A Kindness by Will
Oh, Emily! Youre a sight for sore eyes! I honestly dont know what to do anymore!
Emily placed her heavy bag of groceries down on the little bench and took a deep breath.
Whats happened, Mrs. Victoria?
Stay calm, Emily! Rememberpatience and more patience. Thats key with the elderly! Especially tricky ones.
And everyone in the neighbourhood knew Mrs. Victoria Stepney was tricky. It would be hard to find a bigger character.
Why call her a lady?
Because Mrs. Victoria Stepney did her fussing in the most polite fashion, yet somehow, she could get under anyones skin in no time.
My dear, you havent quite got it right.
Im not your dear!
Oh, what a shame! Back in my day, it was considered a blessing for women to be dear, but nowadays Well, what can one saya lost generation! Yet, please do clean up after your dog, wont you.
And if I dont?
Well, then, darling, the whole neighbourhood will be made well aware of it!
For anyone who didn’t take her threats seriously, thinking them empty and harmless, Mrs. Victoria would rather promptly and convincingly demonstrate that she was not to be trifled withby deed, not just word. Anyone who dared cross her would find themselves the very next day on the wall of shame.
Thats what Mrs. Victoria called any tree, lamppost, or notice board where shed pin a printed photo of the offending party, with the same headline: Not Our Finest! Below was an account of the offence. She had dozens of such notices. The neighbour whod taught her to use the printer was probably regretting it by now, as it never seemed to run out of paper, whichthanks to her decent pension and her childrens helpVictoria bought in bulk. Victoria saw it as her personal duty to set her corner of London in order, and the small fines every so often imposed on her by the courts for this campaign didnt scare her one bit. Shed attend every hearing, apologising to the judges for taking up their precious time, and by now, they saw her less as an annoying pest and more as a necessary blusteror, for some, a blessing in disguise.
Sometimes she was genuinely appreciatedlike the time her dogged efforts finally led to the repair of the storm drains throughout the neighbourhood. That was Victorias crowning achievement, costing her almost a decade, countless rows with officials, and more sleepless nights than she cared to remember. But when she eventually triumphed, her reputation shifted. The people understood she wasnt just a busybody; she got things done. Car owners, who now no longer had to drive through rivers each time it rained, tipped their hats to her and wondered anxiously if their faces might one day appear on those white sheets delicately held by Victorias elegant hands. Everyone replayed their own little missteps and sighed in relief as she strode briskly by.
She took to task dog owners who refused to clean up after their pets, mothers who much preferred a bottle of lager and a park bench to keeping an eye on their children, notorious deadbeat dads, quiet and noisy drinkers alike, and anyone who felt the rules of living together were optional.
Of course, not everyone liked her activism. One evening, hurrying home from her sick sisters, Victoria was cornered down a side street and assaulted. The cowards did not get farsomeone startled them awaybut it was enough for Victorias drive to only grow stronger. If she could annoy the wrong sort into violence, she reasoned, she was clearly doing something right.
The bruises faded, but her broken leg never quite healed, twinging every time the weather changed.
Yet, even this she spun into a positive:
But at least I know exactly when to bring an umbrella! Isnt that a gift?
The culprits behind her human barometer were quickly found and severely punishedmost of the justices knew her name. By then, she was practically legend.
That incident also earned Victoria a valuable collection of useful friends: three local constables and a detective who didnt mind the odd call about noise or a lost cat.
Alfie, love, I need you! Victoria would call her neighbour, the brawny, moustached constable, who was, ever since moving into his own flat, also her closest neighbour. And he always came running. After all, that odd, wiry, polite yet formidable woman had won over the hearts of his wife, his children, andsomehowterrifyingly, his mother. It happened when, finally, hed moved out of his overbearing mums house.
It was Victoria who told her:
Dearest, did you really teach your son to be so dependent?
How can you say such a thing! Im an excellent mother!
Im sure you are! But really, if youve raised him so well, does he still need your handkerchief and constant care? Mothers love is fine, but a grown man can blow his own nose, should he need.
The shocked mother floundered under Victoria’s sharp, almost unkind gaze.
You still wipe his nose for him! At his age! How tragic! I do sympathisehow hard it must be for you, when youve put so much effort in. What children nowadays! One cant leave them be for a moment!
No surprise, then, that Alfies mums visits came to a blessed minimum, and the familys gratitude for Victoria, who managed what no one else could, was overflowing.
Emily had worked as a social care worker for years and she knew all about Victorias reputation. So she was surprised to find the formidable lady in tears on the bench outside her block.
Why are you crying?
Oh, Emily Your clientMrs. Grace Williams
Whats happened? Emily looked up reflexively at Graces windows.
Alfies there now. Grace is gone
Emily gasped and plopped down beside her, barely making the bench.
What a day.
The sewer had burst outside Emilys house that morning, making the children late for school. Then she had a blazing row with her husband. She adored Jackloyally, maybe even worshipfully. A rare find: a man who doesnt drink, doesnt smoke, loves his family, and earns a good living. Or so all her friends constantly reminded her. But she lived with him, and now and then her nerves just gave outas they had today, when she lost her patience over a lightbulb Jack had promised all week to change. She could have just done it herself, of course, but stillher nerves frayed over nothing.
And now just yesterday Grace had asked her to buy some food for her cats, and now
Emily stifled a sob, but soon tears were streaming down her face.
There, there, love. Take this hanky.
A snowy handkerchief landed softly in her lap, and she wept harder, for it was just like the one Grace had gifted her at Christmas.
For you, Emily! My humble thanks for everything!
Its beautiful! Is that embroidery?
Yesits your initials.
You dont really expect me to use something so lovely!
Its only a hanky, Emily. I wish I could give you more, but you know my pension
My gran always said the best gift is being remembered.
Wise woman, your grandmother. Is she still with us?
No, I havent had family for a long time. My familys Jack and our children.
How sad! Please, dont misunderstandI envy you neither your husband nor your children. That is wonderfulI never had either. What I mean is, its a strange thing; you can have a whole lot of family and still end up completely alone when youre old. Theyd sooner ask when youll need those old slippers for the last time, as if youve overstayed.
Youre talking about yourself?
Yes, my dear. I am. I never had a family of my ownno childrenbut plenty of relatives who always knew best how I should live. Sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, parentsso much help! But it turned out to be the wrong kind of help. Now, Im on my own. Some decisions werent to their liking, sometimes they thought I couldnt see clearly, and now well, here we are. Im not blameless, but the result loneliness. Its dreadful, Emily! People need each other. If it werent for my cats, I wouldnt see the point of life. Taking up space, as one niece put it, after I refused her the spare room. My sister was furious, her daughters off to Oxford and needed somewhere to live.
But why not let her? Wouldnt living with your niece be fun? Shes family.
You misunderstand. I was meant to give her not just a room, but my whole flat.
What?
Yes. Grace doesnt need it any more, does she? Shes getting on, but the girls got to livestudy, have a family, childrenand she needs somewhere proper, which I apparently dont. My place was more suitable.
And you? Where were you meant to go?
To my sistersfor a bit. She even arranged a spot for me in one of those retirement homes. Imagine!
I honestly dont understand! How can they just decide for youyoure not a child!
Oh, Emily! They think I cant manage. They say soshes lost her wits! They think I dont know what Im doing anymore.
With family like that, who needs enemies
But theyre still my family. I still love them, Emily. I even left the flat to the nieces and nephews, equally split in my will. Im just scared it will bring no good. I couldnt leave it to onemy conscience wouldnt allow it. And when I picture them splitting things up, I feel ill! Worst of all, they all hate my cats for some reasonthreatened to dump them as soon as Im gone. Whod want those creatures? they say.
That wont happen!
Emily, you dont know them.
I dont want to! You know what you should do?
What, dear?
Leave your cats to me in the will.
How do you mean?
As far as I know, pets are property. Leave the cats to me, legally. If anything happens, Ill look after them. That way, theres some good in the will, too. You cant let those lovely creatures suffer if you love them so much!
Oh, Emily, youre an angel! It never crossed my mindbut its a lot to ask!
Oh, dont be daft! As they saya house without a cat is not a home, right? Emily scratched the purring Percy behind the ear, fending off the attention of the other, Pip.
The first had been with Grace for over ten years; the other had appeared only recently. Pipa scruffy stray Mrs. Victoria rescued from outside the Sainsburys, then dropped off with Grace:
You know what to do with this little ragamuffin, Grace. Im allergic, you know! But I couldnt leave herlook at her, so tiny. Who throws out a miracle like this?
Victoria, darling, Ill take herbut for the last time. Percy was your gift too, and hes my treasure. But a third cat I couldnt manage.
I understand. Thank you, Grace.
So, Pip stayed. But as it turned out, Pip was not Pip, and a few weeks before all this, Grace woke one morning to find a litter of kittens on her bed.
Oh, Pips joy! she exclaimed, admiring the kittens. Or should I say Pips sorrow? But what a lovely lot! Well done, Pip! Percyyoud better live up to your duties as a father, or therell be trouble, you rogue!
Whether Percy understood or not, to everyones surprise he proved an excellent father. Emily enjoyed visiting the growing feline clan, chuckling,
There you gothought you knew everything, but you couldn’t even tell a tom from a queen! How didnt you guess she was expecting?
I just thought shed been eating well! Grace laughed until she cried. Emily, what are we going to do with all these kittens?
Ill help! Ive got a good garden, and if notwell ask Victoria. No one says no to her; well find homes.
Now, thinking of the kittens, Emily shot up from the bench.
What am I sitting here for? They must be starving
Emily collected her inheritance that very day. Alfie didn’t objecthe helped her carry the kittens and admitted,
Leave one for me, will you? The kids have always wanted a cat, and Mum’s always said no. Now, finally Grace was a lovely person. Her cats must be as lovely.
Of course! Which one? Emily pulled back the old towel in the basket for him.
That ginger one, please.
Done! Give himor hera couple of weeks, then you can take him home.
Thank you.
Theres no need What about the restare the relatives helping?
They said theyre too busy. Left it all to me.
Emily nearly dropped the basket. How could they?
Ill see to everything then!
But she wasnt your family.
Thats where youre wrong. Ive known Grace over five years. Not enough? Trust mesometimes a few days is enough to see who someone really is and become their friend. And sometimes a lifetime isnt enough, even if theyre your flesh and blood. Theres no way Grace will be sent off without a proper send-off. She didnt deserve that. Understood?
Alfie smiled and patted Emilys shoulder.
You know, you sound quite like someone we both know. No need to get so worked up. Ill help.
Thank you Emily nodded, trying to gather herself.
Why was she shouting at him? Her nerves lately
Locking the garden gate, Emily lingered on the path. Her house, in the centre of Oxford, was left to her by her parents. Built by her grandfather, it had sheltered her family in sun and storm, warm in winter, cool in summer, and welcoming to anyone. Emily, like those who came before her, knew that home wasnt just bricks and mortarit was the people in it.
Thats why she couldnt understand not caring for loved ones, or neglecting children or the elderly.
Up on the porch, she opened the front door and almost cried again.
Something smelled delicious, and the children were making a racket in the kitchen. Jack poked his head in, saw Emily leaning against the hall, and hurried over.
Em, whats wrong? I fixed the light! Came home early and sorted the tap for your tulips too. Youll be able to water them to your hearts content. Dont cry!
I wont! Emily sniffled, unashamed, not bothering to dry her tears.
Whats this? Jack took the basket from her. Blimey, its heavy!
Its cats Emily leaned against his shoulder for comfort.
What?!
Look! Emily lifted the towel, and the childrens joyful shouts nearly brought the house down.
Quiet, youll frighten them! Jack called over his shoulder.
The cats soon settled in. Percy, eager to pay his way, twice left a mouse on the back step. He remembered Grace, as Victoria would sometimes spot him near Grace’s old flat, sitting high on the poplar tree, gazing at the windows and calling softly for someone who could never appear. The neighbours didnt mind his midnight serenades, understanding his grief.
Some days Percy stayed for moments. Other times, much longer. On those days, he didnt come home until late, and Emily might grumble letting him in.
Out all night! I have work tomorrow, you know!
Hed thank her with a rub and patrol the house, checking the children and Jack before curling up in the basket with Pip and the kittens.
Grace was laid to rest properly. Emily was surprised by how many turned up to say goodbye.
Who are they? she whispered to Victoria, who was helping prepare tea.
Students. Grace taught physics, tutored for university entrance, earned welluntil her eyesight failed. She had to give up in the end. As you seethey remember her. She was truly good.
I know
Nine days forty
Emily would wake at night to let Percy in, thinking about how short life is, and how it flies She already knew why her nerves were fraying and her stomach was off in the mornings. This secret, not yet shared even with Jack, filled her with quiet purpose.
Shed stroke Pip and her kittens, whispering,
Ill be a mum again soon A bit scary, if Im honest. My little ones are bigger nowwhat if Ive forgotten everything? Will I manage?
Pip purred so loudly Percy would rush over, and Emily couldnt help but smile.
Yes, thats right! What am I thinking? Ive got so many helpers. Of course Ill manage!
On the day she meant to tell Jack her news, something happened to remind her nothing happens by chance in this world.
Percy had been missing for a second daywhich was not like him. Emily grew truly worried. She walked over to Graces old place, but no Percy. Neither Victoria nor Alfieon his rounds all weekhad seen him.
Get some sleep, Em. Hell scratch at the door when hes hungry, Jack comforted her.
I cant! Theyre forecasting rainhell be soaked! Where has he got to, that rascal?
Em, its a cat. Cats walk by themselves! Then come home for food.
Ill lock him in! He wont leave the house again! Emily pressed her nose to the window, peering into the darkness.
She fell asleep in her chair, not hearing Percy return.
But hed not only returnedhe prowled frantically, yowling so loud surely half Oxford could hear. But Emilys garden was large, the houses walls thick, and a spring chill had her close the windows. The house was silent, and only Pip, curled with the kittens, heard the commotion. She sat up, sniffed, and suddenly, fully alert, leapt from the basket.
She dashed to Emily, swiping her with a claw.
Ow!
Emily, not realising, half-heartedly kicked her away and then, finally awake, snatched back her foot.
Pip! What is it? Why did you?
Then she heard Percy wailing outside and smelled faint smoke.
Jack! Children! Fire!
Her scream barely caught up with Pip as the cat bit both sleeping children to rouse them.
Up, now!
Emily snatched up her youngest, pointed the eldest toward Jack, then grabbed the kitten basket as she ran.
The neighbours had already called the fire brigade. The firemen arrived quickly, doused the flames in the extension where the blaze had started. While they worked, Percy rounded up Pip, and soon the whole feline family sat by their shaken owners.
All done! The house is safe. Bit of a smell for a while, but youre lucky. You woke up just in time!
Thank you, Emily said, pressing Pip to her chest.
Jack nodded, then let the children come forward to thank the firemen before hugging Emily.
You alright, love?
Im fine.
Really? Are you sure youre okay? He put a hand on her stomach, and she gasped.
You know?
Of course! Em, come on, Im your husband! Weve twono, almost three children now! Did you think I couldnt tell what was going on with all your nerves and everything?
Jack, Im scared
Nonsense! Whatve you got to be scared of? Youve got me, the kids, a houseful of catswell muddle through! Dont doubt it. And the house didnt burn down after all!
Thats true
Emily handed Pip to Jack, the kittens to the children, and paused a moment on the step, looking up at the sky.
Thank you, Grace Williams, for your kindness Thank you.
In the end, a simple act of kindness ripples oncaring for others, animal or human, can shelter us and sometimes even save us. While we cant know what tomorrow brings, a generous spirit is a legacy that outlasts us all.
