A Tale of a Friend: A Marriage of Love
One fine day, a mate of mine decided to tie the knot. He married for love, naturally. His bride was lovely, sharp as a tack, and fiercely independent. She worked as an accountant at a top firm and earned a tidy sum.
My friend, James, wasnt about to let his wife outshine him either. He took on extra jobs and put in long hours to pay off the mortgage on their flat faster.
Theyd bought the place outrightscrimped, saved, took out a loan, and even had a bit of help from family. They gave it a proper makeover, all posh and modern, and decked it out nicely. Youd think life was all sunshine and roses.
But happiness didnt come knocking. His wife couldnt keep up with the housework. Either she didnt know how to mop the floors, dust the shelves, or whip up a proper dinner on time, or she just couldnt be bothered. Shed say she was knackered from work and came home late. Fair enough, but James wasnt exactly twiddling his thumbs eitherhe was burning the midnight oil too.
So, the bickering began over who did more round the house. The first six months were a daily battlefieldlaundry strewn about, dishes piled high in the sink. Neither would breathe a word to their families, though. Too embarrassed, the pair of them.
One weekend, James went fishing with his father-in-law. Both were mad about angling, which was why they got on so well. That night, by the fire with a pint in hand, James spilled his guts, making his father-in-law swear secrecyespecially from his mother-in-law.
The old man promised to keep mum but said their home would never know peace without a house guardian.
Ive got just the thing, his father-in-law said. Give me a week, and Ill persuade it to move in with you.
James thought the bloke had gone round the bend but kept his mouth shut.
The following week, his father-in-law showed up with a kitten. James was fuming. What good was that? Just more mess! But the old man pulled him aside for a smoke on the balcony and reminded him about the house guardian. Said hed brought it along with the cat, and things would sort themselves out. Just one conditionthey had to treat the little thing right.
Turned out, James took to the kitten straightaway. Tiny and affectionate, it latched onto him like glue, trailing him everywhere for cuddles. There was just one mishapa little accident on the floorbut only that once.
Next day, James came home to a spotless house. No laundry in sight, and his wife was cooking up a proper feast!
Suddenly, James was in better spirits too. He finally put up that shelf in the loo hed been promising for ages.
The day after, he found his wife hoovering the rugs. Well, he chipped in tootook out the rubbish and nipped to the shop for bread, even brought back a bottle of wine. Dinner felt like a celebration. Couldnt remember the last time theyd done that.
The whole week was like that. Like joy had moved back in. Come Sunday evening, his wife said,
No need to come home at lunch tomorrow. Ive got litter sorted and a spot ready for the cat in the loo.
For who?
Your kitten. I know youve been sneaking home midday to tidy up. But dont worryIve got it handled now.
James was gobsmacked. He hadnt been home at all! Hed thought it was her doing the cleaning. Turns out, shed been ashamed of doing nothing in a tidy house.
He decided to investigate. Next day, he pretended to leave work but doubled back quietly, hiding with his phone at the ready.
Around noon, he heard keys in the door. The kitten bolted to the entry, mewing like mad. Then a soft voice cooed,
Oh, Whiskers, missed you! Brought you milk and a fresh treat. Looks like youve got the hang of the litter box
The bedroom door creaked open. It was his father-in-law, caught off guard.
So, this is your house guardian, eh?
The old man flushed.
Well, I gave you the cat. Thought Id help look after it, at least at first.
And howd you get a key?
Nicked it off your ring when we went fishing, had a copy made, and slipped it back the next day
Three years on, James and his wife are happier than ever. Theyve even got a little one now. And to this day, no one knows who the real house guardian ever was
