Tommy
Susan, are you out of your mind? The matron will have your guts for garters!
Ann, where else could I take him? Leave him outside? I couldnt bear it. Hes alive!
Well, hes alive, but you might not be, if you keep him, Im telling you.
Oh Annie, dont be like that! Hes not some fierce animal, just a kitten. Let him stay a while, wont you?
Oh, save your pleading! Mary laughed softly, stroking the tiny ginger head of the unexpected guest. You think Im made of stone? Have a heart, you know. Where did you pick up this waif, anyway? Hes all skin and bones, bless him! Probably ill too, look, his head is lolling. What a treasure!
Were off! Susan, pulling Marys long knitted scarf from the hook, swaddled the tiny foundling in it. Came off shift today, crossed the town park and saw him lying right on the path. Must have crawled out from those bushes, or else someone dumped him there. He was nearly buried in snow. Id never have spotted him if he werent so ginger. I picked him up, and he was ice cold. Thought for sure he was gone, until I realisedno, still breathing. I clutched him and ran all the way back to halls. Susan giggled, pouring milk into an enamel mug to warm it. Mrs Green gave me such a stare as I shot pastjaw dropped right open.
Well, now youd best expect a visit from her. Oh Susie, shell have your hide! Remember how she scolded Lydia when she brought in that tabby? Nearly threw her out altogethersaid the place would go to the dogs! And no pets allowed in the residence, absolutely not.
Mary, you wont give us away, will you? Susan turned anxiously at the door. If she calls round while Im gone, hide him. Ill just warm some milk for himI wont be long.
Off you go! Mary swept up scarf and kitten from the table, dumping her knitting out of the basket. Didnt see a thing, dont know a thing, wont say a thing! she sang, winking at Susan as she gently shut the basket lid. Go on, youll be fine!
As Susan slipped out, Mary peered in at the kitten and shook her head.
What luck, eh? Ginger and cheekyCome on, little scrap, breathe. Susans too soft for her own good, shed weep buckets if anything happened to you. And Id bear the brunt of it.
The kitten made no reply. He barely breathed, eyes screwed tight, limp as a rag, utterly indifferent to all of Marys chiding.
Dusk pressed softly through the window. Mary didnt bother to switch the light on; she had always loved this time. An evening stretched aheadspace enough to read, natter with Susan, ask about young Michael and their prospects. Mary sighed. Good for her, everything coming up rosesgentleman caller, marriage planned. And her, Mary? Alone again. Whod have hera beanpole like this? Susan took after the dollsdainty, big eyes, golden plaits trailing down to her waista real beauty. And Mary? A strapping lass, as her gran would grin, watching Mary lay down the law amongst her wild brothers with a single flick. The boys were grown nowthe eldest had married a lovely country girl, and just recently Maryd been back to the village to dance at their wedding. Yet here she was, still single, doubting anyone would even dare stand beside her without shame. Gran kept begging her to come homeBut what life could she make in the country now? No men left, no work either, only the farm. And what would education be for, then? She was valued here in the mill, even got a summer holiday out of them. Mary shook her head, brushing off her gloomy thoughts. Marriagewhats the rush? Surely someone would turn up, one day.
Susan returned, searching for a dropper to feed the kitten, who was too weak to drink from a saucer. He bumbled at it, but just couldnt manage. Watching Susan nearly in tears trying, Mary put her book aside and seized the ginger scrap herself.
Here, let me!
She filled a dropper with warm milk, held his tiny head, prised open his mouth, and snapped,
Come on now, little fellow! Susan didnt rescue you just so you could give up now! Tuck in!
Choking and sputtering a bit, the kitten finally fed.
They named him Tommy. For nearly a year, Mrs Green never knew there was an extra lodger in their room until the day she caught a flash of orange fur zip in through the open ground floor window.
What on earth is that!?
Her shout set the whole hostel abuzz.
Oh please, Mrs Green! You never even knew he was here! Hes a clever thingcatches mice! Susan confessed, wringing her hands.
Mice? Mice! There are no mice here! This is a model hostel, young lady!
Oh yes, model mice, too Mary said, folding her mighty arms and giving the matron a narrow-eyed look, nudging Tommy away with her foot. Big, fat, proper English micewe find them lined up neatly at my bedside nearly every morning. Ill show you the next one! In fact, perhaps we should invite the mill manager to see what a fine mouser weve bred here!
Mary! Thats enough out of you! Mrs Green lowered her voice, glowering at Susan. Your doing, is it? And when you marry, where do you suppose hell go? Take him with you?
Im not sure Susan gathered the cat in her arms He loves me, but hes really Marys cat now. Hed pine
Oh, dont be silly! Mrs Green suddenly laughed. You talk as if hes a husband! Cats take to whoever feeds them. Thats all there is to it.
I wouldnt say so. Ive tried everything, but he always cozies up with Mary. Susan gave the cat back and hugged Mrs Greens shoulder. So, can we keep him?
Oh, you wily thing Mrs Green shrugged and wagged her finger As long as I dont see or hear him! You understand? Else well both be out and rightly so.
Susan had her wedding as proper, and Mary remained alone with Tommy. The days stretched out, slower and lonelier somehow. Mrs Green didnt hurry to move anyone new into Marys room. The old halls were nearing their end. The girls all hoped for rooms in the new building going up at the far end of town, though the construction plodded on and off. On weekends, Mary joined the others in helping the builders, wandering through the echoing future halls, imagining life as it would be. Thats when she stumbled into what she thought at the time was her fate.
Alex, much like Mary, was from out of townstayed behind to care for aged parents. After both had passed, he made his way to the city, cheerier by far though hed nothing to his name. There were more girls around than he could ever ask for, but Alex had his own ideas: Looking for a wifeand not just any, but one with something to her. Maybe a flat. Some help to get him set up. Mary didnt fit that bill. But he couldnt help but notice that statuesque beauty, who looked down on him serenely as she passed.
His awkward advances made Mary laugh at first.
Oh my word! Whatever would I do with him? Id end up patting his head. He comes a whole foot shorter than me! Where would it lead? she giggled about him to Susan, who was visiting.
Dont be daft, Mary! What does height matter, anyhow? You should look at the man inside.
I dont know. Mary turned serious. I really dont, Susie.
She watched Susan rise to leave, rubbing her swelling bump, giving Tommy a gentle pat as he sprawled on Marys bed.
Not too tiring, is it? Mary fetched some honey sent by her brothers.
Not really. Its strange though, like waiting at a station, about to go somewhere wonderful. All you can think islet it come soon. Susan took the honey, kissed her friend, and waved to Tommy. Goodbye, old boy. Keep an eye on her for me!
It might have been Susans growing belly, or just Marys old loneliness, but soon Alex became a frequent visitor in Marys small room. Tommy took an instant and deep dislike to him. At every visit, hed arch and spit, then jump to the windowsill, watching Alex with flicking tail, ready to pounce. Mary would let him out, knowing hed spend the evening sulking, refusing food or comfort. She didnt understand what got into the cat.
Jealous, is he? she shrugged at Mrs Green, who began to notice Tommys visits on Alexs nights.
Perhaps. Or maybe he senses something. You be careful with that one, Mary love. You dont want to be left picking up the pieces.
Dont, Mrs Green. Hes not like that. I cant believe hed do it.
Oh, child Mrs Green would sigh, but let it drop. Well, its your life, to live as you see fit.
In the end, both Tommy and Mrs Green proved right.
At first, Mary didnt take much notice of feeling unwell. The milk had gone sour. The mushrooms Susans sister-in-law had sent were probably off. But the weeks passed, and nothing improved, only a growing hunger and weariness. Meeting Susan one day, pushing her pram through the high street, Mary confided, and as she spoke realized, too late, the truth.
Mary! How did you manage this? Susan grabbed her arm. How far gone are you? Have you told him?
Mary, stunned, stammered, words tumbling. The nagging echo of Mrs Greens warning rose in her mind, oddly steadying her. With a shake of her head, she put aside Susans questions and hurried back home to tell Alex. Childhood was over; the future must be faced.
But she soon discovered shed be facing it on her own.
Sorry, Mary. I cant. Whos to say its even mine? I cant go along with this Alex dismissed Tommy, who leapt at him, and with a sharp kick, sent him flying. Get lost!
Tommy, twisting, managed to clamp his teeth into Alexs leg. The shout that followed made Mary smirk in spite of herself.
Drop him, Tommy! Youll poison yourself on the likes of him. Let him go.
She sat for a long while then, rigid on her chair, staring at the closed door. Tommy circled her, seeking comfort, thencontrary to all rulesjumped into her lap and pressed himself there, purring so quietly that Mary let him be, brushing his back just once before nudging him off.
Enough of this, time for a cuppa. Good strong tea.
When her son was born, Mary put herself down as his only parent. She fixed the registrar with a steady look.
Theres no father. There never was. He has a mother. Thats enough.
Susan stitched layette for the baby, and Mrs Green scouted the neighbourhood for a decent pram, lobbying the mill manager for a better room. But again, the new building’s work had stalled. The manager only shrugged.
Id love to help, but theres nothing more I can do at present. Wait and see.
The old hall was drafty however Mary tried to plug the gaps, and she let Tommy curl up near the baby, who oddly seemed to calm at the touch of that warm ginger body. Mary, watching this strange feline devotion, would chuckle and slip Tommy scraps of whatever she could manage. Money was tight, and if not for her brothers help, she would have been quite lost. Alex vanished, gone off somewhere, and Mary never wished to see him again. No use begging for helpbest cut him from memory and focus on the best she had left: her son.
Her family arrived in force the week Mary and baby left the hospital.
What rosy cheeks! A real strapping boy, Mary, just like you!
Mary listened to their chatter, so relieved that she might have wept, though she never had before. No sideways looks or cold remarks; instead, her eldest brothers wife hugged her in the kitchen and whispered,
You did just right, Mary. Now you wont be alone. A good man will come, youll see. Theyre not all like him. And never fear for your boywell do right by him, help raise him up proper.
Their word was true. Every fortnight, one of her brothers turned up with food and treats for Mary and her child. As she unpacked their gifts, Mary would brush away tears and scold herself for themhow little one needs, truly: just to know youre not alone, and that those you love will neither desert you nor your children. That was enough.
Young Johnny found nursery hard: always ill, always needing care. Mary struggled to balance work and home, and if not for Mrs Green and Susan, shed have given up and gone back to the country. She dreaded living cramped in her brothers home, though, so she put it off.
Sitting by her sons cot, watching his little body sprawled in fever, Mary would reflect ruefully on her short-lived love, realising at last what she wanted in a partner: not sugar words and empty promises, but someone who would put the kettle on, send her to bed, and watch over her child. Someone to hold them both. Take little Johnny to the zoo, buy him a balloon, and laugh at her stew before fixing the shelf thatd been in the way for ages. Someone who would simply be therealways. That was family. The sort she needed.
Sleep would sneak up on Mary, and shed wake with a start, head on the kitchen table, bent uncomfortably near the babys cot.
One night changed everything.
Johnny was ill for the third day, his fever stubborn. The GP from next door visited daily, shaking her head.
Theres little more I can do for now. Youre doing all right. Hes stronglets wait and see.
Mary held her son constantly, soothing him as he slept and woke crying with pain in his ear. Mrs Green brought a pot of broth in the evening, hugging Johnny and laying her cool cheek on the babys burning brow.
You poor thing!
His temperature just wont budge.
Maybe thats for the best, love. Shows hes fightingso doctors say.
I know Mary sighed but its hard to watch him suffer.
Hell come through. But you need to keep your strength. Eat, then lie down. Tomorrow might be better.
Mary nodded, readying a compress for her son as Mrs Green quietly slipped out.
Tommy curled beside Johnnys cot, tail twitching, teasing the infant. Tired out, the boy dozed next to the cat before Mary had finished the compress. She considered waking him but decided against it.
Reaching for the cooled pot on the table, Mary turned to reheat the broth in the hostel kitchen. She was at the stove when a shattering crash startled her, followed by Johnnys sharp wailing. Panicked, she dropped everything and tore back into the room.
At the door, she froze in horror before rushing to the rescue.
A huge rat was furiously battling for its life. Tommy darted in blazing circles, already batteredear torn, side bleedingyet undeterred. Mary raised a stool to strike, but just as she did, Tommy leapt, sinking his teeth into the rats throat. He clung so fiercely that Mary struggled to pull him off his slain foe.
Tommy, darling, its done, youve done it! Let go!
He whimpered like a child, finally releasing the carcass and limping to Johnnys cot. Mary gasped in fresh terrorthe still little body beside her boy was another rat, smaller, but to Mary it looked monstrous. She snatched Johnny up, flung open the door, and shouted her plea for help down the corridor.
Within the hour, son bundled up, she was on her way to Mrs Greens flat, where keys were thrust into her hand and Tommy promised a nurses care.
Disgraceful! Rats! Here! And after weve only just had the pest man in! Mrs Green was furious, always proud to keep the halls tidy, but unable to stop the crumbling old buildings decline.
She tidied up the room, then fetched Tommy, tending to his wounds with gentle hands.
Brave old chap, you are, Tommy! No regrets for sparing youthere arent many cats like you in this world.
Tommy lay limp, not even bothering to clean himself. He wouldnt eat, and Mrs Green frowned, knowing it was not right. The next morning, after her shift, she told Mary how poorly the cat was.
Will you watch Johnny? Mary darted anxiously around, gathering her things. Where can I find a good vet?
Dont fret, Mary! Theres a surgery just over from the hostel. Try therehurry!
She ran nearly all the way back. Tommy lay at her bedside, stretched and barely breathing.
Tommy! Hold on, my dear. Ill be quick!
She dashed to the animal surgery, elbowing past a startled young nurse and demanding,
The best vet, please! Right now!
The nurse started to protest, but reading Marys face, nodded and pointed her to a bench.
Mary clung to Tommy, counting every laboured breath, near to going in search of the vet herself, when the door opened and a real giant of a man stooped through.
What have we got here? his deep voice startled Mary into silence.
Recovering, she thrust Tommy over.
My cat
And who did this to him? The vet lifted the cat as if he weighed nothing, examining his wounds.
Rats.
He doesnt look like a stray. Well cared for.
Hes mine. He found those rats in our room.
In your room? Not outside?
No, right in with us.
Extraordinary.
Are you going to chatter on? Hes dying! Please, help him!
No need to shout. Names Charles. And you are?
Mary.
Good. Now were introduced. For the record, I dont like shouting. Speak plainly, and well get along.
He shook his head and, unexpectedly, smiled.
Well sort out your hero. Dont worry!
Years later, that big old ginger cat would slip quietly into the nursery, circle it once to check every corner, then climb into the cot next to the sofa where Johnny slept. Little Alice, feeling the warmth of his fur, would turn over in her sleep, burying her hand deep in the fluff. Tommy would purr, crooning his secret cat songs, and Alice would drift off content, without even stirring when her parents slipped in after him. Mary would tuck the blanket round Johnny, tug a stray sock onto Alices foot, and nestle against her husbands shoulder.
Hes a fine nursemaid, Charlie.
The finest Charles would scratch Tommy behind his, once-stitched, ear. Im glad you shouted at me, you know. And glad I worked such magic for him then. Cats like this are worth their weight in gold.
Hes golden all right, see how he shines.
Tommy would nuzzle Marys palm, stretch out along Alice, paw draped over her. Mary would turn off the light, call gently to Charles, and softly close the door. Her children never feared the dark; for as long as they remembered, Tommy was always there. And with him, there was never anything to fear.
