An Expensive Pleasure
Oh, Lucy, not again? How many times? I swear I only work to pay your cats bills!
The cat, whom Lucy struggled to slide into the carrier, wriggled free from her arms, thudded to the floor, and scuttled into the hallway corner, letting out a mournful, guttural yowl. From his look, the catonce given the romantic name of Byron by Lucyseemed intent on making his supposed final moments as dramatic as possible, at least in her husband Davids view.
Byron, or Baz as Lucy lovingly called her furry friend, had been with her for about ten years. She never really knew how old he truly was; shed taken him in from the street, and he wasnt a kitten even then. Young but fully grown, the vet had explained to Lucys mum at the time.
To the vets theyd rushed, Lucy clutching the shivering cat tightly wrapped up in an old baby blanket, her mumMargaret Williamsmarching by her side.
“Please, you have to save him!”
“And where did you find this creature?” the young vet wrinkled her nose. “Hes a stray!”
“What does it matter? Hes *my* cat! Cant you see hes suffering? Or are my pounds somehow worth less than those of pure-bred cat owners?”
Margarets temper was legendary, and the vet wisely opted not to argue. When life had pushed herraising Lucy alone, caring for two elderly parents on a nursery nurses salaryMargaret learned to hold her own. No neighbour, no parent at the nursery would ever mistake her kindness for weakness. Yet somehow, she managed this with grace, never shouting or berating, but finding the words that made would-be adversaries see things differently. More often than not, after a heated moment, she would find herself listening to their troubles instead, quietly nodding as they unburdened themselvesthankful for her understanding by the end.
Others marvelled at her way with strangers, but at home, it was harder. Her husband had lasted a week after the wedding, her own mother later joked that hed hung on longer than expected. It hurt, but Margaret could see the truth in it. She wasnt the easiest of partners. As her ex-husband had quipped upon leaving, You as a wife? Like me as a ballerina. Ouch.
Yet a few months later, Margaret found out she was expecting. Whatever else, being a mother was something no one could take from her.
When she confided in her mother, she got no support. Dont saddle yourself, Margaret! Youre young, you could build a life for yourself if you tried! Children are a costly luxury, youll see, scraping by on pasta and baked beans! I know, Ive done it.
We always lived like that, Mum.
Yes, and what good did it do?
For once, despite a lifetime of compliance, Margaret stood her ground, resisting the supposedly sensible choice to end the pregnancy. The very thought filled her with suffocating despair; it wasnt just a cluster of cells at risk, but her own sense of self and possibility.
The real turning point came when her gran swept into the city, best scarf in place, and declared, Have your baby, love! Ill help you! And she hadpresenting Margaret the next day with a tidy sum: her grandfather had sold his old home, the plot snapped up for development along the new ring road. Enough to buy a modest flat. Its not just for youits for your child. Who else will care for them if not their mother?
That bundle of savings finalised the rift between Margaret and her own mum, but was the first brick in a new life for Margaret and her soon-to-be daughter.
With the help of her granan inveterate haggler, whod run rings around more than a few market sellersa spacious, if run-down, four-bedroom flat was secured. Years at the market, love. Growing the veg is only half of it; selling well, thats harder. Watch and learn.
Once the buildersmanaged by her keen-eyed grannyfinished the renovations, Margaret wept with relief at the sight of her new home. Why the tears, silly girl? Time to break in that new kitchen!
Lucy was born a little early, but proved sturdy and gentle. Margaret always remembered the sting of her own mothers words and was determined her daughter would never know such bitterness.
Gran became the centre of their homehelping care for Lucy, offering sage advice, and even smoothing over squabbles with Margarets still-difficult mum. Lucy, with her gentle cunning, could stop any argument with a blink of her wide blue eyes. Nan, dont frown, please! Itll give you wrinkles, and youre too pretty for those.
Life settled into its rhythms. Margaret worked, gran and granddad (whod finally moved to the city and sold up in the country) looked after Lucy. When grans health began to fail, the doctors were wary, but Margaret needed no explanationsshe could see what the future held.
Nana, maybe we should take you to London?
No, Margaret. Ive lived my life, Im not afraid of going. I just worry about leaving you all behind. Take care of your granddad, promise.
During those difficult days, Lucy found Byron. Returning from school one afternoon, she vanished for a terrifying houruntil she reappeared, tear-streaked and clutching a battered, near-suffocated stray cat. Without a word, Margaret bundled the animal in Lucys baby blanket and dashed for the local vet.
The injuries werent too baddogs in the schools basement had bitten him, but nothing the vet couldnt patch up. She handed Byron over with brisk instructions about vaccines (He looks like a trampget him a passport!), and the bill stung more than the dog bites. Margaret paid up, muttering, Couldve bought two pedigree kittens for this, but she handed over her last pounds all the same.
At home, combing through her purse, Margaret realised with a start that she wouldnt have enough to last the rest of the month. Medicines for the cat and granny, plus Lucys birthday just a week away. Birthdays matteredMargaret had rarely known them in her own childhood and wanted Lucys to be different.
Mum, can I ask something? It was late, and Lucy, supposed to be asleep, had crept into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Margarets waist.
What is it, sweetheart?
I dont want any birthday presents this year, okay? Can I keep him? Hell be my present
Margaret hugged her back, glancing at the grey heap of fur asleep by her foot. Any attempt to make Byron sleep in a box proved uselesshed crawl back to her side, nestling against her slipper and purring at the old fridge.
Needless to say, Byron stayed.
The scruffy old cat quickly settled into domestic life, never once causing trouble for Margaret or Lucy, and endearing himself especially to Margarets parents, rarely leaving grannys side.
Oddly, bringing Byron home changed more than one life in the flat. Margaret, stung by the cost of his care, finally found the courage to leave her nursery nurse job. She became a nanny for a well-off family, on a friends recommendation, and never looked back. Her reputation quickly spreadshe moved from family to family, always in demand, and with each role, her salary rose. Every evening, as she scratched Byrons fully healed ear, shed murmur, Thank you, Baz. If it werent for you
Byron purred in reply, batting at her hand and peering up at Lucythe junior mistress of the house. He spent all his time with Lucy: watching over her as she finished schoolwork, then as she sat quietly at the door to grannys room, tears slipping down her cheeks, and later when granddad passed away just months after granny.
Byron was there, too, when Margaretmuch to her own surprisemet a wonderful man. After soul-searching she married him, putting aside memories of the slights and taunts of her first marriage forever. Her new husband adored her, and, to everyones astonishment, quickly won the heart of Margarets own mother. Now shed glide out of her block of flats carrying seed trays, boasting to the neighbours, My son-in-laws come to take me to the allotment in his car.
By this time, Lucy was in collegemature, independent, deciding to remain in her childhood flat even as her stepfather settled Margaret into a new home. It was there that Lucy introduced her new boyfriend, Tom.
Blimey! Lucy, this place is massive!
Hardly!
So much roomwait, whats that?!
A hissing, bristling ball of feline fury shot from Lucys bedroom and hurled itself at Tom. He yelped, leaping about as Byron continued his offensive, all claws and anger.
Get him off! Lucy, please!
Lucy calmed Byron, but the two remained sworn enemies. Tom, whenever he could, shooed the cat out with a flick of his hand when Lucy wasnt looking.
A year later, Lucy and Tom married, but something never quite clicked. Hed nit-pick, making snide remarks about the foodeven though Lucys late gran had schooled her in cooking since she was ten. It was just like listening to Margarets ex all those years before.
What kind of wife are you, Lucy? Is this meant to be stew? Its just watery! You dont have a clue in the kitchen!
But the real trouble came when Byron fell ill again. Upon seeing the vets bill, Tom was incredulous.
How much?! Lucy, have you lost your mind? I spend less on my own dentist! Hes just a ball of fluff!
Hes not just a pet, Tom. Hes family.
Family? Not *mine*! If it happens again, Ill chuck him out myself!
Lucywho had just that morning discovered she was pregnantheld her tongue, telling herself there would be time to reason with him later.
But come morning, Byron was poorly again, and as Lucy prepared to take him to the vet once more, Tom burst in from his run. He took great pride in his own fitness, and constant reminders that health is everything!something, he insinuated, Lucy failed to grasp.
Upon learning the cat was to see the vet once more, Tom snapped. Hurling his trainer at the wall, he shouted, Enough! Get rid of that useless animal! Im not wasting money on a pest like thatout he goes!
Only if I go too. It surprised even Lucynormally so calm and even-tempered, was this hormones or just the last straw?
Thats fine! Ive had enough! Why should I put up with all this?
Something changed in the roomit was clear that their relationship had reached a breaking point. Lucy finally understood she didnt want to raise a child in such a household.
She said nothing. She quietly reached into Toms jacket pocket, took his keys, and handed them back to him with a calm, Im expecting. I cant afford upsets or rows, and Byron gets that better than you do. Please go now. When youre calmer, well talk. But I cant live like this. If you can throw away something so precious to me, how quickly will you discard me or our child when we annoy you? My feelings mean nothing, is that right? Thank you for the good times, Tom, truly. But now theres too much bad. Thats enough. For both our sakes. Take your things later. I need to get Byron seenhes ill and Im responsible for him. Thats whats right.
Tom didnt argue. He stuffed some things in his gym bag and stormed out.
Lucy was certain hed not even registered her news about the baby; all he could think about was getting rid of the cat.
So, Lucy set Byron in his carrierthis time, the old cat went in without a fightand she asked him, Ready? Lets get you sorted! Some things need to change, and your health comes first.
Byron recovered. Of course, age would catch up with him, and there would be more trips to the vet, but he would always, always, allow Lucys daughter little privileges his dignified self would never have permitted anyone else.
No nanny could match Byron when it came to soothing the new baby to sleep, a gentle paw on the pillow beside a giggling version of Margaret. Lucy considered naming her daughter after her mother, but was gently steered away: Talk to Tomits your child together, even if youve separated. Your little girl will always bind you both. It wont be easy, but you must give your best for her.
Lucy listened to her mum and surprised her now ex-husband with her mature resolve.
Didnt think you had it in you.
Well, Im learning, arent I? What do you say?
I say thank you, Lucy. For putting her first.
And youll help out?
I will.
And so little Alice grew up between two homes, two beds, and two favourite bunnies. Grandma Margaret and Grandma Valerie took pride in her, and their love, shared through her, softened old hurts. It was Alice herselfcheerful, loving, and open-heartedwho made sure everyone saw each other as family.
Byron, old and wise, understood the real story behind the little girl, but never needed to say a word. It was clear to allwhen a mother cat is gentle, so are her kittens.
And Alice, taken right into the arms of that gentle love, was proof that in the end, kindnessthough it may seem an expensive pleasureis what makes life truly rich. One day shed cradle her own child the very same way, carry on the quiet legacy, and whisper, Hello, my darling. Ive been waiting for youYoure safe, youre home. Ive got you.
Sometimes, in the evenings, with Alice asleep tangled in a patchwork blanket and Byron curled at her feet, Lucy would listen to the hush of the flat, the velvet-soft breath of her daughter, and marvel. The threads of hardship and hope, of losses and second chances, wove together here. In every room, laughter and tears had left their gentle markson the floors, in the faded photos, and in the patient purr of an old tomcat.
Lifes expenses, she knew now, could never be measured in coins alone. The best thingsthe ones that cost the most to keepwere sometimes rescued with an outstretched hand, a brave word, or the simple, unfaltering promise to love, no matter the cost.
And so, each night before sleep, Lucy tucked Alice in, stroked Byrons silvered head, andjust as her gran had once told herwhispered, Tomorrow well make more memories, sweetheart.
Because the greatest pleasures, shed learned, often ask for sacrificeand give back their riches in ways you feel forever, deep in your heart, long after the bills are paid and the candles blown out.
