**Diary Entry A Desperate Search for Shelter**
Nina had nowhere to go. Absolutely nowhere. “I could spend a few nights at the train station. But then what?” Suddenly, an idea struck herlike a lifeline. “The cottage! How could I forget? Though calling it a cottage is a stretch. Its more of a rundown shack. Still, better than sleeping on a platform,” she thought.
Boarding the commuter train, Nina leaned against the cold window and shut her eyes. A wave of painful memories washed over her. Two years ago, shed lost her parents, left alone with no support. University fees became impossible, forcing her to drop out and take a job at the local market.
Just when things seemed darkest, luck smiled on hershe met Thomas. Kind, decent, dependable. Within months, they married in a simple ceremony. Life finally felt steady until it wasnt. Thomas convinced her to sell her parents flat in the city centre to fund a business venture.
He painted such a hopeful pictureNina trusted him completely. “Once were stable, we can start a family. I cant wait to be a mother,” shed dreamed, naive to what was coming.
The business failed. Arguments over wasted money tore them apart. Then Thomas brought another woman home and threw Nina out. She considered going to the police but realised she had no case. *She* had signed the flat over. *She* had handed him the money.
***
Stepping onto the deserted platform, Nina trudged forward. Early springtoo soon for countryside work. The land was overgrown, the cottage barely standing. “Ill fix it. Itll be like before,” she lied to herself.
She found the key under the porch, but the warped wooden door wouldnt budge. After straining uselessly, she collapsed on the steps and wept.
Thensmoke. A rustling from the neighbouring plot. Relief flickered. “Mrs. Ruth? Are you home?” she called.
Instead, a dishevelled old man tended a small fire, boiling water in a tin mug. Nina froze. “Who are you? Wheres Mrs. Ruth?”
“Dont be afraid. And please, no police. Im not trespassingjust living out here.” His voice was cultured, educated.
“Youre homeless?” she blurted.
“Yes,” he admitted quietly. “You live next door? I wont trouble you.”
“Whats your name?”
“Edward.”
“Your surname?”
“Whitmore.”
His clothes, though worn, were clean. His beard neatly trimmed.
“I need help,” Nina confessed.
“Whats wrong?”
“The doors jammed. I cant open it.”
“Let me try,” he offered.
Grateful, she watched him work. *Who am I to judge him? Were the same now.*
“Give it a push, love!” Edward grinned as the door creaked open. “Planning to stay?”
“Where else?”
“Any heating?”
“Just the stove maybe.” She faltered.
“Firewood?”
“No.”
“Right. Wait here.” He vanished, returning with an armful of logs.
An hour of sweeping later, the cottage was still damp and grim. But when Edward lit the stove, warmth seeped into the walls. “Keep feeding it slowly. Itll last till morning,” he instructed.
“Youre leaving?” Nina asked.
“Back to the garden next door. Cities stir up old ghosts.”
“Stay for tea. Then go.”
He didnt refuse.
“Forgive my asking,” Nina ventured, “but you dont seem like well, why are you out here?”
Over tea, Edward explaineda retired Oxford professor, devoted to his work, only realising too late hed built no family. A niece, Claire, had visited last year. Sweet-talked him into signing his flat over early, promising a countryside home.
“Uncle, lets open a joint accountsafer than cash,” shed said outside the bank. Then she vanished through the back door with his life savings.
The flat was already sold. Claire long gone.
“Thats horrible,” Nina whispered.
“At least I had a life. You? Cast out so young But dont lose heart. Youll land on your feet.”
“Enough sadness. Eat!” She pushed a plate of spaghetti toward him.
Watching him devour it, Nina ached. *How terrible, to be so alone.*
“Nina,” Edward said suddenly, “I can get you back into university. Old colleagues might arrange a scholarship. Let me write to the dean.”
“Really? Thatd bethank you!”
After dinner, he stood to leave.
“Wait. Stay. Im scared of the stove scared of being alone.”
He studied her. “Alright. Ill stay.”
***
Two years later, Nina aced her finals and hurried home for summer break. The cottage was hers nowthough she mostly lived in student housing, returning on weekends.
“Grandad Edward!” She hugged him at the door.
“Didnt call! Id have fetched you. How were exams?”
“Top marks! Brought cakeput the kettle on!”
Over tea, Edward gestured to the garden. “Planted vines. Building a pergola. Make it proper homely.”
“Your house, your rules!” Nina laughed.
He was transformedno longer lonely. A home. A granddaughter. And Nina? Shed rebuilt her life, guided by the man whod become family when she had none. Fate, she decided, had a way of sending angels in ragged coats.
**Lesson learned:** Kindness isnt bound by circumstance. The deepest bonds often form in the darkest places.
