“Jeremy, your dad asked if we could pop over for the dayneeds help fixing the roof. He cant manage on his own anymore.” Emily gave her husband a hopeful look. “Lets go. And Lilys been asking to see her grandad.”
Jeremys father-in-law lived in a quaint village in the Cotswolds. A tough, hearty bloke, the sort whod shrug off a cold like it was nothing. But even he wasnt immune to time.
“Daaaad, lets go,” chimed in fourteen-year-old Lily.
“Have you two ganged up on me?” Jeremy huffed. “I get two days off a weekcant I spend them on myself for once?”
His wife and daughter dropped their gazes and turned away. Lily retreated to her room; Emily vanished into the kitchen. “Thats right,” Jeremy smirked to himself. “Forgot who has the final say, did you? Well, Ill remind you.”
Truth be told, his weekend plans werent exactly groundbreaking. On Saturday, hed planned to check out a used Land Rovera mate was selling it. Well-worn but reliable. If he haggled right, itd be perfect for fishing trips. Hed even saved up, cutting back on household expenses. Sell the old hatchback, top up with a small loan. How long could a man keep driving a battered Corsa without losing face? That evening, hed arranged a fishing trip with the ladsfireside banter, terrible jokes, and, naturally, a pint or three. Bliss!
And now? A detour to the countryside. Maybe another time, when he wasnt so busy.
The next morning, after confirming the car viewing, Jeremy set off. The Land Rover was tucked away in a garage on the outskirts of town.
“Still thinking of swapping the car?” Emily meddled again.
“Whats it to you?” Jeremy grumbled.
“Do as you like,” she sighed. “But Lilys growing up. Wed talked about getting her some proper clothesshes not a little girl anymore. A decent coat, some boots. Never mind me…”
“Shell manage another year. Back in my day” Jeremy bit back the old-man rant.
Deep down, he knew he was being unfair. But admitting it? Impossible. “Spoiled them, thats the problem,” he justified to himself, though it rang hollow.
Fifteen years ago, hed been a broke graduate when he met Emilya laughing, blue-eyed whirlwind whod somehow fancied him back. Those early years were leanrented flats, then Lily came along. They scraped by on his engineers salary, saved only by Emilys parents. Her dad made weekly deliveries: jars of jam, fresh veg, tins of homemade chutney. Hed sip tea, play with Lily, then slip them a few quid before heading back to the village.
Jeremys own parents were miles away, raising four other kids. He never climbed the corporate ladder, but side gigs kept them afloat. His salary was the backbone of their lifethanks to him, they had a modest house, a reliable (if ageing) car. Emily, a librarian, didnt earn much but made their home warm. Jeremy never left in a wrinkled shirt, and the neighbours quietly envied his wifes cooking.
When had he decided his word was law? He couldnt pinpoint it. Lately, only his opinion mattered. Lilys laughter faded; Emily smiled less. Her dad stopped visiting with hampers of treats. Jeremy stopped caring what his wife thoughthis mates approval mattered more. Even this car swap? Their idea. Sure, theyd saved for other things, but this was a steal!
He found the garage easily. The seller hadnt arrived yet. Jeremy lit a cigarette and glanced around. Rows of lockups bordered the estate, shrubs crowding the roadside. From those very bushes emerged a kitten, drawn by the cars rumble and the clank of keys.
It toddled over but kept its distance, sitting just out of reach. It had learned not to trust people, but a stubborn hope lingered: Maybe this ones different. Maybe hell even feed me.
The men emerged, shook hands, and parted. Jeremy lingered, lost in thought until his eyes fell on the kitten. It mewed weakly but didnt approach.
“Howd you end up here?” Jeremy mused. “Should be playing, eating, sleeping safe. But here you are, just surviving.”
He stubbed out his cigarette, got in the car, and glanced backjust in time to see the hope fade from the kittens green eyes as it turned and vanished into the bushes.
“Ive seen that look before,” Jeremy realised. “Emilys eyes yesterday, when I cut her off. And Lilyhead down, silent. They didnt argue. Just… left. Like this kitten. Fed, sheltered, but waiting for something more. And Ive been too blind to give it.”
He fought the lump in his throat, calling himself soft, but he already knew what hed do.
He found the kitten curled on a scrap of cardboard. Fear replaced indifference as Jeremy scooped it upthen, tentative hope.
“Lily!” Jeremy called from the doorway. “Look what Ive brought you. Reckon you can handle it?”
Her scepticism melted into delight. “Dad! Whered you find him? Hes so tiny! He must be starving!”
“Absolutely ravenous,” Jeremy confirmed. “First proper meal of his life. Hes yours now. Ours, I mean.”
“Jeremy, who are you?” Emily studied him, amused. “Whats happened?”
“Plenty. Your dads waiting, and youre not even packed! Fifteen minutesthen were off. Bathing and cuddles can wait till were there.”
His tone was firm, but their joy warmed him. While they packed, he called the ladsfishing was off.
The roof was quick workjust a few slate tiles and fresh ridge capping. Emilys dad helped haul materials up but stayed ground-level (“Dizzy spells,” he muttered). Afterward, Jeremy surveyed the garden. “Not planting this year?”
“Too much for one,” her dad sighed. “Had your mumhad a garden. Without her…”
“Ive got half-term soon, Grandad,” Lily offered, stroking the now-dozing kitten. “Whiskersd love it herebetter than our flat.”
“Well come next weekend,” Jeremy said. “Help dig, Emily can sort the beds. Dont be proudjust ask. Youre not alone.”
They drove home late, the radio humming. Lily and Whiskers snoozed in the backbathed, fed, and blissfully worn out.
“Doesnt take much, does it?” Jeremy smiled. “Just someone who cares. Glad I met him. Thingsll be different now.”
He nudged Emily. “About Lilys new clothestake her shopping tomorrow. Get whatever she needs. And treat yourself. Cant have my girls looking shabby.”
“What about the Land Rover?” She leaned into his shoulder.
“This ones fine. Just needs proper maintenance. The new one can wait. But your dad could use a tillersaw his plot. Digging it by handd ruin his back.”
They laughed quietly, careful not to wake Lily or Whiskers.
City lights glowed ahead. The engine purred; tyres whispered on tarmac. An old song played softlyone theyd known since they were young.
On the back seat, Lily and Whiskers slept curled together. Emily rested her head on Jeremys shoulder, smiling like she had at twenty.
If anyone asked him now, “What more do you need to be happy?”
Hed say, “Absolutely nothing.”
