David wasnt exactly popular at the depots, more like people just kept their distance. He was a solid bloke good with his hands, a reliable driver, and never one for a chat. Nobody even wanted to tag along as a codriver, and that suited him fine. He was the sort of guy everyone called Grim behind his back, and the nickname stuck more than his actual name.
This haul was nothing special the route was familiar, the cargo ordinary. Just another day on the road, right? But as he was cruising along the shoulder, something twitching in the grass caught his eye. He was about to swerve past, thinking it might be a rabbit, when a weird feeling in his gut made him pull over and check it out.
A huge striped tomcat lay there, hissing like it was ready to give its life a good scrap. They say cats have nine lives, and this one looked like itd already lost a few barely breathing, a paw all messed up, covered in mud and blood.
What’s gotten into you, you miserable thing? David muttered, leaning over the poor animal.
The cat snarled and let out a hoarse meow, making it clear it didnt need any help and that David should just be on his way.
David sighed, remembering the old family cat hed shared a warm spot by the fire with as a kid. Hed loved that cat, and now it was just a memory.
Im not a vet, but I can see youre badly hurt, he said. Theres no place to park nearby, so why dont I take you to a clinic?
He gently lifted the cat, slipped it into the back of his lorry and set it down carefully. The cat thrashed a bit, then settled down as if itd accepted the situation.
Diverting from his usual route, David rolled into a small market town in the Midlands and found the local veterinary practice. The vet, an elderly gentleman, caught sight of Davids grimy hands and the cat cradled in his arms, and waved the couple of other patients aside.
Lucky you, mate, the vet said. Well clean you up, put a splint on, and youll be on your way.
David protested, Ive got a delivery to make. The vet shrugged, We dont have a shelter, and its not a kitten. Itll have to stay with you for now.
The cat stared at both of them with those sharp green eyes, and something in Davids chest softened. He wasnt about to just ditch the animal.
He shuffled off to the clinics waiting room where two older ladies were gossiping.
Lucys daughter kept popping over to hide from her husband again, one complained.
The poor thing! Shes a diamond, but that bloke is a nightmare, the other replied sympathetically. Hes even started beating her, they say.
Probably why she never shows up at work, all bruised, the first added, chuckling. Old Mr. Nichols is on the phone all day.
David didnt linger on their drama. Hed had his own share of heartbreak a marriage that fell apart before the first month, the bride ran off with someone else. So he just nodded and kept his thoughts to himself.
The vet handed David a stillshivering cat. Give it a few weeks, well take the splint off. Come back then.
Cheers, David said, cradling the feline as he headed out.
He wasnt sure what to do with this unexpected gift, but time was tight he was already behind schedule. First thing was to deliver the load, then figure stuff out.
He settled the cat on the sleeper berth and got back on the road.
A few miles later, two figures appeared by the roadside. A woman was waving frantically, a little girl clinging to her.
Sorry, I dont take passengers, David called out, sticking to his rule.
Mew! a faint sound came from the back.
Awake now? David asked, looking at the cat. What do you want?
Mew! the cat repeated, insistent.
Need a lift? David mused. Good thing you gave a headsup, or Id have left you there to shiver.
He stopped, lifted the cat onto the grass. The animal immediately flicked its tail, confirming Davids guess.
Hey, where are you off to? he heard the woman and girl shouting as they sprinted toward his lorry.
No time to lose, the woman panted, dragging the little girl behind her. Please, take us. Its only about thirty miles to the next town.
The girls eyes were red from crying, clearly exhausted from all the sobbing.
Im not a taxi driver, love, Im a longhauler, David tried to explain. Take a bus!
We missed our only ride, were late for work! she protested. Well pray for you forever if you help.
The cat, now limping a bit, shuffled over to the girl, rubbing against her leg. She sat down, petted it, and the cat purred.
Let me take you, and you keep the cat? David offered. Look how its already cozy with you.
Tears welled up on the womans cheeks.
Wed love that I work at a vet, I love animals, but we dont have a place to stay, she said. My aunt lives a bit further; maybe shell let us crash.
David watched the girl smooth the cats fur. She was a sweet little thing, blonde curls, clearly frightened. The cat seemed fine with the attention.
He recognised the woman from the clinic that was Eleanor, the one with the troublemaking husband. He didnt want to pry, so he just nodded.
All right, hop in, he said.
Come on, Ellie! the girl chirped.
David lifted the cat, and they all squeezed into the cab. The girl perched on the back seat, the woman took the passenger seat.
Ill pay, I promise, she insisted. David just grunted, Fine. The cat likes you, so youre good people. Say thanks to him.
Thank you, kitty! Eleanor said, smiling at the cat. Whats his name?
Just Cat, David replied with a shrug. Weve only just met.
Youre a good soul, she said warmly. Whats your name? Who should we thank?
David, he muttered.
Eleanor, and this is my daughter, Ellie, she introduced.
Will your aunt take the cat? David asked, halfjoking.
I hope so, she sighed.
Give her a call then, David said, turning to her. She blushed, whispering that there was no phone her husband had taken it away.
He opened his glove compartment, handed her his mobile. She whispered hurriedly to her aunt, mentioning husband, run away, and cat. The aunts voice sounded apologetic, We cant take the cat, but well look after you.
Ellie started sobbing again, Cat, come back to us, she called. David chuckled, Weve already sorted that out.
The woman tried to explain she was very affectionate, but the cat was already settled.
David dropped them off at the address she gave, handing the cat over to a bewildered aunt.
Ellie clung to the cat, kissing its whiskered face. Then she ran up to David, hugging him tightly.
Ellie, you cant do that! Eleanor shouted, flustered.
The little girl needs a dad, thats why shes clingy, the aunt muttered.
David felt a pang in his chest. Hed always thought about settling down with a wife and kids, but now this little whirlwind of curls and a cat had stirred something inside him.
Will you come visit us, Uncle Dave? Ellie asked, looking up with huge eyes. With the cat?
Ill try, David managed, unable to refuse.
Ellie sighed, ran into the house, and David got back into his lorry, the image of the terrified mother and her daughter lingering in his mind.
He glanced at the cat, which gave a contemptuous meow, as if to say, Whats the world doing to us, mate?
Id have a word with the blokes who think they can bully women and kids, David muttered. The cat meowed back, as if agreeing.
He started chatting with the cat about his old army days, politics, and family, the feline listening and occasionally mewing in approval. It was the first time on the road David felt like he had a proper companion to talk to.
Soon enough, he spotted a brokendown van on the shoulder, two men shouting, one waving his arms frantically.
Need a hand? David called out.
Two things happened at once: one of the men drew a pistol, and a stray projectile whizzed past Davids head like a comet.
The cat leapt, claws out, snarling at the attacker. The man dropped his gun, trying to shake the cat off, while David lunged, grabbed the firearm and shouted, Hands up!
The second thug lunged at them, but David, with a swift kick, knocked him out, grabbed the cat and, still holding the gun, jumped back into the cab.
Move! he shouted.
He dialed the highway patrol, and within half an hour the police arrived and cuffed the two crooks. The officer on the scene, a familiar face, mentioned theyd been causing trouble for a while.
Country needs its heroes, the officer said.
Me? Im just a lorry driver, David replied. Id rather be driving than fighting.
The officer nodded, You saved a life, even if it was a cat. That counts.
The cat, now calm, rested on Davids lap. Youre my partner, David said, patting its head. Lucky I have you.
Word of the lorry driver and his brave cat spread online. People started waving when they saw them, thanking them for the rescue. David felt something melt inside him, like the ice on the road finally thaws.
Three weeks later, after the splint was removed, David drove back to the little town where hed first dropped off Eleanor and Ellie. He walked into the vets clinic and saw her at the door.
Oh, its you, Eleanor said, eyes wide. I had a dream youd come today!
Seems like fate, David replied, unsure what else to say. You and Ellie all right?
No, the aunt is kind, but Ive filed for divorce, she whispered, looking down.
Good for you, David said, then, almost without thinking, Will you maybe think about us?
Eleanors eyes widened; she opened her mouth, closed it, then the cat let out a sharp meow.
My daughter, she started.
My cat! David blurted, Im not great with fancy words, but I know this meeting wasnt random. Ill look after you both.
The cat meowed again, as if approving.
Ill think about it, Eleanor promised.
A month later they were married, David switched jobs to driving a mobile veterinary unit, and the cat now known as Roadster lived with them, watching over Ellie and occasionally sighing about the longhaul romance while lounging on the sofa.
Romance is romance, but you need a good cat to keep you grounded. Thankfully, there are wise cats out there to remind us what really matters.
