Kindness by Will
Oh, Emily! You arrived just in time. Im at my wits end!
Emily set down a heavy carrier bag on the park bench and exhaled.
What happened, Mrs Winthrop?
Stay calm, Emily! Rememberpoliteness, always politeness, especially with the elderly. Even the ones that prick like holly.
And everyone in the neighbourhood knew that Audrey Winthrop was sharp as a tack and more prickly than any holly bush. You couldnt find a more notorious busybody.
And a lady, always.
Because Audrey conducted her complaints with incredible poise, but could drive anyone to crumbling point.
Dear, youre not quite in the right.
Im not your dear!
What misfortune! In my day, it was a compliment when someone called a woman dear; now, well lost generation, I say! Still, kindly clear up after your little dog.
And if I dont?
Then everyone, my darling, will know about it.
Those who disregarded her veiled threats soon learnt she didnt traffic in empty warnings. Audrey Winthrop didnt say things idlyshe plastered her infamous Hall of Shame flyers on every lamp post, tree, and public noticeboard in the borough. Shed tape up a print-out of the culprit and a short, damning description: We are not proud! read the caption above a list of offences.
The local printer, which her next-door neighbour had kindly shown her how to use, worked overtime. With her comfortable pension and a little help from her sons and daughters, Audrey bought printer paper in wholesale bundles. Ever since shed taken it upon herself to bring order to her corner of suburban London, the odd fine from the council for posting flyers hardly fazed her. Shed waltz into magistrates court, curtsey to the judges, and apologise for taking up their precious time. By now, she was seen as an inevitable, if occasionally beneficial, force of nature.
Sometimes they even thanked her. Like when she single-handedly campaigned for nearly ten years to get the entire borough’s storm drains unblocked. Her legendary crusade won her the respect of drivers, who no longer floated their cars along flooded lanes after every rain. Now, whenever Audrey strode briskly down the street with a handful of white flyers, motorists would give her a courteous nodeach one privately examining their conscience and sighing with relief if their own misdeeds hadnt landed them on her next flyer.
She took on dog-walkers who left messes on the pavement (unleashed, unmuzzledoh, the horror), distracted mums who favoured tins of lager and a natter on the bench over minding their kids, deadbeat dads, both quiet and rowdy boozers, and anyone else who chose their own way over the common rules of civil coexistence.
Of course, not everyone cheered her on. Audrey once caught a hiding in a dim alley, hurrying back from her poorly sisters. The ruffians werent at it longsomeone startled them offbut that was enough to stiffen Audrey’s resolve. After all, if people got that wound up over what she did, she must be doing something right.
The bruises faded but her broken leg healed a hair off-kilter, aching whenever the rain was due.
I know exactly when to take my brolly! shed say, chuckling. Theres always a bright side.
The scoundrels responsible were swiftly found and received the harshest sentencethe magistrates having known Audrey for years. Thanks to the incident, shed even acquired the invaluable support of three local bobbies and a detective, whom shed think nothing of ringing up now and again for a bit of help.
Oliver, dear lad, I need you terribly! shed say to the enormous, moustachioed constable who, lucky for her, had just bought a flat in her street. Audrey won over not just his wife and kids, but even his mother, whom Oliver feared like the plague. Audrey had famously talked Mrs Parsons out of visiting her grown son every day, by observing:
Were you such a poor mother he still needs your handkerchief today?
How dare you, Im a wonderful mum!
No doubt! But surely a well-raised son can wipe his own nose now?
Which nose?! spluttered Mrs Parsons.
His own, obviously. Youre still doing it for him! How tragic! A grown man with a sniffle and no skill for dealing with it. Children these days! No matter how you try, you have to control everything. My sympathies, dear. Its a terribly sad thing.
Needless to say, familial visits dried upmuch to his familys relief and gratitude. If Audrey could explain what no one else could in a few crisp words and sighs, you owed her for life.
Emily, whod worked as a home support carer for years, knew all about Audrey and her contacts. So it quite startled her to see the usually indomitable Mrs Winthrop crying on the park bench.
Why are you crying?
Emily your other client Mrs Gardner
Whats wrong? Emily glanced anxiously up at the nearby windows.
Olivers upstairs just now. Theres no more Mrs Gardner
Emily sank onto the bench in shock.
What a day, she thought.
That morning, a burst pipe outside her house had made the kids late for school. Then shed had a blazing row with Mark, her husband. True, she loved her Markhe neither drank nor smoked, doted on his wife and children, earned respectably. Quite the rarity! So her friends said. But she lived with him, and sometimes you just had to let your feelings outlike today. Honestly, the argument that time was about a light bulb she could have easily changed herself.
Was it her nerves? Her age? Menopause?
Nonsensejust pettiness! Why wait a whole week for him? She could have sorted it. Now shed have to make peace againhow tedious! And then, just like that, someone you know is gone.
Only yesterday Mrs Gardner had asked her to get some cat food. Today she was gone.
Emily sniffled, then dissolved into sobs.
Oh, my dear, dont fret so! Here, take my handkerchief.
The snowy-white handkerchief landed on Emilys knee, and she cried even harder.
It looked just like the one Mrs Gardner had given her for Christmas.
Its for you, Emily! Just a small token with my endless gratitude.
How beautiful! Is that embroidery?
Yes. Your initials.
Its so pretty I cant bear to use it!
Its only a hanky, Emily. I wish I could afford something more, but you know my pension
My gran said the best gifts were memories.
Wise woman, your gran. Is she?
No, she passed years ago. Its just me, Mark, and the kids now.
What a shamebut dont misunderstand! Im not sorry you have family; its wonderful! I never had that. I regret only that, with all my relations, I am truly alone in the end. No one cares, except to ask if Ive picked out my slippers for the grave. Outstayed my welcome, eh?
Are you talking about yourself?
Yes, dear. Me No husband, no children, just relatives who always knew bestsisters, brother, aunts, uncles, parents They all tried to help. But their help backfired, and here I am, alone. My own fault, to be fair. But the end result, Emily loneliness its dreadful, darling! People need people, no matter what they say. If it werent for my cats, Id have nothing to live for. Even my niece called me a burden after I refused to let her crash here before uni. My sister was fumingher daughter wants a spot at a posh college and needs my flat.
Why not let her stay? Wouldnt it be merrier to have family around?
Emily, you dont understand. I was to give her my entire flat. My lot say I dont need it any more. The girls to live, study, marry, raise childrenhere, in my home. Apparently, she needs it more.
And you? Where would you go?
With my sister. Temporarily. Shes already sorted a care home for me, mind you. Imagine!
I dont understand! How can they decide that for you? Youre not a toddler!
Oh, Emily They doubt my ability to thinksay I cant be trusted any longer, just like that.
Honestly with family like that, who needs enemies
Still, theyre my people. I love them, Emily. Ive left the flat to the nieces and nephews in equal sharesmy conscience wont allow otherwise. But the thought of them splitting it up makes me queasy. I shutter to think what theyd do to my cats! They all loathe them and threaten to toss them out as soon as I go. Who would care for those treasures
That wont happen!
Oh, Emily, you dont know them
I dont, and I dont want to! You know what?
What?
Why not will your cats to me?
How do you mean?
Its legalcats are property. Will them to me, just in case. If anything happens, Ill keep them safe. Thats kindness by will. No one should hurt creatures you love so much!
Emily, youre an angel! Id never have thought of that. But what a responsibility!
Oh, dont be daft! Whats that old sayingA house without a cat is just not a home? Emily scratched grumpy Mr William, who purred, and shooed away greedy Georgie from her other hand.
William had lived with Mrs Gardner for over a decade; Georgie was a stray rescued by sharp-eyed Audrey outside Tesco, and foisted upon Mrs Gardner:
Gail, only you could help this ragged soul. Im allergic! Pity the poor thing! Look how tiny
Ill take this one last time, Audrey, but honestlymy wallet cant stretch to a third. Williams a gift from you too! But a third is beyond me.
Understood, dear. Thank you
So Georgie stayed, though soon it became clear that Georgie was, in fact, a Georgina. A couple of weeks before tragedy struck, Mrs Gardner woke to the sound of scuffling and gasped:
Georginas woeor perhaps its Georginas joy? she laughed, gazing at the kittens her clever cat had dragged onto the bed. Youve clever little ones, Georgina! Williamlet this be a lesson! If youre not a good father, Ill take away your toy mouse, understood?
Whether by cunning or instinct, William proved quite the doting father. Emily would visit, laughing:
See? We think we know everything, but cant tell a tom from a queen! How didnt you guess Georgina was pregnant?
I simply thought she ate well! Mrs Gardner would giggle. But what shall I do with all these kittens?
Ill help! My gardens big. And if not, Mrs Winthrop will know what to do. She never says no! Well sort it.
Now, Emily suddenly remembered the kittensshe shot up from the bench in alarm.
What am I doing here? Theyll be hungry
Emily collected her inheritance that very day, with Olivers help carrying the kitten basket home.
Keep one kitten for us? he asked quietly. The kids have begged so long, and Mother was always against pets. Now weve a chance Mrs Gardner was a good soul, and so must her kittens be.
No doubt! Which one?
That ginger one!
All right. Come for it when its a bit older.
Thank you!
Oh, youre welcome Oh, are her relatives coming?
Of course. They said, Its not convenient for us. You manage.
Emily nearly dropped the basket. Was that possible?!
That wont do! Ill sort everything.
She wasnt even your kin.
Youre wrong! Ive known Mrs Gardner five years. Thats not nothing! Sometimes a couple of days is enough to know someones soul and call them friend. Sometimes, a whole life together isnt enough. I wont see Mrs Gardner sent off without dignityshe didnt deserve that!
Oliver smiled softly and patted Emilys shoulder.
You remind me of someone but theres no need to get worked up. Ill help.
Thanks Emily nodded, tottering with exhaustion.
Locking her garden gate, Emily paused in the dusk. Her old London terrace, willed to her by her parents, built by her grandfather, had housed her family for generations, its walls kind in winter and cool in summer. Home was not just walls, but the people inside.
How could anyone not love their own, not care for the old or cherish the young?
She climbed her porch steps and opened the door, nearly dissolving in tears again.
The house smelt of something delicious, children made a racket in the kitchen, and Mark looked down the corridor.
Whats with the face, Em? I changed that light bulb today! Got home early and did it, fixed the back tap while I was at it. Your tulips will bloom soon, just you wait. Go on, dont cry!
I wont she sobbed, snuffling, no longer bothering to wipe her face.
And whats this? Mark took her basket. Blimey, heavy!
Its the cats Emily hid her face in his shoulder and exhaled.
What?! Lemme see! She peeled back the towel and the children squealed so loudly Mark had to hush them.
Quiet! Youll scare the kittens!
The cats settled quickly. William even started leaving mice on the veranda as renta present for his new mistress. He hadnt forgotten Mrs Gardner eitherAudrey sometimes spotted him perched on the tall poplar, mewing softly at the windows of his former home. The neighbours didnt complainthey knew he grieved.
Sometimes William sat only minutes, sometimes hours; on such days, he wouldnt come home till late, making Emily grumble as she let him in.
Night prowler! Some of us have work tomorrow.
William would nuzzle her gratefully and pad his nightly patrol before curling up with Georgina and their kittens.
Mrs Gardner was sent off with full honour. Emily was astonished at how many came to say farewell.
Who are they all? she whispered to Audrey, who was arranging plates.
Her students. Gail taught physics, then tutored budding university students. Did well for herself, until her eyesight failed. She was a good person.
I know
Nine days, forty days
Emily rose at night to let William in, mulling over the fleetingness of life. She already suspected the cause of her morning nausea, and this secret, kept even from Mark, filled her with anxious joy.
She watched Georgina with her kittens and whispered:
Ill be a mum again soon Its a bit frightening. My kids are older now, and Ive forgotten so much. Do you think Ill manage?
Georgina purred so loudly that William would hurry in, making Emily smile.
True! Look at all my helpers. Of course well cope!
The very day Emily meant to tell Mark about their coming addition, something happened that assured her there are no accidents in life.
William had vanished for two dayshighly uncharacteristic. Emily was worried sick, searching at Mrs Gardners old house. Neither Audrey nor Oliver had seen him.
Emily, get some rest. Hell come home when hes hungry! Mark reassured.
I cant sleep! Its meant to rainhell get soaked! Where is that rascal?
A cat, Em They come and go. Hell return when he wants his supper!
Ill lock him in. House arrest! I wont let him out again! She peered into the darkness.
Sitting up late, she finally nodded off in the armchair, not hearing when William returned.
But the cat didnt just returnhe tore about the house, yowling so loudly it should have woken the whole borough. The houses thick brick walls and a cold snap that made Emily close the windows meant the family slept on in oblivion. Only Georgina, suddenly alert, sniffed the air and leapt from her basket.
She dashed for Emily and whipped her leg with sharp claws.
Ouch!
Emily, confused, nearly kicked the cat away, then blinked awake.
Oh, Georginasorry! Whats wrong? Did you scratch me?
Only then did Emily hear William caterwauling outdoors and catch a faint scent of smoke.
Mark! Kids! FIRE!
Her shouts caught Georgina at the childrens door. The cat bit each child gently, rousing them.
Up! Quickly!
Emily grabbed her younger son, nudged the elder to Mark, and dashed for the door, snatching the kitten basket.
The neighbours called the fire brigade, who soon doused the blaze in the back extension. Meanwhile, William hauled Georgina out, and the whole feline family assembled trembling by their humans.
All sorted! said one of the firemen. You woke up just in timemost important, the house is safe.
Emily clutched the cat and nodded.
Thank you!
Mark sent the kids to thank the firefighters, then hugged Emily.
You alright?
Im fine
Sure youre alright? He rested a hand on her belly and Emily gasped.
You know!
Of course! Em, Im your husband. Weve twono, nearly threechildren! You think I cant tell youre nervous?
Mark, Im scared
Nonsense! Youve got me, the kids, a houseful of catswell manage! And the house is fine!
Thats true
Emily handed the cat to Mark, the kittens to the kids, then paused on the porch, eyes lifted skywards.
Thank you, Mrs Gardner, for all your kindness. Thank youSomewhere beyond the clouds, a patch of blue winked through, and a late spring breeze carried the faint scent of lilac across the street. The world felt impossibly wide and gentle, as if the whole city paused to breathe with her.
In the hush after the fire engines left, Owen, her eldest, whispered, Mum, will the house always be ours? Will we always be together?
She swallowed. Yes, love. As long as we care for each otheralways.
Georgina rubbed against her legs, the kittens tumbled at her feet, and William leapt into her arms, pressing his whiskered face into her neck with a rumbling, forgiving purr.
From across the street, Audrey Winthrop watched with a proud, secret smile, nodding once before striding off, flyers rustling in her bag, her little army of order and kindness following close behind. She would tell everyone, tomorrow and years from now, how the old houses on her lane sheltered the best hearts in London.
Emily held her family closeMark, children, cats and alland stepped back into the battered but still-standing house, the lamplight spilling warm over their heads. She knew then what Mrs Gardner had meant: kindness isnt only a legacy on paper, saved for distant relatives or squabbling heirs. Its alive, passed from hand to hand, neighbour to neighbour, through a door held open or a kitten curled close on a stormy night.
And so she whispered into her daughters hair, as they watched the sunrise together, Home is wherever we choose to love best. Thats what well remember. Thats what well leave behind.
Somewhere, a cat purred. And in the heart of London, kindnessby will and by choicecarried on.
