Homeless and Hopeless: A Desperate Search for Shelter.
Emily had nowhere to go. Absolutely nowhere. “I could sleep at the train station for a few nights. But then what?” Suddenly, a saving thought struck her: “The cottage! How could I forget? Though… calling it a cottage is a stretchits more of a tumbledown shack. Still, its better than the station,” she reasoned.
Boarding the commuter train, Emily leaned against the cold window and closed her eyes. A wave of painful memories from recent events flooded her mind. Two years ago, shed lost her parents, leaving her utterly alone with no support. Unable to afford university, shed dropped out to work at a market.
Just when life seemed bleakest, fortune smiledshe met her love. Thomas turned out to be kind and decent. After two months, they had a simple wedding.
For a while, it seemed things were falling into place… But life had another trial in store. Thomas suggested selling her parents’ flat in the city centre to start their own business. He painted such a bright future that Emily didnt question it, trusting his judgment. “When were stable, we can think about a baby. I cant wait to be a mother!” she dreamed naively.
But the business failed. Endless arguments over wasted money shattered their marriage. Soon, Thomas brought another woman home and showed Emily the door.
At first, she considered going to the police, but she realised there was no case. Shed sold the flat herself and handed the money to Thomas…
Stepping off the train, Emily walked alone down the deserted platform. It was early spring, and the countryside was still quiet. After three years, the cottage grounds were overgrown and neglected. “No matter, Ill fix it up, just like before,” she thought, knowing nothing would ever be the same.
She found the key under the porch, but the warped wooden door wouldnt budge. Straining with all her might, she gave up, sinking onto the steps in tears.
Then she noticed smoke and movement next door. Relieved to see someone, she rushed over.
“Mrs. Margaret! Are you home?” she called.
A dishevelled old man tending a small fire looked up, startling her.
“Who are you? Wheres Mrs. Margaret?” Emily asked, stepping back.
“Dont be afraid. And please, dont call the police. Im not doing anything wrong. Im not breaking inI live out here.”
To her surprise, he spoke with a refined, educated voice.
“Youre homeless?” she blurted.
“Yes,” he admitted, eyes downcast. “You live next door? Dont worry, I wont bother you.”
“Whats your name?”
“Henry.”
“Your surname?”
“Surname?” He seemed puzzled. “Wilson.”
Emily studied him. His clothes, though worn, were clean, and he seemed well-kept.
“I dont know who else to ask,” she sighed.
“Whats wrong?” he asked gently.
“The doors stuck. I cant open it.”
“If you dont mind, Ill take a look,” he offered.
“Id be so grateful!”
As he worked, Emily sat on a bench, thinking, “Who am I to judge him? Im homeless too. Were the same.”
“Emmy, have a look!” Henry Wilson smiled, pushing the door open. “Waitare you staying here tonight?”
“Where else?”
“Does it have heating?”
“Theres a stove… I think.” She faltered, realising she didnt know how to use it.
“Right. Any firewood?”
“I dont know.”
“Stay inside. Ill be back,” he said firmly, striding off.
Emily spent an hour cleaning. The cottage was damp, cold, and unwelcoming. When Henry returned with firewood, she was oddly comforted by his presence.
He lit the stove, and warmth soon filled the room.
“Keep adding wood slowly, and put it out at night. Itll stay warm till morning,” he explained.
“Where will you go? Back next door?”
“Yes. Dont think badly of meIll stay in their garden. I cant go back to the city… too many memories.”
“Henry Wilson, wait. Have dinner with me first, then you can go,” Emily insisted.
He agreed quietly, sitting by the stove.
“Forgive me for prying… but you dont seem like someone whod end up homeless. What happened?”
Henry told her hed spent his life as a university lecturer, devoted to his work. Old age crept up unnoticed, and by the time he realised he was utterly alone, it was too late to change anything.
A year ago, his niece began visiting. Subtly, she suggested he sign his flat over to her in exchange for her care. Trusting her, he agreed.
She then convinced him to sell the flat for a countryside homehis lifelong dream. After the sale, she took him to the bank.
“Uncle Henry, wait here while I sort the paperwork. Let me carry the moneyits safer,” she said, disappearing inside.
She never returned. The bank had a back exit.
Henry waited for hours before realising hed been betrayed. He went to her old address, but a stranger answeredhis niece had sold it years ago.
“What a terrible story,” Emily murmured.
“Yes. At least I had a life. But you? Dropped out, lost your home… Dont lose heart. Youre youngthings will turn around,” he reassured her.
“Lets eat and forget our troubles!” she said brightly.
Watching him devour spaghetti and sausages, she pitied him. How awful, she thought, to be so alone and unwanted.
“Emmy, I can help you return to university. I still have friends there. You could get a scholarship,” he said suddenly. “Ill write to the dean. Hell help.”
“Thank you! That would be wonderful!”
After dinner, Henry stood to leave.
“Wait. Its not rightwhere will you go?”
“Dont worry. Ive a warm shed next door. Ill visit tomorrow.”
“Stay. There are three rooms here. Pick one. Honestly… Im scared to be alone. I dont know how to work the stove. You wont leave me like this, will you?”
“No,” he said firmly. “I wont.”
***
Two years later… Emily aced her finals and rushed home for summer break. Though she lived in student housing during term, weekends and holidays were spent at the cottage.
“Hello!” she cheered, hugging Grandpa Henry.
“Emmy! My dear! You shouldve calledId have met you at the station. How were your exams?”
“Brilliant! Nearly all top marks! I brought a cake. Put the kettle onlets celebrate!”
Over tea, they shared news.
“I planted vines. Ill build a covered patioitll be lovely,” Henry said.
“Fantastic! Its your homedo as you like. I just come and go,” she laughed.
Henry was transformed. No longer alone, he had a home and a granddaughter in Emmy. She, too, had rebuilt her life. Grateful fate had sent her someone to replace the family shed lost, she knew kindness could bloom even in the bleakest placesa lesson shed never forget.
