Ill tell you about Emma, a brighteyed nurse from a modest flat in north London. One bitter winter evening she watched her fiancé, Max, whose face was twisted with anger, slam Milly the little dachshund that had tramped onto his pristine white trainers with a dirty paw. Bullet, the feisty JackRussell terrier, tried to protect the trembling pup, but Max cracked the dogs snout with a heavy leather leash. Thats when Emma finally understood why her cats and dogs could never warm up to Max.
She sat by the window, her thoughts drifting as the street lamps flickered on. The world outside was either bright or dark, and it mattered little to her. She had a decent flat, a steady job at the ambulance service, and a life that most would call comfortable. Yet love kept slipping through her fingers. While all her school friends were settling down, having children and buying houses, Emma was still on her own.
Her parents had died young, one after another, and shed been raised by her grandmother, whod always hoped Emma would become a doctor. After failing to get into medical school, Emma enrolled in a paramedic course and now spent long shifts racing through Londons streets. Her beloved granny had moved to a house in the suburbs, hoping Emma could finally have a proper personal life, but nothing seemed to change.
When Emma was a child shed dreamed of having a cat and a dog, but her mother was allergic to fur. The truth came out the day Emma brought home a teenage kitten, its eyes shining with joy, and her mother immediately suffered an asthma attack. The kitten, named Ginger, was whisked off to grannys care.
Later, after her parents were gone, a stray cat named Tish appeared near a rubbish heap. Emma longed for a dog, but granny refused, fearing more responsibility.
Now Emmas household was a lively crew of five. The mutt Bullet had been found shivering by a supermarket, emaciated and fleacovered. He tried to slip into the warm back of the store, but security chased him away. Emma scooped him up, shoved him into her bag, and hurried home. He was a whirlwind, darting around like a fighter jet, which earned him his nickname. He quickly befriended Tish.
Soon a small dachshund, Milly, showed up at Emmas door. Her owners, moving into a new flat, decided the dog didnt belong there she would ruin the new flooring and furniture and abandoned her in the snowy courtyard. The limp, clever little dachshund realised shed been left behind and spent a week crying and circling the block, trying to get into the warm entrance hall. A local doglover told Emma the story, and she took Milly in, nursing her chilled ears. Milly turned out to be the perfect house dog: calm, sensible and tidy, like a wise old lady.
When the cold made Millys ears ache, Emma would wrap her in a warm knitted scarf. The dachshund loved the soft wool, trotting about the hallway looking rather comical, as if she were a tiny, stern governess.
One early morning, rushing to her night shift, Emma stepped out of the lift and a snowcovered, frantic bundle rolled at her feet. It was a cat, halffrozen, shouting for help. Emma tucked the shivering feline into the lift, gave it two cheese and ham sandwiches, and left a note on the wall: Please dont throw the cat out! Ill come back after my shift. Emma, Flat15. She named the newcomer Mrs. Whiskers, after her own middle name, and the cat, dignified and ambitious, quickly took charge of the house, imposing strict rules about cleanliness. Even at night the fluffy landlord patrolled the rooms, checking every corner.
Later, Emma rescued a tiny kitten from a park, naming him Mishka. Two crows almost snatched him, but she saved him. As a grown cat he remained modest and quiet, never quarrelling with anyone. The five rescued animals coexisted peacefully, careful not to upset their owner.
Emma often joked to herself that no man who took his marriage vows seriously would ever tolerate such a menagerie. Her grandmother would sigh and warn her: Oh, dear, youve got two dogs and three cats. Its a fine flat you have, but not everyone will like it. Young people these days are a bit proud; theyre not keen on animals and fear extra hassle. Emma would retort, Then hes not the one for me, Gran.
Shed met Alex Clarke when she was a fresh recruit. They dated for six months, but Alex could not stand pets. When they broke up, Emma felt little sorrow. Later, Max a handsome, cheerful swimmer who had won the county championships entered her life. He charmed everyone, even helping walk Bullet and Milly, and things seemed to be heading toward a wedding.
But the pets began to avoid him. Bullet snapped at Max, Milly hid behind Emma and barked, the cats kept their distance, and Mrs. Whiskers hissed whenever Max approached. One night, while Emma was preparing dinner, she stepped onto the balcony and saw Max, his face twisted with rage, stomp on Millys paw after shed accidentally stepped on his white trainers with a dirty paw. Bullet tried to intervene and received a hard strike from Maxs leather leash. Emma rushed out, snatched the leashes from the smiling groom, and yanked his arm with her own leash.
Emma, whats this? It hurts! Max protested.
She replied, It hurts you, but not them? How dare you hit my animals! Im sure youll hit me next. Max muttered something about teaching her to keep her feet clear, then shouted, Get out and never come back! He laughed cruelly, No one wants to live in a zoo. The words echoed in Emmas head for weeks. She had convinced herself that Max was her destiny, never truly seeing the hollowness behind his carefree grin.
A year later, Emma, almost resigned to solitude, fell deeply in love with someone who made every moment feel endless. They met by chance at a hospital after a car crash. Alexander Clarke, a trauma surgeon on night duty, glanced up from his notes and their eyes locked. A jolt ran through her, and she fell hard shed never believed in love at first sight, thinking it belonged only to books and films, yet here she was.
Alexander, using his position, got Emmas number and called the next evening. They began dating. From his quiet, serious demeanor, Emma felt he meant business. She was both delighted and terrified, fearing another heartbreak. She decided to keep her pet troupe a secret, thinking shed reveal everything after the wedding.
Six months passed. Alexander introduced Emma to his sister, Sophie, and her husband. They drove to the countryside to meet his parents, where Emma also met her own grandmother. She visited Alexanders tidy bachelor flat often, but the excuses about relatives catching the flu no longer held. She realized she had to choose: confess the chaos at home or keep lying.
She took all her animals to her grandmothers house, hoping the truth would stay there. The move upset grandmother: Emma, you cant do that. Alexander is respectable, and youre starting with deceit. Emma pleaded, Gran, I cant live without them; what if he leaves me because of them? Gran relented, Fine, but youll have to see them every day when youre not at work. This wont end well.
Each day Emma visited her furry squad, and Alexanders suspicions faded. He eventually proposed, presenting a heartshaped amethyst ring. I have no dowry, Emma laughed, but I have you. The wedding paperwork was filed, and the big day loomed. After a night shift, Emma called her grandmother, promising to be back by evening to buy a wedding dress, pick a restaurant menu, and visit a jeweller with Alexander.
The bride and groom finally arrived home after lunch, still needing to settle the guest list and choose the banquet menu. They sipped tea and ate pastries while counting invitations. The next morning Alexander wanted to throw away a box, but it was brimming with leftover cat and dog food.
Where did that come from? he asked.
Never mind, Ill explain later, Emma replied, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Meanwhile, her grandmother let Bullet and Milly out into the snowcovered yard. A pensioner delivering the mail hurried her inside, failing to close the gate properly. Mrs. Whiskers, Tish and Mishka darted out, while Ginger stayed home. The animals formed a little parade, with Bullet leading, Millys scarf fluttering, and the cats trotting behind, drawing amused looks from passersby.
Alexander heard the commotion, opened the door, and froze at the sight of a proud dachshund in a scarf, a larger dog, and a flurry of cats trudging through the fresh snow.
What on earth is this? he blurted.
Emma, cheeks flushed, covered her face with her hands, sank onto the shoe rack, and silently wept. Theyre yours? he asked, bewildered.
Yes, they were at my grans, she whispered.
Bullet and Milly began to nuzzle his legs, while Mrs. Whiskers hissed. You said thered be no dowry, Alexander muttered.
He put on his coat, got into his car, and drove off. Emma called her grandmother to calm her down, not wanting to ruin anyones day.
At that moment, the wedding seemed impossible. Emma hugged her rescued companions tightly, feeling the sting of her own lies. Hours later, a knock sounded. Alexander stood at the door, bags of premium pet food in hand, smiling.
Dont close the door, Im coming in, he said.
A few minutes later he reentered, holding a dachshund dressed in a bright red jumpsuit.
This is my dog, Nika, and thats Mariah, he announced, pulling a ginger cat from under his coat. Will you let them join your pack?
Years have passed. Emma Clarke and Alexander Clarke still laugh about the chaos of that day, wondering how different their lives might have been if there hadnt been a dowry of pets.
