**Diary Entry A Love Story with a Twist**
It was a lovely day when my friend decided to marryfor love, naturally. His bride, Emily, was beautiful, clever, and fiercely independent. She worked as an accountant for a large firm in London and earned quite well.
My mate, James, didnt want to fall short either. He took on extra shifts and worked tirelessly to pay off their flats mortgage sooner. Theyd pooled their savings, taken out a loan, and even had a bit of help from family. The place was renovated in a sleek, modern style, tastefully decoratedthe perfect setting for happiness, or so one would think.
Yet happiness eluded them. Emily struggled with houseworkwhether she didnt know how to properly dust, mop, or have dinner ready on time or simply couldnt be bothered, she always claimed exhaustion from work. Fair enough, but James wasnt idle eitherhe, too, worked late.
Arguments flared over who did more at home. The first six months became a battleground of scattered laundry and towering dishes. Neither dared confess the real issue to family, too ashamed to admit their petty squabbles.
One weekend, James went fishing with his father-in-law, Williama shared passion that bonded them. By the campfire, whisky in hand, James unburdened himself, swearing William to secrecy, especially from his mother-in-law.
William promised silence but insisted their home would never know peace without a “house guardian.”
“Ive got just the one in mind,” William said. “Give me time, and Ill persuade it to move in with you.”
James thought the man had lost his mind but held his tongue.
The following week, William arrived with a kitten. James was furiousmore mess? But William pulled him aside, reminding him of the “guardian” and promising everything would improve. Just treat the cat well, he urged.
To James surprise, he adored the little thing. Sweet and affectionate, it trailed him everywhere, demanding cuddles. A single accident on the floor one night was swiftly cleaned, and that was that.
The next day, James returned from work to a spotless flatno laundry, no dishesand Emily cooking a proper roast! Heartened, he finally fixed that shelf in the loo hed long neglected.
The next evening, he found Emily vacuuming. Inspired, he took out the bins and fetched bread, even grabbing a bottle of wine. Dinner felt like a celebrationthe first in ages.
The week continued like this, as if joy had reclaimed their home. Come Sunday evening, Emily said,
“No need to pop home at lunch tomorrow, love. Ive bought litter and set up a spot for the cat in the bathroom.”
“For what?”
“Your kitten. I know youve been sneaking back to tidy up, but dont worryIve got it sorted.”
James was stunned. He hadnt been home at all. Hed assumed Emily was cleaning, but perhaps shed been ashamed to idle in a tidy house.
The next day, he left work early to investigate. Pretending to leave, he doubled back quietly and waited, phone in hand.
At noon, keys turned in the lock. The kitten darted to the door, mewing eagerly. Then, a gentle voice:
“Oh, Whiskers, Ive missed you! Brought fresh milk and a treat. Clever girl, using your tray already…”
The bedroom door creaked openWilliam stood there, startled.
“So youre our house guardian, eh?”
William flushed. “Well, I gave you the cat. Thought Id help settle her in.”
“And the key?”
“Pinched it fishing, had a copy made, and slipped it back. You never noticed…”
Three years on, James and Emily are happier than ever, now with a baby boy. And to this day, no one knows the truth of who really guarded their home…
