Dad left the family for another woman when his daughter was just four.
It happened right after New Yearsstanding in the doorway, he muttered sorry to little Emily before shutting the door behind him. Mum took it all rather stoically, as if it were some unavoidable rite of passage. In her family, no woman ever managed a lasting marriage. But a few weeks later, in the dead of night, she swallowed every diazepam and paracetamol pill in the house and drifted off forever.
That morning, Emily tried desperately to wake her mum, shaking her and shouting until her voice grew hoarse. Eventually, she raided the fridge for a makeshift breakfastcold toast and jambefore giving it another go. Exhausted, she curled up beside her mother and fell asleep.
January days fly by, and dusk was already settling when the girl stirred awake. The cold bit into her, so she tugged the duvet closer and pressed into Mums sideonly to find her even colder. Then it hit her: that unbearable chill was coming from Mum herself. Hot tears scalded Emilys cheeks.
The front door creaked open. Emily bolted like a whirlwindit was Aunt Charlotte, Mums younger sister.
Emily, love, youre home! Wheres your mum? Ive been ringing her all daywhy wont she pick up? Im worried sick!
Emily clutched Charlottes coat, yanking her forward. She pointed frantically toward the bedroom, her mouth gaping in silent anguish. Tears and snot streamed down her face, but not a sound escaped.
Charlotte had never had childrenher husband left her after five years, citing the lack of a proper family. So, she poured all her love into her niece, doting on her like a second mother. Naturally, when tragedy struck, Charlotte sorted the paperwork without hesitation, and Emily moved in with her. For three years, Charlotte showered the girl with care, but no therapy or rehab could bring her voice back.
That winter, the cold arrived with St. Swithins Day, blanketing London in crisp, squeaky snow. Emily and her mates spent the whole afternoon sledding in Hyde Park, built an entire snowman family, and flopped about making snow angels.
Right, time to head home. Your coats stiff as a board, and your mittens are frozen solid. Come onwell pop into Tesco for milk and pasta, Charlotte urged.
Shoppers bustled in and out, doors swinging, while a ginger tomcat lounged by the entrance like a wise old philosopher, eyes half-closed, utterly unbotheredexcept for the occasional paw shuffle against the cold. Emily crouched beside him, then waved Charlotte off toward the shop.
Fine, Ill be quick. Dont move a muscle!
The girl stroked the cat gently. He stretched, arched his back in delight, and purred like a tiny engine. Emily hugged his scruffy neck, pressing her face to his furthen suddenly, hot tears spilled over. The cat licked them away, sneezed, then licked some more.
Ugh, gross! Thats a street cat, Emilyfilthy thing! Charlotte grabbed her hand, dragging her toward the car. Emily dug her heels in, but Charlotte bundled her into the back seat.
The cat trotted after them, meowing pitifully at the car window.
Hes mine now, and Im leaving him, Emily whispered, tears streaking the glass.
Was that? Say that again! Charlottes voice wobbled.
We cant leave him! Hell die without me! Emily shouted, clear as day.
Charlotte leapt out, scooped up the cat, and plopped him onto Emilys lap in the backseat. The ginger tom, startled, dug his claws into Charlottes coatthen, spotting Emily, promptly flopped onto her and went limp.
If you wanted a cat, love, you only had to say so. Id have got you one ages ago, Charlotte beamed.
