Homeless and Hopeless: A Desperate Search for Shelter
Emily had nowhere to go. Truly, nowhere… “I could spend a few nights at the railway station. But then what?” Suddenly, a saving thought struck her: “The cottage! How could I have forgotten? Though… calling it a cottage is a stretch. Its more of a crumbling shack. Still, its better than sleeping at the station,” she reasoned.
Boarding the local train, Emily leaned against the cold window and closed her eyes. A wave of painful memories from recent events washed over her. Two years ago, she had lost her parents, leaving her alone and without support. Unable to afford university, she had dropped out to work at the market.
After all shed endured, luck had seemed to smile on Emily when she met her love. Thomas proved to be a kind and decent man. Within two months, the young couple had a simple wedding.
For a while, life appeared to settle… But fate had another trial in store. Thomas suggested they sell her parents flat in the city centre to start their own business.
He painted such a bright future that Emily didnt hesitate, trusting he knew best. “Once were stable, we can think about a baby. I cant wait to be a mother!” the naive young woman dreamed.
But Thomass venture failed. Endless arguments over wasted money quickly soured their marriage. Soon, he brought another woman home and showed Emily the door.
At first, she considered going to the police, but then realised she had no grounds to accuse him. She had willingly sold the flat and handed Thomas the money…
***
Stepping off at the station, Emily walked alone along the deserted platform. It was early spring, the countryside still quiet. After three years, the land was overgrown and in poor condition. “No matter, Ill tidy it up, and itll be like before,” she thought, though she knew nothing would ever be the same.
Emily easily found the key under the porch, but the wooden door was warped and wouldnt budge. She strained against it, but the task proved too much. Defeated, she sat on the step and wept.
Then she noticed smoke and heard movement from the neighbouring plot. Relieved to see signs of life, she hurried over.
“Mrs. Margaret! Are you home?” she called.
Instead, an unkempt old man stood in the yard, startling her. He had lit a small fire and was heating water in a battered tin cup.
“Who are you? Wheres Mrs. Margaret?” Emily stepped back, wary.
“Dont be afraid. And please, dont call the police. Ive done no harm. I dont enter the houseI live out here…”
To her surprise, his voice was cultured and gentle, the tone of an educated man.
“Youre homeless?” she asked bluntly.
“Yes. Youre quite right,” he admitted, lowering his gaze. “Do you live next door? Dont worry, I wont trouble you.”
“Whats your name?”
“William.”
“Your surname?”
“Surname?” He seemed puzzled. “Harrison.”
Emily studied William Harrison closely. His clothes, though worn, were clean, and he himself was well-kept.
“I dont know who else to ask…” she sighed.
“Whats wrong?” he asked kindly.
“The doors stuck. I cant open it.”
“If you dont mind, Ill take a look,” he offered.
“Id be so grateful!” she said desperately.
As he worked on the door, Emily sat on a bench, reflecting: “Who am I to scorn him? Im homeless too. Were in the same boat…”
“Emmy, come see!” William Harrison smiled, pushing the door open. “Waitdo you mean to stay here tonight?”
“Where else?” she asked, surprised.
“Is there heating?”
“Just an old stove…” She hesitated, realising she didnt know how to use it.
“I see. Any firewood?”
“Not sure,” she admitted, disheartened.
“Right. Go inside. Ill fetch something,” he said firmly, striding off.
Emily spent an hour cleaning. The cottage was cold, damp, and unwelcoming. She felt utterly lost until William returned with firewood. To her surprise, she was glad for the company.
He cleaned the stove and lit it. Within an hour, warmth filled the room.
“There! Keep feeding it slowly, and douse it at night. Dont worrythe heat will linger till morning,” he explained.
“And you? Will you go back next door?”
“Aye. Dont think ill of meIll stay in their yard. Ive no wish to return to town… No wish to stir up old ghosts.”
“William Harrison, wait. Lets have supper first, some hot tea. Then you can go,” she insisted.
He didnt refuse. Silently, he removed his coat and sat by the stove.
“Forgive my asking… but you dont seem the sort to be homeless. Why live like this? Wheres your family?”
William shared how hed spent his life teaching at university, devoted to academia. Old age crept up unnoticed, leaving him entirely alone. A year ago, his niece began visiting, coaxing him to sign over his flat as inheritance. He agreed, relieved to have family.
Then, Victoria won his trust. She suggested selling his city flat for a charming countryside home with a gardenalready found at a good price, she claimed.
A lifelong dream of fresh air and peace? He agreed at once. After the sale, she proposed depositing the money for safety.
“Uncle William, wait here while I sort it. Let me carry the casesomeone might follow us,” she said at the banks entrance.
Victoria vanished inside. He waited an hour, two, three… She never returned. Entering, he found no trace of herjust a back exit.
He couldnt believe his own kin had betrayed him so cruelly. He lingered at the bank, hoping. The next day, he went to her home. A stranger answered, saying Victoria had sold it years prior…
“What a wretched tale…” he murmured. “Ive lived rough ever since. Still cant believe Ive no home.”
“I thought I was alone in this…” Emily shared her own story.
“Its a hard lot. Still, Ive lived my life. But you? Left uni, homeless… Dont lose hearttheres always a way. Youre young; things will turn,” he reassured her.
“Enough sadnesslets eat!” Emily smiled.
She watched him devour sausages and mash with relish, pitying his loneliness. “How awful to be utterly alone, unwanted by anyone…”
“Emmy, I could help you return to university. Ive friends there still. You might secure a grant,” he said suddenly. “Though I cant show my face. Let me write to the deanhes an old friend. Hell help.”
“Thank you! That would be wonderful!”
“Im grateful for the meal, for listening. Ill go nowits late,” he said, rising.
“Wait. Its not rightwhere will you go?”
“Dont fret. Ive a snug shed next door. Ill call tomorrow.”
“Stay. There are three rooms heretake your pick. Truth is… Im afraid to be alone. Afraid of the stove. You wont leave me like this, will you?”
“No. I wont leave you,” he said solemnly.
***
Two years passed… Emily aced her finals and, eager for summer break, hurried home. She still lived at the cottagethough mostly in student digs, returning weekends and holidays.
“Hello!” she cheered, embracing Grandpa William.
“Emmy! My dear! Why didnt you call? Id have met your train. How did it go?”
“Brilliant! Nearly all top marks!” she bragged. “I brought a birthday cake. Put the kettle onlets celebrate!”
Over tea, they caught up.
“Ive planted vines. Ill build a covered patio thereitll be lovely,” William said.
“Perfect! Youre master heredo as you please. I come and go…” she laughed.
The man was transformed. No longer alone, he had a home and a granddaughter, Emmy. She, too, had found life again. William Harrison had become family, filling the void of her lost parents. She owed fate thanks for sending someone to stand by her in her darkest hour.
