Being Happy Is a Must
My father left our family for another woman when Emily was just four years old. He left just after New Years, paused at the door, told his daughter Im sorry, and quietly shut the front door behind him.
Mum seemed to take it all in her stride, almost as if it was expected. No woman in her family ever managed to keep a marriage together for long. Yet, a couple of weeks later, in the middle of the night, she swallowed every sleeping pill and painkiller she could find in the house, drifted off, and never woke up.
That morning, Emily spent ages shaking her mum awake. When nothing worked, she cobbled together something for breakfast from whatever was left in the fridge, then came back to rouse her again. Exhausted, she curled up beside her mum and drifted off to sleep herself.
A January day in London slips away so quickly. By the time Emily opened her eyes, dusk was settling in. Shed woken because she felt cold, so she pulled the duvet tighter around herself and snuggled closer to her mothers body. But it only made her colder. Thats when Emily realised the chilling cold was coming from her mum. The heartbreak made hot tears pour down her cheeks, burning her skin.
The sound of the front door creaking open echoed through the hallway. Emily bolted towards the noise. It was Aunt Alice, Mums younger sister.
Emmy, youre home. Wheres Mum? Ive been ringing all day, why hasnt she answered? Ive been worried sick!
Emily grabbed at Aunt Alices coat hem, tugged her along. She looked up at Alice with wide, tear-soaked eyes, pointing desperately towards the bedroom, mouthing cries without a sound. Her mouth opened and her face twisted in anguish, but silence poured outa flood of tears and snot, but not a single sound.
Alice never managed to have children of her own. After five years of marriage, her husband walked out. She loved her niece deeplytruly, Alice was like a second mother. Naturally, after the tragedy, she took on guardianship and Emily stayed with her. Alice showered the girl with care, but, even after three long years of doctors and therapy, Emilys voice never returned.
That winter, the real snow came to London right around Twelfth Nightcrunchy, sparkly, proper snow. Emily and her friends spent all day sledging down Primrose Hill, building a whole family of snowmen, making snow angels, and tumbling in fresh drifts.
Right, thats enoughtime for home. Alice fussed, brushing snow off Emilys coat. Youre entirely frozen and your gloves have turned to icicles. Lets nip to Sainsburys for milk and pasta on the way.
People went in and out of the shop as the door swung open and shut, while a ginger cat sat nobly beside the entrance, looking wise and indifferent, as if he was simply part of the place. He kept flexing his paws, shifting from the cold. Emily crouched down next to him, signalling Alice to go into the shop alone.
All right, Ill be quick, but dont you move from here!
Emily gently stroked the cat. He perked up, arched his back with pleasure, and began to purr. Emily hugged the ginger, pulling his head close to her cheek. Suddenly, warm tears streamed down her face, and the cat started licking them away, sneezing and licking.
Oh, Emily, dont do that! Hes a stray, love, hes filthy, Alice exclaimed, grabbing her nieces hand and steering her towards the car. Emily resisted, tried to wriggle free, but Alice bundled her into the back seat and climbed in herself.
The cat followed, sitting outside the car, meowing at Emily through the glass.
I shouldnt leave him. Hes mine now, and Im abandoning him, Emily whispered, smearing her tears across the window.
Alices voice trembled, Did you just say that? Can you say it again? Please, Emmy, say it again
We cant leave him, hell die without me! her niece shouted directly at her, clear as day.
Without hesitation, Alice leapt out, scooped up the ginger cat, and slid into the back seat with Emily. The poor thing gripped her coat in panic, but as soon as he saw Emily, he scrambled into her lap, curled up, and stilled.
If you want this cat, hes yours. You only had to ask, darlingId have got you one ages ago, Alice beamed, her whole face alight with happiness.
