An Expensive Pleasure
Clara, honestly? Again? How much more can I take? I feel like all I do is work for that cat of yours!
The cat Clara was desperately trying to coax into a carrier managed to wriggle free, belly-flopping onto the hallway floor before darting into a corner to wail mournfully. Judging by his expression, the catwhich Clara had long ago christened Lord Byronwas determined to make his final stand worth its weight in gold, if only to vex Dennis.
Lord Byronaffectionately known as Byronhad been Claras companion for nearly a decade. She could never be sure of his true age; after all, shed found him on the streets as an already sizable, albeit young, tom. It was Claras mother whod first taken them, clutching the poor shivering creature wrapped in an old baby blanket, to the vets.
Please, help him! Mum had pleaded.
The young receptionist wrinkled her nose. Where did you pick up this monster? Its clearly a stray!
What does it matter? Hes my cat nowcant you see hes suffering? Ive got the same pounds as all these fancy cats owners, dont I?
Claras mum, Margaret Finch, was downright stubborna trait born from years of raising a daughter alone, supporting two elderly relatives, and getting by on her salary as a nursery teacher. She wasnt afraid of standing her ground, and yet she was gentle, loving children and cats, and, despite a childhood fear, even the occasional dog.
Margaret never let anyone walk over her, neither the neighbours in the courtyard, nor the parents at school, nor would-be bullies who imagined this slim, solitary woman would be an easy mark. But she did it all in a way that left people bafflednever raising her voice, always finding the argument that made the angriest people stop and, often, open up, sharing their troubles. She simply listened, genuinely, which drew people in. Perhaps that was her unique gift.
Strangers adored Margaret, yet she always struggled with those closest to her. Her husband vanished a week after their wedding. Her mothers jokethat hed lasted longer than shed expectedstung, but Margaret accepted there was truth in it. Shed realised she wasnt a natural wife; after all, hadnt her husband, walking out, sneered, Youre as much a woman as I am a ballerina!? But finding out she was pregnant calmed her. Only women can bring forth life, she thought, and that was enough.
Margaret looked forward to her babys arrival more than Christmas or her own birthday, which were rarely special occasions in her life. But her own mother was less supportive.
Why take this on, Margaret? Its a burden! Youre still young, not ugly either. Have some prospects. But if you go and have a baby? Youll be eating tinned beans and pasta for years, and your child will too! Children are a luxurythe kind you dont truly understand yet.
Margaret paused, considering her mothers words, but something deep inside resisted. The thought of not having her child was suffocating; it wasnt just about the lump she carried but what motherhood meantshe could be a woman and a mum.
It was Claras grandmother, Edna, who settled the matter, appearing unannounced, straightening her Sunday scarf, and proclaiming, Have the baby, Margaret! Well manage.
But Grandma, what about Granddad? He cant cope alone.
Nonsense, love. Hell come to us if he cant manage. Here! She handed over a crisply tied bundlea hand-embroidered tea towel filled with more money than Margaret had ever held. Edna explained, Your granddad sold his old cottage. With this and our savings, theres enough for a small flat.
Margaret was overwhelmed, but Edna insisted: For your baby. Who else will care if not their mother?
It was the start of a real rift between Margaret and her own mother. Oh, so now you can waltz in, bundle of cash on a silver platter? her mum seethed. But Edna spoke quietly with her daughter and, though she didnt win her over, made her point: everyone in a marriage is responsiblethe wagon must be pulled together.
Eventually a four-bedroom, albeit shabby, flat was theirs, with Edna haggling the estate agent down and overseeing repairs. All those years working market stalls werent for nothing! she crowed, proud as the refurbishment teamencouraged by Ednas tireless oversighttransformed it.
When Clara arrived earlier than expected, Margaret was nervous but overjoyed. Shed resolved, after her mothers relentless criticism, to raise her daughter with gentleness, not scolding.
Clara grew to be good-natured and determined, quick-witted even at a young age.
Mummy, can I have a sweet? shed ask.
After lunch, darling.
Just one? Not even a little one?
No, love.
All right, but two after lunch if I eat properly?
Margaret would laugh and reward her after shed cleared her plate. Clara was clevershe reasoned instead of resorting to tantrums, and even calmed her fiery grandmother: Gran, dont frown. Frowning makes you wrinkly and youre so pretty already. Here, let me smooth your brow! And Edna would melt.
Everything in their family gradually settled. Margaret worked, Edna and Granddad helped with Clara, and together, they managed. Things changed when Edna grew ill, and her passing left a deep ache.
It was around this time Clara brought home a scrawny grey cat, found battered but alive after a run-in with stray dogs. They rushed him to the vet; Margaret winced at the billshe could have bought a pedigree for less, she thought, but paid up all the same.
Back at home, she realised she was short on money, with prescriptions needed for both Granny and the cat, and with Claras birthday a week away. The flat was full of hope, exhaustion, and worries.
Please, Mum, dont get me any presents this year. Can I keep Byron instead? He can be my present.
Margaret hugged her daughter and looked at little Byron, who curled up by their feet, warmth radiating from him. And so Byron stayed, quickly adapting, latching himself especially to Margarets grandparents.
The battered stray changed their lives. After paying for the bills, Margaret finally decided enough was enoughshe quit her nursery job, nervous but determined, and found a position as a nanny with a wonderful family. What had once terrified her now felt liberating, and her reputation for kindness saw her income steadily rise as families recommended her on.
Every evening, shed scratch Byrons scarred ear. Thank you, Byron. Without you, I might never have found courage.
Byron returned the affection, but his favourite companion was always Clara. He followed her as she did homework, sat beside her in grief, and watched over her through every heartbreak. He was there after Ednas death, and again when her granddad passed peacefully months later.
Margaret eventually remarrieda kind man who saw her strength, defended her even against her mother, and charmed the family by offering his car for her sole use. My son-in-law is driving me to the allotment, Margarets mother would boast.
Clara, now in college, remained independent, choosing to stay in the old flat. Eventually she brought home her fiancé, Robin, who marveled, Blimey! Its palatial in here! That was before a snarling, hissing ball of fur shot at Robins ankles. Byron never took to him; Robin tried to shoo him away whenever Clara wasnt watching.
A year on, Clara and Robin married, but their happiness soon ebbed away. Robins jibes echoed Margarets ex-husband: What sort of woman are you? Thats not stewits just watery soup! You cant cook at all! Clara, whod learned from Edna, was more than competent, but Robins barbs found their mark.
One day, Byron fell ill. The vets bill left Robin fuming. Clara, youre mad! I spend less on myself, and hes just a scruffy moggie!
Hes not just a cat, Robin. Hes family.
Not my family! If you waste money on him again, Ill toss him out myself!
Earlier that day, Clara had discovered she was pregnant. She held her tongue, choosing to bring it up later. But when Byrons health took another bad turn and she prepared to take him for treatment, Robins patience snapped: Thats enough! I wont have this useless ball of fluff in my house a moment longer!
Only if I go with him! Clara, resolutely calm, snapped back, surprising herself at her own courage.
Fine. Im done. Why am I putting up with this?
In that moment, something fundamental shifted. Clara realised she no longer wanted to keep the peace at any cost. Quietly, she took Robins house keys from his coat, opened the door, and turned to him.
Im expecting a baby, and I cant afford stress. The cat gets it, but you dont. Please, just go. When youre calm, well talk. But I wont live with someone who can so easily throw out someone I love. If you could do that to Byron, what would you do to me when I become inconvenient? My feelings dont matter to youdo they? So goodbye, Robin. You can collect your things later. I have to get Byron to the vethes in pain, and Im responsible for him. Thats what matters now.
Robin didnt protest. He angrily grabbed his gym bag and left, slamming the door behind him. Clara knew he hadnt heard her words about the baby; he was lost in his anger over the cat.
With the softest touch, Clara hoisted Byron into the carrierno more protests now from the aging catand said, Ready? Lets go. Its time for something new, and well begin with your health.
Byron recovered. Age would continue to leave its mark, and Clara would often find herself fetching the carrier yet again. Yet, for her daughterher golden-haired EllieByron became the most devoted guardian, enduring every affection without protest, sometimes soothing Ellie to sleep with little more than a gentle paw on her pillow. Clara almost named her daughter after her own mother, but Margaret advised a different route.
Talk it through with Robin. Shes your joint responsibility. You may not live together, but youve put in the effort for her sake. Now, its time to do more, for Ellie.
To Margarets surprise, Clara listened. Even Robin thanked her, promising to help for their daughters sake. And so, little Ellie grew up between two loving homes, not quite understanding why her world was divided this way, but flourishing all the same. She had two beds, two treasured rabbitsone at Mums, one at Dadsand enough love to fill any cracks the world tried to leave.
And throughout it all, Byron watched, knowing the whole story of Ellie. He never shared itnot because he couldnt, but because he didnt need to. It was obvious: when a mother is loving, her children are too.
Ellie would grow up, and one day, she too would bend over a cradle, stroke her own childs cheek, just as her mother and grandmother had, and whisper, Hello, my little one. Ive been waiting for you
Life may not always turn out as planned. We may falter, face loss, or realise we must stand up for what truly matters. But love, especially the selfless kindbe it for a child, a pet, or ourselvesshows us what we are capable of. The greatest treasures in life can’t be bought, and courage is often just being willing to love, no matter how dearly it costs.
