A Tale of a Friend: A Marriage for Love
One fine day, a mate of mine decided to tie the knot. He married for love, naturally. His bride was lovely, clever, and self-sufficient. She worked as an accountant at a top firm and earned a tidy sum.
Jamesmy friendwasnt about to let his wife outshine him when it came to earnings. He took on extra jobs and put in long hours to pay off their flats mortgage sooner.
Their flat was bought in no time. They pooled their savings, took out a loan, and even had a bit of help from family. They gave the place a proper makeover, all done up in a modern style, and decorated it nicely. As the saying goes, it was all set for living happily ever after.
Yet happiness didnt come. His wife couldnt keep up with the housework. Either she didnt know how to mop the floors, dust the shelves, or have dinner ready on timeor she simply couldnt be bothered. Shed say she was knackered from work and came home late. Fair enough, but James wasnt idle either. He worked late too.
So began the rows over who did more around the house. The first six months were spent in daily skirmishesclothes strewn about, dishes piled high. Still, neither admitted to their families what the squabbles were about. Both were too embarrassed.
One day, James went fishing with his father-in-law. Both were mad about angling, which was why they got on so well. That evening, by the campfire with a pint in hand, James unburdened himself, making his father-in-law swear not to breathe a wordespecially to his mother-in-law.
The old man promised secrecy but said their home would never know peace without a “house guardian.”
“Ive got just the thing,” said his father-in-law. “When Ive a moment, Ill convince him to move in with you.”
James thought the man had gone barmy but kept quiet.
The next week, his father-in-law turned up at their flat with a kitten. James was livid. What was the point? More mess! But the old man beckoned him outside for a smoke and reminded him of the “house guardian.” Hed brought it along with the cat, he said, and things would improve now. He just asked that they treat the little thing well.
James took to the kitten straight away. Tiny and affectionate, it quickly adopted him as its own. Wherever he went, it trailed after him, begging for strokes. There was just one mishapa little accident on the floorbut that was only the first night.
The next day, when James came home from work, the flat was spotless. No clothes lying about! And his wife was cooking up a lovely dinner!
Cheered, James finally put up that shelf in the loo, as hed long promised.
The following day, he found his wife vacuuming the rugs. Well, he chipped in tootook out the bins and fetched bread. At the shop, he even picked up a bottle of wine. Dinner felt like a celebration. They couldnt recall the last time theyd done something like that.
The whole week carried on like that. Joy seemed to have moved back in. Come Sunday evening, his wife said to James:
“You neednt pop home during the day tomorrow. Ive bought litter and set up a spot for the cat in the loo.”
“For what?”
“For your kitten. I know youve been sneaking home from work to tidy up. But dont fretits all sorted now.”
James was stunned. He hadnt been home at all. Hed thought it was her doing the cleaning! Turns out, shed been ashamed to do nothing in a tidy house.
He decided to slip out of work at noon to investigate. He pretended to leave but crept back quietly, hiding with his phone.
Around lunchtime, he heard keys in the door. The kitten dashed to greet the visitor, mewing happily. Then a soft voice cooed:
“Oh, Whiskers, Ive missed you! Brought you milk and a fresh treat. Looks like youve learned to use the tray all by yourself…”
The bedroom door opened. It was his father-in-law. He hadnt expected to find James there.
“So this is your house guardian, eh?”
The old man flushed.
“Well, I gave you the cat. Thought Id help look after it, at least at first.”
“And howd you get a key?”
“Pinched it from your ring when we went fishing, had a copy made, and slipped it back the next day…”
Three years on, James and his wife are still happily marriedwith a little one now. And to this day, no one knows who really was the “house guardian” that once lived in their flat…
