Whiskers
Cathy, have you lost your mind? The warden will have your head for this!
Mary, what was I supposed to do? Leave him outside? Poor thing! Hes alive!
He might be alive, but Im not sure you will be if you keep him.
Please, Mary, honestly! Its not as if hes a tiger or something, just a kitten. Lets let him stay for a bit, yeah?
Oh, stop trying to talk me round, Mary laughed, stroking the tiny ginger head of their unexpected guest. Do you think I have no heart? Where did you find the little scrap? Hes so skinny! Probably sick too, look, he can barely lift his head. Bless him!
On my way back from my shift today, answered Cathy as she wrapped the kitten in one of Marys long wool scarves. I was passing through the park and he was lying on the path. Maybe hed crawled out from the bushes, maybe someone just left him there. Snow was already piling over him. I might not have noticed if he hadnt been ginger. I picked him up, he was absolutely freezing. I thought hed stopped breathing, but then I realised he was still alive. I ran the whole way back to the halls. Vera Jones looked at me like I was mad when I dashed past her. Mouth hanging open and everything.
Then be ready for a visit, Mary sighed. Shell have your hide! Remember how she tore into Lydia when she brought in that stray cat? Nearly kicked her out. Kept banging on about order and rulesno pets in the dorms.
But Mary, you wont tell anyone, right? Cathy pleaded from the doorway. If she comes when Im not here, just hide him, please. Ill just warm some milk for him and bring him back.
Off you go! Mary swept her knitting off the table into her basket and hid the kitten safely in the scarf. I havent seen anything, know nothing, wont say a word! she sang, closing the lid and winking at Cathy. Go on, dont worry!
Cathy hurried away while Mary peered in the basket and shook her head.
Luck of the draw, eh? You little ginger trouble. Keep breathing, you scrap. Cathys got a soft heart, shell cry her eyes out if anything happens to you. And who needs that?
The kitten said nothing, barely breathing, eyes shut tight, unmoved by Marys mutterings.
Dusk crept quietly over the room. Mary didnt want to turn on the light just yet; she always loved that momentthe whole evening still ahead. Not like the days when she worked lates and had to go straight to bed after getting in. Now she had time to read, catch up with Cathy, ask about her and Michael. Mary sighed. Lucky girl. She had a boyfriend, hed even proposed. And Mary? No one. Who would want herso tall? Cathy was petite, a little doll, with mermaid eyes and plaits to her waist. Gorgeous, really. But Mary? Built like a brick house, as her gran always joked, watching her protect her three younger brothers with a single well-timed glare. They were all bigger nowher eldest brother had married a good woman, and Mary had only just come back from their wedding in the countryside. But Mary herself, still alone. No one even interested, as if being tall was a curse. Maybe gran was right to call her home, but what was there for her? No men left in the village, hardly any work except at the farm. She hadnt studied all these years for that. Here at the factory at least people respected her. They even gave her a holiday voucher. Mary shook her head, brushing aside the gloom. No point fretting about marriagethere was still time. Surely, someone would come along.
Cathy returned, hunting for a dropper to feed the kitten, who couldnt drink from a saucer, just nudged at the milk, too weak even to lap. Mary watched Cathy trying to coax him to eat, nearly in tears, so she put her book down, scooped up the bedraggled ginger scrap and said:
Let me.
She filled the dropper, gently pried open his mouth, and snapped: Youd better eat! Cathy didnt save you just to starve.
The kitten spluttered and choked, but he started to swallow.
They called him Whiskers. Vera Jones didnt find out for nearly a year that the girls had a secret roommate, not until she happened to see a flash of ginger fur whizz through the ground-floor window.
What on earth is that!?
Her shriek echoed through the whole dormitory.
Please, Vera! You never even noticed! Hes so cleverkeeps the mice away, Cathy pleaded.
Mice? What mice? Weve got a model dorm here! No mice allowed!
Oh, but ours are model miceround little things, plump as anything, Mary smiled, folding her arms over her broad chest and nudging Whiskers behind her with a foot. He lines them up by my bed most mornings! Ill show you next time, I promise. Maybe well even invite the factory manager to seemight make us proud!
Mary! Youll be the death of me Vera lowered her voice, scowling at Cathy. Your pet? What about when you get marriedtake him with you?
I dont know, Cathy scooped up Whiskers, He loves me but hes set on having Mary as his mistress, for some reason. Hell miss her…
Oh, stop. Vera suddenly laughed. You talk about him like hes your husband! Cathy, hes a cat. Hell go anywhere theres dinner.
You say that, but I try everything and he still curls up with Mary, Cathy smiled, cuddling the cat and hugging Vera. Socan he stay?
Youre a sly one, Vera warned, wagging a finger. But all rightas long as hes neither seen nor heard! If they catch us, were both out. Fair warning.
Cathys wedding came and went, and Mary found herself alone with Whiskers. The days seemed to grow slower, lonelier. Vera didnt rush to assign a new roomie. The old halls were on their last legs. The girls all quietly hoped for a room in the new block being built, helping out on weekends. Mary would wander the echoing corridors, imagining her future life there. It was there she met what she thought might be her destiny.
Alex, like Mary, was new to the city, looking after his parents till the very end, then moving here with nothing to his name. Still, life felt much brighter. Plenty of girls fluttered about, but Alex was fussyhe wanted a wife with something to her name. Mary didnt fit the bill, but he couldnt help noticing her as she swept past him in the corridor, tall and regal.
At first, his awkward attempts at wooing just made Mary laugh.
Oh goodness! Hes so short, Id have to pat him on the head! shed chuckle, telling Cathy, whod come back to visit.
But Mary, come off it! Its not about heightisnt he a good sort?
I dont know, Mary would grow serious and look away. I just dont know, Cathy.
Shed watch Cathy struggle up, pregnant, and stroke Whiskers lying fat and content on the bed.
Heavy, love? Mary would fetch the jar of honey her brothers had sent.
Oh, not really, just strangeyou know, like standing on a station platform, waiting for a train to somewhere wonderful. Youre just thinking, hurry up. Cathy would kiss her, wave at Whiskers and say, Take care, old chap. Look after her!
Perhaps it was Cathys baby bump, or Marys own loneliness, but before long Alex became a regular visitor. Whiskers took to disliking him on sight, arching his back, hissing, then darting to the windowsill to glower at him from afar, his tail thumping. Mary would have to shove him outside, knowing hed stay gone until late and sulkily refuse all affection or even food. She just didnt understand him sometimes.
Is he jealous or something? shed shrug at Vera Jones, who now saw more of Whiskers than Mary did on Alexs visiting days.
Maybe he is, or maybe he just knows something. Be careful with your fella, Mary. You never know. He might just drop you and run.
Dont worry, Vera. He wouldnt. I just dont believe it.
Oh, Mary Vera sighed, leaving it at that. You make your own choices.
And they turned out to be right.
Mary didnt think much of her queasiness at firstsour milk, tinned mushrooms left open too long. But a week passed, then two, and nothing improved. She was always tired and hungry. After meeting Cathynow out with her pramMary poured her heart out and suddenly understood.
Oh Mary! How did this happen? Cathy put a hand to her mouth. How far along are you? Have you told him?
Mary stood there, the realisation still sinking in, Cathy firing questions, her mind buzzing, and suddenly Veras old warning echoed somewhere in the back of her mind.
Oh, Mary. Watch yourself.
And that, more than anything, shocked her back to herself. With a nod to Cathys questions, she hurried off. She needed to talk to Alex. Fun and games were over. There was the future to think about, after all.
Except, as it turned out, she would be thinking about it alone.
Sorry, Mary. No can do. How am I supposed to know its mine? I cant take that on, Alex swatted away Whiskers, who launched at him and gave him a good kick. Clear off!
Whiskers, twisting, still managed to leave a scratch on Alexs ankle, and when he screamed, Mary surprised herself by grinning:
Dont bother, Whiskers! Youll just poison yourself on that rubbish. Were well rid.
She sat for a long time after, straight-backed in her chair, staring at the closed door. Whiskers twined round her legs, then leapt into her lap, purring low, something she never usually let him do, and sat quietly until Mary pushed him off at last.
Thats enough moping. Some hot tea, I think.
When her son was born, Mary registered him under her own name. Levelly meeting the registry clerks questioning gaze, she said:
No father. Never was. Hes got me. Thatll do, wont it?
Cathy prepared a layette for the baby, Vera Jones found a proper pram from somewhere and pestered the factory manager for a better room for Mary, but the building work was forever stalled.
There was never enough money. Had it not been for the help from her brothers, Mary would have lost her way. Alex vanished from the city; Mary wouldnt have wanted to see him regardless. The only good left was her son.
Her whole family descended as soon as she was discharged from hospital.
What a chubby chap! A real bruiserjust like you, Mary!
Mary could have cried with relief as they gathered in the kitchen. Not a word of reproach, not a shaming look. Just her brothers wife hugging her gently and whispering:
You did right, Mary. Now youll never be alone. The right man will come, dont fret. Not all men are like that. Well help you with the boy, best we can. Hell grow strong. Dont worry.
They kept their word. Every fortnight, one of her brothers or their wives would come to the city laden with treats. Mary would unpack the baskets with tears in her eyeshow little it really takes to feel whole. Just to know you arent alone. Theres someone to help and love you, whod take your child as their own if ever need be. For that, Mary even forgave herself her tears.
The nursery was tough for young John. He was sick more often than not and Mary was torn between work and home, but with Vera and Cathys help, she managed to stay put rather than move back to her brothers crowded house in the country.
Sitting by her sons cot, his forehead hot with fever, Mary would sometimes reflect on her failed romance, realising how not everyone is lucky enough to meet someone whos truly dependable. She knew exactly what she wanted now from any man who might one day appear: not flattery or grand gesturesjust someone who would simply make her tea, send her to bed, and say:
Go on, Ill sit with your boy.
Someone whod take them to the zoo and buy John a balloon, praise her shepherds pie, and finally put up the shelf that had been sitting in the corner for ages. Someone steady. Someone there. Always.
That, for her, would be a family. As simple as that.
Sleep seized Mary where she sat by the cot, chin on the table, twisted uncomfortably but grateful for the peace.
It was during one of those nights that everything changed for Mary, finally completing her unfinished story.
John had been ill for three days, fever just wouldnt settle. The local GP, who lived next door, came round daily, shaking her head.
Nothing new to offer, Im afraid. Youre doing all you can. Well just have to wait. Hes stronghell pull through.
Mary barely put her son down, rocking him till he drifted off, only to be woken by fresh bouts of pain in his ear. Vera brought over a saucepan of homemade chicken broth one evening, hugging little John and resting her cheek on his burning brow.
Hes so hot.
I cant get his temperature down, no matter what I do.
Maybe its a good sign? Vera replied, tracing little circles on his palm. Means hes fighting it off. Thats what doctors say.
I know, Mary sighed, but it doesnt make it any easier. It hurts to see him cry.
Hell get through it. But if you wear yourself out, youll be no help to him. You both eat and get some sleep. Tomorrows another day.
Mary nodded, preparing a compress while Vera quietly left.
Whiskers hopped into the cot, flicking his tail away from Johns grasp. Eventually John snuggled up next to the cat, falling asleep before Mary finished the compress. Mary debated whether to wake him but thought it best to let sleeping babies lie.
Feeling the pan on the table to see if it was still warm, Mary took it to the kitchen to reheat the broth. Shed just started when the sound of a crash and Johns cry sent her running.
She froze in the doorway.
An enormous rat was fighting for its life in the room. Whiskers spun around it like a fiery whirlwind, though he was already woundedhis ear in tatters, a gash along his side. Mary grabbed a stool, ready to help, but just as she lunged, Whiskers leapt, catching the rat by the throat, holding on so tightly that Mary couldnt separate them, the rat already lifeless.
Thats enough, Whiskers love, let go, you did it! Mary pleaded.
The cat whimpered, kitten-like, released the rat, and hobbled over to the cot where John was now howling. Mary snatched up her son, and her breath left herthere, in the cot, was another rat, smaller but still monstrous to her eyes. Clutching John, she dashed to the door, yelling:
Help!
Within the hour, shed wrapped John up as warmly as possible and gone to Veras. Vera handed her own keys over, promising to watch Whiskers.
Rats! Here! Even after all the poisonunbelievable! Vera fumed, angry at the crumbling building which she could do nothing about.
She cleaned Marys room, took Whiskers to her own flat, and started tending his wounds.
Brave cat. Youre a hero, Whiskers! I was right to keep you, oh yes I was! You dont get cats like you very often.
Whiskers just lay, breathing heavily, not even trying to clean himself. He refused all food, which worried Vera. Next morning, after her shift, she went to tell Mary.
Will you watch John for me? Mary paced, gathering her things. Where would I even find a vet?
Theres one only a few streets from the hall. Off you go!
Mary ran, almost flew, back to the dorm. Whiskers lay on the mat by her bed, stretched out, barely breathing.
Come on, Whiskers! Hold on! Ill be quick!
She rushed to the local surgery, burst past the young receptionist in a white coat, demanding:
The vet! A proper one! Now!
The girl started to object, but seeing Marys face, pointed her to the waiting bench.
Mary sat, clutching Whiskers, barely noticing each shallow breath. She was about to go searching herself when the door finally opened and in ducked a man who could only be described as a gentle giant.
What have we got here? his deep voice startled Mary into silence.
Trying to recover, she handed him Whiskers.
Here…
What happened to him? Lifting Whiskers effortlessly, the vet examined the wounds.
Rats.
Doesnt look like a stray. Well kept.
Hes mine.
So how did he find ratsdo you let him out?
No, happened inside.
Thats a first.
Will you stop questioning and help him? Mary burst into angry tears. He saved my son. Please… do something.
No need to shout, he said quietly. My names Simon. And you are?
Mary.
Right then! Now weve been introduced, you can talk to me calmly next time. Lets see to your hero, shall we?
Several years on, a large ginger cat would quietly pad into the childrens room, checking every corner before jumping onto the cot by the sofa where John had fallen asleep. Little Alice, sensing the warm, furry body, would snuggle closer, twisting her fingers into the thick fur. Whiskers would purr, humming some secret feline lullaby, while Alice slept deeper, not even waking when her parents tiptoed in.
Mary would tuck the covers round her son, fetch Alices sock from the foot of the cot, and rest her head on her husbands shoulder.
Thats some nanny weve got, eh Simon?
Couldnt wish for better, Simon would say, scratching the cat behind his once-scarred ear. Worth his weight in gold.
Hes worth more than that. He practically glows, look.
Whiskers would nuzzle Marys hand, then stretch out next to Alice, placing his paw protectively over her. Mary would switch off the lamp, beckon Simon after her, and quietly shut the door. Her children never feared the darkhow could they, when Whiskers was always there? With him around, there was nothing to be scared of.
Looking back, I realise now family isnt about grand gestures, or even about having the perfect partner. Its about the ones who stand firm beside you, who share your burdens, who make you feel safe. Sometimes, your greatest comfort and courage can be found in the quiet, steadfast love of those who refuse to leaveeven if, as in my case, they have four paws and a gentle, rumbling purr.
