. Young folks today think pets are a hassle and theyre scared of the extra work. Emily retorts, Then that bloke isnt right for me, Grandma.
She meets Mark at work, dates him for six months, and discovers he cant tolerate animals at all. The breakup barely rattles her. Later she encounters Max, a charismatic swimmer, champion of the county, who courts her and even helps walk Bullet and Molly. Their relationship heads toward marriage, until the pets inexplicably start avoiding him. Bullet snaps at Max, Molly hides behind Emily and barks, the cats keep their distance, and Catherine hisses whenever he approaches.
One evening, as Emily prepares dinner, she steps onto the balcony and sees Max, his face twisted with fury, landing another hard kick on Molly after she accidentally steps on his white trainers. Bullet rushes to defend the little dachshund but receives a crushing blow from Marks leather leash. Emily storms into the courtyard, snatches the leash from the smiling fiancé, and lashes it across his wrists.
Emily, what are you doing? That hurts! he protests.
It hurts you, but not them! How dare you hit my animals? If you can hurt them, maybe youll hit me too, she retorts.
Just a little lesson, so they dont trample my shoes, he mutters.
Leave now and never come back! Emily shouts.
Fine, Id rather live in a zoo than with freeloaders, Max snarls, laughing cruelly.
The words echo in Emilys mind for days. She had spent a year believing Max was her destiny, never truly seeing the darkness behind his grin.
A year later, almost resigned to solitude, Emily finally falls for someone else. They meet by chance when Dr. Alexander Hart, a trauma surgeon, brings a patient from a crash to the emergency ward where Emily is on duty. Their eyes lock, and a spark jumps through her. She never believed in love at first sight, thinking it belonged only to books and movies, but now she knows otherwise.
Alexander, using his position, obtains Emilys phone number and calls her that evening. They start dating. His tall, quiet demeanor makes Emily feel he is serious about her. She is both thrilled and nervous, fearing another heartbreak. She decides to hide her furry family from Alex, thinking shell reveal them only after theyre married.
Six months pass. Alexander introduces Emily to his sister Sophie and her husband, and they drive to his familys countryside home for a weekend. Emily meets Alexanders parents and her own grandmother together. She visits his tidy onebedroom flat often, but Alexander never shows up, raising suspicion. Her excuses about visiting relatives and the flu no longer hold.
Finally, Emily decides to be honest. She gathers all her pets and their belongings and takes them to her grandmothers house. Bullet and Molly have been staying there; the cats adore the old stone wall, and they get along with the rescued rabbit Ginger. Her grandmother frowns at the plan.
Emily, you cant do that. Alexander is an upright man; youre starting a relationship with lies, she warns.
Grandma, I cant live without them. What if he leaves me because of them? I have no other choice, Emily pleads.
Fine, but you must come over every day when youre not at work. This wont end well, her grandmother replies.
Each day Emily visits her fourlegged family, and Alexanders doubts dissolve. He eventually proposes, presenting a heartshaped amethyst ring.
Just so you know, I have no dowry to speak of, Emily jokes, laughing.
They fill out the marriage paperwork, and the wedding day approaches, bringing a whirlwind of preparations. After a night shift, Emily promises her grandmother shell be back by evening to buy a wedding dress, sort the restaurant menu, and pick out a jewellers ring with Alexander.
The exhausted bride and groom finally arrive home after lunch, still needing to decide on guest numbers and the banquet menu. They sip tea with scones, tally the attendees, and hurry because Alexander has a twoday oncall schedule the next morning and needs rest. Alexander attempts to toss an empty box into the bin, but the bin is overflowing.
Whats this? he asks, pulling out bags of leftover cat and dog food.
Its nothing, Alex, Ill explain later, Emily says, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Grandma lets Bullet and Molly out to play in the freshly fallen snow. A postman with a pension slip delivers the mail, and the gate is left ajar. Catherine, Toby, and Mishka dash out, while Ginger stays inside. The pets form a lively parade, the terrier leading, the dachshund trailing with her scarf fluttering, drawing amused looks from passersby at the crossing.
Alexander hears the commotion at the door, opens it, and freezes in astonishment. A confident dachshund in a red jumper bounds in, followed by a larger spaniel, then a flock of cats, all covered in snow and looking delighted.
What on earth is this? he exclaims.
Emily bursts into the hallway, covers her face with her hands, collapses onto the shoe rack, and silently weeps.
Emily, are those yours? All of them? he asks, bewildered.
Yes. They were at Grandmas, she whispers.
Bullet and Molly start nipping at his shoes, while Catherine hisses fiercely.
Didnt you say you had no dowry? he mutters.
He pulls on his coat, gets into his car, and drives away. Emily calls her grandmother, soothing her worries, trying not to upset her.
Its over, there wont be any wedding, Emily thinks, hugging her tired crew. She doesnt call Alexander to explain; the lie feels pointless now. Her heart feels hollow and sour.
Hours later, theres a knock at the door. Alexander stands there, holding bags of pricey pet food.
Dont shut the door, Im coming in, he says.
A few minutes later he steps inside, leading a dachshund in a bright red onesie.
This is my dog Nika, and this is Marissa. They belonged to Sophie, he says, pulling out a ginger cat hidden under his jacket. Will you let them join your pack?
Years pass. Emily Hart and Alexander Hart often recollect the chaos with laughter. Who knows what their lives would have looked like if there hadnt been a dowry dispute? They have stayed together all these years, thanks to a few leashes, a lot of love, and a mischievous menagerie.
