William was an unassuming man, free from vices and bad habits. On his twenty-fifth birthday, his parents gifted him a flat. But how did they do it? They helped him gather enough money for the deposit on a mortgage. And so, William moved out and began living alone. He worked as a programmer, cherished a quiet existence, and kept to himself.
To ward off boredom and the silent evenings, William decided to adopt a kitten. The little tom had a flaw deformed front paws. The family who owned the mother planned to put him down, but Williams heart went out to the tiny creature, so he took him in. He named the cat Winston. And together, William and Winston lived contentedly; William hurried home after work eager to see Winston, and Winston would be waiting patiently on the hallway mat.
After some time, William started dating a girl from his workplace a determined sort named Grace. She quickly won him over, and within weeks, moved into his flat.
Straight away, Grace took a dislike to Winston and asked William to get rid of him. William refused, insisting Winston was dear to him. Grace persisted, urging William again and again to part with the cat. William stood firm: Winston would stay. Grace argued that Winstons limp spoiled their image, that guests recoiled from the sight of his paws. Torn between his affection for Grace and for Winston, William felt lost.
Williams parents werent thrilled with his choice. To them, Grace seemed pushy and rude. They urged their son to not rush into anything serious, to take time in understanding her.
Then, when Graces parents visited their flat, Williams doubts crystallized. Graces father laughed at Winston the moment he crossed the threshold, calling him peculiar. William, startled, leapt to Winstons defence.
All evening, Grace and her father ridiculed the cat, suggesting places he could be sent, making lighthearted jokes about the ugly animal. Even Graces mother joined in, giggling. The next day, William came home from work to find Winston missing. When he questioned Grace, she replied shed taken Winston to the vet and left him there.
William dashed out, determined to find his furry companion. He searched for five hours Until finally, he found Winston. Content that his friend had come for him, Winston purred softly in Williams arms. Upon returning home, William told Grace to pack her things and leave. He never wished to see her again; she had become unbearable to him.
That morning, Grace quietly packed up and departed, resigned. She never imagined the cat would matter more than herself. Now, William and Winston live together still, the cat joyfully greeting William after work, purring quietly as if the flat was always meant for just the two of them.
